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15 occultic and controversial facts you may want to know about Lds temples [Vanity]
Colofornian | March 14, 2013 | Colofornian

Posted on 03/14/2013 10:44:57 AM PDT by Colofornian

Springtime seems to be the season when strange things happen – or controversial occurrences – happen in connection with temples within the church system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons).

The chart at the end of this article highlights “15 occultic and controversial facts you may want to know about Lds temples.”

Thirteen of those 15 “Facts” relate to the Lds church history of its temples, and strangely the overwhelming “dates” associated with these occur in mid to late March and the months of April or May.

Why?

Perhaps it goes back to the original “pact” Joseph Smith made. He received a Masonic degree on March 16, 1842. And by May of 1842, he injected elements of the Freemasonry ceremony into the Lds temple rituals.

Temple Occultic Occurrences, Manifestations & Hauntings:

Even six years prior, on March 27, 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio – the location of the first Lds temple (and one abandoned by the Mormons prior to Smith implementing Baptisms for the dead)... strange visions were going on:

Temple dedications were often the scenes of such mysterious occurrences. Joseph Smith wrote of "many strange visions" that were seen when the first temple was dedicated at Kirkland, Ohio on 27 March 1836. It was noted that men would run about "under the influence," while others would "speak in a muttering, unnatural voice and their bodies [would] be distorted...." (Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 1 April 1842, page 747) Smith wrote: "Soon after the Gospel was established in Kirtland...many false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were seen, and wild, enthusiastic notions were entertained; men ran out doors under the influence of this spirit, and some of them got upon the stumps of trees and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were entered into by them; one man pursued a ball that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came to a precipice, when he jumped into the top of a tree, which saved his life; and many ridiculous things were entered into... (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 213-214)

What kinds of "ridiculous things?"

The records of early Mormonism are replete with accounts of activity from the spirit world. According to John Whitmer, who was the official Church Historian in Joseph Smith's time, some converts to the new religion would "act like an Indian in the act of scalping," or would "slide or scoot on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent...." During the ordination ceremony of Harvey Whitlock as a high priest in 1831, he was seen to have "turned as black as Lyman was white," his fingers "were set like claws," and, unable to speak, he went about the room with eyes "as the shape of oval Os...." On another occasion, one man, who weighed over 200 pounds, was thrown through the air by an unseen force, and another "began screaming like a panther...." 46. John Whitmer, John Whitmer's History (Salt Lake City, Utah: Modern Microfilm Company, n.d.), Chapter Six.

Haunting also took place in the Manti, Utah temple in April 1877 and the Salt Lake City temple the Spring of 1893.

Lds "prophet" Wilford Woodruff claimed:

* "I have had many interviews with Brother Joseph until the last 15 or 20 years of my life; I have not see him for that length of time." Journal of Discourses, 21:317-318, October 10, 1880, cf. Journal of Discourses, 19:229

* And that The Declaration of Independence signers appeared to him in the St. George, Utah temple in the 1870s (see chart below).

* Similarly, Lds "apostle" Heber C. Kimball (one who manifested signs of demon possession as a Mormon missionary in the United Kingdom in 1837) said "Joseph Smith continued visiting myself and others up to a certain time, and then it stopped." -- Lds "apostle" Heber C. Kimball, Deseret Weekly News, 53:112, Temples of the Most High, 1896, p. 345

LDS Temple Ritual Changes

Even though EVERY small detail of a Mormon temple ritual is highlighted as being of great import, the Lds Church have made SEVERAL official changes to their temple rites (See Temple Ritual Changed...Again). What is significantly strange about that is that one official Lds church publication, Church Handbook of Instructions: Book 2 Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998) highlights how important those details are: The publication cites Lds “apostle” James Talmage that:No jot, iota, or tittle of the temple rites is otherwise than uplifting and sanctifying. In EVERY DETAIL the endowment ceremony contributes to...” (and Talmage goes on to tout several aspects of that). [The original Talmage source cited is The House of the Lord, p. 84 of the 1976 edition, as cited by The Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, p. 261.]

The Lds church made significant changes in – yes, you guessed it – APRIL (1990):

“In 1982 The God Makers film reenacted some of the most occult elements in the [Lds temple] endowment. The later film, The Temple of the God Makers, went even deeper. Telling many of the scenes shown are the very ones now inexplicably missage. The changes include the elimination of the following: 1. The chanting of the words pay lay ale, which temple patrons were told came from the ancient 'Adamic language' and meant 'O God, hear the words of my mouth.' 2. A portion of the ceremony in which a Protestant preacher is portrayed as a hireling of Lucifer. He is paid to preach the gospel of salvation by the grace and omnipresence and omnipotence of God the Father to 'Adam and his prosperity.' 3. The penalty signs which portray the temple patron having their throat slit, their heart ripped out, or their belly torn open for revealing the secrets of the temple rite. 4. Women in the temple having to veil their faces in prayer. 5. Women in the temple swearing a covenant to obey their husbands as God. 6. The Masonic 'five points of fellowship' and the embrace with 'the Lord' through the veil in order to gain admittance to the Celestial Room and the presence of Heavenly Father. 7. The use of female veil workers at the veil, representing mother goddesses, to embrace the women temple patrons and bring them through to the Celestial Room.” (Ed Decker, Decker's Complete Handbook of Mormonism, p. 396, Harvest House, 1995).

The Lds Church Handbook of Instructions boast about special occultic knowledge gained in the secretive Lds temples: “...members receive important knowledge of 'things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world. (D&C 124:41)” The Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, p. 261. [For more on occultic features re: the Mormon temple, see #8 in the chart below]

Necro-baptizing

By far, most of the work done in the Lds temples comprises baptizing the dead – and sealings of marriages can be done for the dead as well. Controversy has repeatedly erupted since the Mormon Church's April 1995 agreement with Jews to stop baptizing Jews killed in the Holocaust. Anne Frank and other Jews, along with many historical figures, have been necro-baptized by the Church.

The end portion of the chart below covers controversial aspects of these necro-baptisms. One still yet to be controversial feature of Mormon theology is how it presents Mormons themselves as literal “saviors” – in competition with Jesus Christ Himself!

For more on that, See Are Mormon people LITERAL saviors of dead Jews, others? (The OTHER World Series: Vanity)Surprisingly NONE of the Mormon temple activity originates from the Book of Mormon. The Lds temple itself wasn't used for “necro” purposes until the 1840s. The first two Lds temples (Kirtland, Ohio and Nauvoo, IL) were abandoned by the Mormons.

15 occultic and controversial facts you may want to know about Lds temples

DATE & PLACE LDS TEMPLE FACTOID SOURCE LINKS
1. OVERARCHING INTRO What's involved with LDS temple rituals? The Secret LDS Temple Ceremony [Mormonism/Anti-Christian]
HISTORY OF LDS TEMPLE FACTS
2. May, 1842: Nauvoo, IL Masonic influences in temple ceremony after Joseph Smith rec'd a Mason's degree March 16, 1842 Masonic Influence in the Endowment Ceremony + Masonry/Temple + MASONRY & THE MORMON TEMPLE CEREMONY + Top 10 Mormon Problems (see #10) + Sandra Tanner on Mormon Temples
Temple Occultic Occurrences, Manifestations & Hauntings:
3. March 27, 1836 Kirtland, Ohio Temple Lds abandoned in the 1830s Strange visions Temple dedications were often the scenes of such mysterious occurrences. Joseph Smith wrote of "many strange visions" that were seen when the first temple was dedicated at Kirkland, Ohio on 27 March 1836. It was noted that men would run about "under the influence," while others would "speak in a muttering, unnatural voice and their bodies [would] be distorted...." (Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 1 April 1842, page 747) Smith wrote: "Soon after the Gospel was established in Kirtland...many false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were seen, and wild, enthusiastic notions were entertained; men ran out doors under the influence of this spirit, and some of them got upon the stumps of trees and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were entered into by them; one man pursued a ball that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came to a precipice, when he jumped into the top of a tree, which saved his life; and many ridiculous things were entered into... (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 213-214) What kinds of "ridiculous things?" The records of early Mormonism are replete with accounts of activity from the spirit world. According to John Whitmer, who was the official Church Historian in Joseph Smith's time, some converts to the new religion would "act like an Indian in the act of scalping," or would "slide or scoot on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent...." During the ordination ceremony of Harvey Whitlock as a high priest in 1831, he was seen to have "turned as black as Lyman was white," his fingers "were set like claws," and, unable to speak, he went about the room with eyes "as the shape of oval Os...." On another occasion, one man, who weighed over 200 pounds, was thrown through the air by an unseen force, and another "began screaming like a panther...." 46. John Whitmer, John Whitmer's History (Salt Lake City, Utah: Modern Microfilm Company, n.d.), Chapter Six. GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism + GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism (original source)
4. 1870s St. George, Utah Temple The dead Founding Fathers appeared in the temple? Supposedly the spirits of the signers of the Declaration of Independence -- with George Washington -- appeared to Lds would-be “prophet” Wilford Woodruff. Is the temple haunted? Were these indeed ghosts of the signers? Could they have been demons in disguise as ghosts? Or was the one even contemporary Mormons appeal to as the "authoritative" voice of God on polygamy vs. monogamy perhaps given to wild religious fantasies? Furthermore, does the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints play down this occultic episode as being just a small event in the life of Woodruff? Or are the sources questionable? The answer to these last two questions is: Not at all.In fact anybody can go to Lds.org and find Lesson 39 of the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, where they would see a lesson plan that actually plays it up and highlights Woodruff's claims...giving credence that  contemporary Mormons buy into it! – (see The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers) Within the lesson plan detailing the account, Mormon church curricula writers then have their teachers ask the question: What can we learn from these two stories? (Answers could include that those who are dead are anxious for us to perform ordinances for them and that we should be diligent in our efforts to redeem the dead.) So official Mormon church teachings actually present the account of such occultic ghostly/potentially demonic encounters as anecdotal evidence of baptizing dead spirits! Furthermore, BYU  also includes the account as part of their curricula for incoming freshmen who have taken their "Religious Education Intro to LDS Family History (Genealogy)" course. (See next column for secondary source, which provides primary sources) Lds Temple Haunted? Did Declaration of Independence signers appear as ghosts to leader? [Vanity]
5. April 1877 Manti, Utah Temple Mormon writer Joseph Heinerman described such things as personages of light, auras of light around some of the speakers, strange music, and other manifestations during the dedication of the Mormon temple in Manti, Utah. (See link next column + Greg Loren Durand 1995-2005 Crown Rights Book Company, citing Joseph Heinerman, Spirit World Manifestations: Accounts of Divine Aid in Genealogical and Temple Work and Other Assistance to Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Joseph Lyon and Associates, 1986), pages 94-97. (If one says "Well, that was 133 years ago" note that these anecdotal ghost stories are ones BYU professors feel are worth including in their class student syllabus, in the 1960s, or 1970: Charles R. Woodbury noted during one of the "fast food" baptisms for the dead that Mormons were doing in Manti that day (300 of them), he noted the following: ...let us review a journal entry written by Charles R. Woodbury after he had “witnessed 300 baptisms one day” in the Manti Temple: As a name was called out for baptism, a voice said to me, “This person has had the Gospel taught them and is converted and is ready for baptism.” Another name would be called out, “This person’s never heard the Gospel yet.” Another name would be called, “This person’s heard the Gospel and is not converted.” I sat there in that condition and witnessed 300 baptisms. I knew everyone of them that had accepted it and those that didn’t…25 out of the 300 weren’t ready for it. They weren’t converted and ready for the work. The rest of them, the other 275 were prepared and rejoiced that their work was being done. This is the testimony that I have to show people that the departed spirits know and appreciate when their work is done in the Temple, so they can enjoy the blessings of the Gospel (Woodbury, 1970, p. 19). (For source, see second link in next column) GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism + Religious Education C261 Intro to LDS Family History (Genealogy) p. 57
6. Spring 1893 Salt Lake City Temple opening

Mormons claim that when they opened their temple in the Spring of 1893, "Some Latter-day Saints saw...past Presidents of the Church and other deceased Church leaders." (Our Heritage: A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1996, p. 1020

Official Lds church source: Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints p. 116, 1996
7. Open House start date April 3, 1993 San Diego, CA Temple Visitations by the dead: Prior to the dedication of the San Diego temple, local Mormon families were given a packet entitled Family Temple Preparation Material. Included in this written material were about seven pages devoted to "true stories" of temple patrons who were visited by the dead They see dead people?
OTHER TEMPLE OCCULTIC COMPONENTS
8. Other Occultic Elements Temple oaths, secrets, secret tokens/passwords to heaven revealed + 'Is Lucifer the god of the Mormon temple?' In the temple ceremony up through April 1990, why did the Lds temple ritual have Lucifer answer prayers in the temple? (In a presentation of Adam praying 'Oh God hear the words of my mouth' three times Lucifer answers and promises to answer for the father Adam was praying unto) Mitt Romney's Mormon Secrets [Temple oaths, secrets, secret tokens/passwords to heaven revealed] + Is Lucifer the god of the Mormon Temple? [The OTHER World Series]
9. 1927 Salt Lake City, UT Lds temple ceremony ritualistic changes ( Why change something 'direct from Mormon god?') included removing an oath of vengeance against the United States – an oath they were swearing to retain up thru the 3rd and 4th generations...meaning we are STILL in that time period of 3-4 generations removed from the mid-1920s Temple Ritual Changed...Again + Only The Latest In A Long Line: Temple Ceremony Changes Through History + Why the need for secret death oaths in the LDS Temple Endowment Ceremony? [Secretive Mormon church] + Sandra Tanner on Mormon Temples + Top 10 Mormon Problems (see #10)
10. April 1990 Salt Lake City, UT More Lds temple ceremony ritualistic changes (Again, why change something 'direct from Mormon god?'): “In 1982 The God Makers film reenacted some of the most occult elements in the [Lds temple] endowment. The later film, The Temple of the God Makers, went even deeper. Telling many of the scenes shown are the very ones now inexplicably missage. The changes include the elimination of the following: 1. The chanting of the words pay lay ale, which temple patrons were told came from the ancient 'Adamic language' and meant 'O God, hear the words of my mouth.' 2. A portion of the ceremony in which a Protestant preacher is portrayed as a hireling of Lucifer. He is paid to preach the gospel of salvation by the grace and omnipresence and omnipotence of God the Father to 'Adam and his prosperity.' 3. The penalty signs which portray the temple patron having their throat slit, their heart ripped out, or their belly torn open for revealing the secrets of the temple rite. 4. Women in the temple having to veil their faces in prayer. 5. Women in the temple swearing a covenant to obey their husbands as God. 6. The Masonic 'five points of fellowship' and the embrace with 'the Lord' through the veil in order to gain admittance to the Celestial Room and the presence of Heavenly Father. 7. The use of female veil workers at the veil, representing mother goddesses, to embrace the women temple patrons and bring them through to the Celestial Room.” (Ed Decker, Decker's Complete Handbook of Mormonism, p. 396, Harvest House) Temple Ritual Changed...Again + Only The Latest In A Long Line: Temple Ceremony Changes Through History + Why the temple ceremony was changed in 1990 - LDS-Mormon + Sandra Tanner on Mormon Temples + Top 10 Mormon Problems (see #10)
NECRO BAPTISMS
11. April, 1995 Lds Church covenants with Jews to stop Lds baptisms of Jewish Holocaust Victims – a covenant not kept A Chronicle of the Mormon/Jewish Controversy: The Issue of The Mormon Baptisms of Jewish Holocaust Victims and Other Jewish Dead+ Anne Frank, a Mormon? +
* Anne Frank has been posthumously baptized (Mormon) + Elie Wiesel calls for Romney’s help to end Mormons’ proxy baptisms of Jews
12. Various Lds Temples Who Knew They were 'Mormons'? A Look @ Controversial 'Who's Who' among the dead who the Mormons have 'baptized' LDS Struggle to Keep Proxy Baptisms Appropriate + Here Are 10 Famous People Posthumously Baptized By Mormons [Business Insider] + Baptism for the Dead - People
13. March 15, 2000: Jordan River Temple, South Jordan, UT Lds temple seals deceased Roman Catholic priest to nun (Lds' controversial practice of 'sealing' the dead in marriage) Mormons even marry the dead by proxy (Vanity: The OTHER World Series) + Newest Catholic saint baptized and 'sealed' to wife in LDS temple? + Hemings and Jefferson Together Forever? Troubling cases of Mormon “proxy sealing” + What is an LDS Church /Mormon temple marriage/sealing?
14. All Lds Temples Mormon theological claim that Mormons themselves are literal saviors of the dead Are Mormon people LITERAL saviors of dead Jews, others? (The OTHER World Series: Vanity)
THEOLOGICAL WRAP-UP
15. Is all this 'temple' stuff revealed in the Book of Mormon? Does the BoM "enlighten" us about baptism for the dead or any temple rite or work? (No) Then what "lens" does it offer us? What about physical temples at all? (No) It doesn't tell us about ANY rituals done, nor does it offer us "additional" views about God or "the Mormon gods"...nor anything about the Aaronic priesthood, let alone anything "new"... nor does it tell us anything about baptism for the dead, let alone anything "new" about it...nor does the BoM tell us how to become a god, let alone anything "new" about it... nor does it tell us how to eternally progress unto godhood, let alone anything "new" about it...


TOPICS: History; Other non-Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: getalife; inman; lds; mormonbashing; mormonism; occult; temples
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To: Colofornian
... if Teppe referenced it as a young missionary lad on the mission field.

Then he may have been taught by THIS fellow!!


 
 
Professor Robert Millet        teaching at the Mission Prep Club in 2004  http://newsnet.byu.edu/video/18773/  <-- Complete and uneditted

 
 
Timeline...    Subject...
 
0:59           "Anti-Mormons..."
1:16           "ATTACK the faith you have..."
2:02           "We really aren't obligated to answer everyone's questions..."
3:57           "You already know MORE about God and Christ and the plan of salvation than any who would ATTACK you."


61 posted on 03/14/2013 6:42:48 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Colofornian
... if Teppe referenced it as a young missionary lad on the mission field.

And he SURELY obeyed these easy instructions; too!


The Rules

  1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
  2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
  3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
  4. Don't debate or argue.
  5. Center your mind on your mission.
  6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
  7. Cut your hair regularly.
  8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
  9. Be neat and clean.
  10. Bathe frequently.
  11. Use deodorant.
  12. Polish your shoes.
  13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
  14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
  15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
  16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
  17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
  18. Exercise regularly.
  19. Write in your journal regularly.
  20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
  21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
  22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
  23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
  24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
  25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
  26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
  27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
  28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
  29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
  30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
  31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
  32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
  33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
  34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
  35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
  36. Do not go on road trips.
  37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
  38. Do not watch television.
  39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
  40. Do not listen to the radio.
  41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
  42. Do not participate in musical groups.
  43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
  44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
  45. Do not engage in contact sports.
  46. Do not engage in water sports.
  47. Do not engage in winter sports.
  48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
  49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
  50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
  51. Do not embark on a private boat.
  52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
  53. Do not handle firearms.
  54. Do not handle explosives.
  55. Do not swim.
  56. Do not play full court basketball.
  57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
  58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
  59. You may play half-court basketball.
  60. Never be alone.
  61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
  62. Be loyal to your companion.
  63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
  64. Pray with your companion every day.
  65. Study with your companion every day.
  66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
  67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
  68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
  69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
  70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
  71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
  72. Do not arise before your companion.
  73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
  74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
  75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
  76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
  77. Do not flirt.
  78. Do not date.
  79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
  80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
  81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
  82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
  83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
  84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
  85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
  86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
  87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
  88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
  89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
  90. Do not telephone parents
  91. Do not telephone relatives.
  92. Do not telephone friends.
  93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
  94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
  95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
  96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
  97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
  98. Obey all mission rules.
  99. Obey the laws of the land.
  100. Do not get involved in politics.
  101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
  102. Do not give any information about the area.
  103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
  104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
  105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
  106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
  107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
  108. Be courteous.
  109. Provide community service.
  110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
  111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
  112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
  113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
  114. Keep your housing unit clean.
  115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
  116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
  117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
  118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
  119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
  120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
  121. Maintain your health.
  122. Eat a healthy diet.
  123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
  124. Follow the approved exercise program.
  125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
  126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
  127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
  128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
  129. Be immunized.
  130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
  131. Budget your money carefully.
  132. Keep a record of what you spend.
  133. Do not spend more than your companion.
  134. Do not loan money.
  135. Do not borrow money.
  136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
  137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
  138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
  139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
  140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
  141. Be a frugal photographer.
  142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
  143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
  144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
  145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
  146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
  147. Do not drive without a license.
  148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
  149. Do not drive members’ cars.
  150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
  151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
  152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
  153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
  154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
  155. Drive defensively.
  156. Wear your seat belt.
  157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
  158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
  159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
  160. Know bicycle safety rules.
  161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
  162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
  163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
  164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
  165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
  166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
  167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.

62 posted on 03/14/2013 6:43:41 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: teppe

If the RM admonishes you again in this thread; will you just disappear from it like you did in THIS one??

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2996453/posts?page=43#43


63 posted on 03/14/2013 6:54:48 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie; teppe

I’m still waiting for him to respond to my post that demonstrated the scripture’s teaching on Monotheism and the fact that Jesus Christ is God. I doubt it’ll ever happen, though.


64 posted on 03/14/2013 6:56:52 PM PDT by Greetings_Puny_Humans
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To: Greetings_Puny_Humans

“... Still waiting...”

Good luck with that! I predict you won’t see a single fact (there are none), not a shred of evidence (isn’t any), and certainly no Biblical support.


65 posted on 03/14/2013 7:01:43 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (Gone rogue, gone Galt, gone international, gone independent. Gone.)
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To: greyfoxx39

I don’t know why you interpreted my comments as indignant.

I was pointing out that the criticism voiced would apply equally to my charitable giving, and probably to many Christians here.

I have no idea how a Mormon might feel about your criticism, but if it is true, I’m not sure why they would be “indignant” — I certainly don’t feel that I have to justify my giving to you or anybody else, nor do I imagine most freepers would feel indignant about it. We proudly give money to our churches, because we support the work our churches do.

And while of course I believe my church does the true work of the church, as opposed to what other religions do, I’m not surprised that a person who chooses to follow any particular religion would feel equally proud to support what their religion preaches, be it muslims, scientologists, unitarians, or more mainstream religions.

Maybe instead of looking to label people as indignant, you might take the time to explain why a person being generous to largely to their own church organization is something you consider to be negative.

Although I imagine it wasn’t the general principle that you object to, just the target of that principle when it comes to Mormons.

Which then, as I said, is really about the faults of the Mormon religion, and not about some bad-faith giving by their adherents.


66 posted on 03/14/2013 8:47:19 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT
So I’m not sure how much of an “attack” it is to hit someone because their giving is mostly to their church.

Well; a lot of MORMONism's followers manage to 'attack' any religion that pays a preacher.

It may be a teaching of the LDS religious organization based in Salt Lake City as well; I am not sure.

67 posted on 03/15/2013 4:28:55 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout


68 posted on 03/15/2013 5:56:42 AM PDT by stuartcr ("I have habits that are older than the people telling me they're bad for me.")
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To: CharlesWayneCT; Religion Moderator
I was pointing out that the criticism voiced would apply equally to my charitable giving, and probably to many Christians here.

You state, "I certainly don’t feel that I have to justify my giving to you or anybody else

Although I imagine it wasn’t the general principle that you object to, just the target of that principle when it comes to Mormons.

YOU Charles, and your charitable giving is of absolutely NO interest to me.

Your lecture is "making it personal" by attacking my "perceived" motives and against religious forum rules.

69 posted on 03/15/2013 7:59:28 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (Thanks Mitt.)
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To: greyfoxx39; Religion Moderator
OK, you have me there, although in my defense, I was distracted from the rules of the "religion thread" by your response to me, which also was decidedly personal, and interpreting of my motives:

So, save your indignation and support for Mitt for the next time he begins his campaign for POTUS.

It was that comment I was responding to; I would be happy if the religion moderator decided to remove your comment and mine in the interest of religious comity.

70 posted on 03/15/2013 8:58:12 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT; greyfoxx39

It’ll not be necessary to pull the posts but both of you need to avoid making this thread “about” yourselves which is also “making it personal.” Instead, discuss the issues all you want.


71 posted on 03/15/2013 10:01:07 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Religion Moderator

Thank you, RM.


72 posted on 03/15/2013 10:03:45 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (Thanks Mitt.)
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