Getting to the Mormon Temple
Everything about the Mormon religion—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–is meant to lead us to Christ, to avail ourselves of His grace during mortality, and to make us co-heirs with Him in eternity. In this quest, we are meant to travel along with the people we love the most, our families. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins opens the gates of heaven; it is the first step, being born again, a new creature in Christ. When we are baptized we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. We have already developed faith in Him and have repented of our sins. Through baptism we become members of His kingdom on earth and are worthy of...
Sacred Space – The Temple Experience in Ancient Jewish/Christian Texts
Previous posts on Sacred Space, can be found at these links: part one, part two, part three, part four, and part five. In previous articles, we’ve discussed sacred spaces and temple experiences from the Bible and Book of Mormon. We will now look at some of ancient texts related to Judaism and/or Christianity that also contain such themes. Please note that none of these are part of the canonized scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most Mormons have probably never heard of them. It is interesting, however, to read about and see the commonalities of spiritual experiences of the prophets, whether in scripture or non-scriptural literature. The Ascension of Isaiah The Ascension of Isaiah is believed...
The Temple and the Kingdoms of Heaven
In the Bible it says that there are many mansions in heaven: In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2-3). That there are many mansions in heaven may mean that there are many abodes there, but also that there are levels in heaven. Such has been the idea in Christianity since the beginning. The prophets, both ancient and modern, have told us that there are three kingdoms in heaven. It says in 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out...
Sacred Space – Jesus Christ and Sacred Space
Previous posts on Sacred Space, can be found at these links: part one, part two, and part three, Previously, we’ve discussed ancient sacred spaces: Garden of Eden, Sinai, the Tabernacle of Moses, Solomon’s temple, and other sacred places. Usually when we think of the Tabernacle or Solomon’s temple, we think of animal sacrifice. While this was an important part of the ritual performed in these sacred sites, it wasn’t the killing of the animals that mattered, but the symbolisms and covenants entered into at the temple that were of greatest importance to ancient Israel, including the prophets and Jesus. The Manger as Sacred Space Joseph and Mary were not homeless. They were away from their home in Nazareth, required to be...
Sacred Space – Solomon’s Temple
King David wished to build a temple to Jehovah. The Tabernacle was centuries old and was situated in Shiloh. David brought the ark of the covenant, which represented the presence of God, to Jerusalem to bring God’s presence closer to him. Still, there was no place in Jerusalem for God’s work to be done. Being a man of war throughout his life, the Lord instructed David to prepare the way, but to leave the building for his son, Solomon. Solomon builds the Temple Solomon spared no expense on the temple. He sought the best timber from Lebanon, gold and silver to cover the walls and floors. It truly was an impressive sight to behold, once completed. The temple construction began in Solomon’s fourth year as king, and...
Sacred Space – From Bamah to David’s Psalms
For several centuries after the Israelites settled in Israel, the Tabernacle of Moses was the premier location for worshiping God. Given the distance to travel to the Tabernacle, other altars were established to Jehovah in high places. These high places (Hebrew: bamoth (pl), bamah (s)) were special altars set up by prophets and priests, such as Samuel, in order to worship the Lord as was done prior to the days of the Tabernacle. In later years, kings Hezekiah and Josiah would remove the altars and cause all animal sacrifice to be done only at the temple, concentrating more power under the temple priests, and showing the importance of that one sacred space. King David saw the hand of God in his life, as the Lord protected him...
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