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Mar. 4th, 2005 06:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silversolitaireI don't get the Mormons and it annoys the hell out of me. I'm interested in religion, in sprituality and I want to understand other beliefs, but the Mormons defeat me. No matter how much I read about them I feel like I don't understand a thing. This is very frustrating...
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Date: 2005-03-05 03:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-05 04:33 pm (UTC)I tend to be critical about religions, especially when I feel like the basis it's built on isn't very sound. However, I have utmost respect of people who believe, no matter what it is they believe. And I want to know how and why they've come to believe this. Without judgement, even if my mode of questioning sometimes may sound too critical.
I'm going to spare you the general "Why??" questions and just ask you the one thing that really bugs me the most. Temples. I heard that not everyone can go into all parts of the temples. Is that true? If so, who can go where and how? What are the different parts of a temple? What are the requirements to enter one? What's the idea behind it? Where can I find out more about it?
That would already be neat to know! ^^
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Date: 2005-03-05 06:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-05 10:38 pm (UTC)online of course, but also other books I have found in the library.
Problem is, those books often are biased. And the sources online seem to
assume you know what's going on in the first place. Thing is, I don't. I
have no clue whatsoever.
You're right - a lot of sources both in print and online are very biased either against or for LDS (Latter Day Saint, or Mormon) beliefs. But the most accurate sources I've found for basic questions are either missionaries or longtime members, or possibly LDS.org, a church sponsored site that can lead you through some of the basic principles of LDS beliefs.
I've never spoken to a mormon one-on-one before
in my entire life.
You're speaking to one now! Feel free to ask anything either within lj or via email.
I tend to be critical about religions, especially when I feel like the
basis it's built on isn't very sound. However, I have utmost respect of
people who believe, no matter what it is they believe. And I want to know
how and why they've come to believe this. Without judgement, even if my
mode of questioning sometimes may sound too critical.
It's good to be critical, esp. when it comes to figuring out the truth about God, religion, etc. One of the unique beliefs of LDS, though, is that we believe in personal revelation. IOW, ask God a question and you'll get an answer. There's a scripture in the New Testament, James 1:5, that says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." We believe that our latter day church was organized because one person decided to take that scripture literally and ask God what was true. We also believe that He still answer prayers today. I believe that questions I've asked have been answered, and that's why I continue to follow LDS teachings today.
I'm going to spare you the general "Why??" questions and just ask you the
one thing that really bugs me the most. Temples. I heard that not
everyone can go into all parts of the temples. Is that true? If so, who
can go where and how? What are the different parts of a temple? What are
the requirements to enter one? What's the idea behind it? Where can I
find out more about it?
Ah, the temple. This is such a big subject, it's hard to condense into a short lj entry. Here's the simple version according to Lorien:
We believe that families can be together forever. In the temple, ceremonies where people are sealed to spouses, children, and ancestors are performed. In addition, there is a ceremony called an endowment where members learn more about their spiritual history and make promises to honor certain commandments. The work that goes on inside the temple is sacred, kinda like "advanced Mormonism." So only members in good standing (those who have been interviewed by their bishop and stake president) can enter the temple and attend these ceremonies. A person who attends the temple must be spiritually ready to commit to the promises made there. To allow non-members, or members who are not ready, attend would sort of be like asking a casual Catholic to take on the vows of a nun. It isn't a matter of secrecy as much as a matter of appropriateness and sanctity.
That being said, there are lots more specifics out there for everyone about the nature of temples, the various rooms, the ideas behind them, etc. Much of it can be found on the LDS website here. (http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html) I also have a booklet I can send you if you like that has some of the same articles, but lots more pictures, including ones of various rooms in temples, if you're interested. (or you can order it here, (http://deseretbook.com/store/product?product_id=100015426) it's only $3, but I have an extra copy.) Hope this answers at least a few questions.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-05 11:28 pm (UTC)It has nothing to do with worship. It's just a decoration found of one or two very old temples. The idea for the design isn't exactly known, but is probably based on a scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 that says "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory" Some LDS people probably like it because to them it's representative of heaven. Or maybe just because it's pretty.
And do you know any places where I can see nice paintings of the history of the church? I know I've seen very pretty paintings of Joseph Smith before and when he translated the book etc. I'd like to see them again but I can't find them! I like to look at paintings, mosaics, statues etc. of spiritual situations.
I haven't done a lot of searching on this, so there's probably better galleries out there. But this one (http://www.rggallery.com/lllist.php) seems to have a lot of really nice art, especially pics by Liz Lemon Swindle, who does some wonderful paintings about Joseph Smith. The side menu has a lot of spiritual subjects to choose from and you can discover more artists there.
Oh... and what do you think of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith?
I think it was a tragedy, a senseless death caused by irrational hatred. I also think that the plan of those opposed to the church backfired. Instead of crushing the growing LDS church, the martyrdom strengthened the testimony and resolve of many in the church. Not even an extermination order could stop people from believing in the teachings of the church, and it has continued to grow ever since.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-06 02:51 pm (UTC)Now, I have a couple of more questions. I'm asking because I prefer to hear these things from "real people", if you don't mind. Just say if it's too much to answer! ^^;
Why are the Temples always so huge? They seem to have several levels. Are the other rooms there? Are there more differenciations than just non-member, newbie-Mormon and advanced Mormon? What would be the highest level a Mormon could achieve?
I understand to ensure that only worthy people enter the Temple you guys get Temple recommends. Is there an admission control? Do you have to flash your card every time you want to enter the Temple? How does it work?
How do you know your interview is coming up? What happens when you miss it? Isn't this a lot of work to go through all the members every year? What happens when they reject you and you don't get a recommend? How would your "parish" view you then? Is there such a thing as a parish at all? Who is the head of the community?
I've read in "Angels in America" that there's something like uhm, Temple underwear? I'm sorry if I'm using the wrong term here. It appeared to me like it was some sort of protective shell a Mormon wears. Is that true? What's the point of this?
What's a Temple Garment, when is it worn and for which occasions? Why is it that I can't find any pictures of Mormon rituals anywhere, such as a Sealing Ceremony or a wedding or a baptism?
What does Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood mean? Who can achieve it and what does it mean? Is it a big thing or can anyone have it when dedicated enough?
Why are the Mormons to intent on researching family history? Why are there gigantic databases where you can dig up thousands of names of people who supposedly were mormons? Why are there Mormons that died before Mormonism was "founded"? I heard Mormons baptism people to Mormonism who weren't even Mormons at the point of their death. How can you ensure this people wanted to be Mormons at all?
Okay... that's the first batch for now. I'm sorry that I'm spamming you like this! ^^;;;
no subject
Date: 2005-03-06 03:11 pm (UTC)Okay, now I'm going to ask a couple of controversial questions. Please don't take offense. I respect your belief and I'm not making fun of you. I just want to show you how these things appear to me and I want to know how you view them.
About Joseph Smith. Do you really view him as Prophet? How do you consider the things he did? Shouldn't a Prophet act accordingly? (I realize I'm judging a bit, I'm sorry). Example: It seems very fishy to me that he for the books and he spread them and then years later he adds "Oh wait, there was also this thing about plural marriage. Didn't remember to add it then, but it counts!" I understand that even members of his own church didn't support the idea of plural marriage (including his wife!) and even established rules against it. What it sounds like to me is that it suddenly came to his mind that he wanted to have more than one woman, but the rules said he'd have to be faithful and not have extramarital sex, so of course he had to marry them all. He had 34 wives, most of which he only spent the wedding night with! 11 of them already were married!
One of the situations that annoyed me the most was Zina Huntington, his 5th wife. He wanted to marry her and she didn't want to because she was already courted by Jacobs. Then she marries Jacobs and months into her marriage, Smith writes to her by proxy of her brother: "Tell Zina, I put it off and put it off till an angel with a drawn sword stood by me and told me if I did not establish that principle upon the earth I would lose my position and my life" I mean, please! Doesn't this sound really odd?
So, what do you think of this? How can it be excused or explained? I'm just asking to see what his standing is. I realize that even when a prophet isn't 100% perfect still a lot of good can come from his teaching, so even if he wasn't that noble in that sense it doesn't change what arose from it, but I just want to know how he is considered nowadays.
Eep, now I was distracted and forgot the rest. Oh well, gonna post this now and add more when I remember! ^^;
no subject
Date: 2005-03-07 06:03 am (UTC)Because of space, I sent my answers to the email address on your website. If this isn't the right address, let me know and I'll resend them. Or I can post them here - but I'll warn you, they're long! Feel free to keep the questions coming, though!
no subject
Date: 2005-03-07 11:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-08 04:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-08 11:58 am (UTC)silver@glasscases.net
I can't believe this happened to me! Gaaaaaaaaaaah! *dies from not getting the mail!!!!!*
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Date: 2005-03-09 03:07 am (UTC)Later,
Lorien
no subject
Date: 2005-03-09 12:10 pm (UTC)(Geeze, I almost deleted the mail because I didn't recognize the name nor the subject line and suspected it to be spam... XD;;; That would have completed our lucky streak, wouldn't it?)