Uniformity of Mormon Sacred Architecture

[JeanMichel]

Got to pay that money if you want in the temple. Pretty temples on the outside does not hide the Mason ceremonies on the inside.

You will find Catholic churches everywhere, including in the middle of cities. LDS temples tho are in the nice neighborhoods away from the crime and poor people.

You will find Mormon churches everywhere; generally never in the middle of cities, but more in the suburbs. A temple is not the equivalent of a church building to my understanding.

Temples are put aside for covenant making with God and for charitable work for those who have already died. Where Catholics pray for the dead or hold masses for the dead, Mormons believe that there are required Sacraments to enter heaven: baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc. It does seem a rather unique doctrine in the Christian world, but I think it is amazing these people care so much about their dead they spend hours and hours in their temples completing these Sacraments they think are necessary to enter heaven.

Everyone can enter a Mormon church building, but their temples are closed to us and to all those who don’t observe their teachings. Holiness to the Lord, a saying on temples, is a tall order. I wonder if the Holy Spirit could be felt more easily in such a place?

 

[PaulDupre]

You will find Mormon churches everywhere; generally never in the middle of cities, but more in the suburbs. A temple is not the equivalent of a church building to my understanding.

Temples are put aside for covenant making with God and for charitable work for those who have already died. Where Catholics pray for the dead or hold masses for the dead, Mormons believe that there are required Sacraments to enter heaven: baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc. It does seem a rather unique doctrine in the Christian world, but I think it is amazing these people care so much about their dead they spend hours and hours in their temples completing these Sacraments they think are necessary to enter heaven.

Everyone can enter a Mormon church building, but their temples are closed to us and to all those who don’t observe their teachings. Holiness to the Lord, a saying on temples, is a tall order. I wonder if the Holy Spirit could be felt more easily in such a place?

It was a very different “spirit” that I felt in the temple. And if there is so much holiness in there, then why do they have to have combination locks on all the lockers to avoid rampant theft? Before they put the locks on back in the 1970s, wallets and jewelry frequently went missing from the lockers.

 

[Pregustator]

Pretty temples on the outside does not hide the Mason ceremonies on the inside.

Mason ceremonies? ??? How do you figure?

 

[LongJourney]

Ask Google how much the Mormons borrowed from Masonry. It is a very extensive subject. Keyword choice is very simple Here is where you begin: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry_and_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement

 

[zerinus]

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sites in Palmyra, New York, where the LDS chuch originated. Joseph Smith, of course, lived in Palmyra, and his homestead, there, is the site of his alleged apparitions and revelations.

One of the sites I visited was the temple, which is adjacent to the “Sacred Grove”, where Smith allegedly received his visions. The temple was a very attractive, single-story building made of white stone, surrounded by immaculate landscaping. I’m not sure how one would classify the architecture; I can only describe it as looking like a cross between a sacred building and a Federal Reserve branch. On top of the temple was a tall white stone pedestal topped by a gilded angel blowing a trumpet: the image is featured on all LDS temples.

One couldn’t get inside the temple, however, so after my visit to Palmyra I did some research online and discovered, to my surprise, that this temple was by no means unique. In fact, there are 42 other LDS temples throughout the world that were built according to the exact same design! And of those that do feature a unique design, the design cues employed still have a universality about them that make all LDS temples look more similar than different. They all have that sort of white, wedding-cake look about them (I mean no offense by my description, incidentally).

Is there a philosophy behind this style of architecture? And has it got a name?

Amen, Spencerian. The LDS temples–even the 42 of them that look exactly the same–are exquisitely beautiful and really do put so many modern Catholic churches to utter shame, I’m sorry to say. . . .

That observation is simply not true; and your “research online” couldn’t have been very thorough either. Currently there are 132 operating LDS temples, 7 under construction, and 11 announced, not 42; and there are great architectural variations among them. Here is a list of all, each of which is a link to the relevant site with pictures and info about each; and here is a thumbnail image list of all of them, each of which is a link that can be enlarged. There is no way anybody with real eyes can look at these and say that they are “exactly the same,” not even “generally the same”. There is far greater architectural variations among these than there is among the historic Cathedrals of Europe for example. Here is a Google image search for cathedrals. Have a look, and tell me which are more similar, Christian cathedrals or Mormon temples.

 

[PaulDupre]

Mason ceremonies? ??? How do you figure?

The hand clasps, passwords and the penalties in the endowment (the penalties were removed from the LDS endowment around 1990) are virtually identical to the same elements in the Masonic initiaion of 1st through 3rd degree Masons.

The hand clasps and penalties are exactly the same, while the passwords are similar, but somewhat Christianized.

Other elements of the endowment are also very masonic.

All of my temple attendance was prior to my leaving the LDS church in 1986, so all of the endowment sessions I attended included the pantomiming of the penalties (throat slashed, heart torn from the chest, bowels torn out).

 

[vsedriver]

Here is the best site for LDS Temples. There are I believe 153 of them including one planned for Roma!

I am a temple worker and officiate all of the ordinances except sealings I love the Temple.

ldschurchtemples.com/

although these are very beautiful buildings it is interesting to note that they are topped by an angel where Catholic Churches are topped by a cross.

Make mine Jesus, please.

 

[PeanutBono]

The LDS has nothing against crosses, my wife and girls wear cross necklaces that our catholic families have given to us as presents for their baptisms. We do not display crosses in our church because we view it the same as a person who was murdered by a gun.
Would we put a symbol of a gun next to everything of a family member who was murdered as a way of remembering that person? If the cross makes you remember Jesus then great, we just use other symbols to remind us.

The angel Moroni on top of the temple will almost always face east to signify the trumpets for when and where Christ will come from when he Returns. There maybe a few exceptions where they could not face east due to zoning ordinances.

 

[dianaiad]

although these are very beautiful buildings it is interesting to note that they are topped by an angel where Catholic Churches are topped by a cross.

Make mine Jesus, please.

Jesus isn’t on the cross any more, vsedriver. That’s rather the point.

Not having a cross on our Temples and buildings isn’t a denial of Jesus; quite the opposite, for us. We view the cross as something He defeated, after all. So, to us, using the cross as a symbol would be a little like using the Confederate flag as a symbol for the United States, or a desert as a symbol for a rain forest… a medal with “Arbeit macht frie” on it to represent Israel.
That last one, particularly.

However, symbols mean what the people who use them say they mean; the fact that WE do not use the cross does not mean that it means anything ‘less’ when you use it. I have a cross necklace that my friend gave me, and I wear it occasionally because of what it meant to her to give it to me, and through her, that cross means what she thinks it does—even when I wear it.

Does that make sense?

 

[JeanMichel]

It was a very different “spirit” that I felt in the temple. And if there is so much holiness in there, then why do they have to have combination locks on all the lockers to avoid rampant theft? Before they put the locks on back in the 1970s, wallets and jewelry frequently went missing from the lockers.

I would have guessed that the locks are used to give confidence to those who attend that nothing was stolen. It would be terrible to accuse someone of stealing only to find out that I left that $40 at home on my dresser.

Rampant theft? I have never read any articles about his. Do you have a reference for such incidents or is this gossip?

I am sorry I can’t vouch for the spirit in Mormon temples. What I can vouch for is that I have visited sacred places in many different lands and for different religions. It never fails to amaze me that I can feel the Spirit of God in each of them. There is no other God, but God. Why would I expect to feel any other spirit?

The Mormons I know have all bore fruits of compassion and charity; these are good works. Jesus has taught us that we will know them by their fruit. I caution you, my brother in Christ, to be careful. To bear false witness is not a sin that we should ever come close to being found guilty.

I pray that if you do not have evidence to support your claims, withdraw them. Peace, love, and true disciples of Jesus be only found here to discuss with those who seek truth.

 

[dianaiad]

It was a very different “spirit” that I felt in the temple. And if there is so much holiness in there, then why do they have to have combination locks on all the lockers to avoid rampant theft? Before they put the locks on back in the 1970s, wallets and jewelry frequently went missing from the lockers.

Why are there pedophile priests, Paul? Why are the Swiss Guards some of the best trained military troops in the world, and are armed to the teeth? Why are there locks on the poor box at St. Patricks’ cathedral?

The answer to all these questions, yours and mine, is the same; predators go where the prey is. The greatest evil prefers to attack where the greatest good is, and thieves prosper best among the trusting. That pedophiles choose the Catholic priesthood as a hunting ground is not a condemnation of the priesthood; it’s a compliment. A wolf puts on sheep’s clothing, not a lion’s mane, after all, and hunts among the fold, not the pride. There is a lock on the poor box because the assumption is that people will put money in it; an empty box isn’t going to get robbed. The Swiss Guards are trained well because people will do what they must to get close to the Pope, to hurt him–including masquerade as priests.

…and Temple attendee’s property was stolen because they trusted each other not to steal. It only takes one wolf.

Putting padlocks on the lockers simply acknowledges reality; there are wolves. Shoot,some of the videos taken of Temple ceremonies that you can find on the internet were taken by people who deliberately went through the process to get a recommend, specifically so that they could betray the faith they claimed to have. I personally would call that a far bigger betrayal, myself, but your milage may vary.

Either way, Paul, this post is an unworthy snipe.

 

[zerinus]

although these are very beautiful buildings it is interesting to note that they are topped by an angel where Catholic Churches are topped by a cross.

Make mine Jesus, please.

The Moroni statute is symbolic of the Restoration of the gospel in the last days, as prophesied of in the Revelation of John:

Revelation 14:

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

D&C 133:

36 And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth.

That is what the angel statute on Mormon temples represent. It signifies Jesus Christ restoring His gospel by the ministration of an angel as prophesied.

 

[Stephen168]

It was a very different “spirit” that I felt in the temple. And if there is so much holiness in there, then why do they have to have combination locks on all the lockers to avoid rampant theft? Before they put the locks on back in the 1970s, wallets and jewelry frequently went missing from the lockers.

It is sad the Mormon Church has to provide locks for valuables located in a place only the most worthy Mormons can go.

 

[Stephen168]

Why are there pedophile priests, Paul? Why are the Swiss Guards some of the best trained military troops in the world, and are armed to the teeth? Why are there locks on the poor box at St. Patricks’ cathedral?

The answer to all these questions, yours and mine, is the same; predators go where the prey is. The greatest evil prefers to attack where the greatest good is, and thieves prosper best among the trusting. That pedophiles choose the Catholic priesthood as a hunting ground is not a condemnation of the priesthood; it’s a compliment. A wolf puts on sheep’s clothing, not a lion’s mane, after all, and hunts among the fold, not the pride. There is a lock on the poor box because the assumption is that people will put money in it; an empty box isn’t going to get robbed. The Swiss Guards are trained well because people will do what they must to get close to the Pope, to hurt him–including masquerade as priests.

It is sad the Catholic Church has to protect itself against the general public.

 

[Stephen168]

Why are there pedophile priests, Paul?

Either way, Paul, this post is an unworthy snipe.

 

[dianaiad]

It is sad the Catholic Church has to protect itself against the general public.

Pedophile priests are ‘the general public,’ Stephen? A Mormon only needs to go to church for about a year, pay tithing, stay away from coffee, tea, booze and tobacco–and generally be not a bad guy in order to get a recommend. It’s not hard.

Now WHAT does a man have to do in order to become a priest, again? Four years of college plus four years at a Seminary, or eight years at a Seminary if you go straight in from high school…something like that? Background checks, vows of poverty, chastity…a completely different lifestyle from everybody else…

general public, hmn?

 

[dianaiad]

Stephen168:
Every once in awhile I take people off of ignore in order to see if the reason I put them there in the first place still applies.

In your case, Stephen, it does. I have seldom seen quite so egregious an example of taking something so completely out of context as this post of yours did.

 

[zaffiroborant]

It’s getting way far away from architecture here, LDS/Catholic, uniform/unique or ugly/beautiful. Who has pictures?

 

[stormy99]

You will find Mormon churches everywhere; generally never in the middle of cities, but more in the suburbs. A temple is not the equivalent of a church building to my understanding.
You think correctly on this point and it’s the only point you do according to their beliefs not my opinion…

Temples are put aside for covenant making with God and for charitable work
How is charitable to dead dunk people without their permission and often times when their will specifically says NO to this sacrament or ritual…??? Explain please.

for those who have already died. Where Catholics pray for the dead or hold masses for the dead, Mormons believe that there are required Sacraments to enter heaven: baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc. It does seem a rather unique doctrine in the Christian world,
Again LDS is not a Christian religion…the Catholic Church does recognize their baptisms as Christian…which means NOT Christian…

but I think it is amazing these people care so much about their dead they spend hours and hours in their temples completing these Sacraments they think are necessary to enter heaven.

They not only care about their dead…which have already had their temple work completed but all the other dead people also…like someone’s Catholic parents or the Jewish Holocaust victums…and movie stars and Obama’s mother and Hitler…they baptize or necro dunk everyone they can…and the persoln has no say about it…NONE…it is just done…genololgy isn’t just a hobby…it’s so all relatives and a lot of non relatives can be dead dunked…in no way is a Catholic mass for a person who has just passed anyway the same as dead dunking a stranger…or having teens line up and be dead dunked for 20 people he or she doesn’t know…never compate the two.as praying for the dead…I don’t include their baptism into the Catholic Church as a condition, this is what they do in their temples along with sealings…and nope you don’t have to give permission for that either…

Do a little reading and find out what goes on in a Mormon temple…now you can know it all…whereas the Catholic Church is public…walk in the door and find out what the religion is about…to do that with LDS you need to sit through 3 hours of sacrament meeting etc…i

Everyone can enter a Mormon church building, but their temples are closed to us and to all those who don’t observe their teachings. Holiness to the Lord, a saying on temples, is a tall order. I wonder if the Holy Spirit could be felt more easily in such a place?

Why would the Holy Spirit be more easily felt in such a place? Think about it…there is no communion services in the temples…Moroni might speak but in a temple the Holy Spirit will be silent…and what has been spoken by the prophets has been revealed already…done…The Holy Spirt is part of the Trinity…one in the same…our Lord and God speaks through the Holy Spirit…LDS don’t believe in the Trinity in the same way a Catholic does…so you can forget hearing the Holy Spirit in their Temples…

Do a little research on what Mormons believe…you will be totally shocked and surprised…from the handshakes to the sacred underwear…it will blow you away…

stormy.

 

[dianaiad]

It’s getting way far away from architecture here, LDS/Catholic, uniform/unique or ugly/beautiful. Who has pictures?

Y’know, it’s difficult…rather like comparing apples to oranges in a way. Many of the most beautiful Catholic cathedrals were monuments to…not simply beauty, but to faith, to commitment–and, I’m afraid, to money and power. Resources of entire nations were sometimes put to the building of a cathedral, and decades were devoted to them. As a result, they tend to be magnificent; full of art, full of great design–and very evocative of the faith that the people who built them had.

None of us today have the patience, resources or mindset to do that. No kings or Cardinals who could tap into a nation’s full bounty in order to build a monument to God–a monument that was not only to be beautiful, but to be a teaching ediface. People who could not read (even if they had access to the bible, which most of them didn’t) could learn about Christ, and about the scriptures, from the very building they worshiped in.

It’s different now. More people–less resources. Less time. More need. Catholics, I think, are in the same boat we are today–the need for a place to worship right now overwhelms the need to be incredibly and overwhelmingly majestic. We all ‘downsize.’ None of us really envision the buildings as the earlier Cathedral builders did, as literal climbings to heaven; our road to heaven is found in the book rather than the buildings.

That doesn’t mean we don’t try for beauty; we do…but I think that when you look at the buildings any of us have erected, that wholesale dedication to the BUILDING just…isn’t there any more—

and that’s a good thing. We should always be aware of what the buildings are for.

Not that we don’t all still build beautiful buildings. We do. I don’t think we will ever quite match the old cathedrals, though—any of us. Our priorities just aren’t the same as theirs was.