1. The Teachings of Mormonism #3 Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples, Baptisms

2. Many Temples The first Mormon temple was at Kirtland, Ohio. It was similar in use to a church building. It is now in the hands of the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The first Mormon temple was at Kirtland, Ohio. It was similar in use to a church building. It is now in the hands of the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The early Mormon temples in western Missouri were never finished. The early Mormon temples in western Missouri were never finished.

3. Many Temples The second temple to be completed was the Nauvoo, Illinois, temple. It was only used for 2 months before being abandoned in 1946 as the majority of the LDS church left for Utah. The second temple to be completed was the Nauvoo, Illinois, temple. It was only used for 2 months before being abandoned in 1946 as the majority of the LDS church left for Utah. The Nauvoo temple was different from the Kirtland temple. This one was used for the new endowment and sealing ceremonies. It was restored in 2002. The Nauvoo temple was different from the Kirtland temple. This one was used for the new endowment and sealing ceremonies. It was restored in 2002.

4. Many Temples The third Mormon temple was started in Salt Lake City. It took 40 years to complete and is the largest of the temples. It was dedicated in 1893. The third Mormon temple was started in Salt Lake City. It took 40 years to complete and is the largest of the temples. It was dedicated in 1893. In the 1870’s three other temples were built in Utah (in St. George, Logan, and Manti). They were actually completed before the Salt Lake City temple was. In the 1870’s three other temples were built in Utah (in St. George, Logan, and Manti). They were actually completed before the Salt Lake City temple was.

5. Many Temples There are now 124 Mormon temples in 38 countries around the world with 10 others under construction in four more countries. There are now 124 Mormon temples in 38 countries around the world with 10 others under construction in four more countries. The 124 temples include 66 temples in the United States spread over 32 states. These counts include the Kirtland temple. The 124 temples include 66 temples in the United States spread over 32 states. These counts include the Kirtland temple. Utah has 13 temples, California 7 temples, Idaho and Texas 4 temples, Washington 3 temples, and all other states have 1 or 2. Utah has 13 temples, California 7 temples, Idaho and Texas 4 temples, Washington 3 temples, and all other states have 1 or 2.

6. Temple Ceremonies The main temple ceremonies are the following ordinances: The main temple ceremonies are the following ordinances:  Baptism and Confirmation for the dead  Priesthood Ordination for the dead  Initiation and Endowment Rituals  Sealings and Marriage Ceremonies Only LDS members in good standing are allowed in a temple. They must have a temple recommend from their bishop and stake president. Only LDS members in good standing are allowed in a temple. They must have a temple recommend from their bishop and stake president.

7. The Temple Recommend To receive a temple recommend from one’s bishop and stake president, one must do the following (among others): To receive a temple recommend from one’s bishop and stake president, one must do the following (among others): Be a faithful Mormon for the past year. Be a faithful Mormon for the past year. Not be a polygamist or involved in sexual sin. Not be a polygamist or involved in sexual sin. Tithe to the church. Tithe to the church. Keep the Word of Wisdom. Keep the Word of Wisdom. Confess sins. Confess sins.

8. The Word of Wisdom The Word of Wisdom is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89. The Word of Wisdom is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89. It prohibits the use of wine, strong drink, tobacco, and hot drinks. It prohibits the use of wine, strong drink, tobacco, and hot drinks. The prohibition of wine has led to the LDS Church using water in the Lord’s Supper. The prohibition of wine has led to the LDS Church using water in the Lord’s Supper. Hot drinks are understood as coffee and tea, although many understand it to include any and all drinks with caffeine, especially Coca Cola. Hot drinks are understood as coffee and tea, although many understand it to include any and all drinks with caffeine, especially Coca Cola.

9. Initiation and Endowment Before one can receive endowments, one must go through the initiation ceremony. Before one can receive endowments, one must go through the initiation ceremony. The initiation ceremony involves washing and anointing and receiving one’s temple garments. Only the undergarments can be worn outside the temple and they are supposed to protect the wearers. The initiation ceremony involves washing and anointing and receiving one’s temple garments. Only the undergarments can be worn outside the temple and they are supposed to protect the wearers. The washing and anointing with oil used to be over the whole body but since 2005 is only on the forehead. The washing and anointing with oil used to be over the whole body but since 2005 is only on the forehead.

10. Initiation and Endowment After the initiation ceremony, one goes through the endowment ceremony. After the initiation ceremony, one goes through the endowment ceremony. This involves watching a morality play about the devil tempting Adam and Eve. In most temples now the play is on film. This involves watching a morality play about the devil tempting Adam and Eve. In most temples now the play is on film. Then those receiving their endowments are taught secret signs and tokens. Then those receiving their endowments are taught secret signs and tokens. Masons often claim that the signs and tokens were stolen from Masonic rituals. Masons often claim that the signs and tokens were stolen from Masonic rituals.

11. Initiation and Endowment In the past, those who went through temple ceremonies had to take an oath that they would not reveal the temple ceremonies on penalty of death. In the past, those who went through temple ceremonies had to take an oath that they would not reveal the temple ceremonies on penalty of death. These “blood oaths” involved having one’s throat cut, heart torn out, and bowels cut open. These “blood oaths” involved having one’s throat cut, heart torn out, and bowels cut open. Such “blood oaths” were removed from the ceremony in 1990, although the undergarments still have markings on them at the chest, navel, and knee. Such “blood oaths” were removed from the ceremony in 1990, although the undergarments still have markings on them at the chest, navel, and knee.

12. Sealings and Marriage Another ceremony in the temples is “sealing”: couples are married for eternity and they may have their children “sealed” to them for eternity. Another ceremony in the temples is “sealing”: couples are married for eternity and they may have their children “sealed” to them for eternity. Marriages for time may also be performed in the temple. Marriages for time may also be performed in the temple. Non-Mormons and those not getting a temple recommend cannot attend a temple marriage ceremony. This has led to heartache for non-Mormon parents. Non-Mormons and those not getting a temple recommend cannot attend a temple marriage ceremony. This has led to heartache for non-Mormon parents.

13. Many Baptisms At age 8 Mormon children are baptized and confirmed (with laying on of hands). At age 8 Mormon children are baptized and confirmed (with laying on of hands). Mormons also practice proxy baptism for dead ancestors. Mormons also practice proxy baptism for dead ancestors. They research their genealogies to find non-Mormon ancestors. They research their genealogies to find non-Mormon ancestors. They believe non-Mormons will be given a chance to accept their gospel in a future life if someone has been baptized for them in a temple ceremony. They believe non-Mormons will be given a chance to accept their gospel in a future life if someone has been baptized for them in a temple ceremony.

14. Baptism for the Dead The basis for this proxy baptism is the passage in I Corinthians 15:29 where Paul speaks of “baptized for (huper) the dead.” The basis for this proxy baptism is the passage in I Corinthians 15:29 where Paul speaks of “baptized for (huper) the dead.” There are around 40 explanations of what Paul means. There are around 40 explanations of what Paul means. Huper literally means ‘over’ and can mean ‘on account of’ as well as ‘on behalf of’. Huper literally means ‘over’ and can mean ‘on account of’ as well as ‘on behalf of’. I personally think Paul meant “baptized on account of a person who has died.” I personally think Paul meant “baptized on account of a person who has died.”

15. Other Interesting Facts: Blood Atonement The state of Utah practices execution by firing squad because of Brigham Young’s concept of “blood atonement.” The state of Utah practices execution by firing squad because of Brigham Young’s concept of “blood atonement.” Brigham Young taught that Jesus’ blood was not enough to cover the sin of murder, that for a murderer to be forgiven, he must have his own blood shed. Brigham Young taught that Jesus’ blood was not enough to cover the sin of murder, that for a murderer to be forgiven, he must have his own blood shed.

16. Other Interesting Facts: Adam-God Theory At one time, Brigham Young taught that God became Adam. This was known as the Adam-God theory. Orson Pratt was passed over as prophet on Young’s death because he did not believe this. At one time, Brigham Young taught that God became Adam. This was known as the Adam-God theory. Orson Pratt was passed over as prophet on Young’s death because he did not believe this. While this was taught in the 1800’s, it is no longer taught and believed today, and Mormons should not be accused of believing it. While this was taught in the 1800’s, it is no longer taught and believed today, and Mormons should not be accused of believing it.

17. Other Interesting Facts: Spirit Children and Birth Control Mormons teach that the Heavenly Father is having spirit children by his wives. Mormons teach that the Heavenly Father is having spirit children by his wives. These children go into babies when they are born. These children go into babies when they are born. Mormons are encouraged to provide bodies for these spirit children. Mormons are encouraged to provide bodies for these spirit children. Birth control is thus seen as wrong. Birth control is thus seen as wrong. Jesus will not come until all spirit children have bodies. Jesus will not come until all spirit children have bodies.

18. Other Interesting Facts: Three Levels of Heaven Joseph Smith taught that there are three levels of the heaven after the resurrection: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. Joseph Smith taught that there are three levels of the heaven after the resurrection: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. Mormon missionaries sometimes say that those who will go to hell can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Mormon missionaries sometimes say that those who will go to hell can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The Book of Mormon teaches only heaven and hell (cf. 2 Nephi 28:21-22). The Book of Mormon teaches only heaven and hell (cf. 2 Nephi 28:21-22).

19. Other Interesting Facts: Baptismal Font in Salt Lake (1912)

20. Other Interesting Facts: Book of Mormon Archeology There is no Book of Mormon Archeology. There is no Book of Mormon Archeology. Blacks in the Priesthood For years blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood. In 1978 the Official Declaration—2 was approved as a revelation allowing converts to hold the priesthood “without regard for race or color.”

21. Questions and Answers As time permits... As time permits...