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Why is it that only Church members may enter the Mormon Temple?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Temples are not a new concept. Throughout the Old Testament, the temples were a place for the High Priests to commune with God, and to make covenants with Him.
Not all members of the church can enter the temple. To do so, a member must be shown worthy by practicing the tenants of their faith. To a practicing member of the church, the temple is a place of peace and solitude away from the busy world. It is a place where they can pray, ponder, and feel close to God. They believe His spirit can be felt there. To them, the temple is sacred, and they attend in humble reverence.
It would be difficult to maintain that reverence if everyone were aloud to walk in and talk out loud and distract those participating in the temple experience. The things that happen in the temple are not secret. They are sacred. Those who are not members of the church, or those who are, but are not living the commandments to the best of their abilities would not be prepared to understand the reverent worship of those in attendance.
When a new temple is built, the church will hold an open house for a month or longer to allow people from all faiths to walk through and experience the temple. After the Temple is dedicated as the Lord's Holy House here on earth, the policy of only Temple Recommend holding members my attend. There are many photographs available of the inside of the temples at MormonTemples.org
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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How hard is it to get into a Mormon monastery?
It is impossible, because there is no such thing as a Mormon monastery. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) does not operate any monasteries, nor do they have monks, nuns, etc. They don't even have schools for training clergy, because they do not have paid or professional preachers. Anyone can enter a Mormon church and participate in worship services, you just have to walk in the door. Mormons also have weekday religion classes for high school and college students, again anyone can attend just by walking in. The only Mormon places not open to the public are the Missionary Training Centers and the Temples. These are not difficult to enter for church members. Only those recently called to be missionaries may participate in training at the Missionary Training Center, the program lasts several weeks. Mormon Temples are open for public tours for a few weeks when they are new, but are then open only to church members. (a Mormon church is different from a temple- churches are open to the public)
Can you get married at 'Chorley's Preston England Temple'?
You have to be a member of the LDS Church to enter the temple and due to English law you have to be married in a public place first (registry office, church, etc). Members of the LDS Church in the UK usually have a ceremony in the temple after their initial wedding.
Are LDS people allowed to date other non-LDS?
Yes it is allowed. Each member makes their own choice of who they do and do not date. The reason why many LDS singles choose to date only other members of the LDS church is because they wish to date someone who lives by the same righteous standards they do. They date members who, if they fall in love, they can be married to in an LDS temple for time and all eternity. Only LDS members of the church who live righteous LDS standards can enter the temple. It's really very romantic. These members choose to find a love that can last forever, not just 'till death do they part'.
Why do you have to be Mormon to go into the temple in salt lake city?
To enter any temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church), not just the one in Salt Lake City, you must be a faithful, practicing member of the Church. This is because temples are considered to be the most sacred places on earth, and only those who are participating in the sacred ceremonies performed there are allowed to enter. In order to enter the temple, a Mormon must receive a special recommendation from their Bishop which says that they are keeping the commandments of God. The only time that non-Mormons are allowed to enter a temple is before it is dedicated (when it is brand new or has undergone major renovations). Before being dedicated, the temple will offer free tours to the general public, usually for a period of two to four weeks. In the event of an emergency, police, paramedics, or fire personnel may enter. Additionally, most temples include a waiting room or lobby where non-Mormons may wait for family members or friends who are participating in a ceremony. Because the Salt Lake City Temple receives so many visitors asking this and similar questions, a special exhibit has been set up at the South Visitors Center, just south of the Temple itself. The exhibit features a miniature scale cut out display of the temple, showing all the rooms and their furnishings. Interactive computers explain each room and its purpose. If you want to learn more about Mormon temples or see interior photographs of other Mormon temples, check out the "Related Links" below.
Are you double sure Jesus was not a Mormon cause you have to be married in the temple and sealed for time and all eternity to get to the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom in Heaven?
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the 'Mormon' church) do not claim that Jesus was Mormon. That would be ridiculous, since the Mormon church was founded 1800 years after Jesus died. They do believe that Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith to restore true Christianity, and in that way they are practicing the same Christian faith that Jesus started during his mortal life. Essentially, they believe that their church is the modern equivilant of the church Jesus founded in the first century AD. It is true that Mormons believe you must be sealed in the Temple to enter the highest level of heaven, but this doesn't really have anything to do with what religion Jesus is/was, except that they believe that this is a teaching of Jesus.
Can a greek marry a Mormon in the church?
Of course! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) allows anyone (member or non-member) to be married in their church, and provides both the building and the bishop to perform the ceremony free of charge, provided that their building use guidelines are followed. While Mormons are encouraged to marry within the religion, it is not a requirement and many choose to marry someone from outside the faith. Mormons are accepting of all races and nationalities, Greeks are welcome to visit Mormon services or be baptized into the church if they wish. Please note that a Mormon church is different than a Mormon temple. While anyone is welcome to enter and use a Mormon church building, Mormon temples are open only to practicing Mormons with special permission from their local leaders.
Your daughter is getting married in a Mormon temple you are not Mormon Can you just walk into the temple?
No. Only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" Church) with a special reccomendation from their bishop can enter a Temple after it is dedicated (Temples are open for public tours before their dedication.) Many temples have a visitor center or lobby where people who are not members of the Church may wait for family or friends who are getting married, you can call the specific temple or ask your daughter if this is available. If your daughter is getting married in a Meetinghouse, you can definitely just walk in. Meetinghouses are used for regular Sunday worship services and are open to all. If you are going to be disappointed not seeing your daughter's Temple wedding ceremony, you might consider asking if she would be willing to do a separate ring ceremony outside the temple. This would resemble a traditional wedding ceremony and be held after the Temple wedding ceremony. Your daughter's (or her fiance's) bishop would probably be happy to perform a ring ceremony at a Meetinghouse free of charge. This way all your family and friends can attend. You can learn more about the difference between Temples and Meetinghouses at the "Related Links" below.
Why can't non Mormons attend a Mormon wedding in the temple?
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") go to temples to perform sacred, holy ordinances, such as endowment ceremonies, eternal marriages, and baptisms by proxy for the dead. The Church considers its temples to be holy places, a "House of the Lord." Due to that sacred nature, only those who have been given an ecclesiastical endorsement of worthiness may enter. These are church members who live up to certain standards and who have been given permission to participate in Temple services by their local leaders. When a new temple is constructed, the Church will allow the public to tour the building in an "open house." Visitors can see the rooms in the temple, learn what they are for, and understand the purpose of temples for Latter-day Saints. Once the temple is dedicated, or consecrated, it is closed to the public, and only worthy Church members may enter. Anyone may visit the temple grounds. Most temples have beautiful gardens for everyone to enjoy. Some have a visitor center, where the public may go to learn more about the temple. If you are visiting the temple because a friend or relative is being married, you may be invited to sit in a waiting room or lobby inside the temple until the ceremony is over. Please note that a Mormon temple is different from a Mormon meetinghouse. A meetinghouse is where regular Sunday worship takes place. Mormon meetinghouses and worship services are always open to the public. Temples are open only for special services on weekdays, and are closed to the public. Check out the "Related Links" to learn more and to see a collection of photos of the inside of various Mormon Temples around the world.
Can mormans marry a non morman?
Of course. It depends on the person's individual choice. Although members can and do marry outside the church, they are strongly discouraged from doing so because the authority for this marriage lasts only 'til death do us part'. The problem is Latter-day Saints (Mormons) believe that marriage is Forever, but that these Eternal marriages can only be performed in holy edifices called, 'Temples' by proper authodity from God. To be worthy to enter the temple, one needs to be temple worthy and temple ready, having been interviewed by their bishop and stake president for active Church membership and testimony.
Why can't non Mormons go to the church?
Yes! Anyone is welcome to attend a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called "Mormon") worship service or other congregation activity. In fact, most of the church buildings say "visitors welcome" on them. If you do go, missionaries may approach you and ask if you would like to learn more about the church. If you aren't interested, don't hesitate to tell them that you are just visiting. Depending on the size and location of the congregation, others might introduce themselves as well. No matter what, anyone will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Usually, the main worship meeting, "Sacrament Meeting" is first. It is about 70 minutes. In this meeting, congregation members sing hymns, pray, and listen to sermons given by other members of the congregation. They also partake of the "sacrament", which is similar to the Lord's Supper or Communion. Following this meeting there are Sunday School classes, as well as study groups for toddlers, children, youth, men, and women. Anyone is welcome to attend these classes as well, just ask a member of the congregation to show you which room you should go to next. You are welcome to come as you are to a Mormon church, as nobody will be turned away. Usually, the men will wear dress pants, dress shirts, and ties, and the women will wear skirts or dresses. We have a sign on our churches that says "all visitors welcome."
Are there secret societies or passwords to enter the Mormon church?
No. To enter a Mormon church (officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) you can simply walk in. Worship services, classes, and activities are always open to the public. If you would like to become a member of the church, you must attend a set of introductory lessons with missionaries and be baptized. Prior to baptism you must meet some worthiness goals such as quitting smoking and drinking. All lessons and baptisms are open to the public as well - nothing secret, no passwords. Everything that you need to know prior to baptism is found at discover.mormon.org or Mormon.org, anything else you might want to know can be answered by asking local missionaries or church leaders or by using the live chat feature at either of the websites.In order to enter a dedicated Mormon Temple (these are considered more holy and sacred than Mormon churches) you must present a Temple Recommend card signed by your Bishop at the front desk. There is no secret password to get the card, you just need to demonstrate faithfulness and righteous living.
Why won't Mormons let non-Mormons in theirchurches not even for weddings?
Church buildings (also called 'meetinghouses' or 'chapels') and worship services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) are open to all people - regardless of their faith. Perhaps you are thinking of the Temple? Mormon Temples are not the same as churches. Churches are used for worship services, activities, and classes and are always open to the public. There are about 20,000 Mormon churches around the world. Temples are used only for special ceremonies (like weddings). There are about 140 Mormon temples around the world. The public is invited to tour Mormon temples for about a month before they are dedicated, but following the dedication Mormon temples are open only to actively practicing Mormon adults who have received a special recommendation from their Bishop (This means that even many Mormons cannot enter the Temple). This is because the Temple is considered an extremely sacred place, and only those who are living righteous lives are worthy to participate in the sacred ceremonies there. This is not a new concept - the Temples in the Old Testament were open only to certain people deemed 'worthy' as well. Mormons are encouraged to be married in the Temple, believing that those married in the Temple will be married for all eternity, while those married outside the Temple are married until death only. Mormons view a marriage ceremony as a deeply personal experience between a husband and wife, not a grand affair for hundreds of people to watch. It is customary for Mormons (even those choosing to be married outside the Temple) to have a small private ceremony followed by a large reception or party for friends, family, and acquaintances. If you'd like to learn more about Mormons, learn more about the difference between a church and a temple, or see what the inside of a Mormon temple looks like, check out the "Related Links" below.
