Student seeking help on the Mormon religion

[peanutgallery]

I look at temple worship with a different perspective. I see it as more of a blessing to those who are unprepared that they cannot attend.

The covenants made in the temple are very sacred and the repercussions of not keeping those covenants are serious. Because our Heavenly Father loves us, he does not want us to make covenants until we are prepared to keep them.

My kids are young and often beg to make themselves a grilled cheese sandwich. I know that they do not posess the proper skills to use the stove safely. If I let them use it, they could cause harm to themselves, each other, and cause damage to our home. I don't deny them use of the stove because of who they are. I deny it because they are not ready for that responsibilty and I don't want them to be hurt. Our Father in Heaven is the same way with us.

I will reiterate that no worthy member of the church is denied a temple recommend. In fact, those who do not have one are constantly being encouraged to prepare themselves so that they can receive those blessings.

[Dale]

The basics of what goes on in LDS temples is either made clear in LDS publications or atleast alluded to. LDS leaders and members do not of course get into sharing or discussing specifics of the content like one could do if they had the luxury to point to a transcript. But i do not find basic LDS temple purposes and activities a great secret. Only that LDS get only into what they can and in way's they don't feel violate's what might be described as a covenantal non-disclosure agreement.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I would just like to add a couple of things to this incredibly interesting thread. I am a convert to the church but have been a member most of my adult life. I love to attend the temple but non-members may not be aware that it is very different from a regular church worship service. Anyone and everyone is welcome to worship with us in church on Sundays. We often have non members attending our sacrament meetings. The temple is different. What we do there is referred to as temple work because it is work done mostly on behalf of others.

Which leads me on to the next point. Far from being exclusive the LDS church is the most inclusive church I know. I investigated many before I joined this one. A question was raised about why God would exclude all those people in Asia who are not LDS - why would he exclude them from Heaven. Of course he doesn't. If people have not had the opportunity to accept the gospel in this earthly life then they have the opportunity in the spirit world when they have passed on. This is part of the work we do in the temple being baptised on behalf of deceased persons who did not have the opportunity in life.

This is often misinterpreted as forcing people to become Mormons but it is merely giving them an opportunity to accept if they wish to do so. They still have their free will to reject the offer if they wish. It's a bit like unlocking a door for someone. If the door remains locked there is no chance they can get through but if we have a key and can unlock it for them then they can choose to go through if they wish or they can choose to remain where they are.

Also there was a reference to be excluded from 'some' temples. As far as I am aware once a member has a temple recommend (a document received following and interview with their Bishop and Stake President) then they are able to enter any temple anywhere in the world. The recommend must be renewed at regular intervals by another interview with the Bishop and Stake President. These interviews are lovely spiritual experiences where I have shared some wonderful moments with my leaders.

My greatest joy is to be able to attend the temple with my daughters and act as escort for them when they do baptisms. The experiences there just cannot be beaten. It's wonderful.