LDS Temple Opens in Philly
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Biblical Christianity Peace with God: WORKS Knowing you have eternal life LDS Temple “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of Opens in Philly God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the FAITH name of the Son of God” (I John 5:13). It would be strange for the apostle John to write the above words if it were not possible for people to know whether or Dedication planned for Sept. 18 Man’s Way not they are truly on their way to heaven. Sadly, many do not. Many have been led to believe that their own personal works will have some PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day WORKS bearing as to their obtaining eternal life; however, the Bible says that our own Saints (LDS) has completed the construction of its newest temple, righteousness is like filthy rags in God’s sight! (Isaiah 64:6) Do we dare think we located in Philadelphia. Mormons believe that their temples are shall stand before an all holy God and place before Him such “good works”? the most sacred places on earth. They are only used for special Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” ceremonies, unlike the numerous neighborhood LDS chapels The Bible also tells us in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death; but the which are utilized for Sunday worship and various other pro- FAITH gift of God is eternal life.” grams. There are now over 140 of these unique edifices through- out the earth. According to the LDS Church, the purpose of the MAN-MADE RELIGION WON’T GET YOU FAR! Eternal life is a gift which God Himself paid for on the cross at Calvary. It was temple is to enable one to "receive the ordinances that will never meant to be earned or worked for any more than you are expected to Trust only in Christ for salvation and good works will enable us to return to the presence of God" (Temple Preparation naturally follow like the cart behind a horse. Man-made pay for a gift given you on your birthday or at Christmas. The price was paid in Seminar, Teacher's Manual, p.15). The secret-sacred ceremonies religion always places the cart before the horse, placing full when Jesus declared “it is finished” on that somber day at Golgotha. that are conducted within these walls are considered essential for an emphasis on our own performance (rituals, keeping Man’s salvation is not based on his own merit, but rather on the merit of the personal salvation. commandments, doing charity etc.) instead of trusting Son of God, who led a sinless life and willingly gave His life for us. The Bible tells fully on Jesus Christ to save. (Phil 3:8) us to trust in Him for our salvation. We are to trust in His righteousness, not our TEMPLE RITUALS INCLUDE... own! Washing & anointing Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of Clothing in temple garment yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we The Endowment ceremony/dramatic presentation Mission to Mormons are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath The new 61,466 sq. ft. Mormon Temple is open for public tours from Aug. 10 through Sept. 9. & instruction. before ordained that we should walk in them.” “Good works” do not earn us The building, located at 1739 Vine Street, is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. P.O. Box 93 Nauvoo, IL 62354 Receiving of a new name salvation but instead are an evidence of our faith. Works of service should be Giving of tokens (handshakes), oaths, and names at the veil done with the proper understanding that they do not save us from sin. Works Inside this Issue Office: (217)453-2372 of obedience to God and charity should be performed out of a grateful heart as In PA.: (309)221-4050 an expression of our love for the Lord. Is Dark Skin a Sign of a Curse? Page 8 Do you have the faith that should you die right now you would awaken in the Questions to Ask on the Tour Page 11 This is a non-Mormon mission2mormons.org presence of our Heavenly Father? Do you know for sure if you have eternal life? publication It is only when you place your total trust in Christ that you can answer yes to Baptism for the Dead Page 15 both questions. ©2016 Mission to Mormons Understanding Temples there were some people who followers of Christ are to baptize the living as did not believe the dead proxy for the dead. On the contrary, the Bible The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holy sanctuaries are used for the same pur- again in our day has provided these ordinanc- Baptism for would be raised. In presenting teaches there is no chance for conversion after (LDS, Mormon) teaches that God commanded poses as the Biblical temple of Israel. Mormon es for the salvation of all who will believe, and his argument against this false death, for it is “appointed unto men once to die, man to always build temples “for the glory, Apostle Mark E. Peterson wrote, “In Biblical directs that temples be built in which to teaching, Paul referred to a but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). honor, and endowment” of the Saints. times sacred ordinances were administered in perform those sacred rites.” (Why Mormons group of people who apparently prac- (Mormon scripture, Doctrine and Covenants holy edifices for the spiritual salvation of Build Temples, pg. 2) Despite the claim by the Dead ticed baptism for the dead, using them as Section 124:39-40) It claims temples have ancient Israel. These buildings were not syna- Mormons that their temples are a restoration an example. The practice of baptism for the dead is very always been built, even in America by the Indi- gogues, nor any ordinary places of worship. of Old Testament temple worship, there are It is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul did not significant within the Mormon Church and one of ans, since the days of Adam. It maintains these Following the pattern of Biblical days, the Lord many important differences: associate himself or his fellow believers with the the important purposes for LDS temples. Mor- practice of baptism for the dead. Throughout mons point to 1 Corinthians 15:29 as proof that chapter 15, both before and after verse 29, Paul baptism for the dead is biblical and was done in used inclusive first-person pronounces: “we,” the early Christian church. Here the Apostle Paul LDS & BIBLICAL TEMPLES COMPARED “us,” “your,” and “you” (KJV: ye). In verse 29 Paul wrote, “Else what shall they do which are switched to the third person, “they,” clearly LDS: 150 temples & many more planned or under construction. Jewish: One priesthood; Levitical Priests must be at least 30 years old. baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? speaking of “others” of which he was not a part. Jewish: Only one temple at a time built to represent the worship of the LDS: Many High Priests. Why are they then baptized for the dead?” one true God. The Temple must be built on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem. Paul merely used these people as an example to Jewish: One High Priest at a time. The LDS temple baptismal font is modeled after Solomon’s LDS: Temple work in behalf of the dead. Paul was teaching about the doctrine of illustrate his point. LDS: Priests from any background. brazen sea (depicted above). The brazen sea was used by resurrection. In verse 12 he pointed out that Jewish: Temple work for the living only. First Corinthians 15:29 does not teach that priests to wash their hands after offering sacrifice to the Jewish: Priests only from the tribe of Levi. Lord in the temple court—it was not used for baptisms! LDS: Baptisms for the dead. LDS: After dedication, only the "worthy" allowed inside. Jewish: No baptisms of any kind in the temple. Jewish: Priests made intercession for the unworthy and he first needed LDS: Endowments for the living and the dead. purification for himself. Jewish: No endowments of any kind. LDS: All white garments worn (with Masonic markings stitched into the undergarments). LDS: Marriages for the living and the dead. Do men live on the Moon? Sun? Jewish: High Priest's clothing was white, blue, purple, & red, decorated with Jewish: No marriages of any kind. pomegranates and bells on the hem. LDS: Sealings for the living and the dead. LDS: Purpose of temples: to enable men to attain godhood. Oliver B. Huntington, who was a Latter-day Saint in Joseph Smith’s time, claimed that Jewish: No sealings of any kind. Jewish: Purpose of the temple: A picture of Christ and His redeeming work. Smith gave the following information concerning the inhabitants of the moon: LDS: No animals sacrificed. “The inhabitants of the moon are more uniform size than the inhabitants of the earth, Jewish: Sacrificing of animals on behalf of sinful people. As in Old Testament times, God still demands an atoning sacrifice for the sins being about 6 feet height. “They dress very much like the quaker style and are quite LDS: Many rooms. (Some have dozens) of mankind.