Question for LDS Folks; from a former LDS?

Question

I have been to the temple six times. The whole thing freaked me out. I went to my Bishop, but he couldn't help me. I went to my family, and neither could they. I sat in the celestial room, but could not get an answer. What is the relevance of the temple today? Remember... this info is sacred but not secret and others can see your answers. Even my true blue sister said "this is the part that tests my faith" during one of the rooms. Please give me a valid reason why I should sustain my faith?No one on the inside has been able to give me a rational explaination.

Oh my heck... I just saw a couple of questions have been posted about "mormonism," but I really would like to hear from LDS people, wanting some feedback.

Answer 1

Being rational and logic are the enemy of faith. You'll find no answer from anyone here or anywhere else. The answer will only come from you.

If your heart doubts, then you doubt. There's nothing wrong with that. Welcome to joining everyone else.

And if a single person can change your mind on something so massively important to the way you live your life, then you allow people to control you far too much.

Answer 2

I read a previous post you had to an LDS question where you referenced having questions that no one could answer.

If you don't mind, please email me. Just add @yahoo.com to my id.
I understand you needing an answer, but without more info it's hard to provide one. And while I understand it's sacred, not secret, some people will turn the sacred into a joke, if given the chance.

I also agree with guitarpicker56, you really do need to visit with your Stake President about this. It should have been made clear to you before your first temple trip.

Also, if I'm guessing right, there have been recent changes (within the past year or so) to the anointing ordienence that have also put me at ease.

The relevance of the temple is that it provides, for me anyway, a place where I can go to and feel at peace - away from the hustle and bustle of the world and really focus on drawing closer to the Lord. It's a place where I know the ringing phone, the TV, or other distractions won't have a place, and that I can go to my Father in Heaven with struggles and questions that don't seem to be answered in any other place - or at least I don't hear the answer in any other place.
It's relevance is in that I am doing the work for my deceased family, and I know that with me doing the work, they will at least have an opportunity to accept the Gospel.
It's relevance is that I become more spiritual when I go there regularly, and less spiritual when I don't. I can see it in the way I act, in the way I participate in Sunday School and Relief Society, in my prayers, and even in the way I respond to questions here. (I actually get more Best Answers when I've been to the temple recently and consistently than when it's been a while since going to the temple - I know, it's weird, right? I think it's because the Spirit works through me easier when I've been to the temple.)
The relevance of the temple is the same as it's always been - to provide a place to draw as close to God as possible. To remind us of covenants we've made - whether through baptism or through previous endowment sessions.
I really am curious what exactly freaked you out and what part tests your sisters faith. Please email me.

Answer 3

It would be helpful if you were more specific about exactly where the problem lies, as Temples have played an essential part of worship from the beginning of time.
The ordinance of washing and anointing is biblical and can be found mentioned in Exodus 29:4-7. It is symbolic of washing away of our sins. The giving of new names is discussed in Isaiah 62:2-3, Revelation 2:17, and Revelation 3:12. It is symbolic of many things to include our new life as disciples of Christ. Endowment is to be endued with power from on high by learning about the plan of salvation and through making sacred covenenants with our Father in Heaven. The Temple Sealing is where we seal couples and families together for eternity (Gen 2:24 & Matt 16:19). We also perform these ordinances on behalf of those who have died without them (John 3:3-5, 1 Cor. 15:29, 1 Peter 3:18-20).

I hope that this has helped. If you have additional specific questions, feel free to contact me. I would also suggest that you re-read the temple preparation materials, the Pearl of Great Price or Genesis, The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer, and just immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study. Good luck.

Answer 4

My recommendation is that you go directly to your Stake President with your questions. Something has gone awry with you and your faith and you must get it ironed out.

It is crucial you act on this now, and judging by your narrative, I'd say you call him ASAP. You should have had all your questions answered before your first temple trip and not wait until your sixth visit.

And please don't say you're a former LDS until you get your head on straight.

Answer 5

Here's my take on Mormonism: it is a cult, plain and simple, no way around it. I won't shove my opinions down the other users' throats; if you want the details of it all, do a little investigating and you will surely find them. But for now, I'll just tell you a little bit about why I think this, and give you some facts your bishop might not have mentioned: Mormons don't believe in God Almighty. If they try to say they do, THEY ARE LYING. Mormons believe there is a God for each universe, but if there are gods for every "universe" and each of them is equally as powerful as the other, the concept of "almighty" is purely, unequivocally impossible. Most Mormons will respond to this no doubt bold assertment with, "Have you even read the Book of Mormon?" As a matter of fact, yes, I have. And in it Joseph Smith made it very clear his opinion of the plurality of gods. Take, for example, this quote by Joseph Smith in "History of the Church," Vol 6, pp. 308, 474:

"In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it....In all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods."

Interesting. But in the Bible it says there is ONE God - not one God per universe - ONE GOD. And he is GOD ALMIGHTY. That alone invalidates Mormonism, and you'll find that many other stray facts about "the Church" can debunk decades of blind following as well. How about Joseph Smith in "History of the Church," Vol 6, pp.408,409, when he said:

"I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet."

You're right Joe, you're better than Jesus. You're not a cult leader!

What a crock. Mormons are taught to be scared of conversion, plain and simple, and when you face them with these arguments they will always react in a string of contrived rhetorical answers, each of them undoubtedly irrelevant and invalid to the topic at hand. All you can do is pray for them and keep confronting them with the truth; but NEVER make the mistake of placing Mormonism in the category of Catholicism or some other Christian sect; it is NOT A CHRISTIAN RELIGION; it is a CULT.

God bless.

Answer 6

listen to yourself. YOu are the one that has to live your life, if it is not comfortable for you, determine why.

Dont let others tell you how to live.

Answer 7

You decide what you want to live and you live it. It is your decision and yours alone. Don't let other's judgments make your decision.

Answer 8

I am not sure why you were freaked out . . . write me privately and explain.