The Mike Gallagher Show - July 20, 2010
Dear Mike,
Please allow me to respond to your radio question: Should Mitt Romney be considered as the Republican nominee, based upon the exclusionary policy of the temple. This sounds like a sub-question of the more pressing one: Should Romney become the nominee based on his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
You stated that Mormons have extreme beliefs, so please allow me to respond to probably the most commonly asked question: Why did Mormons believe in polygamy in the past and they don’t believe in it anymore? Good question. My answer is always: I never believed in it. I do acknowledge there was a determination that desperate times called for desperate measures. There was a short period in the Church’s early history when some were persuadeded to contribute to a rapid growth by temporarily instituting the tragedy of polygamy. Paul taught in the New Testament that Monogamy is The Standard of Fidelity and Devotion. It is also known (Genesis 17) that the Lord made an everlasting covenant with Sarah and Abraham. They are the eternal couple and their son, Isaac, is the one child born into that covenantal relationship. As soon as the Church’s threat of extinction ended, polygamy was eradicated and anyone caught participating was excommunicated, which is why we see the deviant, banished offshoots in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Paul refers to baptism for the dead (1Corinthians 15). This ordinance is done in the temple. A Sadducee asked Jesus about the woman who was continually widowed: seven times to be exact (Matt. 22). Whose wife would she be in the resurrection? The Savior replied that the man did not understand the scriptures, nor the power of God. This account is widely misunderstood because many interpret it to mean there is no eternal marriage. But eternal marriage is a binding ordinance performed in the temple. Without it, a marriage only survives temporally - it does not extend eternally.
The caller pointed out that Mormons worship on Sunday, like other Christians. This is correct. They have Church Service for an hour, then continue with classes for two more hours - a total worship service of three hours. The temple is closed and no work is done on Sunday. It re-opens weekdays and qualifying members work for those who have died without having these saving ordinances performed. A living couple has their own eternal marriage performed in the temple the first time. Then, each time they return, they work on behalf of those who have died, standing in proxy for them to perform holy ceremonies, which include baptism and eternal marriage.
After the temple is constructed, there is a brief period in which the public may tour. Not all members of the Church qualify to work in the temple. Those who commit to a specific standard of behavior receive the privilege of entering and helping those who did not receive these ordinances in life. Members and non-members alike research family records for ancestors whom they submit to the temple so that work may be done on their behalf.
Billions of people have lived on earth without the benefit of a temple. Mormons, like much of Christendom, await the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe when He returns, the records of all the earth will be opened and everyone who ever lived will have these ordinances done for them, if they desire, in temples around the world.
As a rule, once a temple is dedicated for these eternal ordinances, there are no interruptions. Occasionally, there are exceptions to the rule. Following threats resulting from Mormon support of Prop 8, temple work was disrupted as FBI agents entered to investigate suspected Anthrax-tainted mail. Paramedic personnel have been allowed to enter the temple to attend to life-threatening situations, as well.
Hopefully, you see, Mike, that Mormons strive to develop Christ-like attributes towards their fellowman. I hope the Mormon message is one known for love and service to all mankind. I also hope that whomever the nominee is, all will rally their support in an effort to return our nation to the principles based upon the Constitution of the United States of America.
Sincerely,
Kristy Landgren
Please allow me to respond to your radio question: Should Mitt Romney be considered as the Republican nominee, based upon the exclusionary policy of the temple. This sounds like a sub-question of the more pressing one: Should Romney become the nominee based on his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
You stated that Mormons have extreme beliefs, so please allow me to respond to probably the most commonly asked question: Why did Mormons believe in polygamy in the past and they don’t believe in it anymore? Good question. My answer is always: I never believed in it. I do acknowledge there was a determination that desperate times called for desperate measures. There was a short period in the Church’s early history when some were persuadeded to contribute to a rapid growth by temporarily instituting the tragedy of polygamy. Paul taught in the New Testament that Monogamy is The Standard of Fidelity and Devotion. It is also known (Genesis 17) that the Lord made an everlasting covenant with Sarah and Abraham. They are the eternal couple and their son, Isaac, is the one child born into that covenantal relationship. As soon as the Church’s threat of extinction ended, polygamy was eradicated and anyone caught participating was excommunicated, which is why we see the deviant, banished offshoots in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Paul refers to baptism for the dead (1Corinthians 15). This ordinance is done in the temple. A Sadducee asked Jesus about the woman who was continually widowed: seven times to be exact (Matt. 22). Whose wife would she be in the resurrection? The Savior replied that the man did not understand the scriptures, nor the power of God. This account is widely misunderstood because many interpret it to mean there is no eternal marriage. But eternal marriage is a binding ordinance performed in the temple. Without it, a marriage only survives temporally - it does not extend eternally.
The caller pointed out that Mormons worship on Sunday, like other Christians. This is correct. They have Church Service for an hour, then continue with classes for two more hours - a total worship service of three hours. The temple is closed and no work is done on Sunday. It re-opens weekdays and qualifying members work for those who have died without having these saving ordinances performed. A living couple has their own eternal marriage performed in the temple the first time. Then, each time they return, they work on behalf of those who have died, standing in proxy for them to perform holy ceremonies, which include baptism and eternal marriage.
After the temple is constructed, there is a brief period in which the public may tour. Not all members of the Church qualify to work in the temple. Those who commit to a specific standard of behavior receive the privilege of entering and helping those who did not receive these ordinances in life. Members and non-members alike research family records for ancestors whom they submit to the temple so that work may be done on their behalf.
Billions of people have lived on earth without the benefit of a temple. Mormons, like much of Christendom, await the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe when He returns, the records of all the earth will be opened and everyone who ever lived will have these ordinances done for them, if they desire, in temples around the world.
As a rule, once a temple is dedicated for these eternal ordinances, there are no interruptions. Occasionally, there are exceptions to the rule. Following threats resulting from Mormon support of Prop 8, temple work was disrupted as FBI agents entered to investigate suspected Anthrax-tainted mail. Paramedic personnel have been allowed to enter the temple to attend to life-threatening situations, as well.
Hopefully, you see, Mike, that Mormons strive to develop Christ-like attributes towards their fellowman. I hope the Mormon message is one known for love and service to all mankind. I also hope that whomever the nominee is, all will rally their support in an effort to return our nation to the principles based upon the Constitution of the United States of America.
Sincerely,
Kristy Landgren