Is it true that Mormons practice secret rituals in their temples? I can’t say that I can think of another religion that has something like that. So do people who join the Mormon Church not know what they’re getting into, since the ceramonies are secret? Are people who are baptized later required to participate in temple worship they didn’t sign up for?
2 Responses to “Is it true that Mormons practice secret rituals in their tem…”
Mateo Duarte
2008-05-11 06:32:57
It's clear to me that you don't fully understand the temple ceremony or its role in Mormon culture. You probably read about the ceremony on my site, so it's likely my fault for not explaining myself clearly! :) Thanks for the opportunity to clarify.
Mormons don't usually think of their temple ceremonies as "secret." A common Mormon explanation is that they are "sacred, not secret," by which we mean that they are very personal and hold great religious significance that should not be exposed to the public, which, not understanding, might ridicule. I think we can both appreciate the world's tendency to ridicule the sacred.
It's not true that those joining the Mormon (LDS) Church join without having access to all Mormon teachings, that they join without knowing what Mormons believe, or that they don't know the promises they'll be "required" to make. All of the theologically significant teachings and promises of the Mormon temple ceremony can be found in Mormon scriptures, including the Bible. The narrative of the ceremony itself is well represented in the "Book of Moses" and the Book of Genesis. The promises (covenants) made are commonly known and include obvious things like the commitment to be faithful to one's spouse and the commitment to dedicate one's self to Christ and His purposes.
What is "different" about the Mormon temple ceremony is the way these commonly known principles and promises are taught. In contrast to the didactic methods used in Protestant denominations and weekly Mormon worship services, the Mormon temple ceremony is highly ceremonial, similar in principle, though different in content, to the liturgy of the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. I realize that ceremonial worship is foreign to the experience of many Protestants, but, having visited several Christian denominations that embrace ceremonial worship, most recently the Greek Orthodox Church, I cannot emphasize its power enough. Just as humans can learn through their brains, God has designed us to be able to learn and express faith through physical ceremonies. I pity you Protestants for having by and large abandoned this form of physical worship! :)
It is also not right to imply that those who join the Mormon Church are later forced into participating in the temple ceremony, something for which they didn't initially "sign up." Temple worship is not required in Mormonism. During the ceremony, those who don't wish to renew sacred covenants are invited to leave. Even those who have been to the temple are not required to return. I don't recommend that any Mormon abandon temple worship and the blessings and learning associated with that worship, but temple worship is never coerced.
Finally, it is not true that Mormonism is the only religion that practices "secret" ceremonies.
In the Old Testament temple/tabernacle, only Israelite high priests were allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies, where they performed ceremonies that were not accessible to the general public.
Later, Christ taught "secret" teachings to His followers. In Mark 11:10-11 we read: "And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parablesÂ…"
The Christian Gnostics, an early Christian denomination that was eradicated by the Roman Church, also valued the importance of "secret" rituals. They practiced several esoteric rites and placed great importance on secret knowledge/mysteries.
I noticed when I recently attended a Greek Orthodox Easter ceremony that as part of the liturgy those performing the ceremony retreated into a secluded room. I could see a bit through the door, enough to tell that the ceremony continued in private. When I asked my orthodox friend what was taking place in seclusion, she said she didn't know. My impression was that the ceremonies taking place in the adjacent room were not commonly made public. The whole thing reminded me of ancient Israelite high priests retreating into the Holy of Holies. It was a beautiful ceremony.
Mormons don't usually think of their temple ceremonies as "secret." A common Mormon explanation is that they are "sacred, not secret," by which we mean that they are very personal and hold great religious significance that should not be exposed to the public, which, not understanding, might ridicule. I think we can both appreciate the world's tendency to ridicule the sacred.
It's not true that those joining the Mormon (LDS) Church join without having access to all Mormon teachings, that they join without knowing what Mormons believe, or that they don't know the promises they'll be "required" to make. All of the theologically significant teachings and promises of the Mormon temple ceremony can be found in Mormon scriptures, including the Bible. The narrative of the ceremony itself is well represented in the "Book of Moses" and the Book of Genesis. The promises (covenants) made are commonly known and include obvious things like the commitment to be faithful to one's spouse and the commitment to dedicate one's self to Christ and His purposes.
What is "different" about the Mormon temple ceremony is the way these commonly known principles and promises are taught. In contrast to the didactic methods used in Protestant denominations and weekly Mormon worship services, the Mormon temple ceremony is highly ceremonial, similar in principle, though different in content, to the liturgy of the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. I realize that ceremonial worship is foreign to the experience of many Protestants, but, having visited several Christian denominations that embrace ceremonial worship, most recently the Greek Orthodox Church, I cannot emphasize its power enough. Just as humans can learn through their brains, God has designed us to be able to learn and express faith through physical ceremonies. I pity you Protestants for having by and large abandoned this form of physical worship! :)
It is also not right to imply that those who join the Mormon Church are later forced into participating in the temple ceremony, something for which they didn't initially "sign up." Temple worship is not required in Mormonism. During the ceremony, those who don't wish to renew sacred covenants are invited to leave. Even those who have been to the temple are not required to return. I don't recommend that any Mormon abandon temple worship and the blessings and learning associated with that worship, but temple worship is never coerced.
Finally, it is not true that Mormonism is the only religion that practices "secret" ceremonies.