A Roman Catholic Inside a Mormon Temple
ALICIA COLON acolon@nysun.com
The subject of the message was enticing — Mormons Reclaim New York.
The e-mail writer suggested what he thought would be an interesting event to cover. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicating its first temple in what he described as “that most secular of cities — Manhattan.”
He noted the church had expanded dramatically in the last few years. Most of the church’s newest converts in New York are largely African-American and Hispanic,and the church’s membership has tripled in the last decade to its current 23,000.
The most intriguing part of the message was the note that once the temple is dedicated, only Mormons in good standing can enter. Outsiders are forbidden. I was being offered an inside peek into a real Mormon temple.
How could this die-hard Roman Catholic pass up an opportunity like that?
I confess to a cursory knowledge of the Mormon faith. Orrin Hatch and the Osmonds are the only members I can name. Here on Staten Island, I’ve noticed several young white men who stood out from the neighborhood denizens with their white shirts and ties wandering around the Stapleton Housing Development. These men are a few of the 60,000 missionaries sent to serve the church in 337 locations around the world.
For my tour,I met Scott Trotter,director of the church’s New York office, and Murali Krishnan, who had e-mailed me the invitation. The temple is located at 120 Broadway directly across from Lincoln Center and is still in the midst of construction. Nevertheless, the portions of the temple that were completed were quite interesting.
I wondered whether the restriction against non-Mormons in the temple was in any way similar to the Islamic law forbidding non-Muslims from entering Mecca or Medina. When I inquired why his church law is different from other Christian churches and synagogues, which are open to the general public, Mr. Trotter explained the distinction.
Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through family sealing, baptisms, eternal marriage, and other sacred ordinances. In the Mormon faith, the exclusion law thus arises from a deep reverence. Only members of the church bearing a “temple recommend” are allowed to enter the temple portion of the building.
All who enter must be worthy and respectful of the temple. I was shown separate changing rooms for men and women who will change into simple white robes, signifying purity and reverence, before entering the temple. This also demonstrates that all are equal before the Lord. There are no class distinctions.
The temple is constructed with soundproofed walls to create a quiet, sacred space that will allow for meditation and tranquility amid the hubbub of Manhattan. As members ascend to the upper floors of the temple, the rooms become increasing brighter.
Many aspects of the temple I learned are symbolic of religious ideals,and the Celestial Room, which is the holiest enclave in the temple,is located at the top floor and its bright lighting signifies closeness to God.
One of the misconceptions I had about the Mormon church was that it was more about Joseph Smith, its founder, than Jesus Christ. That is a gross error. Throughout the temple, all the murals and paintings are of Jesus Christ, and the church concentrates on His teachings and the Ten Commandments.
A most intriguing area of the temple is where proxy baptisms take place. The immersion font where these take place is on a raised platform that stands over 12 statues of what appear to be either steer or oxen. These represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Mormons are taught the proxy baptisms provide those in the after-life spirit world the choice to join — or reject — the faith. The rite is intended to offer salvation to departed, non-Mormon ancestors. There is presently some controversy out in Utah where overzealous members are performing posthumous proxy baptisms of Holocaust victims. Reportedly they have been ordered to cease.
The temple has a number of rooms designed to accommodate religious functions, and those set aside for the marriage ceremony are beautifully appointed, especially a bridal room where the bride and her mother can prepare for the sacred ritual of eternal marriage.
Each Mormon temple pays tribute in its design to the city in which it’s located.The New York temple has torch emblems on the doors symbolizing the Statue of Liberty.
While the temple portion of the building may be off limits to non-Mormons, the chapels where community gatherings such as Boy Scout meetings, dances, and instruction classes are held, are open to the general public. The sizable new gym with a nifty basketball court will be a welcome attraction to the area.
Anyone interested in taking a tour of the temple before its dedication can go to the open house between May 8 and June 5. Tickets are free but limited and will be distributed on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reserve by calling 888-992-9928 or reserving online at www.lds.org/reservations.
I’m forever Catholic but I’ll respect any established religion that doesn’t advocating killing me for not believing in it.
Last Edited:
22 April 2004 - by Wendell