Good Morning Everyone,
This past week, some friends
and myself took a tour of the Mormon Temple Kansas City
First of all if you leave a
comment on my blog there will be no flaming here. Even if you do not agree with their religion,
in this country, the good old U.S.A.
I admit, I found their temple
and beliefs interesting even if I don't believe the same way. For this blog, I'm not going into a lot of
detail about the Mormon faith. I'm only
going to show some pictures and give you some interesting tidbits that I found
interesting.
If any of you are interested
in taking the tour the temple is open to the public until April 28th and after
that date it's only for church members.
There is no cost to the public.
The picture at the left and below are of the outside of the Temple. The Temple is not used for church services. 
These are the only two pictures I was allowed to take. Once inside, we weren't allowed to use our cameras. The pictures after this will have been downloaded from the Mormon website.
The picture on the left is the entrance to the Temple. The painting on the wall is beautiful as is the whole Temple. Once inside the Temple, the men and women go to dressing rooms to change out of their street clothes and put on white robes. 
Above is the Celestial room. It symbolizes life as eternal families with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. There is a room called the Sealing room. In a sealing room, a bride and bridegroom are married not only for life but for eternity.
The picture on the left and below are of the baptism font. It is unique in that the baptismal font rests on the backs of twelve oxen, symbolically representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 
Baptisms are performed for the dead with the belief they can choose to accept being saved or not on the other side.
There is a lot of history about the Mormons in the Kansas City area. Did you know Mormons believed the Garden of Eden was located in Independence, Missouri? The rapid growth of Mormons in Missouri led to political and social conflict with non-Mormons in the area. They were driven out in 1838 and went to Illinois where they were driven away again. They returned again in the 1900's. The Latter Day Saints are a huge part of the history of Kansas and Missouri.
I hope you have found this post interesting and educational. There is so much more to learn than the bare minimum I have posted. If you wish to find out more go to http://www.mormon.org.
Have a great week, and I'll you next Sunday.
Sandra K. Marshall
20 comments:
Very interesting. If they don't hold church services in the temple, where do they hold them? Or do they not hold services?
And having been to Independence, MO., I'm a bit surprised they would think it once held the Garden of Eden. :-)
Interesting. My Aunt was a Latter-Day Saint, and she was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet - even though my Uncle was not.
I've been to a service - she took me because I asked to go. The biggest surprize was no preacher, no minister. Each member of the church took turns delivering sermons.
Then my Grandmother (other side of my family) joined the church. (different part of the country.) She gave away - to Mom and me her jewerly.
Thought you might like to know more info. As for what the sermon was like - about the same as any church I've been to.
Hi Keena,
They hold services in their church. The Temple is used for educating the members of the church, wedding's, baptism, and mostly to go there to sit in peace and communicate with God.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks, Carolyn. I think it's nice to learn even more about the church. The people I've met and worked with from the LDS were super nice.
Nice article, Sandy. the inside of the temple is gorgeous. I know lots about them in Utah and here in Alberta but nothing in Missouri. nice to learn something first thing in the morning
I thought the temple was beautiful, too, Louise. One thing I forgot to tell everyone is that we had to put footies over our shoes before we went into the temple.
Yes, that is beautiful. Like Keena, I wondered where they held their church services, but then saw your answer. Seems a shame not to also worship in that beautiful building, but I don't know their religion at all.
Thanks for coming by, Stacey. The temple is meant to converse with God on a more individual basis.
I didn't know a lot either, Stacey.
may have to use some of this if I write a book on Mormons! Good stuff!
Thanks, KT.
I'm really hoping to get there before the visits are closed to the public. I really enjoyed a tour of the Mormom Jail and Visitors Center in Liberty where Joseph Smith was held. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for the suggestion, Diana. I couldn't believe when I read about Joseph Smith that he had 33 wives. His own followers were against him because of that from what I understand.
Sandy, I am so glad you got to tour the Temple. I do not know alot about the LDS. There is Mormon history in Excelsior Springs as well as Liberty. I was a fan of HBO's BIG LOVE when it was on. I find the Mormon history fascinating. Of course I find all history fascinating. I too am going to try to take the tour! Thanks for sharing! Susan
Those are nice pictures, Sandra. Best regards. -laura
Thanks for the article. We've written several articles that explain more about Mormon temples, including this one that talks about the difference between Mormon temples and chapels. (One difference is that we have thousands of chapels and only 130+ temples).
Glad you had a chance to talk a tour of the inside.
http://mormonwoman.org/2009/11/07/links-we-like-chapels-and-temples-glimpses-inside-each-and-how-they-differ/
Susan, I'm fascinated by all history, too. Thanks for coming by.
Thank you, Laura.
Thank you for coming by and leaving a link for us, Mormon Woman.
I knew about the chapels, but became so frustrated while trying to get this blog up that I left a lot out.
Thanks again. I'll certainly check out your link.
Interesting post, Sandy. I read a book once about the Mormon religion and it explained a lot, most of which I've forgotten. Wish I could remember the name of it.
Nice photos, Sandy. Years ago, when a new Mormon temple opened near where we lived in VA, we took a tour. Very impressive and white...clean and pristine.
Thank you, Linda. Could the book been titled, The Book Of Mormon? I think that's it.
Thank you, Marianne. I thought the temple was impressive, too.
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