LDS God pre-existed the Universe

Jane_Doe said:

(longer reply explaining LDS views, as promised)

Coming unto Christ involves a transformation of each one of us. All of this is made possible by Christ and through Christ, and by no other way/mean/name/etc. We (through/with Christ) cast off the natural sinful man and eventually become like Christ. This is a process which takes time and it's not going to be all done before a person dies physically (and that's ok).

The first step in this is having faith in Christ- after all it's through Christ that all of this happens. Faith is a gift from Him. The second is repentance. Third is baptism for the remission of sins. Baptism is that person make a covenant (a two-way promise) with Christ to follow Him and be His disciple- we each take His name upon us and are reborn through Him. This must be done by a willing believing accountable baptizee (after all you can only make a promise for you, not someone else), and a baptizer that has that specific authority (aka priesthood) from God to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ.

After baptism comes, laying on of hands to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The requirements for the individuals involved are the same a those for baptism.

Does that make sense those far?

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It does. Thanks Jane. It wasn't these things I was questioning.

Jane_Doe said:

i thought so, but was making sure. I've ran across some other Christians who view baptism as "that's a work and works don't save you- it's not needed" before. Obviously that's not the LDS view.

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1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

When we walk this path in Faith, allowing Him to wash in the water of His word, purifying our souls (double-minded being brought into ONE in HIS spirit) the sin nature becomes weak, and HE becomes REAL and POWERFUL in our lives. We continue on doing the work required by faith until one day, finally, that nature dies and HE becomes Complete (by our death on the cross) and our Faith becomes complete! Just like Abraham! Doubt flees! HIS spirit in all its fullness becomes the ruler in us. We no longer struggle and strive.
We are no longer FOLLOWERS, but made ONE with HIM in spirit. Confliction disappears. We are no longer slaves to sin. Our nature/heart is transformed totally and utterly! He brings us to the Father. He intercedes to the Father on our behalf because we are not fit to see the Father in our sinful, sorry state. If we find His path and FOLLOW, HE will lead us directly TO THE FATHER.
Matthew 7:21
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
HIS way leads to being set free from sin and struggle. But the struggle is real and required. But, it is our Faith that will bring us safely to our destination, fully clothed, IN CHRIST. It is these who enter through the Door (Jesus Christ) to the Banqueting Table where Jesus Christ becomes our servant, serving up all the things that the Father has given HIM.
Luke 12
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.

Matthew 20:28 I Corinthians 6:17
Hebrews 6:10-12
Matthew 11:28-30
Romans 8:7
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
He sets us FREE, indeed. From the bondage of sin (the battle of flesh and spirit will come to an end with death on the cross). Free from worries and cares in this world! Our minds free from anxiety and fear because our Faith has been/ is Completed IN HIM.
Luke 12:49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
When we hear the word 'baptism', we automatically think of the physical act of being fully immersed in water. Jesus Christ wants to wash us in the water of the Word. God's Word.

In Luke 11:38 the word 'wash' is from the Greek 'baptizo' that is our word baptize.
βαπτίζω - (baptizō)
Strong: G907
GK: G966
pr. to dip, immerse; to cleanse or purify by washing; to administer the rite of baptism, to baptize; met. with various reference to the ideas associated with Christian baptism as an act of dedication, e.g. marked designation, devotion, trial, etc.; mid. to procure baptism for one’s self, to undergo baptism,
Acts 22:16 derived from the masculine Greek noun baptismos (βαπτισμός), a term for ritual washing in Greek language texts of Hellenistic Judaism during the Second Temple period, derived from the verb baptizō (βαπτίζω, "I wash" transitive verb), which is used in Jewish texts for ritual washing, and in the New Testament both for ritual washing and also for the apparently new rite of baptisma.

The Greek verb baptō (βάπτω), "dip", from which the verb baptizo is derived, is in turn hypothetically traced to a reconstructed Indo-European root *gʷabh-, "dip".[29][30][31] The Greek words are used in a great variety of meanings.[32]

Jesus speaks of His baptism, His washing to be washed with was yet to be completed! He was very distressed awaiting the cross! The agony of mind, great! But HE knew the Glory that would be His once completed! His washing was made complete with His death on the cross and resurrection, seated at the right hand of the Father's throne. Now, HE knows the way and wants us to follow Him all the way.
Whose path are we following and where does it lead? The map is in the Bible, the way to the Father. And we must take the SAME path HE did, even to death of our flesh, resurrected in His Spirit.
Kneel at the cross, then hang on the cross, then be made alive IN CHRIST.
And there we will find FREEDOM and LIBERTY, indeed.

PeaceJoyLove said:

It does. Thanks Jane. It wasn't these things I was questioning.

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Yes, but it was necessary to discuss steps 1-4 before step 5 onward. I'll skip priesthood ordination for men (step 5) and now talk about endowment and sealings (step 6-7).

When a person is baptized, they made a covenant with God. The endowment a deepening of this covenant, strengthening that bond. Like baptism, this is covenant is made a willing believer, and is officiated by a servant of the Lord through His priesthood. A sealing bonds family members together (husband/wife or parents/children). Both of these are performed in a temple of the Lord, dedicated for that purpose.

All of these ordinances (baptism, confirmation, ordination, etc) are done with a willing believer who makes covenants with the Lord, officiated by a priest (who is a servant of the Lord). The 'engine' power behind everything is Christ and His atonement. They all have physical motions involved, and while it is important to go through the motions, it is *not* the motions that does any of the saving. It is Christ and His atonement that does the saving. What we do is receiving His gift and choosing to follow Him.

Still making sense?

Jane_Doe said:

You're mixing up the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the presence of the Holy Ghost. Good reading to explain this: Gospel Principles Chapter 21: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

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No such mix up here. It's the theology of the lds that is confused and does not line up with sound Biblical doctrine.

Jane_Doe said:

Yes, but it was necessary to discuss steps 1-4 before step 5 onward. I'll skip priesthood ordination for men (step 5) and now talk about endowment and sealings (step 6-7).

When a person is baptized, they made a covenant with God. The endowment a deepening of this covenant, strengthening that bond. Like baptism, this is covenant is made a willing believer, and is officiated by a servant of the Lord through His priesthood. A sealing bonds family members together (husband/wife or parents/children). Both of these are performed in a temple of the Lord, dedicated for that purpose.

All of these ordinances (baptism, confirmation, ordination, etc) are done with a willing believer who makes covenants with the Lord, officiated by a priest (who is a servant of the Lord). The 'engine' power behind everything is Christ and His atonement. They all have physical motions involved, and while it is important to go through the motions, it is *not* the motions that does any of the saving. It is Christ and His atonement that does the saving. What we do is receiving His gift and choosing to follow Him.

Still making sense?

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It is not a matter of it making sense. It is a matter of it aligning with The Holy Bible, with the commands of God that Jesus Christ lived as our example.

It is never works of the flesh that can save, but of faith... that causes us to DO the the words that Jesus spoke...as HE received from The Father...by the power of The Spirit.

PeaceJoyLove said:

It is never works of the flesh that can save, but of faith... that causes us to DO the the words that Jesus spoke...as HE received from The Father...by the power of The Spirit.

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As I said: it is *not* the going through the motions that does any saving. Christ does the saving. It also does starts with faith as the foundation. Rest of it is us following Him in faith.

HeLeadethMe said:

We'll never be too old for this song, one of my favourites, written for children originally I think, but good for all of God's children at any age ........please enJOY:

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Hallelujah! God be praised forever and ever! God used His word, the Holy Bible, to open my eyes.

THIS:
Titus 3
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


NOT THIS:
Brigham YouD&C 130:20-21 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

The Lord does help when we go to Him in times of need, especially when we are committed to His work and respond to His will. But the Lord only helps those who are willing to help themselves. He expects His children to be self-reliant to the degree they can be.
ng instructed the Saints, “Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 293.)
Becoming Self-Reliant - L. Tom Perry

Mercy:
kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly
Mercy - Definition for English-Language Learners from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Phoebe Ann said:

THIS:
Titus 3
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


NOT THIS:
Brigham YouD&C 130:20-21 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

The Lord does help when we go to Him in times of need, especially when we are committed to His work and respond to His will. But the Lord only helps those who are willing to help themselves. He expects His children to be self-reliant to the degree they can be.
ng instructed the Saints, “Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 293.)
Becoming Self-Reliant - L. Tom Perry

Mercy:
kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly
Mercy - Definition for English-Language Learners from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

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LDS Article of Faith: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ..."

Everything follows after faith.

Phoebe Ann said:

THIS:
Titus 3
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


NOT THIS:
Brigham YouD&C 130:20-21 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

The Lord does help when we go to Him in times of need, especially when we are committed to His work and respond to His will. But the Lord only helps those who are willing to help themselves. He expects His children to be self-reliant to the degree they can be.
ng instructed the Saints, “Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 293.)
Becoming Self-Reliant - L. Tom Perry

Mercy:
kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly
Mercy - Definition for English-Language Learners from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

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WOW! How contrary that is to The Holy Bible. He wants us to search and seek HIM, diligently. And that is an act of FAITH. Anything less, is not faith. For without it, it is not HIS righteous.

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Going to clarify actual LDS beliefs again...

PeaceJoyLove said:

He wants us to search and seek HIM, diligently. And that is an act of FAITH. Anything less, is not faith. For without it, it is not HIS righteous.

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

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These are all LDS theology.

Phoebe Ann said:

Brigham YouD&C 130:20-21 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

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This quote is talking about the fact that faith without works is dead. Faith comes first (as has been stated many times), but if you have faith and refuse to act on it it, it is dead. Nothing contradictory to the Bible.

Phoebe Ann said:

The Lord does help when we go to Him in times of need, especially when we are committed to His work and respond to His will. But the Lord only helps those who are willing to help themselves. He expects His children to be self-reliant to the degree they can be.
ng instructed the Saints, “Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 293.)
Becoming Self-Reliant - L. Tom Perry

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The context of this quote is a discussion about the importance of being good stewards of our Earthly things and encouraging self-reliance (money management, avoiding debt, etc). It is not saying "don't look to the Lord spiritually", but rather speaking of financial responsibility. Rather than being poor stewards wasting money on frivolous things and then saying "Lord give me more money cause woe is me", a person should should live within their means. Again, nothing contrary with the Bible.

PeaceJoyLove said:

Thank you for being more candid than previous discourses on this thread. Many of the other wishy washy answers had inconsistencies and caused great confusion when addressing quotes from LDS prophets and teachings. How things work within that spectrum is a little clearer now, though my beliefs still differ.

RE: Holy Spirit and Temple - Something I read regrading temple ceremony (in several places, including ex-mormons) "presented in the temple - where there is absolutely no mention of the Holy Ghost whatsoever. What is taught there is that God sends down messengers from heaven to give men instruction - and they can recognize who the true messengers from God are based on tokens and signs. (Handshakes and passwords)."

The New Testament that we can enter into through Jesus Christ requires no physical temple or ordinances/rituals (as the Old Testament/covenant passes away) as we follow and obey Jesus and HIS sayings. Acts 7:48
Acts 17:24

1 Corinthians 6:19

1 Corinthians 3:16

Ephesians 2:19-22

1 Peter 2:5


The Word of God come in the flesh, Jesus Christ the firstborn. The second Adam, a new creation by the Spirit. When we truly receive the seed of His Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith, we become sons/daughters of God The Father. We are transformed from the inside, and HE writes the Law upon our hearts, giving us a new nature. HE gives us the power by HIS spirit indwelling to become all HE promises in holiness and righteousness. Jesus and the Apostles taught this Gospel of peace and reconciliation between God and man that the first Adam brought upon us.

The foundation (of the Temple not made with hands) must be first laid and the house built upon THAT foundation as per HIS Gospel that comes with power.

Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 5:11-12

1 Corinthians 3:11

2 Thessalonians 3:6

The scriptures that Jesus and the Apostles used promised to be enough! Jesus came to fulfill all of the Law of the Old Testament. The same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the grave promises to come live within us in power, giving us the grace to be all we are called to be IN HIM...and HIM in us.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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Hey I'm working on an answer, should be done this evening.

Phoebe Ann said:

Hallelujah! God be praised forever and ever! God used His word, the Holy Bible, to open my eyes.

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Praise the Lord Phoebe Ann..........so glad the Lord brought you to His truth, and you were given eyes to see and ears to hear! How we do love His word......and He is a jealous God, desiring that we worship Him alone and feast upon His word alone and no longer drawn away to other lovers, which can happen so easily. Just doing a little word search about the word of the Lord, what the word says about itself, makes me rejoice! May the Lord bless and keep you in His narrow way sister!

PeaceJoyLove said:

Thank you for being more candid than previous discourses on this thread. Many of the other wishy washy answers had inconsistencies and caused great confusion when addressing quotes from LDS prophets and teachings. How things work within that spectrum is a little clearer now, though my beliefs still differ.

RE: Holy Spirit and Temple - Something I read regrading temple ceremony (in several places, including ex-mormons) "presented in the temple - where there is absolutely no mention of the Holy Ghost whatsoever. What is taught there is that God sends down messengers from heaven to give men instruction - and they can recognize who the true messengers from God are based on tokens and signs. (Handshakes and passwords)."

The New Testament that we can enter into through Jesus Christ requires no physical temple or ordinances/rituals (as the Old Testament/covenant passes away) as we follow and obey Jesus and HIS sayings. Acts 7:48
Acts 17:24

1 Corinthians 6:19

1 Corinthians 3:16

Ephesians 2:19-22

1 Peter 2:5


The Word of God come in the flesh, Jesus Christ the firstborn. The second Adam, a new creation by the Spirit. When we truly receive the seed of His Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith, we become sons/daughters of God The Father. We are transformed from the inside, and HE writes the Law upon our hearts, giving us a new nature. HE gives us the power by HIS spirit indwelling to become all HE promises in holiness and righteousness. Jesus and the Apostles taught this Gospel of peace and reconciliation between God and man that the first Adam brought upon us.

The foundation (of the Temple not made with hands) must be first laid and the house built upon THAT foundation as per HIS Gospel that comes with power.

Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 5:11-12

1 Corinthians 3:11

2 Thessalonians 3:6

The scriptures that Jesus and the Apostles used promised to be enough! Jesus came to fulfill all of the Law of the Old Testament. The same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the grave promises to come live within us in power, giving us the grace to be all we are called to be IN HIM...and HIM in us.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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PeaceJoyLove said:

RE: Holy Spirit and Temple - Something I read regrading temple ceremony (in several places, including ex-mormons)

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Well it's been a while since I've been I'll have to think it through. I do know each morning as the temple staff gathers a prayer is said and they ask that the Holy Spirit be with them. During the baptism of the dead ceremony, the phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" is used and then the individual doing the baptism for the dead is also given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Then in the endowment ceremony the person giving the prayer would ask that the Holy Spirit be with us.

PeaceJoyLove said:

What is taught there is that God sends down messengers from heaven to give men instruction - and they can recognize who the true messengers from God are based on tokens and signs. (Handshakes and passwords)."

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mmmm? I think you have two different things mixed up. There is one point where Adam does this but there is no instruction for us to.

If one day an angel appears to you and you are trying to decided is this a real messenger from God or is this Satan trying to fool you the answer to figuring it out is found in D&C 129.

Joseph intent was to teach the different types of beings which exist in heaven and that angels are not some sort of different specie of being.

In 1Peter 1 he is writing to converts and he’s telling them how blessed they are for living in that age where they can learn about Christ.

“Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Searching what, or what manner of time ….Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, …..which things the angels desire to look into.”

He is calling the prophets who had looked forward to the coming of Christ angels, John also does it in Rev 22;

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done….. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets…”

Now D&C 129 "There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones..... Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not (yet) resurrected, but inherit the same glory."

At the death and resurrection of Christ there is a line in Matt 27
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

and then in Heb 12 there is this line
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,...."

There are some who entered into heaven or the spirit world who have not yet been resurrected.

We are also told that Satan will appear as an angel of light and Joseph was trying to explain the difference by saying that a resurrected man will shake hands with you, a spirit of a just man will not give you his hand but Satan or a devil will try to deceive you and give you his hand but you will not feel anything.

I personally have never even heard of anyone going through this kind of experience, I think it was a teaching tool to explain what angels really are.


*You said ‘The New Testament that we can enter into through Jesus Christ requires no physical temple or ordinances/rituals (as the Old Testament/covenant passes away) as we follow and obey Jesus and HIS sayings.

I will say there are far more people who will enter into the Celestial Kingdom having had no opportunity to be baptized or attend a temple during this life time and many who do attend who will not enter the Celestial Kingdom. If we have not charity we have nothing.

But a new covenant was given. “ A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Heb 8

Certainly the Bible is very clear about the need for baptism.
“ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16

*The more I read the New Testament the more I see the Temple there.

Eph 1
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ….And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,…

Symbolically and occasionally in reality the temple represents where heaven and earth meet. It’s where spiritual blessings are given.

In Matt 16 Peter is told he will be given the power to bind on earth that which is bound in heaven, he was given the power to give those spiritual blessings. In chapter 17 there is the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elias appearing to them. The Bible does not record what happened or why but a similar experience happened to Joseph Smith and it’s all part of having the keys to do the sealings.

Peter only talks about this experience once in 2 Peter 1 where he talks about hear the voice from Heaven declaring that Jesus is the Son of God.

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

As someone who has gone through the temple and taken out my endowments and having received the ‘great and precious promises’ I understand what Peter is talking about.

It is Peter who teaches us that the spirits in the spirit world are taught the gospel and Paul who speaks of baptism of the dead. It is also Peter who teaches us that a husband and wife are “heirs together of the grace of life” all very much of what goes on inside of our temples.

* In John 13 the Lord begins to teach the Temple ceremony to the Apostles

5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

Obviously this ceremony was very important for him to say; If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Later John writes “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book” John 20

“The word signs in the Greek ‘semeion’ means “a sign, mark, token”. So Jesus after his resurrection taught them more about what he was doing and why. All very very temple!

I know you will never understand it but the Epistle of Hebrews is about the oath and covenant of the priesthood. In Heb 6 he says let’s move pass the basics and on to greater things, “ …the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come…” it is impossible if someone is a partaker of these and falls away “to renew them again unto repentance”.

Then he explains how Abraham’s promises were given by oath and now God has given us a new oath and this address your point “The New Testament that we can enter into through Jesus Christ requires no physical temple or ordinances/rituals …… as we follow and obey Jesus and HIS sayings.”

In the Old Testament only the High Priest with the Lord’s name written on his forehead and so representing Yahweh could enter the Holy of Holies behind the veil but upon the death of Christ the veil was rent for all to gaze upon that room in the temple.

“17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The veil is the symbol of the flesh of Christ, Heb 10: 20
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

In the temple we go through this whole thing symbolically following Jesus through the veil and into the celestial room being the holiest.

In Rev 1-3 there is a lot of reverence to the Temple, he speaking for to the Bishops of the seven churches and tells him he “ hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” later he says

“ To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

Manna was kept in the Ark of the covenant in the Temple, Strongs says “symbolically, that which is kept in the heavenly temple for the food of angels and the blessed” . The manna here is a hidden or concealed manna, in the temple we receive blessings and one day we will be give a white stone or a seer stone with the new name in it, through which we will receive greater knowledge.

In chapter 3 it says;
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Those who have accepted Jesus as Savior have overcome and in our temples we are given garments and are clothed in white raiment.

The 12 verse is interesting

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

A temple is where God can dwell, it has been sanctified. At the end of Revelations it says the New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and there will be no temple there for “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” the city itself will be a temple.