Temple Ceremonies and the Clothing

05 April

Temple Ceremonies and the Clothing

By Melissa Grimes

My journey out of Mormonism began with the Mormon Temple. One night my husband was watching a documentary on Freemasonry and noticed how similar their temple rites were to those we participated in at the Mormon Temple.  At this point of my Mormon experience I had doubts off and on about the validity of Joseph Smith’s claims yet never delved into any serious research. I was simply content in my ignorance, as I trusted in the words of the church leaders to quiet my concerns.

Instead of letting my husband’s discovery slip by like I did with so many doubts before I decided to check out his findings to see if there was any cause for concern beginning with the Mormon Temple. The Mormons are very ritualistic and symbolic when it comes to any of their religious ceremonies; everything has to be just right and done in a certain way to the point of being repeated until it’s done correctly.

You see this in their most basic rituals such the “sacrament” and “baptismal” ceremonies. In the sacrament ceremony if a priesthood holder misspeaks during the sacramental prayer he must start the prayer from the beginning. The baptismal ceremony is no different, the individual must be fully immersed in the water, if a piece of clothing, hair or a leg comes to the surface the individual is dunked again, if the priesthood holder performing the baptism flubs up the words the individual needs to be dunked again. When I was baptized into the Mormon Church I was dunked three times because I wasn’t fully immersed, or my Bishop messed up the words he was suppose to say.

Their temple ceremonies are no different as each handshake, sign and accompanying phrase must be spoken and delivered correctly. During the endowment ceremony each temple patron has a “packet” that contains articles of clothing they are to put on during the ceremony. The clothing has special meaning to the Mormon to the point of being buried in their temple clothing.

The Endowment Ceremony

The endowment ceremony is where the Mormons dress in their full temple clothing. Upon entering the temple, and before they can begin their endowment session, each Mormon must remove their “street clothes” and dress in their temple clothing as a way of leaving behind the outside world and entering God’s presence.

Females dress in a white dress, slip, the sacred undergarment, knee-high hose, and slippers.  Males dress in a white button-down shirt, tie, belt, and pants, along with the sacred undergarments. The reason for dressing in all white references purity, and since everyone is dressed the same there is a feeling of equality among the people.

It should be noted that those who are attending the temple for the first time will receive the “sacred undergarment” prior to dressing in their temple clothes, in a ceremony known as “the Initiatory”. Those who have been through the ceremony before will already have their undergarments.

(Women’s Temple Dress)

All Temple clothing including the dress, slip, slippers, white knee high hose (for women) and white shirt, pants, shoes

socks, slippers (for men) and the accessories which include:

green apron

sash

veil (for women)

hat (for men)

robe

These can be rented for a small fee or purchased in the temple. The green apron, sash, hat or veil and robe are all enclosed in a white cloth envelope.

After the Mormon dresses in their temple clothing they take their envelope containing the contents I mentioned above and head to the endowment room. While in the endowment room the Mormon watches a film that depicts the creation and fall of Adam and Eve from the church’s point of view. During the film the participants will also learn the significance of their temple clothing.

Endowment Room in the Mormon Temple

Green Apron

The first accessory they put on during the ceremony is their apron, which looks like this:

As you can see the apron has what looks like leaves on the front. The Mormon learns during the ceremony that this represents the fig leaves Adam and Eve made in the garden after they yielded to Satan’s temptation. According to the temple film after they realized what they had done, Satan tells Adam and Eve to take some figs leaves and make aprons to cover their nakedness, at this time the audience is then told to put on their aprons.

(As I look back on it now I wonder why we were commanded to obey Satan, and why have Mormons never made that connection?)

“Sacred” Undergarments (Female garments pictured)

After the Mormon puts on their apron they are told the undergarments they have on represent the “coat of skins” God made for Adam and Eve upon leaving the garden. Another question which comes to mind is why the Mormons would wear the green apron which represents the fall over top of the garments which represents what God gave Adam and Eve prior to being exiled from the garden.

Another thing I think about is why they need to wear the apron when they are wearing their temple garments.

As a Mormon I was taught that the garments would serve as a protection for me, as long as I was worthy to wear them.

This is one example of the counsel I received from my church leaders about the significance of my undergarments:

“The promise of protection and blessings is conditional upon worthiness and faithfulness in keeping the covenant. Members of the Church wear the garment as a reminder of the scared covenants they have made with the Lord and also as a protection against temptation and evil. How it is worn is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior.” (Letter for the First Presidency, October 10, 1988)

Markings on the garments:

The Mormon undergarments have some very distinctive markings on them.  Below are the markings on the top portion of the garments.

Left Breast Mark, Right Breast Mark, and Naval Mark

When the garments became worn out, I was instructed to cut out the markings and burn them before discarding the rest of the material. Considering that after the markings are removed the garment material can be used as a rag or tossed in the trash, one has to wonder if they believe the “power” of their protection lies within the markings, and not the garment itself.

In my investigation into the Mormon Temple Ceremony I learned that Joseph Smith was a Freemason. After learning this it wasn’t hard to surmise that he had appropriated what he learned in the Masonic ceremony and drafted the first Mormon Endowment ceremony.

I say first draft because the ceremony has undergone many changes from when it was first instated by Smith until present day. Most Mormons are unaware of or don’t really care about Smith’s involved in Masonry.  Either way, it’s still a strong component in the core principles of their church and most of them wear it every day of their lives.

The “square” and “compass” markings found on the top portion of their undergarments are Masonic in nature. I’ve found there’s very little “official” doctrine which would give us insight into the meaning behind the symbols; most Mormon references only say the markings have a “sacred” significance. However the temple ceremony does give us some clues as the meanings behind markings.

After the temple film is finished the patrons are then instructed to proceed to the veil. The veil is a white curtain that goes from floor to ceiling; cut into the veil are the same markings found on the undergarments. According to the transcript from the endowment ceremony, the meaning behind the symbols are as follows:

The mark on the right is the square and it suggests to the mind exactness and honor in keeping the covenants.

The mark on the left is the compass and it suggests to the mind an undeviating course leading to eternal life.

The naval mark suggests to the mind the need of constant nourishment to the body and spirit.

The knee mark suggests every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ.

In Mormonism’s Temple of Doom we read:

“The placing of magick talismans in underwear is common in witchcraft.” (William J. Schnoebelen/James R. Spencer, Mormonism’s Temple of Doom, 1987, pp. 13-14)

I wonder if the Mormons have ever really thought about the association between the occult and the symbols on their undergarments. Non-Mormons have jokingly called the undergarments “magic underwear”. It sounds like they aren’t too far from the truth; even Mormons themselves believe they offer a protection from injury, temptation and sin. As I stated earlier it’s the markings the Mormons find scared not the cloth or design itself.

I think what gets me to the most about this special protective underwear isn’t so much that they wear a certain type of underwear, we all have our quirks. It’s that they are relying on a few strategically placed markings on a piece of cloth to protect them from falling into temptation or escaping in a car wreck unscathed. Instead, they should be putting their trust in God who promised to watch over us, be with us always, ( Psalm 121:1-4) and give us an escape from temptation ( 1 Cor 10:13).

The last few pieces of Mormon Temple clothing are:

The Robe, Veil and Sash –

The veil is tied under the chin; the women only “veil” their faces when praying during the temple ceremony.  The sash is tied around the waist over the robe, and above the green apron on the opposite side the robe is tied on.

As I close I can’t help but publicly thank my Father in Heaven for leading me out of this dark and oppressive religion. Mormons live in a very different world than most Christians do. For them everything is about appearances, whether it be at school, church, or the temple they believe it’s what’s going on on the outside that counts, the sad thing is they’ve been conditioned to believe this is how God  sees things as well.

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25 Responses to “Temple Ceremonies and the Clothing”

  1. brian June 1, 2011 at 10:41 pm #

    Hi Melissa, I am an Evangelical born again Christian who ended up investigating and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Your connection of the “Mormon” temple ritual and the Free Masons has some merit but fails to continue tracing it’s roots. The Free Masons claim their origins began in the Old Testament with Solomon’s temple. If this is true then their temple practices, rituals, clothing and other rites in part come from God’s revealed pattern to ancient prophets. The Biblical record is clear in showing that God has always required sacred ordinances and covenant making from His people. Sacred clothing can be traced back as far as Adam and Eve and is mentioned throughout the Biblical cannon. Witchcraft and other pagan rituals are Satan’s conterfiet attempts to blind God’s children. If you will continue your search with you will find parts of the temple endowment and other symbols in nearly every culture and religion. This is as it should be if truth was taught from the beginning. This kind of evidence only has strengthened my testimony of the restoration. May you find peace in whatever path you choose. Your friend in Christ, Brian
    http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Similarities_between_Masonic_and_Mormon_Temple_Ritual.html

    • An Ex-Mormon August 31, 2011 at 6:13 am #

      First Melissa, thanks for this great site. Lots of pertinent information and nice job for denouncing the Mormon church for what it really is.

      Now to Brian, I invite you to carefully look into what you are doing.I live in Salt Lake City, UT and I myself was introduce to the mormon teachings and doctrines around May 2010. I was, like you, “investigating” the church. By July 2010 I was baptized. I always felt that something wasn’t right. After almost 12 months of soul searching, praying, research, scripture pondering, now, in august 2011, my wife and I we have officially resigned from the church. We highly do believe that we have passed the test for “false teachings”. During this last year, we have learned sooooo much more about Christianity, other religions, etc…and it has reinforced our faith. You will hear so many excuses and justifications from the LDS church regarding all the embarrassing issues they are dealing with but stand your ground. They will teach you that you’re missing so much from the gospel without them, but truth is you’re not missing anything. It’s all in the Bible. Actually everything else they add is modern man-made BS. The LDS church is just a huge corporate entity controlled by a board of “directors” (MY OWN BISHOP TOLD ME THAT!!!) every decisions made by the President/Prophet/seer/revelator of the church has to be approved by the 12 other directors. ???? I thought that guy only respond to and get his stuffs from GOD directly… I guarantee you that if you weren’t raised in that cult/church you won’t last… Please my friend do your research.

      God bless you.

    • Ryan March 10, 2015 at 3:50 am #

      Great response Brian, the lds church is the fullness of the gospel, the only church with prophets and apostles, temples like king solomons temple. Keep the faith, never surrender

    • Robyn March 21, 2015 at 11:15 am #

      Hi Melissa…I left the Mormon church over 30 years ago. The depth of invasion into my personal and private life was simply unacceptable.I am a Christian and found my new church home many years later with the Salvation Army. It took years to overcome the mistrust in organised religion that the Mormons instilled in me. I would advise anyone contemplating joining this ” church” to run as far and as fast as you can in the opposite direction. They are dangerous to anyone and everyone

    • Bluebell Shannon December 4, 2016 at 7:26 pm #

      Free Masons can make as many spurious claims as they like. The order originated during the era of early centuries in Medieval Europe. Claims that are not factual have no basis in reality.

  2. CamdenC August 31, 2011 at 10:56 pm #

    Brian – Jesus said, “I am the fulfillment of the law and the prophets” and He talked about “the New Covenant” with the 12 at the Last Supper. All other covenants (except the ones God has with Israel, that have yet to be fulfilled) have been done away with. We are under Grace, not law. The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom when He said, “It is finished”.

    Don’t you realize that we are no longer under the law? What is the purpose of the temple? Jesus was the final/last/complete/perfect sacrifice for all of mankind. Simply giving your heart and life to following Him is all that is required. His Grace is sufficient!!!

    There is no need for a temple, whether an LDS temple or the 3rd Jerusalem temple that has yet to be built. The LDS temple has no resemblence to anything described in the Old Testament or even the New. He doesn’t dwell in a temple made with hands, but dwells in the hearts of the believers. Just like the church is not a building, denomination, or religous organization. The “Church” is the body of believers. Church means, “ones called out” or “set apart”. The building means nothing, it is the people that meet there that are important.

    Just because many cultures and peoples have things that resemble happenings that go on in the LDS temples doesn’t prove anything. There was a lie that was told to Adam & Eve in the Garden that is still promoted in today’s religions around the world. The lie was that “we can become like God”. It is packaged differently in the New Age and Eastern Mysticism religions, and in Mormonism. But it is the same lie and has the same appeal to the “self-love” and pride that is inherently present in the hearts of mankind. Just about every ancient culture has a “Flood story” as well, but we know that happened because the infallible Word of God tells us so in Genesis…

    • LindaSDF August 13, 2015 at 1:36 pm #

      CamdenC, Satan did not lie when he told Adam and Eve they would be as the gods, knowing good and evil. Gen. 3:22 shows that. The lie was that they would not surely die.

    • MrNirom August 14, 2015 at 7:48 am #

      It is finished! What is finished? Would someone care to share with me their version of what that means?

  3. mike martin December 11, 2011 at 5:37 am #

    Celestial exaltation is a Satanic lie!

  4. Elizsia December 20, 2011 at 4:55 am #

    @ Brian… If you really Believe what you say about Freemasons and LDS. Then Why Do Freemasons Prefer to Take Part in a Separate Organisation… Why Dont Freemasons Just Accept The Church Of Jesus Christ and Convert to it….

    If all those Traditions are being Adopted by LDS and LDS is saying its the Only Ordained Authority, How Come Freemasons have not Adopted LDS Traditions…. How Come LDS Adopted Freemason Traditions instead….

    • LindaSDF August 13, 2015 at 1:39 pm #

      Free Masons is not a religion. That’s the big mistake these anti-cult people make.

  5. Bonnie September 3, 2012 at 2:40 pm #

    Brian, you speak 100% truth!

  6. CamdenC September 7, 2012 at 3:01 pm #

    Bonnie – Please refer to my posting… We are under Grace, not law. The LDS/ masonic temples are of no value…

  7. N. Carroll October 22, 2013 at 5:52 pm #

    I think the most important thing all of us need to remember is to not judge each other. We need to have respect and love for everybody. No matter what your religion or beliefs are it is Gods job to judge us. He loves all of us whether we are black, white, purple, muslim or catholic. He loves all of his children regardless and we should do the same I’m LDS and I have many friends who are of different faiths, catholic, baptist, non-denominational. We all get along great and have great respect for each others beliefs and religious practices.

  8. Melissa July 8, 2014 at 4:04 am #

    As a Christian I don’t see the need to tear down anyones belief system. We are told to judge not. If the LDS church was not for you why do you feel the need to belittle thier faith and rituals? Just walk away from it. Where are your sites denouncing witchcraft, paganism, agnostics, catholics lutherans, protestants, presbyterians and baptists etc. etc? This earth will never be as it should be because people can’t live and let live. Haters beget hate. NOT very Christian like.

    • TRACY JOHNSON July 18, 2014 at 11:00 am #

      actually thats UNTRUE… WE ARE MANDATED BY THE LORD to judge sin and EXPOSE IT TO THE LIGHT.. hate sin as HE DOES, BUT TO NOT JUDGE THE SINNER, WHICH WE ALL ARE!!!

  9. Geoff Orr October 20, 2014 at 8:05 pm #

    First of all, I would like to make it clear that I am not LDS. I am just a ordinary man and a Christen. I have been to a lot of different websites that focus on the LDS religion and lifestyle, and frankly, ever single one has the exact same agenda, bitterness and hate. Comment after comment, everybody says the same thing. How they left the LDS faith because of their beliefs and rituals. Not once have I read however that one single person had a gun held to their head to join the religion in the first place. There have been many who claim they were tricked into joining, which to me sounds like an excuse of a small child, not an adult. If you don’t have the good sense it takes to not be tricked into something as seriously as joining a religion, I really don’t think you have the authority nor the education to speak out about religious docturin. My question is this, what is worse in the eyes of God? To be a member of a church who doese many wonderful and great things for the people in the world or to be a bitter hater who spends all your free time not looking for any real spiritual answeres, but instead sitting in front of your computer creating websites to use as a platform to write vicious comments and lies about an entire group of people who never forced themselves into your lives? Everybody has a God given right to their own opion, but hate is a feeling not an opion, so please keep all that crap to yourselves. They say that misery loves company and that’s all these websites are for. A place where sad, lonely misguided people can get together and see who can outdo the next person with story after story, each one based on nothing but hate. Everybody thinks that because they can create an website or a blog they are suddenly educated Pulitzer prize writing authors, when in reality they are simply using the privledge of technology and the Internet to publish a bunch of garbage that would never have a chance passing a publishers desk. People make videos for YouTube that get millions of hits but that will never make them Merryl Streep.
    I just wanted to let you know that while you may think your little site is going to change the world and ultimately bring a major Religion to its knees is never going to happen. For every one person that believes what they read, I can guerentee their are fifty who read it and if they even make it past the first paragraph simply laugh and move on. I hope that you can one day just put all this behind you and move on. Study simple Christen beliefs and then start living the lifestyle. Use your time and efforts to do more than making yourself another Internet joke. I can promise you that this site is not going to be your life’s legacy, and if in your heart you believe it is or really want it to be, then how sad that is.
    With love and best wishes…..Geoff

    • LifeAfter October 21, 2014 at 5:00 am #

      Geoff –
      You can read my response to your notes on our front page in an article or you can read it here as well –

      We received an e-mail from a less than honest and obviously angry Mormon whose name is ‘Geoff’. He commented on our article ‘Mormon Temple Clothing and Other Rituals’.

      We wanted to share his note and our response with our readers over on the blog so we can take advantage of a larger group of prayer warriors so here it is!

      Geoff’s comments are in black and my response is in red.

      BTW, Geoff wrote in twice so we’ll be addressing both his concerns here. One more thing – I’ve not corrected his spelling so if you’re a stickler on this, know that I didn’t let it go unchecked.

      From Geoff;

      First of all, I would like to make it clear that I am not LDS. I am just a ordinary man and a Christen. I have been to a lot of different websites that focus on the LDS religion and lifestyle, and frankly, ever single one has the exact same agenda, bitterness and hate.

      Hi Geoff,

      My name is Michelle Grim and I thought I’d let you know we received your note and I’m responding to it via an article that will be posted on our blog and site. You can find my response as a reply to your concerns in our comment section.

      Geoff, why is it that almost every time a Mormon writes to me they tell me they’re not LDS? One of the giveaways to the lie you’ve told is that you used the term ‘LDS’. I don’t know any non-Mormon that would use that phrase.

      Every single website that talks about Mormonism has the same agenda of bitterness and hate?

      Really?

      I’m certain there are many out there that have this focus, however, there are many more that do not. Take this one for example.

      Where do you see hate or bitterness? Please be specific.

      Comment after comment, everybody says the same thing. How they left the LDS faith because of their beliefs and rituals. Not once have I read however that one single person had a gun held to their head to join the religion in the first place.

      Honestly Geoff do you really believe what you’ve written? Why would anyone hold a person at gunpoint and force them into joining Mormonism?

      BTW, while there are many testimonies of converts listed on my site and blog, I personally was not a convert. I was a 6th generation Mormon from Utah and in the Church for 30 years. I left the Church because its doctrine is at total odds with biblical standards and the Church doesn’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible. They believe Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer and a created being. This isn’t biblical dogma.

      As per testimonies…

      If you have a problem with Christians talking about their experience with Jesus does that same standard hold true for those who give their testimonies on the ‘I’m a Mormon’ websites?

      There have been many who claim they were tricked into joining, which to me sounds like an excuse of a small child, not an adult. If you don’t have the good sense it takes to not be tricked into something as seriously as joining a religion, I really don’t think you have the authority nor the education to speak out about religious docturin.

      Your words here are another reason I believe you’re Mormon. I don’t know of a single convert that’s left the Church who has said they weren’t tricked or weren’t told everything about Mormonism before they joined.

      Another reason I think you’re Mormon is because you said ‘I really don’t think you have the authority or the education to speak out…’

      Authority? Really? That’s odd because here we are with yet another Mormon phrase. As you’re well aware the Church stands on the theory they’re the only church with authority to speak for God.

      Perhaps you’re unaware of Jesus’ commandment to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20;

      “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
      This is where every single Christian on earth receives his/her authority to preach the gospel. Jesus.

      Education? And just what law or rule is there that someone must be an expert on religion? It’s odd you’d say the same thing many Mormons say to me (and by the way they’re usually male). I’ve been told numerous times that I’m an uneducated, illiterate, stupid idiot. That’s sad because I am educated and I’m also literate. The other names I’ve been called won’t be posted here, but if you troll through all of the 8,000+ comments on the site and blog you’ll find some not-so-Christian remarks.

      My question is this, what is worse in the eyes of God? To be a member of a church who doese many wonderful and great things for the people in the world or to be a bitter hater who spends all your free time not looking for any real spiritual answeres, but instead sitting in front of your computer creating websites to use as a platform to write vicious comments and lies about an entire group of people who never forced themselves into your lives?

      And so now you’re God are you? The Bible says that only God knows the heart and mind of man.

      1 Corinthians 2:11; “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
      As for me looking for spiritual answers…

      Whenever I have a question about a spiritual matter I go to God’s word. I already know where to look because I’ve devoted my entire life over to Him who saves. I can do this without hesitation because unlike members of the Church, I believe every single word in the Bible.

      2 Timothy 1:12; “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

      2 Timothy 3:15-16; “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”.
      Doing good things in life for others isn’t what gets someone into heaven. The Church could give 100% of its gross income and still be a non-Christian church. Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ – John 14:6.

      Everybody has a God given right to their own opion, but hate is a feeling not an opion, so please keep all that crap to yourselves. They say that misery loves company and that’s all these websites are for. A place where sad, lonely misguided people can get together and see who can outdo the next person with story after story, each one based on nothing but hate.

      Wow. Feelings eh? Since you brought this subject up let’s go there.

      Many times when someone uses the word ‘but’ it tells the reader to disregard everything previously said or written.

      Now if it’s my ‘God given right’ to express my opinion why should I keep it all to myself?

      Furthermore…

      If feelings aren’t opinions then why is the Church’s platform built upon feelings? Why does the Church govern itself on such a principle?

      Why would God tell people that a ‘burning in the bosom’ is a sign of righteousness?

      Moroni 10:3-5; “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

      D&C 9:7-9; “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.”
      Now that we have some definitive LDS teachings in our heads, let’s take a look at what God has to say about trusting your own heart/feelings –

      Ezekiel 13:2-4; “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.”

      Jeremiah 17:5, 9; “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD… The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

      Proverbs 28:26; “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”

      1 Timothy 5:6; “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”

      Genesis 8:21; “…for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.”
      Clearly, the Lord warns us repeatedly that feelings aren’t to be trusted. Why does the Church’s teachings contradict what the Bible says?

      Everybody thinks that because they can create an website or a blog they are suddenly educated Pulitzer prize writing authors, when in reality they are simply using the privledge of technology and the Internet to publish a bunch of garbage that would never have a chance passing a publishers desk. People make videos for YouTube that get millions of hits but that will never make them Merryl Streep.

      Not everyone thinks this.

      And for the record, I was writing, publishing and educating people about Mormonism before the internet was invented.

      I agree with your Youtube statement. The Church just released a Youtube video on Mormon garments and we’re still wondering why they’d do such a thing.

      I just wanted to let you know that while you may think your little site is going to change the world and ultimately bring a major Religion to its knees is never going to happen. For every one person that believes what they read, I can guerentee their are fifty who read it and if they even make it past the first paragraph simply laugh and move on.

      I don’t count how many people come to know the Lord through our ministry as its none of my business – that belongs to the Lord. And as for me expecting any such thing, I pray that I glorify the Lord in all that I do, but I’d never be so arrogant to think that I’m the one that saves people – again, that job belongs to the Lord as well.

      Your words make my heart sad for you Geoff. Too much animosity and hate is in them and my heart grieves for such a thing. Your stats of how many will turn away are just empty words my friend and we’re praying you’ll come to know the Jesus of the Bible sooner rather than later.

      I hope that you can one day just put all this behind you and move on. Study simple Christen beliefs and then start living the lifestyle.

      One more thing on the spelling issue. I don’t know of a single Christian who spells the word ‘Christian’ in the manner you do. Strange…mind you, I don’t say this mockingly, rather as an observation of how dear the word ‘Christian’ is to those who believe. Christians are usually more mindful of such things and Christians don’t chastise other Christians for sharing the gospel.

      Use your time and efforts to do more than making yourself another Internet joke.

      I can promise you that this site is not going to be your life’s legacy, and if in your heart you believe it is or really want it to be, then how sad that is.
      With love and best wishes…..Geoff

      I pray that after I’m gone people will say ‘And she loved the Lord with all her heart and mind’.

      Here’s Geoff’s 2nd comment for the same article:

      Oops, I didn’t even notice that this site hasn’t been updated since April. Looks like its already debunked. My bad.

      Sorry to disappoint you Geoff – we’re still here and publish articles regularly.

      Know that we’re praying for you and we truly hope you’ll come to know the real Jesus of the Bible.

      There are many articles on our site and blog that give definitive explanations of who Jesus is and how He differs from the Jesus of Mormonism. I invite you to read and investigate them!

      With Love in Christ;

      Michelle

      1 Cor 1:18

  10. Geoff Orr October 20, 2014 at 8:10 pm #

    Oops, I didn’t even notice that this site hasn’t been updated since April. Looks like its already debunked. My bad.

  11. Andrew Carrillo September 20, 2016 at 6:50 am #

    Dear Michelle: did you ever get an answer to the following question–(As I look back on it now I wonder why we were commanded to obey Satan, and why have Mormons never made that connection?). Did you ever pursue a line of inquiry about that paradox?

    I made that connection the day I received my endowments. I asked myself, ‘Why are we now going to wear an apron that Lucifer (Satan) has just told Adam & Eve to wear, so as to “shield” them from God seeing their nakedness? I get the shaming part of this dialogue, but the grace of Christ removes that shame by virtue of His love for us.

    And why is Lucifer “allowed” to menacingly threaten the viewing patrons that if we do not ‘walk up to every covenant made in the temple this day, they (all in attendance) will be in my power’.? That seems a dramatic but clear statement that if you break a covenant then the Savior’s grace has no more power to redeem you from Lucifer’s grasp.

    Any info you have gleaned on this question would be helpful. Thank you.

    • Melissa Grimes September 21, 2016 at 3:47 pm #

      Hello Andrew,
      No I never learned why the temple attendants are commanded to obey Satan. I wonder how many of them walk away with same questions as we did? I really don’t think many of them think through the implications of what they’re doing. I think most of them are so caught up in all of it, and doing what they believe they should be doing that they don’t take the time to contemplate why they do what they do.

      It would be difficult to actually get an honest, thoughtful response to why they must obey Satan because as you know, Mormons aren’t allowed to say too much about the ceremony outside of the temple.

      I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but maybe this is something the ministry could address in a future article. – Melissa Grimes

    • Andrew Carrillo September 21, 2016 at 4:43 pm #

      Thanks for responding to my question. I will inquire with the local Temple Presidency to see if they can provide a reasonable answer. I cannot imagine, as you pointed out, that you and I are the only patrons to have asked that question!

      Take care and may you continue to enjoy Christ’s grace!

      Andy

    • Avelee Andrews January 25, 2017 at 6:49 pm #

      Well, through my studies in all of this (and technically I am a member of the LDS church, but it never felt right my entire life and I didn’t know why until 2 years ago when I was going through a severely rough time in my life and went on a search for Truth and found out the truth about Mormonism that I will not go into here. Through those dark days of depression and actively searching for Truth I found the Lord and GOD, creator of everything, Jesus Christ. My entire family is devout Mormon just so people like Geoff know.) Freemasonry, once you get to the 33rd degree, possibly the 32nd, you find out that Lucifer is the good guy and is the god they worship and they denounce and spit upon the cross of Jesus Christ. So Joseph Smith who was an occultist and a treasure digger and who “translated” the Golden Plates with a seer stone with his head in a hat, not the Thummin thing from the Bible that all Mormons are told and probably told that as it will make his bag of lies seem like truth, he obviously was heavily into Freemasonry as it’s 100% incorporated into the church doctrine (sorry for my long run-on sentence.) The Book of Mormon teaches the Trinity and there only being one God and nothing about men becoming gods (I didn’t even know this until 2 years ago when I studied my family religion. They don’t talk about any of this in church!) It killed me finding out what I supposedly believed my whole 37 years of life. Joseph Smiths beliefs and teachings changed as he became a Mason and it is clear when you go into the other books (that have been proven to be forgeries like the Book of Abraham.) I’m disgusted and my entire family thinks I’m some apostate that is worldly bc I don’t live the Mormon life. And in reality I’m a Jesus loving, God knowing, born again, born of the Spirit woman who knows without a doubt I am saved and will have eternal life. I am confident enough to even say on my eternal soul that I am not going to a lesser heaven than any one of my “perfect” Mormon family members who really are only clean on the outside and it is the inside that should be cleansed as it will pour out and clean the outside as well. Sorry if that message was all over the place, I’m not in the mood to proof read like I normally would. I just wanted to throw in that knowledge about Lucifer being the God of Freemasonry and how that ties in to the temple ceremony I’m sure.
      ~ Avelee

  12. Fake Named LDS December 9, 2017 at 5:07 pm #

    soooooo much confusion.
    1) this is why LDS have different kingdoms. In short, YOU RULE. have it, and go at it.
    2) I ask you: are we, or were Adam&Eve, actually naked in the Garden of Eden? Wow. Others have been resisting this knowledge and enjoy nudism, but most don’t succumb to Satan by claiming we dress.
    3) Satan is obeyed each and every day in this world LAW NOTWITHSTANDING. Wow. The lack of common sense is called Fear. And if you’d rely on Jesus Christ more, you’d find your way out of your ignorance. Apparently, you can skip over the pain and suffering of stupider people than yourself (LDS) who actually see in parables many degrees of … you know, our divine nature.
    the bulk of your blindness is in that cloud of emotion the Lord TRIES to work with but.. is such an example to me of your need to just level the playing field and be your perfect self, already.
    yeah. I’m a Mormon. But don’t let it fool you in case I try to pretend (by calling myself LDS).
    Wow. I exhale. And pray there really is appropriate study for.. scales of disbelief covering your .. heart.

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