Brigham City, Endowments, and Answers

If you have not seen, the Church has announced the completion and dates for dedication for the Brigham City Utah Temple. I have posted some of the pictures to help illustrate some principles important to understanding Temple Covenants.

The most important room in the Temple: the Sealing Room.

The marriage covenant is the quintessential ordinance for Israel to enter into. The sealing is a vital part of the great Gathering of Israel. There are several working components here: the alter, the place of kneeling, and the chandelier. We come prepared to enter into the Marriage Covenant, which is also called the Abrahamic Covenant. We enter over an alter just as Abraham sealed his covenants with God over an alter. Although the commitments are made with individual people in mind, it is also overseen and entered into with Deity

The Telestial, or World Room.

The Terrestial, or Millennial Room. 

 The Church at one point used one-room endowment rooms as an alternative to room progression; however, in all the modern temples they are using a 3-stage room progression: a telestial, terrestial, and celestial room. These are the stages that we enter into and that we will see all of creation enter into. It could also be called the World Room, the Millennial Room, and the Throne Room (seen on the left and down below).

As members of the Church we should understand that the 3-stage progression is not just a reference to the Kingdoms God has designated. Rather, it includes our progress, earth's progress, the delegated times of resurrection and then, of course, the eventual Kingdoms we will enter into based on what stages we were worthy to enter into. 

 The peak of the Endowment session occurs in the Celestial Room. It is where we can find rest, as it is described in the scriptures.

The brides room (below), is also a place important in the Temple. I recall cleaning the Rexburg, Idaho temples and being asked to assist in this room. I have to admit I was a bit jealous because I didn't get a room like this in preparation for my wedding! My wife of course, with her wonderful insights, said, "it makes a girl feel like a princess". It is an important thing to feel for the women: a princess, a daughter of royalty, an heir to the Kingdom of the Father. As a priesthood holder in the Church it has been emphasized and illustrated a lot through D&C 84:33-37.

The Bride's Room

The recommend desk.

Stairwell Detail

The front glass window

The grand hallway. A corridor filled with symbolic significance in the Church. Although some of these symbols cannot be specifically discussed, needless to say, the principles teach how to access the Mysteries to the Kingdom of God and His Christ.

What is the purpose of life? My thoughts as a new father. A Funeral Sermon-part III

I remember as a missionary talking about how we had the answer to the most important and sacred questions. Among them, "what is the purpose of life?" would be a common one for missionaries to prepare to answer. I was always geared up to give a discourse from 2 Nephi chapter 2 on this important topic. I thought for sure I had the complete and full answer. I have realized more and more that my understanding was pretty limited. 2 Nephi chapter 2 was not limited by any means. In fact, it is replete with details to this soul-searching question. I would always tell people that the purpose of life is to learn good from evil as Adam and Eve had through their own personal fall. I would then explain that we likewise, though not through the same avenue, chose to have a personal fall from the presence of God in order that we could return with glory and honor. We chose to come to earth and be tested. I would extract this from 2 Nephi 2:25-27. I basically had it memorized; however, what I failed to do was look at the entirety of the context:


First of all, Lehi is speaking to his child. This is an important detail. I think I should have allowed the sermon to speak for itself in its entirety. I think of particular importance is verse 23. Lehi states, "And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence having no joy, for they knew no misery..." The first part of that is key because the fact that children bring joy almost seems like a common-doctrine to them: one that did not need a lot of emphasis. He simply states "And they would have had no children" as if that phrase alone signaled to his children the importance of the fall.


Furthermore, they would have had the Adam and Eve story in its fullest. They would have known that God commanded Adam and Eve to have children. I knew that having children was important but I never realized that this was a central purpose to life. I would always say "the purpose of life is to choose good over evil in the midst of temptation so that we may be more righteous and qualify to become like God the Father."


I realize now that children are an integral part of the plan. I remember hearing our sealer make the same bold command to my wife and I that was given to Adam and Eve. Then later, while studying on my roles as a patriarch in my home I stumbled across President Kimball's first General Conference address as the Prophet of the Church. He read an excerpt from a First Presidency message given in 1942 (think about the time-period they were giving this in!). That message was simply titled "Parenthood" and reads, in part:


"Motherhood thus becomes a holy calling, a sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord's plans, a consecration of devotion to this uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body, mind, and spirit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for their second estate ' to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abr 3:23.) To lead them to 'keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads forever and ever.'


"This divine service of motherhood can be rendered only mothers. It may not be passed to others. Nurses cannot do it; public nurseries cannot do it; hired help cannot do it--only mother, aided as much as may be by the loving hands of father, brothers, and sisters, can give the full needed measure of watchful care. 


"The mother who entrusts her child to the care of others, that she may do non-motherly work, whether for gold, for fame, or for civic service should remember that 'a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame (Prov. 29:15.) In our day the Lord has said that unless parents teach their children the doctrines of the Church 'the sin be upon the heads of the parents.' (D&C 68:25.)


Motherhood is near to Divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say, God bless and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to fill to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours. To you mothers and mothers-to-be we say: Be chaste, keep pure, live righteously, that your posterity to the last generation may call you blessed." ("Message of the First Presidency" Deseret News Weekly Church Edition, October 1942, p. 5.)

Brigham Lloyd Brown--May 31st, 2012

Recently I became a father to my first. We thought we were having a little girl (hence why my blog intro said "soon-to-be father to a baby girl"). When the baby was born I had an overwhelming sense of love and devotion to him. It seemed like only minutes had passed and I already knew about him. It was odd to even ever think that we were expecting a girl. Even today when I mention it, I feel awkward saying it because it is literally impossible to imagine it any other way.


So, how come I relate this to the "funeral sermon" or the "King Follet Discourse"? Because when Joseph Smith states "Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn to become gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you...they shall be joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory, and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a God, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before. What did Jesus do? Why; I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds come rolling into existence. My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that He may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory."


In other words, our exaltation and inheritance come as a result of the success of our children. If no children brought their own kingdom to Christ's gospel, then it would not allow the Father to advance in his own glory. We will never be co-equal with God as some faiths allege; however, we can inherit that same glory that he has.


As a Father this makes much more sense. I cannot envision a Father who would not want his children to have absolute joy and success equal or more than he has. I want for Brigham (my new little boy) to have more opportunity and greater happiness than I have ever experienced. Note that I want him to have more! The Father, realizing that he has reached the maximum potential, wants for us to enjoy all that he now enjoys: maximum blessings. As a parent I have learned to a greater degree the nature of my Heavenly Father."


And this is how we "learn to become gods". It is through parenthood that we can have eternal increase (see D&C 131) and everlasting joy.


This is the end of "The Funeral Sermon" blogging; however, I would suggest that one would read it and become familiar with the doctrines contained therein.

Freedom, Agency, and Eternal Progress. A Funeral Sermon-part II

Right after writing part I of the "Funeral Sermon" post, I had a question come up to me about how to encourage someone to continue on the pathway to discipleship. He asked if I knew of any good talks that he could reference. I had just written the first part of this blog, and so I directed him towards this very talk. Then, if you look at Part 1 commentary another question came up relating to the nature of Deity. Both of these questions are related.


Looking at the historical context of this talk is really important to see the significance of it. Joseph Smith was taking part in a massive theological shift.


Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, was a true child of the Revolution. 4 days previous to her 1st birthday the Declaration of Independence was signed. She was in New Hampshire at the time of the signing. Her husband was only 8 days away from his 5th birthday when it was signed. So what does that have to do with the King Follet sermon? Well, a lot!


The declaration for freedom was spurred in large part by a theological shift. I can remember first reading Jonathan Edwards' most notable sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. It was sermons like these that compelled people to demand their personal liberties. It was a time we know as The Great Awakening.


Less than 30 years prior to the First Vision Louis XVI was beheaded. This is significant because he was to be the embodiment of God's Kingdom on Earth. But the people were rejecting this notion. This thought out and intended act of rebellion was a symbol that the people were rejecting the idea that God had charge over their civic society, 


If a religious revolution was not the end result, then it was outright atheism. Freedom became the optimism that drove people. Religion had become dogmatic and oppressive in the minds of the people. Civic freedom was the only real way to progress.


To many it seemed that the gap between freedom and religion was growing ever more wide. Everyone in the middle found themselves torn because religion demanded one way whilst the fight for freedom demanded another.


Enter Joseph Smith. When Joseph comes on stage he teaches a theology that finds harmony in both organized religion and the drive for freedom. So what became the difference? Several things mark Mormonism as "different" but in this particular case, it was the freedom and the uncapped potential. The quintessential doctrine of Mormonism thus involved man's ability to choose, or act as agents, and man's ability to progress to eventual godhood.


No longer were people torn between attempting to attach a personality to God: did he want us to be free? Or did he want us to be saved? The answer: both. And not only saved, but exalted as he is exalted! That was is his "work and glory" (Moses 1:39).


So in answer to my friend's question concerning eternal progression, I would say that this talk is the pinnacle of Mormon thought. It was such a new course in the American Theosophical landscape (and yes, theosophical is a word). It went against all of the common orthopraxy of the day because it called men to a much higher sphere. There was no longer a cap to righteousness. It implies that God is progressing (not in knowledge but in glory) and that we should be progressing. It gives a purpose to our agency and a meaning to freedom. It compels us to be more dutiful disciples.


The talk was not given in so that young missionaries could sit and speculate on who God was prior. It was meant to comfort and soothe; it was also meant to excite the mind and push the faint soul who feels that he or she just cannot make it. If they endure and do the works of Abraham (and think of all he went through) they can have the blessings of Abraham: namely godhood.

The Latter-Day Ladder

I have received several questions as to what Mormons believe. Surprisingly most of these questions have come from members of the Church confused about little things they read here and there on the internet. I of course cannot declare doctrine: my comments may not necessarily reflect the official position of the Church, but I feel that I can offer some helpful insights. Questions that have arisen include "What is adoption? What if we are literal offspring from Abraham?" or "Why do we keep D&C 132 canonized when we shun polygamy [should really be called "plural marriage"]?"


Most questions revolve around the Temple. This becomes problematic because so often people attempt to answer these questions defensively or, even worse, they answer it with a limited understanding of Temple doctrine. Or worst of all: they answer it with an antagonistic mission. As I have explored the online "blogernacle choir", I have realized that the trend, when it comes to Temple, is to talk about either the wrong things or speculative doctrine. 


Too often, in my opinion, Church members grow confused as to the reason we teach and discuss certain doctrines. For example, I hear over and over again in Sunday School teachings concerning the scattering of Israel. Most of the facts are correct; however, the point is almost always lost. There is no honest evaluation in the class as to why the Lord scattered Israel and what it means to us today. This becomes problematic when we look at the whole picture because the scattering of Israel is, at least in large part, the reason we have the Restored Gospel. The scattering is thus seen as "an event" those many years ago that we have to clean-up in these the Latter-days. This is not right; or at least, it is not the way that we should be viewing it. It was "an event" that proved later to be a tender mercy of the Lord but we fail to see what purpose the scattering serves in the Plan of Salvation and thus we lose the doctrine altogether. The scattering is an integral part of the Plan of Salvation and we would not have the missionary effort today preaching to all the world if we did not first have the scattering of Israel.


What I think is most important is that we as members of the Church focus our attention on the Plan of Salvation. Everything revolves around it. The Temple doctrine, Scattering of Israel, Orders of the Priesthood, the doctrine of intelligence and light, the doctrines of becoming like the Father, the Kolob doctrine, ... would all be much more clear if you and I had a firm foundational understanding on the Plan of Salvation. I hope to keep people focused on that Plan. When we discuss doctrines and do not put it in the context of The Plan of Salvation, then we always run the risk of losing sight as to what the Lord wants for us to learn.


Jacob has an experience in which he learns about the great Plan of the Father and is Endowed. After fleeing from his brother Esau, he stops in a place he would later name Bethel (literally "House of God"). While there he has a dream in which he sees a ladder with the Lord at the top offering Jacob sacred promises and he is promised the great blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. It was the place that he learned of his royal heritage (Genesis 28:10-16; 32: 24-30). The ladder dream was therefore a learning experience.


To Jacob the Lord promises him the land, as he did Abraham years earlier. To Jacob this is his first Temple experience and is also the point when the promises made to his father and grandfather was bestowed upon him. This sacred covenant becomes an integral part of the Plan of Salvation for us. In fact, exaltation in the highest sense depends upon this: we too must have this covenant offered to us. 


Jacob's experience is compelling to say the least because it is a very non-traditional Temple experience. But, as Elder Holland taught,  "You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life--in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced." 


Because Jacob's experience is a learning experience, and I hope to provide learning experiences, I have decided to call the website (as of March 15th) Latter-dayLadder. 


Finally, Above all I hope to be a missionary through this website. I loved my mission. I thoroughly enjoy being able to teach others about the purposes of our Father in Heaven. As I do this I am reminded of my zeal as a missionary. In the Wentworth Letter Joseph Smith wrote, "Our missionaries are going forth to different nations . . . the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” While serving a mission in southern Colorado and western Kansas, we would quote this at every district meeting and discuss it often in companionship study. I pondered it often and gained a firm testimony that I, as a member and as a missionary (at the time) was serving these purposes and was part of something much bigger than anyone could really recognize. And so it is, with or without me, the purposes of God will move forward. My hope is to keep adding what small momentum I can to those purposes.


I encourage and welcome everyone to comment on it. Please let me know your own insights as I realize that my understanding on these topics can be very limited and I feel that other people's insights are equally valuable. It makes the blogernacle worth it.