Monday, December 22, 2008

Mormon Temple Prayer List

Last week I found out the members of my family were putting my family’s names on the LDS temple prayer list. Due to some interesting circumstances, I felt compelled to send them all an email requesting that they refrain from doing that again. Below is the letter I sent them today...

Dear Family,

It has come to my attention that some people have been putting our family’s names on the LDS temple prayer list. While I’m sure it was done with good intentions, I must request that the religious wishes of our family be respected. In no way do we agree with the teachings and doctrines found in Mormonism including the need for prophets today or temples. When Christ died on the cross, the Bible says that the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom and the temple was destroyed. Then in Acts 17 we read that “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands”.

In the temple endowment, when Adam prays at the alter he made after being removed from the Garden of Eden, His prayer is answered but not by God. He prays, “Oh God hear the words of my mouth.” but Satan is the one who answers him stating that he is the God of this world. Later in the session, that same prayer is repeated at an alter in the endowment room and then those names who are put on the prayer list are placed on the alter and prayed for. It is my opinion that, just as it is in the movie, that prayer is answered by the wrong person. God does not dwell there and there is very little justification for modern temple worship unless it comes from the self serving mouths of LDS prophets. Hebrews 1:1-2 teaches us that God, in the last days, speaks to us by his Son and that Christ was the last prophet.

(KJV)
1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;



(NIV)
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.


The prophets of the Old Testament spoke of Him and He is the last word. After his death he sent his disciples out to preach His gospel and none other. (Galatians 1:9) The apostles preached endlessly about watching out for false prophets and I am beginning to see why.

It is for these reasons and many more that we do not support or sustain the doctrines of Mormonism. It is our wish that our names be kept off of the temple prayer lists and we trust that this request will be honored.

Peace be unto you this Christmas!

8 comments:

  1. I think you were very polite and respectful in asking them to respect your religious views. Good job! I hope they can be understanding and respect your wishes.

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  2. Miss Non-LDS here. What exactly is the Mormon temple prayer list?

    I love the Biblical reasons you cited in your letter! Hopefully that will get them thinking... I will pray for your family that God will open their eyes to the truth.

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  3. Jessica,
    The temple prayer list is like a prayer request on steroids. When someone puts a name on the list, it is put in an envelope with a bunch of other names and put on an alter in the temple where it stays for 1 week. Every time an endowment session is done, that name is prayed for. If I remember correctly, in the prayer, it is said that they are praying for ALL of the names in All of the temples around the world.

    If you read up on the "true order of prayer" it will give you some insight into how the prayer is done.

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  4. We actually had my dead brothers name added to a list that was put in a box and sealed in the cornerstone of the Boston temple. I want to go chisel it out of there.

    Excellent post.

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  5. Arthur, I agree with you. I would want that name out as well.

    Sometimes I wish I could find out who all I did work for and then go and apologize to their families for not respecting their loved ones.

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  6. Well, then would you respect my wishes and keep your false Evangelical prayers to keep my depraved Mormon soul out of hell unsaid then?

    If you don't want Mormons praying for you, perhaps you will take your own advice and not pray for them either?

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  7. Seth,
    If you are directing that comment at me, I don’t recall ever saying that I pray for my family. As a matter of fact, I currently do not pray at all and I am not an Evangelical either. I claim no religious affiliation.

    I don’t have too much of a problem if one of my family members wants to pray for me individually in their own home. I do have a problem with it being done in the Mormon temple as my letter clearly states.

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  8. Ah, yes. My mistake. I think I'm trying to follow too many conversations at once. Apologies.

    Still, I think my comment is still applicable to any Evangelical readers of this blog who are thinking of jumping on the bandwagon with this one.

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