COLUMN: Think Again – Inside a Mormon temple

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/10/2021 (1373 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, popularly known as Mormons, has made a huge impact over the years. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr., Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world.

While some faith groups isolate themselves from the rest of society, Mormons tend to be considerably more visible. Some have even assumed significant leadership roles in science, business, and politics. For example, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, who makes no secret of his Mormon faith, was the Republican nominee for president in 2012.

Here in Manitoba, there are currently approximately 4,500 Mormons spread among 14 different congregations. But until recently, the nearest Mormon temple was located in Regina. This meant that any church member who wanted to participate in a temple ceremony faced a nearly six-hour drive.

However, the recent construction of a Winnipeg temple has made this drive unnecessary. Once this temple officially opens at the end of this month, local Mormons will be able to perform baptisms for the dead and participate in marriage “sealing” ceremonies without driving to Regina.

While Mormon temples are normally accessible only to members with a “temple recommend” card from a church leader, there is a narrow one-month window after the completion of construction and before the official opening by church leaders where members of the public are allowed to go inside. Thus, when I received an invitation from the church to participate in a guided tour, I happily took them up on their offer.

The building itself was somewhat smaller than I expected, but the inside did not disappoint. Each room was elaborately decorated, and it was obvious that the church spared no expense when it came to furnishings. Among other things, I got to see the Baptistry, the Temple Sealing Room, and the Celestial Room.

Interestingly, all the baptisms that take place in the temple are done on behalf of dead people. The tour guides explained that when a baptism is done for a deceased relative, that relative receives an opportunity in the afterlife to hear and accept the Gospel. They also said that some Mormons do significant genealogical research, come up with a long list of names, and then go through multiple baptisms in a single setting.

The Temple Sealing Room is a place where families are allegedly sealed together for all eternity. My tour guides, who happened to be a married couple, explained how meaningful they found this ceremony to be. They said that knowing that they are going to be married for all eternity gives them a deeper appreciation for their relationship.

Just prior to entering the Celestial Room, my tour guides said that we had to remain totally silent because this room was a place to reflect on the glories of heaven. It was definitely the most elaborate room in the temple, with a high ceiling, ornate furniture, and huge mirrors. I can see why Mormons consider it a sacred place.

While I obviously have significant disagreements with Mormon theology, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience one of their temples firsthand. My tour guides were gracious with their time and happily answered my numerous questions. We even discussed how Mormon churches are grappling with the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

I’ve always believed that it’s important we take the time to understand where other people are coming from. If you want to know what a particular religious group believes about something, it’s best to go straight to the source. Accurate information is essential to a proper understanding.

I learned a lot during my visit to a Mormon temple. That alone made the trip worthwhile.

Michael Zwaagstra is a high school teacher and a Steinbach city councillor. He can be reached at mzwaagstra@shaw.ca.