The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTalmage, James E. (James Edward)
Religion
The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Talmage, James E. (James Edward)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saints
So also with the Tabernacle of the Congregation, which was a portable
sanctuary, constructed by the Israelites in their migration from Egypt;
and so with the imposing Temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel and Herod, in
each of which were spacious courts enclosed by outer walls, with altar
and other equipment, within which courts the people congregated; but
the sanctuary itself was a relatively small structure, reserved for the
most holy ordinances and ceremonial ministry. Similarly the Temples
erected and maintained by the Latter-day Saints are reserved for the
solemnizing of sacred ordinances, and are distinctively other than
meeting-houses used for public worship.
True to the Divine commission laid upon Israel, the Nephite colonists
erected a Temple on the Western Continent as early as 570 B. C., about
thirty years after their exodus from Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon
informs us that this structure was patterned after the Temple of
Solomon, though greatly inferior in size and splendor. (2 Nephi 5:16.)
The Latter-day Saints build Temples because they are commanded so to
do through the direct word of modern revelation; and in this divinely
imposed labor they recognize the purposes of God with respect to the
salvation and possible exaltation of mankind.
Through the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ the eventual resurrection
of all who have lived and died is assured. This deliverance from the
power of death is an essential element of Redemption; and Christ is the
one and only Redeemer of the race.
By compliance with the prescribed terms as embodied in the Gospel,
men may be saved from the blighting effects of sin. This condition
constitutes Salvation; and since provision therefor is made effective
through the Atonement, Christ is the one and only Savior of the race.
Great and glorious as is the boon of Redemption from the grave, greater
and more glorious as are the conditions prescribed for the soul's
Salvation, the revealed Gospel of Jesus Christ provides yet more
transcendent blessings in the plan for Exaltation, whereby resurrected
man may advance from one stage of relative perfection to another, with
powers of eternal increase and never ending progression.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account