About Mormon temples - the fact and myth cheat sheet
This is part of the Mormon fact and myth cheat sheet on this website. The main list of Mormon facts and Myths can be found here. This section specifically discusses Mormon belief about temple.
If you want to know more about temples or the ordinances that are done in them see the 'About Mormon temples' page.
This is a compilation of facts and myths about Mormon beliefs compiled from comments and other resources. I add things to this list as I run into them so this list has more information on it than I have had time to write about in detail. Some of these can be uncommonly random.
Some of these comments may have been collected from someone that is trying to imply that Mormons won't tell you about these things. This is partially accurate simply because we don't actually believe in many of these things. On a similar note, I have pulled some of this information from several "campaigns" which claim that they just want to help us Mormons realize the error of our ways. However, most of these campaigns are not actually targeted to Mormons. They are targeted to those who are not Mormon and may be curious about what we really believe. In war and politics it is known as a "disinformation" campaign and it's used to keep other people in the dark or doubtful of factual information. If these campaigns were intended to target Mormons, they would talk to us directly, instead of referring to Mormons in the third person as "they," and they would use our real teachings to try and convince us of our error.
You may notice that after the first sentence, these descriptions are written in a way so that anyone can quote them if they need to. The disadvantage to this is that there are some things that get repeated in the explanations more than once. It should be noted that this site is not an official source for Mormon doctrine, so if you're going to quote from this site I would recommend that you point out the sources or link back to this page so readers can verify accurate sources for themselves. I have also bolded some things in each statement to help identify the key points.
Speaking of repeating stuff, this introduction is fairly standard on the other fact and myth pages so you can probably skip it on the next one without missing much.
Editing and referencing is still an ongoing process for this page.
About Mormon temples
"If members want to avoid others they can attend a temple instead of a church":
This is false.
Mormon temples are not used for Sunday worship. They are used for a different purpose and are closed on Sundays.
"Only a few special Mormons can get a temple recommend":
This is false and easily debunked.
Take a day when most everyone is at work, like a Tuesday, and go to a Mormon temple and watch how many brides come out of it. Every single one of those brides, their husbands, and most of their families (who will already be outside) all hold temple recommends. If only a certain group of members were allowed into the temple, then how could they do so many weddings in them? All worthy LDS members are encouraged to attend the temple.
"Mormon temple ceremonies use symbology":
This is true.
Mormons believe that there are many symbolic things present in the church, including baptism. The temple ordinances also have symbology in them.
"Mormon temple ceremonies are based off of Freemasonry":
This is false.
While both Mormon temple ceremonies and Freemasonry ceremonies are symbolic, they are very different. Freemasonry ceremonies teach mankind of their relationship with mankind. Mormon temple ceremonies involve ordinances and promises with God and teachings of how to return to the presence of God after this life. Joseph Smith was introduced into Freemasonry on March of 1842. However Joseph Smith was aware of the symbology of the temple ceremony as early as 1841, as he had a lengthy conversation with William Appleby about the subject on May 5th.
"Mormons will not tell you about the things that happen in the temple":
This is false.
There are Mormon websites that go into great depth about what happens in the temple. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism goes into a lot of detail about the different ordinances done. Latter-day Saints just don't discuss the symbology used in the ordinances because they believe they are sacred. It allows them to prove to God that they can keep sacred things sacred.
"Part of the wording in the Mormon temple ceremony has changed":
This is true.
Part of the wording in one of the Mormon temple ceremonies was changed in 1990. For the most part the wording is not what makes the ordinance. Rather it is the covenant and promise that makes the ordinance. If this was not the case than all temple ordinances would have to be done in ancient Hebrew or another ancient language. The ceremonies will change again in the future as times change.
"Part of the temple ordinance involved touching your genitals":
This is false.
None of the Mormon temple ordinances, old or updated, have ever involved inappropriate touching. This stems from a critic of the Mormons attempting to sexualize the temple ordinances.
"Mormons used to have to promise to harm themselves or others before they revealed what was done in the temple":
This is false.
In an older version of one of the Mormon temple ceremonies there were certain penalties that were discussed that the person would rather have happen than to reveal sacred things. The key here is the word "rather." It was not a literal description of what would happen, or what they should do to others. It was to illustrate the seriousness of how sacred the ceremony was. Acts of violence within the LDS church have always been met with disciplinary council and excommunication.
"There is the symbol of an upside down star on the exterior walls of the Salt Lake Temple":
This is true.
The symbol was still a symbol of Christianity during the time that the Salt Lake Temple was being designed. Construction for the Salt Lake Temple began in 1853. The inverted star was first associated with the occult in 1854 by Eliphas Levi while he lived in Europe.
"Mormon temple clothing covers your private parts":
This is true.
And your street clothes don't for some reason? You need to talk to whoever is buying your clothes then. Temple clothing covers your "private parts" just like most street clothes. However this claim comes from critics trying to sexualize the temple ordinances, making it seem as if the person going through the ordinance has absolutely nothing else on. This is false. All temple ordinances are done in a full length white suit or dress which is worn over your underclothing. Any other items are worn in addition to this.
"Mormon temple clothing covers your private parts, but not much else":
This is more accurate to what critics are trying to make you think is happening. This is false.
All temple ordinances are done in a full length white suit or dress which is worn over your underclothing. Any other items are worn in addition to this. This claim comes from critics trying to sexualize the temple ordinances making it seem as if the person going through the ordinance has almost nothing on.