New details on Philadelphia Mormon temple
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
By: Peter Crimmins
pcrimmins@whyy.org
Towering spires may soon be built in Philadelphia. City Council could soon bend the downtown zoning ordinance to allow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – also known as the Mormons – to build a 195-foot high building at 17th and Vine Streets.
According to the church, there are about 35,000 Mormons in Southeast Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, and all of them worship in meeting houses that are reasonably close to home. A temple is different – it's used for specific and often secretive rituals: such as "sealing", wherein a man and a woman are spiritually linked for eternity.
Temples in other cities have been described as appearing to be castles or fortresses. The design of a Philadelphia temple has not been finished, but the regional church authority – Robert B Smith – says he has seen some preliminary drawings.
"It will have two buildings, one will be the temple – approximately 45,000 sq ft, and ancillary building, which will house weekly meeting chapels and support offices."
Some city planners look forward to a new building near Logan Square, saying temples tend to be striking and well-maintained. However, they think the city planning commission should have a say in granting the variance.
What an odd story. Of the 160+ temples, there are only four temples that you would describe as "castles or fortresses." and they were all built in the 1800s when pretty much all religious buildings looked like castles. Next you'll be telling me that Utah finally got Electricity and are warming up to the horseless carriage. Get with the times.
The design of LDS temples tend to be – by the nature of their purpose – large, with towering spires, and few windows. (That is even true of many temples built in the last 50 years, but often not true with pre-existing buildings that have been converted into temples, such as the one in NYC.) Hence the shorthand description of castle-like. Some Philadelphia- area listeners might be familiar with the temple in Washington DC, built in the 1970's, which definitely fits that description. That is not to suggest the buildings are unattractive; WHYY broadcast comments from urban planners who lauded LDS temples as striking and well-maintained.
The temple is a place of worship and learning. People need to be prepared emotionally and spiritually to enter. While it is also a place of holiness and people need to be pure and following God's commandments to enter, this is only one factor that people need to meet.
Very interesting…Building a Mormon temple across the street from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul.
Mormonism is very close to Freemasonry, a form of pagan and/or devil worship…Our last 4 mayors have been FreeMasons…City Council,
I'm sure they're in there, but I don't know the exact count.
Why not a peep from the Catholics?
Most of the founding fathers were free masons. George Washington laid the cornerstone for the US Capitol in full masonic clothing. Were they devil worshipers? Bias is bias just be honest and say what you are instead of trying to make excuses.
LDS temples have always been an asset to the communities where they are located. These buildings are always well designed and the grounds are immaculate and colorful.
Temples are not secretive places; they are sacred. Most people have aspects of their lives so sacred and special they prefer not to put them out before the world, even in the age of blogging and YouTube.
Think of the temple as deciding to study physics. You would not start your study in a graduate level class; you would begin with a survey class. Mormons begin their church membership in the basic level of instruction. When they are well-grounded in their faith, they can continue on to a higher level of learning and make more serious promises to God.
In the temple, they covenant (make promises) to God to honor their family commitments, not ending with enforced divorce at death, but continuing on for eternity if they choose to make that commitment. How often have you heard people say at a funeral, "At least Mom and Dad are together again?" We all know deep in our hearts families are meant to be forever.
You can see for yourself what a temple looks like and what happens inside by visiting:
http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html
This is located on the official "Mormon" website. (The real name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
Before the sacred work begins in the Philadelphia temple, the doors will be opened for tours for a few weeks and anyone may visit and be shown what it looks like inside.
Many WHYY subscribers are Mormon. As the temple nears closer, you might ask one of them to assist with future stories about their religion. They will be happy to provide accurate background information.
haha. you sounded so brave defending the religion but when it came time to make a stand you defered all questions to "them". what happend? dont be so ashamed.
Drew, I don't think WHYY wanted me to write a book here. I responded to the article and then sent those who wanted more than a cursory introduction to a site with more extensive information. In addition, the link on my name sends you to a website of my own about Mormonism. I wasn't avoiding the question–just being respectful of others.