I'm Not So Mad At Jesus Today

Though I feel as if my liver has been pinched, I awoke after a long night's sleep feeling bleary eyed and crabby.  I think it's allergies.  I am working a thirteen hour day today as one of the girls here has had an unfortunate event: her husband had a heart attack.  This reminds me how fortunate I am, though my health is iffy, to have a healthy husband.

I'm going to read some more of the book of Mormon today.  It is striking to me that Jesus seems a little perturbed in this version of the gospel. Maybe it's just the way it is written.  It is quite an interesting read.  I was drawn to the book years ago when I found it in a pile of books of a man who had died.  I picked it up with plans to read but never have until just recently inspired after the new Mormon Temple that was just built in my area.  Wow, these folks know how to build a Temple. We toured it wearing mandatory booties which were graciously put on for us by Mormon children seated at a bench just near the entrance.  They were all smiling and happy; the whole operation was extremely organized and efficient. 

"And it came to pass that he went again a little way off, and prayed unto the Father: and tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed.  And the multitude did hear, and do bear record, and their hearts were open, and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed, that they cannot be written neither can they be uttered by man." ---The Book Of Mormon

 The above quote speaks of Jesus and his unspeakable teachings: the Temple we visited was nearly as mysterious.  From the outside it appears to be a cathedral but it is actually a winding structure of individual rooms.  There is no huge hall for prayer or worship, as a matter of fact the facility is closed on Sunday and Monday.  The biggest rooms we saw was one that must have seated about a hundred people.   It was decorated with mural all around of a beautiful Missouri prairie scene.  The scene was depicted quite accurately with native flowers and trees: Black Eyed Susan, Coneflowers and Redbud trees.  According to the guide, it was here that the visitor was to sit and worship the beauty and peace of nature.  We stood there for a time; I wish I could have stayed longer as it was indeed a beautiful and peaceful place.

The second huge room was a baptismal where Mormons ceremoniously baptize their deceased ancestors into the Mormon Faith.  The rite of baptism is essential for entry into Heaven for the Mormons.  According to our guide, however, the dead have the right to choose or reject the baptism.

As one climbed the heights of the Temple the rooms got brighter and brighter simulating an ascent into heaven.  The entire structure was decorated lavishly and expensively.  If you get a chance to visit one of these places, I highly recommend it.  It is my understanding that not even all Mormons ever get to see one of these temples in their lifetime.  I have a feeling that may have something to do with tithing but that is pure conjecture on my part.