B.C.’s first Mormon temple opens in Langley

Posted by admin on Apr 14, 2010 in News | 0 comments

For a short time this April, we are offered a rare and unique opportunity: to see the inside of a Mormon temple. The first in B.C. and the seventh in Canada, the Vancouver British Columbia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be open for public tours before its dedication at the beginning of May.

The temple, located at 20370 82nd Avenue in Langley near the Langley Events Centre, is open for free tours from April 9th through April 24th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On May 2nd, it will be dedicated, after which point only members “in good standing” will be permitted inside.

As a belief system that is often shrouded in mystery, outsiders stereotypically associate Mormonism with door-to-door missionaries and renegade polygamists. Few get a chance to see for themselves a glimpse of the inside without becoming a convert.

As Intercultural Religious Studies professor Jonathan Dawn commented, “the danger very often in many of these movements or beliefs is talking about it without ever going or interacting with people.” Dawn encourages students to visit the temple during the open house, and on the opening day I took him up on this challenge.

The building is fittingly described by Dawn as “opulent.” According to the Latter-day Saints, or LDS (preferred over “Mormon”), the temple is the “holiest place on Earth.” As members are required to tithe 10 per cent there is no money spared: only the best for God’s house.
The temples are built partly patterned after the Old Testament tabernacle, but each one is unique, incorporating elements of local culture – the Langley temple features dogwood designs worked into the furniture and decor. From the outside it resembles a cathedral, but on the inside it is filled with many small rooms.

“The rooms are symbolic and have meanings in and of themselves,” said Dawn. Tours take the public through many of these rooms, each of which showcases a different aspect of LDS beliefs – many of which are familiar yet foreign to the touring Christian.

One of the things distinguishing the LDS is a doctrine of baptism for the dead. This practice, based on 1 Corinthians 15:29, is one of the main purposes for the temple. In a baptism tank resting on the backs of 12 oxen – symbolism taken from the Old Testament design – proxy baptisms occur where a family member is baptized on behalf of a deceased ancestor. This is not imposed but the ancestor is believed to have a choice as to whether to accept the favour.

Another thing distinguishing the LDS, as Dawn described, is “marriage not until death do us part, as is conventional, but marriage for eternity.” Families are bound together forever in the “sealing room,” which features two large mirrors on opposing walls. The concept of eternity is illustrated as families can look into the mirror and see images of themselves reflected unendingly.

There are also several rooms where members come to learn about God and the purpose of life. A key LDS focus is on “restoration of what was lost,” as our tour guide emphasized. “We didn’t just make this stuff up,” she explained.

According to Dawn, “the LDS see the time between the Apostles and their own beginnings as being a time of great turning away from truth. It was only because of a revelation to Joseph Smith that there is a renewal and now this is the true church.” The Book of Mormon elaborates on this alternative perspective on history.

While there are many theological differences between the LDS and Christianity, there are many things a Christian can take from the experience. “They’re here to be missionaries, impact society, and try to be good examples for the faith they uphold,” said Dawn. “So there’s much to commend them for.”

A trip to the temple will give visitors a window into the LDS world and a first-hand account of what they believe. Also, it is a great way to meet the new neighbours.

For more information visit ldschurchtemples.com/vancouver.