The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship: Amazon.ca: David John Buerger: Books

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Book Description

Providing a fascinating chronology of developments associated with Latter-day Saint temples and temple ordinances, this source book discusses the origins of the temple concept, comparative rituals, and changes in ceremonies. Buerger charts the abandonment of the adoption sealing which once linked unrelated families and examines the near disappearance of the second anointing, once considered the crowning ordinance of the temple.

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

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4.1 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good history, but biased conclusions, Feb 13 2004

By

Paula Pereira (Almada, Almada Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book, and it's history help me a lot to understand the evolution of temple ordinances. I'm LDS and don't understand why someone said LDS would feel embarassed by the book. If it wasn't for the uncalled opinion on how it should evolve (like sugesting a short version of the endowment) I would have given it an extra star. By uncalled opinion I mean that the temple ordinances evolution is not a matter of public opinion (the LDS church is not a democracy, but a theocracy) but rather a matter of either revelation or leadership decision (decision of those in authority to make such changes.

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5.0 out of 5 stars An informative book on a subject that is rarely discussed, Mar 9 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship (Paperback)

Buerger gives an apparently evenhanded historical overview of the sacred temple worship of the Mormon Church. Non-members will find this book revealing, former members will find it reliable, and current members will probably be a bit uncomfortable with the subject discussed. This is not a book about the spiritual aspects of temple worship. It is about the history of temple events and practices, the development of the ceremonies (including the influences of Masonic rituals), as well as ceremonies that are rarely or no longer practiced.

Unlike contemporary texts released by the LDS church, this book does not seem to sugar-coat or sterilize the history of temple worship, and provides a great deal of explicit information that is not easily available, due to the closing the church archives and the sacred nature of temple activities. (Respectfully, the exact ceremony that is used in the temples today is NOT included in this book, however many historical aspects are discussed.) Many diary entries from prominent church members are included, and Buerger makes it clear when he includes entries that may not be entirely reliable.

I found this book to be absolutely fascinating, however, I recommend it to church members only with great caution, as it will surely present some serious and challenging issues to consider.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Perspective, Feb 28 2003

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Missing in Action (Idaho Falls, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship (Paperback)

This is a great historical look at the evolution of temple worship in the Mormon church, beginning with the charismatic, possibly wine-induced spiritual free-for-all of the Kirtland ceremony to the very carefully scripted, sanctimonious modern temple experience. Throughout the book, the reader watches as the men in charge change and evolve the temple ceremony, including some of it's most sacred ordinations.

There are some areas that I think beg for more illumination. While considerable time is dedicated to the second anointing or second endowment, still I felt Buerger could have gone further in discussing WHY Heber J. Grant so sharply curtailed those ordinances. I also felt he could have explored in greater detail the parallels between the temple ceremony and Free Masonry. And lastly, I would like to have seen some indepth discussion of the loss of the temple adoption ordinance.

That aside, the view you get of the temple ceremony is that of an evolving work in progress, that bends and shapes either to the divine will or the whims of the men in power...you decide which.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My eyes are wide open.
When you see truth, it has an affect on you, and this book certainly does. YOu are given a chance to peek into the mormon temples, and lookt at the weird secrets within the... Read more

Published on Oct 6 2002 by Karl Hamm

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any mormon
The best and by far the most complete study of Mormon temple ceremonies. Not only does it address the endowment and the chages the church has made in their ceremonies(most... Read more

Published on May 3 2001 by Blah