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The Temple and the Principle of “Semper Reformanda”

The Temple and the Principle of “Semper Reformanda”

Last updated on: August 17, 2024 at 11:22 am by Dan Peterson

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The Temple and the Principle of “Semper Reformanda” 2024-08-17T11:22:31-06:00 Dan Peterson

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Some modern translations of the Book of Mormon

A second article went up yesterday in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship after I posted my blog entry for the day, so I’m mentioning it to you now. And it was accompanied by a second “Interpreting Interpreter” entry from the remarkably dependable Kyler Rasmussen:

“Insights into the Story of Korihor Based on Intertextual Comparisons,” written by Noel Hudson

Abstract: A brief outline of the saga of Korihor, the Anti-Christ, is provided along with a discussion of his affinities with other Book of Mormon anti-Christs, including those in the order of Nehors. Literary allusions suggesting Korihor as a foil to the king of the Lamanites are examined. Evidence of a schism among the order of Nehors leading to violence is discussed. Korihor’s unusual death is examined within the context of the theme of crushing the serpent from the stories of Adam, Eve, and Cain.

“Interpreting Interpreter: Intertextual Korihor,” written by Kyler Rasmussen

This post is a summary of the article “Insights into the Story of Korihor Based on Intertextual Comparisons” by Noel Hudson in Volume 62 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreter articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/.

The Takeaway: Hudson outlines a variety of intertextual connections present in the story of Korihor, suggesting: (1) that they place Korihor’s rejection of the gospel in contrast to its acceptance by the king of the Lamanites, (2) that they provide evidence of a violent schism in the order of Nehors, and (3) that it relies on Satan and Cain-related themes from Genesis.

If you can’t find anything interesting to read this weekend, it ain’t the Interpreter Foundation’s fault!

The despised groups were slightly different then: On the floor sits the Native American “child,” on Columbia’s right side sits the Chinese “child,” and on her left sits the bearded “Mormon Question” child. (Wikimedia Commons public domain image)

It seems that we may be in for another run of negative attention in the entertainment media, so this seems relevant: “Church releases statement on media portrayals titled ‘When entertainment media distorts faith’: ‘The true story of our faith is best seen in the countless lives of those who strive daily to follow our Savior Jesus Christ’”

The mayor of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas city council unanimously gave the green light to the construction of the Lone Peak Nevada Temple a few weeks back, but that project continues to face obstacles: “Las Vegas Homeowners Sue to Halt Construction of Massive Mormon Temple”

Here, for your possible interest, is what I take to be the principal website devoted to opposing the McKinney Texas Temple. The website posted in support of that temple is located here; the lengthy argument offered on behalf of the temple by the Church’s local non-Latter-day Saint attorney is of special interest: Re: Conditional Use Permit for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple (Case # CUP2024-04).

However, here’s something that Latter-day Saint readers might find of interest: “Study finds too much caffeine raises risk of heart damage, stroke: Large amounts coffee, tea, cola beverages and energy drinks may cause health problems”

Here is a possible design idea for future Latter-day Saint temples. Such subterranean temples could be constructed beneath auto-wrecking yards, landfills, freeways, lava flows, shopping malls, swamps, toxic waste dumps, oil refineries, and other relatively undesirable surface features, thus minimizing offense to surrounding communities and potentially decreasing public opposition. (Wikimedia Commons public domain image)

While my mind is on temples, and given this past week’s temple news (of which some here will be aware), I think it worthwhile to share some passages from modern leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that “t. tangata neneva” has posted in the comments section of this blog. Presumably not everybody who glances at my blog reads the comments, so I’m going to bring those statements into a more prominent position:

Keep in mind that the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are divine. Nobody changes the principles and doctrines of the Church except the Lord by revelation. But methods change as the inspired direction comes to those who preside at a given time. If you will analyze all that is being done and the changes that are taking place, you will realize that the fundamental doctrines of the Church are not changing. The only changes are in the methods of teaching that doctrine to meet the circumstances of our time. You may be sure that your brethren who preside are praying most earnestly, and we do not move until we have the assurance, so far as lies within our power, that what we do has the seal of divine approval. (President Harold B Lee. “God’s Kingdom—A Kingdom of Order” [Ensign (January 1971).)

And, from President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2021 General Conference talk “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation” (which is worth reviewing in its entirety), there is the following, which is somewhat similar to the Reformation concept — very attractive and wise, in my judgment — of a church that is semper reformanda: I’m also reminded of the useful distinction that my late friend John Tvedtnes often made between the endowment, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the presentation of the endowment:

Ponder these three truths:

The Restoration is a process, not an event, and will continue until the Lord comes again.

The ultimate objective of the gathering of Israel is to bring the blessings of the temple to God’s faithful children.

As we seek how to accomplish that objective more effectively, the Lord reveals more insights. The ongoing Restoration needs ongoing revelation.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have often asked the Lord if there are better ways to take the blessings of the temple to His faithful children. We seek guidance regularly on how to ensure worldwide accuracy and consistency of temple instruction, covenants, and ordinances despite differences in language and culture.

Under the Lord’s direction and in answer to our prayers, recent procedural adjustments have been made. He is the One who wants you to understand with great clarity exactly what you are making covenants to do. He is the One who wants you to experience fully His sacred ordinances. He wants you to comprehend your privileges, promises, and responsibilities. He wants you to have spiritual insights and awakenings you’ve never had before. This He desires for all temple patrons, no matter where they live.

Current adjustments in temple procedures, and others that will follow, are continuing evidence that the Lord is actively directing His Church. He is providing opportunities for each of us to bolster our spiritual foundations more effectively by centering our lives on Him and on the ordinances and covenants of His temple. When you bring your temple recommend, a contrite heart, and a seeking mind to the Lord’s house of learning, He will teach you.

I love the temple. Whenever I’m waiting in a temple chapel for an endowment session to begin, and if there are copies of the scriptures ready to hand (which there usually are), I always read this passage from the Old Testament and reflect upon it:

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4, KJV)

And (somewhat less relevantly here, but I’ll throw it in), I always read and ponder a particular passage from the Book of Mormon:

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41)

I passed over that verse for many years, scarcely noticing it. But it has now, I think, become my personal scripture. We didn’t do missionary plaques when I was sent out as a teenager; if we had, though, and if I were choosing my scripture for such a plaque today, Mosiah 2:41 might well be my choice.

McKinney Texas Temple

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