City Creek Mall - 10 years later

[Hagoth]

Next month marks one decade sense the "Let's Go Shopping!" revelation at the opening of the Lord's Mall. Church leaders stated that the reason for the mall was to "guard the gates of the temple." It just occurred to me that they chose to do that in exactly the same way the Sadducees did.

When I first heard about the plans for the mall (I was still trying to be TBM) I thought that a better way to guard the gates of the temple would be to build a beautiful museum where they could display the most important religious document in existence: an original manuscript written by the founding prophet of the Abrahamic world, in his own hand. Instead we got fine twined linen.

[græy]

I thought that a better way to guard the gates of the temple would be to build a beautiful museum where they could display the most important religious document in existence

I remember having that thought buzzing on the edge of my consciousness as a teen/missionary. If we really believe in what we have, if we really have what we claim, why aren't the artifacts, original documents, etc. put somewhere for the world to see? We should have Laban's sword authenticated, not hidden in the temple! We should have Abraham's papyri out for examination, not squirreled away from prying eyes! We should have Joseph's seer stone (which totally worked for the 100% legitimate BoM, and one of which all exalted people will one day receive) out to use/improve human life!

Instead, all of the most important items in human history are hidden so that we're forced to "exercise faith" or "give in to the delusion" as the case may be.

[moksha]

We should have Laban's sword authenticated, not hidden in the temple!

I thought that got beamed up to Kolob.

We should have Joseph's seer stone (which totally worked for the 100% legitimate BoM, and one of which all exalted people will one day receive) out to use/improve human life!

Using the seer stone to help decipher the cryptic clues of Q would be one way the Brethren could help win back all the defecting ultra-right wingers from Mormondom. Plus the Church could make a bundle selling survivalist supplies that have been blessed by senior missionaries.

[græy]

We should have Laban's sword authenticated, not hidden in the temple!

I thought that got beamed up to Kolob.

I'm sure you're right about that. But at the time I was still actively hearing how it was locked away in the holy of holies along with the spectacles and any other object that might accidentally turn faith in to cursed knowledge.

[moksha]

I'm sure you're right about that. But at the time I was still actively hearing how it was locked away in the holy of holies along with the spectacles and any other object that might accidentally turn faith into cursed knowledge.

By Holy of Holies, do you mean that elevator shaft in the Salt Lake Temple?

[græy]

I'm sure you're right about that. But at the time I was still actively hearing how it was locked away in the holy of holies along with the spectacles and any other object that might accidentally turn faith into cursed knowledge.

By Holy of Holies, do you mean that elevator shaft in the Salt Lake Temple?

Or some protected part of the foundation which was designed by inspiration to last until the millennium (or 2021, whichever comes first).

[wtfluff]

I thought that a better way to guard the gates of the temple would be to build a beautiful museum where they could display the most important religious document in existence

I remember having that thought buzzing on the edge of my consciousness as a teen/missionary. If we really believe in what we have, if we really have what we claim, why aren't the artifacts, original documents, etc. put somewhere for the world to see? We should have Laban's sword authenticated, not hidden in the temple! We should have Abraham's papyri out for examination, not squirreled away from prying eyes! We should have Joseph's seer stone (which totally worked for the 100% legitimate BoM, and one of which all exalted people will one day receive) out to use/improve human life!

Instead, all of the most important items in human history are hidden so that we're forced to "exercise faith" or "give in to the delusion" as the case may be.

This: The hiding of these "most" important religious artifacts speaks volumes to my fluffy brain about the "testimony" of the Q15, the board of directors, and all of the other upper management of the COJCOL-dS Corp™.

[Hagoth]

We should have Laban's sword authenticated...

Didn't go so well for the Kinderhook plates!

Or some protected part of the foundation which was designed by inspiration to last until the millennium (or 2021, whichever comes first).

I remember being taught that the temple spot was specifically chosen via revelation because it would be impervious to earthquakes. Also that the foundation was built on granite rollers, just in case. But now the temple is closed for earthquake updates after Moroni's embarrassing loss of his trumpet. Too bad he failed to sound the alarm.

[stealthbishop]

I think there is a famous quote and I can't quite remember who said it:

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".

[Mormorrisey]

Nice to know that I can date my faith "crisis" at around a solid decade. Thanks for the reminder, Hagoth. This was the first major item to start the shelf a-creakin', and it led me to try and find out what else the church was hiding from me. It took me sooooo long, to find out. I found out. (Been playing Beatles rockband waaaaay too much.)

In any event, I guess it's been an interesting 10 years for me, and it's probably about my 8 or 9 year anniversary on NOM too - starting with the original, and from the beginnings on NOM 2.0. The mire is wonderful!

[Hagoth]

We should have Laban's sword authenticated, not hidden in the temple!

When I was in college I had a summer job working for James E. Foust's nephew. He said his uncle had told him about when he was in the temple one time and noticed that the door to the Holy of Holies was ajar, so he went to close it. Inside he saw the sword of Laban and "other marvelous things." Later I saw this sword in one of those unauthorized temple interior photos from 1911, and said to myself, "hmm." I could swear I have also seen another picture of a sword actually hanging on the door to the H of H, but you know what time does to memories.