If it is true, as LDS authors Brown and Smith claim, that the astronomical symbols on the Nauvoo Temple are not just interesting decorations but are teaching devices,* what do you believe is being taught by the use of these symbols on the Nauvoo Temple?

*(Symbols in Stone, Matthew B. Brown and Paul Thomas Smith, p. 98)

1) The occult.

2) That Latter-day Saints are hypocritical with regard to the use of Christian symbols. On the one hand, they defend certain of these symbols (such as the inverted pentagram) as Christian symbols, but reject the more commonly accepted Christian symbol of the Cross.

Further, they will claim that their reason for rejecting the Cross is that it is a symbol of the instrument of Christ's death, and that they prefer to focus on His resurrection, and NOT His death, yet, they include "The Sign of the Nail" and "The Sure Sign of the Nail" in LDS temple endowment ritual.

3) That they believe "avoiding the appearance of evil" does not apply when it comes to placing symbols on the outside (and inside) of buildings like the newly rebuilt Nauvoo Temple, EVEN THOUGH THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE LDS CHURCH HIMSELF HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SYMBOLS ARE REGARDED AS SATANIC.

(Born and raised LDS but now happily Catholic) -KR (non-LDS)

I don't really believe any of the symbols and whatnot of the Nauvoo Temple are anything. I believe only in my faith in Jesus, who died for me so I could live. I don't believe that we become 'gods' of our own planets either -- there is only One God: Jehovah. As a pentacost, I believe that the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost are one...Jesus. No different that I am a daughter, sister, and niece...Natalie. However, God is way greater than I. Per Jesus...you do not go to heaven by works, but by faith alone...AND in Galatians 1:8-11 it says, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received (ACTS 2:38), let him also be accursed. For do i now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The doctrine of Mormonism is unstable and evolving. I urge you all to really think what you are believing in...

I am not one to be particular about other religions, but a Mormon challenged my faith and beliefs and wanted me to consider Mormonism. With an open mind, I did so, and was completely appauled that so many people fell for some man's dream of becoming a god himself. -N (non-LDS)

I would like to take the opportunity to answer the charges of occultist symbols on the Temple. Each symbol has meaning. While the meaning the LDS takes is one of coming closer to Christ, there are many people that will use these symbols for evil. Brigham Young taught there is opposition in all things. One could argue that the Bible is of the occult as it uses symbols of the Sun, moon and stars within its pages.

Symbols are what people make of them. The LDS do not recognize crosses as a Christian symbol as it was the instrument that attempts to destroy Christ. The sign of the nail is the symbol of Jesus displaying the scars left by those nails as proof of the miracle of his resurrection and a living Christ.

It's interesting that people choose to look at the inverted pentagram as occultist when it was used in the days of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young as national symbols on the General Star American Flag from 1837 to 1845. Today the inverted star is on the Medal of Honor for our armed services.

Constantine combined the cross with the inverted star as his royal seal in 312AD. In 300BC to 150BC the city of Jerusalem also displayed an inverted pentagram as the city seal. Early Christians also used the inverted star. In 1230AD Villard de Honnecourt used the inverted star in his architect drawings for the Cistercian Order of Monks. Other examples are the Amiens Cathedral in France, On the steeple of the Markikirche or Market Church in Hanover Germany, Surrounding the statue of Mary in Chartres Cathedral in Circa. All from these examples are dated 1220AD to 1410AD.

So I ask, why are the LDS so persecuted for the use of symbols on their temples? -ER (LDS)

Would members of the LDS Church play with a Ouija board?

I didn't think so...so why would they enter a structure that is in a very real sense just one big Ouija board??? To worship Christ?

LDS Church Public Relations and FARMS can spin all they want, however discerning Christians know better. Pentagrams may have had at one time some sort of Judeo-Christian meaning. That is NOT the case today. The only commonly understood meaning for pentagrams nowadays is the meaning given to them by Satanism.

Why the LDS Church would so boldly advertise on behalf of the Prince of Darkness is truly baffling. -OR (non-LDS)