Baptism and Temple

I was baptized into the LDS church against my family's wishes on 03/30/03. They did not understand that this was God's only true church restored to the earth. I just knew it was the right thing for me to do. I had no doubts that this was the church I wanted to be a part of. My family did not agree with my decision, but they still loved me the same. Today I realize they loved me even more now. Unbeknownst to my family, hubby (I'll call him Ken) and I were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple in June of 2004. His family was so happy for us.

What an interesting experience it was. I was so nervous on the inside. It was extremely overwhelming, and it didn't make a lot of sense. Some of it felt right, but other things felt completely wrong. I kept thinking to myself that this couldn't be real and it had to be some sort of a joke. It actually reminded me a little of my college sorority days. The ceremony as a whole completely took me by surprise, but I kept telling myself that everything was fine. This had to be normal because all of these normal, amazing people are secure with what's going on in here. They think nothing of the temple clothing, rituals, signs, and sayings. They aren't freaking out, so I must be overreacting. After all, my best friend and my mother-in-law were sitting right next to me and nothing was bothering them. So I just continued to convince myself that I was doing the right thing, and I would be so happy and truly blessed for doing what I am supposed to be doing. My church friends continued to tell me to keep going back more often. They told me that the more I attended the temple, the more I will understand it, and it will make sense some day. Well, "some day" never came. But what they had told me led to guilt. I always felt I was not attending often enough or I must not be doing something right. I continued convincing myself that it was just me feeling inadequate. I was positive I was doing something wrong. It was my fault.

I just knew that all of these things were the right choices:
being baptized into the LDS church,
being sealed in the LDS temple,
wearing my sacred garments every day,
paying tithing,
holding/fulfilling any calling I was asked to do,
attending primary,
Young Women,
Relief Society,
doing Personal Progress,
attending enrichment,
visiting teaching,
meeting after meeting,
activity after activity,
attending the temple and doing work for the dead.
I just knew everything I was being taught was true. It all made complete sense! Everything is finally perfect, and I am so happy and blessed to be a part of the one true church.

What I did not know at the time, nor was I taught within the LDS church...

God is Incomprehensible to man:

Psalms 147:5 "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." (NKJV)

Isaiah 40:28 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable." (NKJV)

Yet the LDS church has HIM all figured out. It just makes sense, doesn't it? Well, it shouldn't because God is All Knowing. LDS try to make God comprehensible. They try to be sure that everything makes complete sense. I don't understand why they try so hard to comprehend God. I don't understand why they spend so much time and energy trying to comprehend what is incomprehensible to humans.

Secret rituals are forbidden:

Luke 8:17 "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." (NKJV)

Acts 17:24 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." (NKJV)

Genealogies are foolish and vain:

1 Timothy 1:4 "nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith." (NKJV)

Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." (NKJV)

Well, the secret is out that everything said, done, or heard within the LDS temple stays in the temple, and the majority of that is genealogy work.

 Baptism is not needed to be saved:

John 6:28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" (NKJV)

*This is a question that people oftentimes ask when they become conscious of the spiritual dimension. But what can I do to do the works of God? We remember the rich young ruler that came and fell before Jesus and said, "What good thing must I do to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? Good Master, what shall I do?" And I'm always looking for some work that I might do for God.

John 6:29 Jesus answered [in a paradox,] and said to them, This is the work of God, that you might believe in Him whom He sent." (NKJV)
*Isn't that interesting? What work can you do to be pleasing to God? The only work you can do is just believe in Jesus. That's what pleases the Father. This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He hath sent.

*Chuck Smith     www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries

Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (NKJV)