Just my two cents as a current "Endowed" member of the LDS church:
1) I can only speak in limited terms regarding temples built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) which is the largest group related to the all-encompassing academic term "Mormonism".
Temples built by the LDS church are very different from one another structurally. There are a few that are the same or at least similar, but they are generally designed to "match" the environment they are built in aesthetically. Some blend in (sort of) and some are meant to stand out visually.
The rituals practiced in all of them are the same. The promised blessings from temple worship lean very heavily to the after-life, not so much on the "here and now" or promises of physical health/wealth. The only things that cannot be discussed are the "Signs, Tokens, & Names" received by initiates because they make an oath to not reveal them. The LDS church has recently become much more open about the rituals and clothing regarding temple worship.
Joseph Smith was a Master Mason (raised questionably fast) and it is pretty well documented that the ceremonies are based loosely on some of the Masonic ceremonies of the 19th century, but the meanings and promises made, especially currently, are very different. This may or may not be helpful to you JMG.
The main common features are: 1. Extreme attention to "perfection" in details in construction/symmetry and the adornments/decorations. A best attempt to simulate "Heaven" on earth. 2. A baptismal font that is below earth level and surrounded by 12 oxen(statues). 3. A main room or multiple larger rooms to perform the "Endowment" ceremony, and other smaller rooms to perform "Washing & Anointing", "Sealing", and other ritual ordinances. These all differ in size and adornment depending on the particular temple. 4. As mentioned earlier, the ceremonies and rituals are all identical no matter in which temple they are performed.
More in depth history/info on the rituals here: http://www.ldsendowment.org/why.html Basic google searches can get most other info.
I will see if I can find anything on the actual temple architecture that might be significant in relation to the temple technology being discussed. I think that the Navoo, Salt Lake City, and Logan temples might be of the most interest. My initial thought is that no, there is nothing along those lines that might be helpful, but one never knows.
no subject
1) I can only speak in limited terms regarding temples built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) which is the largest group related to the all-encompassing academic term "Mormonism".
Temples built by the LDS church are very different from one another structurally. There are a few that are the same or at least similar, but they are generally designed to "match" the environment they are built in aesthetically. Some blend in (sort of) and some are meant to stand out visually.
The rituals practiced in all of them are the same. The promised blessings from temple worship lean very heavily to the after-life, not so much on the "here and now" or promises of physical health/wealth. The only things that cannot be discussed are the "Signs, Tokens, & Names" received by initiates because they make an oath to not reveal them. The LDS church has recently become much more open about the rituals and clothing regarding temple worship.
Joseph Smith was a Master Mason (raised questionably fast) and it is pretty well documented that the ceremonies are based loosely on some of the Masonic ceremonies of the 19th century, but the meanings and promises made, especially currently, are very different. This may or may not be helpful to you JMG.
The main common features are:
1. Extreme attention to "perfection" in details in construction/symmetry and the adornments/decorations. A best attempt to simulate "Heaven" on earth.
2. A baptismal font that is below earth level and surrounded by 12 oxen(statues).
3. A main room or multiple larger rooms to perform the "Endowment" ceremony, and other smaller rooms to perform "Washing & Anointing", "Sealing", and other ritual ordinances. These all differ in size and adornment depending on the particular temple.
4. As mentioned earlier, the ceremonies and rituals are all identical no matter in which temple they are performed.
More in depth history/info on the rituals here: http://www.ldsendowment.org/why.html
Basic google searches can get most other info.
I will see if I can find anything on the actual temple architecture that might be significant in relation to the temple technology being discussed. I think that the Navoo, Salt Lake City, and Logan temples might be of the most interest. My initial thought is that no, there is nothing along those lines that might be helpful, but one never knows.
Regards,
Bert