Baptists ‘educate’ public about Mormon temple

Baptists ‘educate’ public about Mormon temple

Curiosity seekers from across Alabama and the Southeast got a rare glimpse into a Birmingham-area Mormon temple and learned about the controversial religion the last week of August.
   
But Baptist leaders said the opening of the temple in Gardendale is something the denomination’s faithful — and all Christians — should be concerned about, not because of what Mormons claim, but because of what they do not tell people.
   
The North Jefferson Baptist Association led more than 100 people from several denominations in distributing literature across the street from the temple, which held open house Aug. 19 and Aug. 21-26.
   
North Jefferson Director of Missions Steve Loggins said 30 churches that included Baptist, Lutheran, Assembly of God and others worked throughout the week. “It was a response of the Christian community to the claims of Mormonism,” he said.
   
Those participating in the effort encountered mixed responses from motorists, but Loggins stressed the Christian community was not outside the temple to protest. They were there to educate people about the truth of the Mormon faith, he said. “They’re (Mormons) out there saying, ‘We’re Christians,’ and we’re saying, ‘Not according to what the Bible teaches,’ ” Loggins said. “They have a right to be there, but don’t pretend you’re something you’re not.”
   
In keeping with church tradition, only members deemed worthy by church leadership are allowed inside the temple following the open house and the dedication, held Sept. 3.
  
Church members emphasize the temple, one of only 100 in the world, is not for worship but for ordinances of the Mormon faith such as baptism, marriage and instructional sessions.
   
Those participating in the tour were first led through the main church building, which featured large photographs of temples in other cities. Following that, they were seated in one of three tents where a brief video was shown outlining tenets of the Mormon faith.
   
Tourgoers were then asked to don paper slippers before beginning a silent tour of the temple. Inside, they viewed the baptistry, meeting rooms and other areas of the building.
   
The tour concluded with individuals invited into a tent, where refreshments were served and literature was available, including free copies of the Book of Mormon. Church members were also present to answer questions and distributed cards asking visitors for their name and address if they wanted more information.
   
Loggins said the cards are evidence the Mormons hope the open house will serve as a recruiting tool. You can rest assured every single person who filled out a card will get a visit from Mormon missionaries in the next six months,” he said.
   
Baptists from area churches, as well as some from Anniston and Gadsden, worked with other Christian churches in distributing “Vantage Point,” a publication produced by Watchman Fellowship. Watchman labels itself as an independent Christian ministry focusing on new religious movements, cults, the occult and the New Age Movement.
   
“We were not protesting the right of Mormons to be there,” said Bob Waldrep, state director of Watchman Fellowship. “But we do have a responsibility to make the truth known. We were simply providing information.”
   
In addition to groups distributing literature on street corners, Watchman Fellowship erected a tent where those who went through the temple could ask questions about what they had seen. Waldrep said a member of the Mormon Church who visited the tent agreed with Watchman that information in the literature was correct.
   
“He said ‘the real problem is, this is our audience and you’re out here addressing our audience,’ “ Waldrep said.
   
Waldrep said those attending were not the Mormons’ audience, saying if the open house were only for Mormons there would not have been a problem. However, he said the church decided to invite the community and even placed invitations for the open houses in several Gardendale Baptist churches and First Baptist Church, Trussville.
   
Harold McClendon, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Gardendale, led a group in distributing literature each day. McClendon said some 20 volunteers spoke with passing motorists while another 10-15 prepared food for their group.
   
McClendon said he is not opposed to the Mormons placing a temple in Gardendale, repeating Loggins’ contention they have a right to be there. But he said their presence calls for the need for witnessing to them and assuring they do not deceive others.
   
“Clearly, they’re not teaching the Word of God accurately,” McClendon said. “I am concerned they will lure in people who are not strong in their biblical beliefs.”
   
Following the temple’s dedication Sept. 3, Waldrep said only 25-30 percent of Mormons will be allowed inside the temple to observe rituals, leaving the remaining 70 percent unaware of what occurs there.
   
“So they don’t know what happens there any more than non-Mormons,” he said. “It’s secret rituals.”
   
In addition to recruiting new converts, Waldrep believes the open house was a public relations tool to desensitize the community to the presence of the temple and portray the Mormons as a good neighbor.