Secret Doctrines and Temple Rituals



If you thought the origins of Mormonism were surprising, wait until you hear about the secret doctrines and temple rituals that keep members deeply invested in the faith. From a Christian perspective, these practices raise serious concerns because they replace or obscure the centrality of Jesus Christ and Scripture.

Joseph Smith introduced temple ceremonies in the 1840s, long after the church was founded. Members enter these temples for rituals such as washings, anointings, and endowments, which are designed to prepare them for exaltation. One of the striking features is the secrecy—members are instructed not to reveal details of these ceremonies to outsiders, even family. This level of secrecy is unusual for a Christian faith, where transparency and shared teaching of Scripture are central.

Another critical element is the Mormon doctrine of eternal marriage and exaltation. Members are taught that only through temple sealing can families be united for eternity, and that faithful adherence leads to godhood. These doctrines go far beyond biblical teaching, which emphasizes salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT) rather than ritual compliance or secret knowledge.

Historically, these temple rituals and secret teachings emerged during a period when the church faced external scrutiny and persecution. Secrecy became a way to protect the community, but it also fostered unquestioning loyalty to church authority and limited critical examination. Critics argue that this combination of secrecy, ritual, and hierarchical control is characteristic of cult-like behavior.

From a biblical perspective, the concern is clear: God’s truth is meant to be accessible to all through Scripture, not hidden behind rituals or secret knowledge (Deuteronomy 29:29, NLT). The reliance on secret ceremonies to achieve spiritual status distorts the gospel of Jesus Christ, replacing grace with works and obedience to human authority.

In short, the Mormon temple system is not just a set of rituals—it’s a mechanism that reinforces authority, secrecy, and dependence on the church rather than a personal relationship with Christ. Understanding these practices is essential for anyone evaluating the faith from a Christian perspective.

Sources
Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. 

Quinn, D. Michael. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994. 

“Mormonism: Temple Worship.” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Brigham Young University, 1992. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) 

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT).” 




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