 By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Mission
The focal point of Community of Christ’s international headquarters complex in Independence, Missouri, is the Temple. Across Christian denominations, significant places of worship are commonly called cathedrals or basilicas. Very few use the designation “temple.” The primary exception is other denominations within the Latter Day Saint or Restoration movement, especially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church) headquartered on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Temples have become ever more central to the LDS church, which has constructed hundreds of them around the world and is currently engaged in building dozens more. Entrance into LDS temples is restricted. Only fully committed church members who pay a “full tithe” (understood as 10% of their income) and pass other tests of “worthiness” are allowed inside. The interiors of LDS temples are set apart for temple rituals unique to the Mormon tradition, including proxy baptisms on behalf of the dead, the “sealing” of married couples and families in the afterlife, and the “endowment” ceremony, which is also seen as a preparation for the afterlife. Our own Temple in Independence is very different. It is open to everyone. There are no tests of fellowship to enter. It is the symbol of our mission initiative of “developing disciples” by fostering a culture of life-long learning. The Temple houses the library and archives of the church and our Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). Most importantly, the Temple in Independence is dedicated to world peace, and our sole temple ritual is the prayer for peace. Though very different today, both the LDS and Community of Christ temple traditions ultimately spring from the same source. This was the longing of members in the 1830s to “restore” the practices of the earliest Christian community as described in the Book of Acts. Acts chapter 2, verse 46 says that “day by day” the first Christians in Jerusalem “spent much time together in the temple.” Having read this passage, members of the Restoration longed to restore the same experience by building a temple of their own in Kirtland, Ohio, the headquarters of the church in 1836. This vision of the earliest Christians sharing and worshiping together in the Jerusalem temple has continued to inform our understanding of the Temple in Community of Christ. The LDS understanding of temples changed when early members moved from the original goal of “restoring” the early Christian church to an expanded goal of “restoring all things,” including ideas and practices found in the Old Testament. According to the traditions recorded in the Hebrew Bible, the worship of the God of Israel was confined to a single location: the Jerusalem temple (and its predecessor, the tabernacle). It was in this single location that Aaronic priests and Levites ritually sacrificed offerings of animals and plants. And God’s presence was understood to dwell behind a veil or curtain within the temple’s innermost precinct, the Holy of Holies. No human was allowed to enter this sacred space, except the High Priest, who entered it on a single day, to offer a sacrifice that atoned for the entire people. While LDS temple practices did not revive animal sacrifice, Mormon temple rituals were believed to be based on rituals practiced in the Jerusalem temple at the time of Solomon. (In fact, the direct inspiration were rituals of contemporary Freemasonry, which were inaccurately thought to have great antiquity.) Besides the idea of temples found in the Old Testament and Acts, the Bible includes a third vision of the temple. The gospels tell the story that at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, the veil covering the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem was torn open—symbolizing the end of the idea that God’s presence was confined to a single, physical house. The universal God is present everywhere in the universe and can be worshiped everywhere. Christ himself served as the ultimate atoning sacrifice, ending ritual sacrifice at a physical temple. This third Biblical view of temples is found in the First Epistle of Peter. The author of First Peter names Christ, the living stone, as the cornerstone of a spiritual temple: Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4–5) In this understanding, the meaning and imagery of the temple as “the house of the Lord” lives on for Christians—even as the physical temple in Jerusalem lost its function and was soon afterwards destroyed forever. Disciples who follow Christ’s example allow themselves to become the living stones of a temple that is spiritual rather than material. Thus, in the same way that God’s Church is not a building—it is the people—the true, living temple—the house in which the Lord’s Spirit can dwell—consists of all of us, everywhere, as we seek to embody Christ in the world and in our own communities.
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 By Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Program Director
I recently stepped into the role of National Director for Creating Connection after Troy Roach transitioned from Creating Connection in Eastern Canada to his new position as Canada's IT Coordinator. Last week, I made my first official visit to Ontario, where I had the privilege of being the guest minister for the Healing and Freeing Reunion at Ziontario. Although it was a smaller reunion—with about 40 participants at the beginning of the week and 25 remaining through camp closing—the impact it had on those who attended was anything but small. Throughout the week, I heard story after story about how meaningful this reunion has been over the years. Many described it as a place that helps them "reset"—a space where healing can begin, relationships can deepen, and people can simply be themselves. The atmosphere of generosity, compassion, and acceptance was evident everywhere. I witnessed people freely sharing their time, resources, listening ears, and open hearts. Some came seeking healing for themselves. Others came to support the healing of someone else. Still others returned because they longed for a community where they knew they would be welcomed, valued, and included. What struck me most was the people themselves. Everyone I met was genuinely interested in others, eager to share their stories, and deeply caring. I left feeling encouraged and grateful for the connections I made. One of the exciting possibilities that grew out of my visit is bringing a Nurturing Spirit Retreat to Ontario within the next year. We've been offering Nurturing Spirit retreats in British Columbia and Alberta for the past 15 years, and I'm excited to share these experiences with our friends in Eastern Canada. I also know that we'll learn just as much from one another as we share ideas, resources, and experiences across the country. I believe this is the beginning of even stronger connections between our regions. This fall, I'll be hosting a series of Zoom gatherings for anyone across Canada who would like to learn more about Creating Connection. We'll offer sessions on different days and at different times to make them as accessible as possible. I hope you'll join us—not only to learn more about Creating Connection and the work we're doing, but also so I can get to know you. I'd love to hear your ideas, celebrate your successes, and learn about the projects and ministries you're passionate about. Together, we can continue finding new ways to build meaningful connections in our communities. I look forward to meeting many of you soon.  By Vonda DenBoer, Director of Camping & Campground Sustainability Chuck had hoped to return to Erie Beach Reunion this year—a campground that held many cherished memories from his youth—but he didn't want to come alone. So he invited his friend, Tom, to join him with no expectations or strings attached. Tom accepted the invitation, expecting simply to relax in the sun, enjoy the beach, share meals, and spend time with his friend. When I arrived on Tuesday, I discovered Tom fully participating in the adult class and embracing the reunion experience. Later in the week, Mark, who was organizing the talent night, invited Tom to take part. Once again, Tom said yes. He wrote a poem and shared it with the community. Chuck said yes to extending an invitation. Mark said yes to creating another opportunity for participation. Tom said yes to stepping beyond what he had expected and trying something new. What a beautiful reminder of the power of invitation. A simple invitation can open the door to new experiences, new relationships, and unexpected moments of growth. It also takes courage to accept an invitation—to risk participating, to be vulnerable, and to share something of ourselves with others. With Tom's permission, I am delighted to share his poem with you. The Tapestry by Tom Daly God led me to a group this week. I am but a tiny bee, just a thread in the completion of the Erie Beach Reunion tapestry. I arrived without any expectation, only to enjoy the water, the food, and the sun. There will always be people to talk to; it would add up to a week of fun. I thought I'd be supportive and courageous, try something new, attend the Sunday service, practically in the front row pew. God jogged my memory, past experiences anew. I felt Community of Christ surrounding me. Then I felt all the peace and the love, renewed peace to accept my own presence, not like a stranger, unaccepted, but God's plan from above. |
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