Some critics, particularly Evangelical Christian critics, have pointed out in the past that it is inconceivable that the Nephites could have built temples in the New World because “real Jews” would never do that in violation of their law.
As an example, consider the following from a page published by the Institute for Religious Research. (I’ve take the liberty of removing the scriptural references from this excerpt.)
The people described in the Book of Mormon operated multiple temples. This violates the dictates of the Old Testament Scriptures on two counts: First, God commanded Israel to build only one temple to reflect that fact that there is only one true God. Second, the one legitimate temple was to be built in Jerusalem (Zion), the location designated by God.
The folks are IRR aren’t alone, however. Similar criticisms have been made by James White (Alpha and Omega Ministries). Bill McKeever (Mormonism Research Ministry), in telling people how to prepare for a tour of the temple, that “the Jews recognized only the Jerusalem temple as being God-ordained.” Living Hope Ministries, in their video The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon, focuses on how Jews would never think of building a temple outside of Jerusalem.
Such an argument, however, demonstrates nothing but a lack of knowledge concerning the actual practices of ancient Jews. The fact is that ancient Jews did build temples outside of Jerusalem, and they built a lot of them. The Nephites were exiles from ancient Israelite culture, and would have continued the practices of temple building and worship that they were familiar with.
More detailed information concerning temples in the Book of Mormon can be found at the FAIR wiki. The following video, recently put together by Tyler Livingston, will also be informative on this subject.
About the Author
Very good information. Is there a rebuttal of the points made on the “how to prepare for a tour of the temple” site anywhere? It would be interesting to read responses to it.
There was after the time of the babylonian exile three temples that I know of built by Jews. The second temple by Ezra, the temple in Samaria considered to be unholy by the Jews and one in Egypt which at times was recognized by the Jews as subordinate to the temple in Jerusalem.
Tell el-Yahudiya is where Leontopolis was located which included a Jewish temple where sacrifice was also allowed. It was given that special dispensation by the Jews in Judea. So while it during a time of apostacy it was obvious that Jews in Exile did build temples of worship.
Marc,
See my blog post for January 12 as an answer to your question.
-Allen
The no temples outside Jerusalem notion always seemed pretty silly. A more thoughtful criticism regarding Nephite temples was that since there were no Levites among Lehi’s group, no one could officiate. Seems like there was a FAIR response to that as well, but I don’t remember what it was.
Do we know that such temple’s outside Jerusalem were authorized by prophet’s? Do we know they wern’t project’s of apostate faction’s of Jew’s?
What is the specific Bible verse, or verse’s used to suggest suggest such temple building was improper? If the answer is intented for a Bible believing only audience it need’s to address precisely their scriptural concern’s.
You say Jews built temples outside Jeruselem, WHERE ARE THEY??
Show me these pictures of all these “so-called” temples, the Jews would like to know where they are as well! Then show me one single picture of a B.O.M temple.
And don’t send me a Mayen temple picture, show me a “nephite” temple. Nephites never built any temples, why? BECAUSE NO SUCH PEOPLE EVER EXISTED!!! The book is a lie and a fraud, Smith made it up for gullable people who would swallow his crap!
Catholic-Kennedy converts to Mormonism. Caroline Kennedy has a cousin name Matthew Kennedy who is not only LDS (mormon) but he owns LDS Living Magazine. Matthew Joseph Kennedy gradutaed from Hardvard Business School. I wonder if there is any LDS support for Caroline in New York. I know that the Mormon church started in New York. There is some connection between Matthew J. Kennedy and the White House…. Kennedy is listed as a guest of the White House this past summer. If the Boston Globe got after LDS Living Magazine for supporting Romney, I wonder what, If anything it will say about Caroline Kennedy being featured. I have heard that Kennedy was a Catholic and converted to Mormonism.