Temple to Who?

Whew! We just got back from a quick trip to Kansas--1870 miles--so I'm behind on my blog. But man, was it beautiful! Hay bales in the fields and corn ready to harvest--it was gorgeous.

We stayed two nights in Independence, Missouri and just outside our door was the view of the most unusual building I have ever seen. After we shot this picture, we drove to the next block and saw it was the World Headquarters and Temple of the "Community of Christ". As we drove around, we noticed that they owned what looked to be about 10-12 city blocks with all types of auditoriums, annexes, community centers, etc. They even had a visitors center and visitors were welcome to come to the temple each day at 12:30 noon to pray for world peace.

I knew that they "Mormons" or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had been in Independence in the 1800's and that there was a remnant of them that had remained and named themselves the "Reorganized" church, but I had never heard of the "Community of Christ". When I got home, I "Googled" the "Community of Christ" and surprise, surprise, they are the "re-named" Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The article I was reading said that they were having to make some drastic cut-backs in June of this year to their staff and churches because of financial strain and were reducing the number of ministers and staff all over the world.

It is no wonder to me that they would have to "cut-back" when you see what they are spending for their elaborate facilities--first things first! I know that is rather sarcastic, but I think it is indicative of where "Christianity" has gone today. It has become more important to build million dollar cathedrals for our prestige and spend equal amounts for "family life centers" and recreational facilities for our own pleasure than to take those same funds and spend them according to the authority of the scriptures to preach the pure word of the gospel.

The above "temple" was dedicated in 1994--after just twelve years this "church" now appears to be buckling under its own excess. If we were content to do God's work (preach the gospel) according to His word instead of doing our own "works" we would have more than enough to accomplish His will. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16)

Dana Burk