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One-Minute Answers
Does the Temple Display Pentagrams?
Question: Doesn't
the Salt Lake Temple display satanic pentagrams on its exterior walls?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is viewed by some extremists
among its critics to be a satanic cult. Those who view the Church in this light
think they have discovered pentagrams on the Salt Lake Temple's exterior which
they conclude are of the occult, and therefore, satanic in origin.
Pentagrams are, by definition, any five-pointed, star-shaped figure. It is no
secret that there are five-pointed stars on the outside walls of the Salt Lake
Temple; they are there for all to see and admire. However, only those with a
jaundiced eye to Mormonism would declare such symbols to be pagan and occult
upon viewing them in person. James E. Talmage gives this description of these
star stones:
There are in the walls several series of stones of emblematical
design and significance, such as those representing the earth, moon, sun, and
stars, and in addition are cloud stones, and stones bearing inscriptions ....
Star-Stones are numerous; each bears in relief the figure of a five-pointed
star. On the east center-tower immediately below the battlements are sixteen
of these, four on each face, and on each of the east comer towers are twelve
such stones, making forty on these towers alone. The Keystones of the doorways
and those of the window arches belong to this class, each bearing a single
star.
Star-Stones of another kind appear on the face of the center tower at the
west. Here, above the highest window and extending to the base of the
battlement course, are seen the seven stars of the northern constellation Ursa
Major or Great Bear, otherwise known as the Dipper. The group is so placed
that the two stars called Pointers are practically in line with the North Star
itself (The House of the Lord, pp. 148-50).
Five-sided stars have occasionally been used by Church members in various
artistic expressions since the time of Joseph Smith. Some have noted their
connection with Church newspapers, Nauvoo legion uniforms, with the concept of
deseret, and with the genealogical society of the Church. These stars, for the
most part, have been pentagrams only in the sense that they are five-sided
stars.
Extremist critics, however, lead unwitting readers to untrue assumptions.
They first explain that inverted stars are known as "goat heads" and depict a
goat's head within a star that has two points facing up, and then say that the
stars on the temple also have two points facing up. What they do not mention is
that the five-sided stars can be found placed at various angles, only
occasionally having two points up. There are no goat's heads carved on these
temple stars. Mormonism is vehemently opposed to anything satanic, and critics'
allegations are therefore a distortion of the Church's position.
No one argues that a certain type of pentagram is significant to members of
the occult. But to imply that any use of any five-sided star constitutes
allegiance to Satan flies in the face of reason. Numerous secular organizations,
not least among them the Boy Scouts of America and the U.S. Government, have
utilized five-pointed stars as part of their symbolism. Does that make them
satanic as well? Are Americans who salute the flag and its fifty pentagrams
unwittingly pledging their allegiance to Satan? Of course not.
For most of today's Church members, the stars on the Salt Lake Temple are
mainly decorative nuances around the windows and cornices of the temple. That
some of them happen to be pointing downward has no significance other than to
add variety to the arrangement.
Among today's Church members there are those who interpret the stars as
representing light and knowledge. Others see them as referring to the Telestial
Kingdom. No other temple is similarly decorated.
In his own time, Jesus also had to contend with those who allege his ministry
was inspired and directed by Satan: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,
This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils"
(Matt. 12:24).
Perhaps Jesus' response to this allegation is applicable for today's critics
of his temple:
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and
every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast
out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
(Matt. 12:25-26)
It is no secret that the LDS Church is opposed to
Satan and his plan to enslave mankind. Why then, on the exterior of their
temple, would they place symbols promoting this enslavement? The clear answer is
that they did not do so. This allegation by extremist anti-Mormon critics is
clearly without factual basis, and it typifies their penchant for maliciously
attempting to portray the Church in an improper light by making absurd
assumptions and comparisons.
There critics would do well to heed the advice of the Savior as he continued
addressing his critics: "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12:36).
