Early Christian and Jewish Rituals Related to Temple Practices
by John A. Tvedtnes A number of early Jewish and Christian
documents deal with elements found in modern LDS temples. As
such, they are confirmation of the antiquity of our temple
rites.1 The volume of information is such that it will not be
possible to discuss all aspects in this brief paper. In addition
to some of the articles I have written, I would refer you to the
temple research written by such LDS researchers as Hugh Nibley,
John M. Lundquist, Donald W. Parry, Stephen D. Ricks, and
Matthew B. Brown. Just as an example, let me note that I have,
to date, found fifteen early Christian documents that speak of
baptism for the dead, along with several Mandaean and Jewish
texts. This information will be included in my article “Baptism
for the Dead in Early Christianity,” scheduled for publication
later this year in another FARMS temples volume. In my
previously published “Olive Oil as a Symbol of the Holy Ghost”2
and “Temple Clothing in Bible Times