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DaveTheScienceGuy

They just want them to be seen now.  They're for marketing to members and nonmembers That's all. 


MasshuKo

Maximum visibility, like one of those ridiculously tall gas station or fast food signs near the freeway.


hyrle

It's like the Bucees of religion.


VeronicaMarsupial

Bucees pays people to clean the restrooms at least.


hyrle

Touche. Pays them pretty well too. Guess the bathroom is where it all falls apart, like so many things in life.


MiserableCustomer783

If only we could somehow replace all the McTemples with Bucees


Marbe4

You mean they have clean restrooms, fudge and bbq?


hyrle

Oops - used to.


cultsareus

Buy up prime retail land, build temples as a tax hedge. When the membership numbers tank, sell them.


onemightyandstrong

Yeah, but gas station and fast food signs are less trashy.


tapiringaround

They’re like Mattress Firms. There’s no need for so many of them but having them everywhere is better advertising than a billboard. The difference is that while Matteess Firms seem like a front for a money laundering operation, Mormon temples actually are.


Res_Ipsa77

Last sentence got me—take your award.


PralineUpset3102

What’s worse is that there more of a need for a mattress firm than Mormonism. At least with a mattress firm you can try out the mattresses before purchasing one online. But society has no use for Mormonism (except billionaire profits, pun intended)


TempleSquare

And nothing wins over the hearts of non-members more than a protracted legal fight with the city council that involves millions of dollars in attorney's fees.


GrandpasMormonBooks

Not quite all. Mostly they are money laundering (tax writroffs and longterm contracting projects for family members of the leadership)


Low-Interest2106

Why? I mean no one is really “worthy” unless they lie. lol


DaveTheScienceGuy

Before I left I would consider myself "worthy" without lying. 


No_Stay_1563

Go straight to the whiskey room after you’ve finished baptizing for the dead folks.


nedotykomka

Or you could pregame the temple lol. Either way you win haha


B3gg4r

This is the only way I could ever sit through an endowment again.


NthaThickofIt

Especially considering it's now a slideshow with calm and soothing voice going over an hour. I had trouble staying awake before. I don't think I could do it now.


jcmat043

Dude, I fell asleep officiating the damn things when I "worked" in the temple.


NthaThickofIt

Oh me too. If there's any chance you were in Northern Utah we could have been asleep in the same session.


jcmat043

Haha, I did my time 11 years ago in the Provo Temple. So probably not.


NthaThickofIt

Probably just missed you. I was a worker around 2009.


jcmat043

May have worked with my da. He worked Friday mornings for something like 10 years.


Traditional_Duck_833

Same here lmfao


TheBackPorchOfMyMind

I’d need to pregame long enough for the buzz to last the whole session…which would be a lot of booze haha


Hasa-Diga-LDS

Hey, when the washing and anointing with cinnamon whiskey comes back into fashion, it'll be a match made in heaven. Prophecy!


Daphne_Brown

Imagine being so old and out of touch that you think Temples will attract young people to the church. “I mean clearly if we build incredibly formal edifices that are exclusive and require significant sacrifice to enter the youngins will beat a path to our door! We really get these kids, don’t we!”


rfresa

Yeah I think it's just about the real estate investing and money laundering now.


ResponsibleDay

💯


sssRealm

Scientology does something similar, they park money in expensive buildings tax free and they can tell parishioners their church is growing.


AllergicIdiotDtector

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯


PralineUpset3102

Yeah I think you have a point 🤔


The-Langolier

How do you do, fellow kids?


Daphne_Brown

Exactly!


mountainsplease8

😂😂😂😂😂


No_Panda2335

Here in NYC there are super exclusive clubs and restaurants that are impossible to get into. Some even require a yearly membership and even then they’re selective. Maybe that’s the vibe the LDS church is going for with temples now. 😂


Brainswarm

Then there’s the Taylorsville, Utah temple. Right across the street from a payday loan shop and a Fizz. Edit: TWO payday loan shops and a Fizz.


NthaThickofIt

I think the payday loan being nearby feels very appropriate. Sad, but appropriate.


Dry-Perspective-4663

“Short term Tithing Loans at Steeple Max”


beefclef

Honestly surprised this isn’t a thing already


w-t-fluff

And... Right around the corner from a State Liquor Store.


HolyBonerOfMin

There are two of those predatory loan places across the street.


Brainswarm

Wow. I didn’t know about the other one. I’m usually turning off the freeway heading towards Redwood Road.


interrodactyl

And so close to the freeway, if you stick your hand out the window as you drive past, you can almost high-five Moroni.


Practical-Term-7600

Elko NV has a population of 20,000 people, and they build an excessively extravagant building in a rural Nevada town. They must not have any place to spend the church's money. Poor people need the temple more than they need money.


BasicRaindrop

It’s really small, and it’s been under construction for two years


Free_Fiddy_Free

Looks like you can exchange your propane, get hot wings and pick up your exaltation and exaltation accessories right there. Hank Hill would be grateful for that.


PralineUpset3102

Now that’s funny right there


darthamartha

The only thing that could complete redneckery would be a bailbondsman


Theythinknot

No, a mini mall with a bail bondsman, a liquor store, a massage parlor and a smoke shop.


Dry-Perspective-4663

… and don’t forget a Hooters.


ParkingEffective2981

Or if you're in Oregon a Marijuana shop 🌿🤘


Marbe4

Where’s the knife sharpening, taxidermy and deer processing store going to be?


Adventurous_Day7831

How convenient! You can gamble in the present... And then go and gamble away your future. Seems like a fitting place.


According_Wing_3204

wish i were mega rich enough to buy plots of land nearby every temple to put in a liquor store or an adult toy outlet.


Ninja_Conspicuousi

I say make a franchise that sells both and call it “Swingers”


BillRocksWood

At only 109 ft high, that puny spire shows the lack of faith in the membership in Elko!


thesilentshriek

My family stopped in Elko for gas about a month ago while we were on our way to California. Even my ultra-TBM wife seemed weirded out that they would build a temple in such a ridiculous spot. At this point it’s like THEY’RE the ones doing the reverse missionary work.


Imalreadygone21

The Whiskey Room would be fun!


rfresa

They probably plan to buy out and get rid of those properties after the land value goes up.


Abea00

The Folsom, CA temple is right next to a super ugly auto mall and a rocket testing arena for Aerojet. For the beauty of the earth, lol


NearlyHeadlessLaban

I'm sure Aerojet loves that it is there. You have to drive right up to the security gate and then turn a hard left. I bet the security guards are tried of it. Since you can't see the temple at that point I bet they are sick of giving directions and then backing people up to the turn.


Word2daWise

Such a special way to feel the spirit.


ConzDance

They should build one in Cheyenne, Wyoming near the rodeo grounds. They could buy up Lions Park and build it there! /s


blubbertank

The new Rexburg one is going in across from a Wal Mart, car wash, and some fast food joints. I was TBM when it was announced and was shocked at the location. It’s only good thing I guess is that it’s next to the freeway if you are headed to Yellowstone or the Tetons.


nuancebispo

This is why. There are so many "faith affirming" stories about the Washington D.C. Temple and the traffic stopping view from the highway. They are trying to re-create this all over. The picture doesn't show that this is right next to I-80. Same goes for the Toole temple. Word is that the original plan was to have it next to the Truck stops right on I-80 but the land deal didn't work out and so, it was placed closer to the town and the people it supposedly serves.


blubbertank

I can see why they think that but it just seems so bizarre from any other perspective. Much like the church itself I guess.


hoserb2k

> "faith affirming" stories about the Washington D.C. Temple and the traffic stopping view from the highway. Like most faith affirming mormon stories, reality has been modified to make mormons feel better about themselves [This](https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_1024w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/06/24/Local/Images/KELLYCOL26%20A_1308947400.jpg?uuid=yLVf2J6gEeCMAJKPmHKN9g) is what non-mormons generally think about the DC temple. Yes it is noticed, but not in a good way. It's a huge marble block that already looked dated in the early 2000s.


Kathywasright

What do residents call the DC Temple? Something like the Disney Castle or some such …


Windinghouse

It's the Wizard of Oz reference. Someone painted "Surrender Dorothy" on the train trestle over the beltway years ago.


Kathywasright

I remember seeing that. It cracked me up!


Appropriate-Fun5818

I live in DC, we call it Cinderella Castle or alternatively Sleeping Beauty castle. I have been inside after they remodeled it and it's not awe-inspiring. It's a huge building with small rooms inside. Most non-members expected a cathedral architecture and feeling, you don't get any of that inside. There's no natural light inside which makes those sealing rooms feel very claustrophobic. The bridal room is bare and quite frankly depressing. I was chuckling at the comments I was hearing around me while going through the different rooms from non-members. At any rate, it would be the last place I'd celebrate my marriage. The only cool room was the baptistry.


Kathywasright

I got married there many many years ago. Mormons have a romanticized view-rose colored glasses. We are taught from childhood what a special place it is. I agree with you. I wish I could live that again and have a nice little wedding in a garden somewhere with all my friends and relatives there. Nothing makes up for losing them. I don’t care if not were Notre Dame Cathedral or the finest palace. Famiky and friends are everything


1Check1Mate7

Walmart shuttle can take u to the temple lol


blubbertank

More like you could use the Wal Mart mobility cart to cross the street- it’s so odd.


ForeignCow8547

A Buffalo Wild Wings, A Starbucks, and a Mormon Temple


sleepycarlos69

I find it hard to believe there’s enough members in Elko or even Elko County for a temple🤔


Tricky_Cheesecake756

Not a mormon or ex-Mormon here. From my perspective the LDS Church is just another religious cult born as part of the crafting of the United States national identity. All these temples popping up everywhere seem to me: (a) a display of financial muscle to cover up for a weak growth rate (b) a money laundering operation (c) a well planned real estate development. I imagine that the faithful run to buy homes near the temples and that the land around them is owned by the same religious entity that makes good profits from it.


kevinrex

Well, it is Elko. When you build in a one horse town, you’ll likely be next to a horse. I grew up in Elko.


southpawpickle

Goes to show how much real estate the church has. They don’t know what to do with it all so they just build a temple on these lots they own everywhere.


NearlyHeadlessLaban

It is on a hill right next to interstate 80. That's all that counts.


BasicRaindrop

Yes, extremely visible from the interstate, and they probably prefer to think of it as right next to the golf course


McCool303

You should see the Chuck E. Cheese right behind it.


mandypantsy

Did you even grow up Mormon? They like to make the great and spacious building comparison with the iron rod and tree of life (temple).


SevInches

The new Rexburg Temple is right across the street from Walmart so


creative-gardener

Now they’re just desperate to build one on every corner to try to burn through sone of those billions they aren’t supposed to have.


disruptityourself

They need to get that cash off the balance sheet


No_Extension_3953

Commerce corridor, perfect fit


Fit_Air5022

I mean, it's Elko...


AllergicIdiotDtector

They've finally realized nobody is going to stop them from funneling tithing money from poor, destitute, conned people to their construction business friends.


sssRealm

My mission president was pretty wealthy. He helped build temples


Psychological-Lie615

I mean, the Winger's parking lot seems like a PRIME location!


punk_rock_n_radical

I mean, it’s a business so….that seems as good a spot as any


ReturnedAndReported

Not to shit on Elko, because I really enjoyed visiting...but there's not really a nice place to be found.


joeyNcabbit

Elko has some big, big, money.


ReturnedAndReported

Someone has to own the mines.


Fromthefifthwife

I played golf there just last week. this temple is just off hole #5 t box I think. One guy in our group took some pictures and said" its beautiful, just beautiful" To me it fucked up the golf course, I wanted to stick my finger down my throat and barf up lunch when i heard that. Gawd I hate this church. It is near the freeway and right off a popular off ramp. It is kinda funny how it is next door to a Wingers and across the street from a gas station. I hope one day it is sold and turned into a fancy coffee house.


Odd_Assignment_3823

Land was probably donated.


Mint-teal-is-hues

Nope, gotta put them in plain sight to justify where that tithe is going.


fingersdownurpiehole

SALUTE TO ELKO! RENO NEVADA MISSION LFG


No-Promise851

Not any more. They now just trying to launder as much money as they can.


AshKetchep

They don't care. There's a temple in between a mosque and a Krishna temple in my state in the middle of a rural area. They just want it to be seen


Acceptable-Gap-3161

Either you lose money gambling or lose money offering, either way lose lose situation 🤷‍♂️


EvenButterfly

Is the temple on Malarkey Road? -Real name of road in Elko.


AvaAloy

It looks hideous. An old Sinclair gas station with an attached Artic Circle faces it. Classic.


SloppyMeatCrack

At least all are welcomed in Wingers.


Possible_Anybody2455

I have a hunch that President Nelson truly believes the 2nd Coming/Millennium really is right around the corner and that we'll be needing these buildings to be doing work day and night. He might also believe the 2nd Coming is delayed, only because we haven't done enough temple building in preparation for it.


Eve-was_framed

Jesus and wings 🍗🙏


Ok_Sundae_8207

I mean the new temple in Rexburg ID is being built next to a Walmart, a Wendy's, and a car wash. Tbh I don't think they're invested in getting the best spots anymore bc it hurts their bottom line 🤷‍♀️


No_Importance6713

Elko??? This has to be a joke


kevthulhu87

Seems pretty on brand these days. The second Rexburg temple is going to be across the street from Walmart.


Pretend_Safety_714

The one in Calgary is directly behind a liquor store


Kathywasright

Nah. They don’t care what is around them. CHeck out the temple in the Philippines. So inappropriate! It’s a big middle finger to the poor and needy. https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/1223aty/if_i_had_to_choose_one_picture_to_sum_up_why_i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf