Prior to those ceremonies, each patron receives the right of endowment to wear holy underwear of regulation design sold only by the church which is said to ward off the evil one. Afterward each patron may return to the temple and do proxy work for each of their ancestry provided they continue to obtain the Temple Recommend each year by paying a full tithing. It is very similar to the privilege to drive a car upon the highways by purchasing an annual license. The proxy work consists of going through the temple ceremonies in the name of a dead ancestor. Women patrons for women and men as patrons for men. As such, all dead ancestors can, if they elect, become Mormons in the after life and have eternal marriage, give birth to and raise spirit babies and ultimately become Gods.
In the UK a problem arose in relation to the real property taxes which are levied upon all land of the crown deeded in fee simple as a mini proportionate rent for the land. Only the Sovereign actually owns land and leases it to the deed holder of title of possession. Pay the annual tax and one keeps possession. Refusal to pay the tax forfeits it to the Sovereign!
Generally, properties that are used for religious worship are exempted from property taxes which of course increases a burden of governmental support on taxpayers.
In 2008 after a protracted period of litigation, tax exemption was denied the Mormon Church for the Preston Temple and certain ancillary structures. The final appeal can be read here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldjudgmt/jd080730/gallag-1.htm
In analyzing the pertinent law, it was determined that only structures which were open to public religious services were exempt from the tax. It was ruled that since the public in general and Mormons who failed to pay tithe were denied access to the temple that it failed to meet the test of being open to public worship.
Thus two large Temples expensively endowed are denied a tax exemption in the UK. What amount of tax is paid is not known however it would be substantial. From my vantage point I would argue that all Mormon Temples in what ever country built should likewise be taxed for the benefit of local government. Properly analyzed all Mormon Temples are an imposition upon the public and can in no way be determined to provide a substitute public service to local governments saving that government the costs of providing health or public welfare which is the rational by which tax exemption is granted.
The only benefit gained of Mormon Temples is gained by the church (money). The temple ceremonies in no way substitute for any public good that might otherwise be provided by government. Indeed it would be out of character if not illegal for government to claim that it has any authority to grant the promise of the Celestial Kingdom to any person in or out of a religious setting.
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