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So, this is a first to my knowledge, at least along the Wasatch Front. The new Brigham City Temple is being is being dedicated on Sunday September 23, 2012. For our Stake, which is about 15 miles away, and I’m assuming for many others in the area, that dedication is being fed by video feed to our Stake Center and is replacingthe normal Sunday Block Meetings for all stake members. As with all temple dedications, a member must present their temple recommend to attend. I was wondering if this Sunday dedication format is typical in other areas of the world?
While I see that someone is probably viewing this as pointing members toward the temple, I am, of course, looking at the flip side, and seeing that non-temple holding members are being pointedly shown that they are lesser, somehow incomplete members and on that Sabbath, don’t even have a chance to partake of the Sacrament.
The other concern I have is that it is so public; in other words, it’s going to be very clear who has temple recommends and who does not to those who attend. When it’s held on another day of the week, there are other things that get in the way, but on Sunday, it will be very obvious that those who generally attend, but who are not at the dedication, are not temple recommend holders.
This seems to go hand-in-hand with recent trends leaning toward a bias towards temple recommend holders. The other example I have was the recent directive that in order to perform Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, one not only had to hold the priesthood, but also be a temple recommend holder.
In a broader sense, it seems that the church overall is tending towards exclusivity, particularly if you don’t fit a family-based ‘norm’.
In my mind, this trend will only hurt the church in the long-term.
Thoughts?
What? TR to attend church on Sunday? Agreed. It will only hurt the church in the long run. You know SS, I have defended this church from those who claim it is a cult for years. I feel like it is a losing battle. [1 sentance moderated by Heber13…. We get your point cwald without needing that last sentence.]
Moderators can delete this post if I have crossed the line…but this really irks me.
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I have not seen that trend for Temple dedications to replace normal Sunday worship service. If this is just a one time thing because of schedule conflicts, then no biggie, just a free Sunday to skip church without feeling guilty. If this becomes a trend, as stated, it would seem to be troublesome and divisional. I won’t react until I see if it becomes more common.
However, the broadcast temple dedications have been a trend. More people participate and it can build enthusiasm for the new temple. I enjoyed the one that I attended.but it was a Saturday night, not replacing regular meetings.
The Calgary Temple (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is also having it’s dedication during 3 sessions on a Sunday in October. All those 8 years old and older can attend with a special recommend for the kids and adults must have a regular TR. I told my DW that I would stay home with our youngest who is only 6 years old. I don’t have a current TR (although I am worthy). I just have issues with the temple and my last temple dedication experience (Edmonton, Alberta temple) was a complete disaster and very hurtful for me spiritually/emotionally. To confirm on the broadcast issue, we have had broadcast dedications for some time, just not on Sunday. Hmm this might be a trend. My finance has been very active with the beunos aires rededication and getting non members and inactive members to attend open house. Hate only odd thing I thought was she was asked to pass brochures of the temple around neighborhoods into non members mailboxes. I just thought that was strange probably because the laws are different over there. It’s been a very happy time for her and I have been very happy for her(she hasn’t been able to attend regularly since its been closed for a long time). How ever the open house just ended on Saturday with a rededication on Sept. 9th. It is a Sunday and the same rules apply as the brougham city dedication. Here is the quote from the website. Quote:Rededication
The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple will be rededicated in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Sessions will be broadcast to all stakes and districts in Argentina, and Sunday block meetings will be cancelled for those units. Members ages 8 and older who have been issued a recommend may view the broadcast. Specific instructions for attendance will be made available through local priesthood leaders.
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/buenosaires/http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/buenosaires/” class=”bbcode_url”> At this point it might be new protocol. I hope not. Separating have and have nots in church or society has never proven but to divide people in them. I feel awkward now. My mission in,I’ve has been to bring people closer together not dividing a line. I hope this doesn’t stay this way. Sigh,
Canucknuckle, you said: Quote:I just have issues with the temple and my last temple dedication experience (Edmonton, Alberta temple) was a complete disaster and very hurtful for me spiritually/emotionally.
Do you want elaberate? Maybe we can help.
Mike from Milton.
There are pros and cons to something like this – and the biggest positive I can see if that there probably are lots of TR holding members who can’t attend something in person or at any given time throughout the week but could attend a Sunday broadcast. There is “collateral damage” involved in every decision we make, and this is one where, while I agree with the concerns expressed, I have to give the leadership the benefit of the doubt. Making it possible for more members to participate in something that is extremely important to them is a good motivation, secondary consequences notwithsatnding.
I share that sentiment Ray. Where I get confused in is the part where the non TR can’t attend and on having it on church service. The former being the more confusing to me. Non TR holders can’t enter the temple, I understand that and the reasons why(given the spirit of god to stay in the temple). How dose watching a televised temple dedication constitute the spirit withdrawing from the temple if the non TR holders are not entering the temple they ate just watching a televised cast. This confuses me as how non TR can’t watch it. What commandment are non TR holders breaking by watching a televised cast of the dedication? That’s the part that confuses me. What commandment is being broken if they watch it? silentstruggle wrote:This seems to go hand-in-hand with recent trends leaning toward a bias towards temple recommend holders. The other example I have was the recent directive that in order to perform Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, one not only had to hold the priesthood, but also be a temple recommend holder …
FWIW, this has been discussed recently (I’ll find the thread later) but nowhere in the handbook is there a requirement that someone hold a TR in order to perform a priesthood ordinance, though for some ordinances (“saving” ordinances, IIRC) TR “worthiness”
isa requirement. On the temple dedication thing replacing SM, I agree this sounds a little over the top. I am inclined
notto give the brethern the benefit of the doubt, because I’m certain that these matters are very thoroughly thought out well in advance. In this case the organization has chosen not to give consideration to issues of personal privacy or to consider the fallout to those who, for whatever reason, are unable or unwilling to get a TR, but instead to up the ante on temple worship/attendance/worthiness. That is, of course, their prerogative. Canucknuckle wrote:The Calgary Temple (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is also having it’s dedication during 3 sessions on a Sunday in October. All those 8 years old and older can attend with a special recommend for the kids and adults must have a regular TR.
Several years ago, I wanted to attend a particular closed circuit (televised) temple dedication, but didn’t have a TR (I haven’t had a TR in this millennium). Anyway, I asked the bishop if I could possibly attend on one of those special recommends like the baptized kids can get. At the time, my bishop had a clear understanding that I was living the commandments, with the exception that I was a partial tithe payer, attended church meetings, supported my family in the church, and held a calling, but no longer believed in the church. He thought about it, asked the stake president, and let me attend. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but it would be worth asking.
I’m not sure if it’s such a bad thing. I like what Heber said — take the Sunday off. Experience a different church or use it as family/personal time. Also, although I think a TR is very comforting to many people, not having one can also be comforting. Yep, not having one can also be comforting. I’m sure the whole leadership in my ward knows I don’t have one as they have all approached me about it in the Bishopric so far, or my wife. You have to get to the point you are comfortable with not having one if you choose not to abide by the standards they expect or have issues with the temple. For some reason, I don’t feel like a second class citizen either, and don’t seem to be as concerned anymore if people know I don’t have one either. Perhaps because I’m comfortable with my reasons. Mike wrote:Do you want elaberate? Maybe we can help.
Mike from Milton.
Thanks for the offer. I don’t want to thread-jack so perhaps I’ll start my own thread in the support section.
On Own Now wrote:
Several years ago, I wanted to attend a particular closed circuit (televised) temple dedication, but didn’t have a TR (I haven’t had a TR in this millennium). Anyway, I asked the bishop if I could possibly attend on one of those special recommends like the baptized kids can get. At the time, my bishop had a clear understanding that I was living the commandments, with the exception that I was a partial tithe payer, attended church meetings, supported my family in the church, and held a calling, but no longer believed in the church. He thought about it, asked the stake president, and let me attend. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but it would be worth asking.I could easily get a regular TR. I just don’t want to.
Canucknuckle wrote:could easily get a regular TR. I just don’t want to.
My thoughts exactly. I could even see myself paying a full tithe (the only thing really stopping me) and choosing not to have one.
I was in ward council this past Sunday as the ward is getting ready for this dedication. The bishop asked the clerk for the list of adults that were endowed, but not currently holding TR. I am pretty sure I was the only one in the room fitting that list. I think a lot in that group would be surprised at that. Thankfully, the clerk didn’t have the list on hand- so the names weren’t discussed. Our bishop I think wants to meet with each person that meets the criteria I mentioned above. Not really looking forward to that conversation. It is frequently brought up in WC about the offended or those not living in harmony with the gospel. I feel like any discussion deviating from these 2 talk tracks will fall on skeptical ears.
I am personally not excited about the dedication- while I do have deep respect for my friends in the faith who are.
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