The temple

[Anonymous]

I’d like to echo the comments that I found the LDS temple confusing and very disconcerting the first time I went there. I actually didn’t want to go back, but then I determined I had somehow missed something so I went back a lot and even joined a sealing group to gain some additional insight into the place.

It has been many years since I have been to the LDS temple. I guess it holds no mystery to me and I find the LDS version disappointing. I view it as an attempt by JS (and subsequently others) to communicate some of the nature of God to us, to teach us something about how our world have been contacted and influenced by these heavenly beings, and what our life after this one may be like. I believe It mostly fails in that attempt and the Masonic clothes it wears detracts from the message and intent. However, even though it fails, if you look, you can find the truth underneath.

Anyway, my view today is the LDS temple is a distortion of how such places are meant to ultimately be. I believe the intent behind the process of the temple is to strip us of self and status – to in essence equalize us before God. And in some respects it succeeds at doing that, but that intent is lost due to other things going on there. I believe in time, ultimately the temple will be a place where our species will speak with these heavenly beings face-to-face regularly. However, since the LDS temple is currently a distortion this rarely if ever happens. And I believe such places will be welcoming to all people in time, an educational institution about these beings and how to be more like them. That there will be music and celebration, but also have space for quiet meditation and reflection.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the comments On My Own and Tobin,

I think that one of the problems the temple presented to me was the buildup throughout church life that the temple is a pinnacle in our lives, and it is hard to lower expectations when you have heard all your life that it is such an amazing place and that the spirit will be so strong there. Then when it was a trying experience, initially, it was sort of disconcerting to me. Don’t get me wrong, I feel the temple itself is a beautiful place, and that there is a reverence once I am on the grounds or in the building. It does require a completely different way of thinking than we are used to in the church, like you were saying, On My Own. So maybe that is part of the purpose, to get us to think or view things in a completely different manner. I have been to a Catholic Mass, and did find that there were some parallels and I found that very interesting.

There are many expectations and ideals presented to us as we grow up in the church, and I have always tried to explain to my kids that not everyone has a big spiritual experience at baptism, or during their confirmations, so that they won’t be disappointed if that isn’t their experience. Some of us tend to have more experiences like that than others, and I may be in the category of someone who doesn’t. I have had a completely all encompassing experience of the spirit at a very trying time in my life, and it was so amazing and wonderful, that it may be the one time I have to fall back on when things are tough. I am very grateful for that feeling. It was amazing.

So thanks for your input. It helps to know that others have had similar experiences. I certainly went with only the purest intentions, and maybe someday it will fall into place for me. Or maybe there are other places, such as in nature, that speak more loudly to me. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I’ve mentioned it before, but the way I get something out of the temple is to sit through the endowment in a particular frame of mind. I ask myself “how can I be a better _______” and each time pick a different role in my life. Father, husband, son, employee, manager, friend, service giver, service receiver.

I don’t take any of it literally. I consider everyone and everything to be figures and objects in a parable. Because that’s what’s repeatedly taught. I don’t tie myself to anything said and instead I try apply ideas to my life or my families life. And it works for me.

[Anonymous]

mackay, I like that idea! I’m going to try that next time.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

The other thing that I don’t understand is why everyone is white Anglo-Saxon in the temple movie.

How do you know they’re Anglo-Saxon? They could be Celts (Scots, Irish, Welsh), Slavs, or Scandinavians of some description…

[Author]

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