I grew up outside the Mormon trail and was exposed to what was at that time called anti-Mormon literature detailing the temple ceremony. Major changes to Mormon temple ceremony, especially for women But it seems to me absurd to obey a law of obedience. Section 59 (August 7, 1831) is evidence that Joseph was teaching and talking about the temple long before his induction to Masonry (March 15, 1842). It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025. This is their choice. And to pollinate, a wasp enters the fruit, loosing its heavenly wings upon entrance and unable to escape: the wasps dead body pollinates the flower inside the fruit. I like learning from you even if we might have a different perspective. Why not work to build something, anything, up, as opposed to dismantling what was not fulfilling for you? But the substance of the feelings expressed in my post (concern that changing norms in the word are what drives the changes in the church) still stands. I do forgive him, but I cannot forget. Read about the dedication at Church News. If you went through the temple for the first time during a different iteration of the endowment, which covenants did you make? (Please tell me there isnt a 13 minute Jesus picture slideshow in the middle with the TabCATS oohing in the background.). The first (2019) was the most significant revision to the temple ceremony that Ive seen in my lifetime (I am too young to have experienced pre-1990 temple). True story, my MTC district compared which Eves were hotter and how many wet dreams they caused. (And I suppose if we were to get nit-picky about that arrangement we could argue that that places the woman on a more sacred footing than the man.) I also like that they are trying to do something to create a more Christ centered experience. Either the brides or the grooms membership record is assigned to the unit over which the Church officer presides. I think that we've noticed that relationships have already been built because they're seeing the members of their district here, said President Benson L. Porter, president of the Provo MTC. I think the three primary objectives will be focusing on first [is] the idea that the global church needs a global choir, and that means seeking larger, more global audiences. Some people told me that the firmament seemed more emphasized in the creation story than in the past that there is material about the days of creation that they didnt remember being there before. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Seventy, and the Area Presidency determine the need for the advisers. For some reason I thought that was in 2019. But as this is listed as a new change, I dont know what it refers to. The second set of changes was in 2020 but I am not clear on what those changes were. You may also like:What I learned from the late Elder Dean M. Davies about how to listen to the prophets voice. Thanks for engaging. Of the fact that weve made mistakes and sinned, just as Adam and Eve did. During his Sunday afternoon remarks in October 2021 general conference, President Nelson spoke about the importance of temples, saying, As I emphasized this morning, please make time for the Lord in His holy house. Read more about who was called here. Updated: July 1, 2021, 1:09 a.m. I am the descendant of Matilda and John Douglas. 5 intriguing changes to early Church handbooks. I did family history for 40 years and loved it. If my husband were to exercise control or dominionover me, would that be the Churchs fault? The symbol does not lie. Iws329: What differences are you referring to? But others are also correct in saying that the fig leaf is sacred and should be worn throughout the entire endowment. And like many of you, I didnt love the experience, but the prophets and my local leaders said God wanted me to go often, so I did, and felt good about being obedient to God. No longer interested. (1) The LDS version of covenant is contractual, obligatoryinfantilized into a model of promises. Recent media attention has verified last month's Expositor report of significant changes in the Mormon temple ritual. Here is a great list of ways that LDS women are excluded / marginalized at Church (plus a celebration of some of the progress that has been made! Whereas in the past, patrons were asked to stand up and sit down at various points in the ceremony, and to adjust pieces of their ceremonial clothing, now the endowment is more streamlined, and participants are seated for most of it. Sexual reproduction between a male and a female is required to keep many species, including humans, alive. Ditto to the changes they had already made to the initiatory. A May 24, 2021, letter announced that time-only marriages in the temple will no longer be performed. I dont see how any of these changes add time to the endowment, let alone 13 minutes! Thats 7 years I wont have with my children and grandchildren. We both wanted to, but we waited because of the blessing. They encouraged others to safeguard themselves through immunization as well. Amber Scorah wrote a book about leaving Jehovahs Witness. It doesnt address any significant issue that anyone has with the temple. There was nothing secret about Masonry by Josephs timeall was published publicly by anti-Masonic factions. In the past, there was a point in the ceremony when anyone not willing to make those covenants was invited to leave (though I have never seen anyone in the temple actually depart at that point). It was shocking and unexpected for me when I had to promise to obey my husband that I hadnt yet met, before my mission. More sanitized, more sterile, more boring. But now Im wondering, didnt the big changes where the sexism was resolved happen with the 2013 movies? You need to have a little chat with my five daughters. The argument that Joseph aligned the temple more with Kabbalah has been made by scholars such as Harold Bloom, Lance Owens, Hugh Nibley, and Hartley Lachter. The broadcast concluded with a message from President Nelson. The Temple Department in the US and Canada announced new opportunities for service missionaries in a January 29, 2021, notice. This would allow for sessions to be available in more than 80 languages, whereas previously it has only been available in English. The linked site has its own terms of use, privacy policies, and security practices that differ from those on our website. They are welcome changes, but not likely sufficient to move the needle for me to have a desire to attend again. Disavow and disaffiliate. It is the second First Presidency announcement in five weeks dealing with marriage. Senior service missionaries live at home and serve for a minimum of six months for eight to 40 hours a week. Im really surprised theyve made the endowment longer and not shorter thats pretty crazy to me. Like just last year I somehow discovered the signs were the first half of the penalties which hadnt been completely removed. ): https://exponentii.org/blog/has-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-lds-become-more-woman-friendly-during-the-past-6-years/. . I dont get how you could read the New Testament and think any of this makes any sense. It is interesting to see how folks on both sides of the Great Woke Divide experience these things.). THE MORMON TEMPLE ENDOWMENT CEREMONY . At least one of the coupleeither the bride or groomis a member of the Church. On the subject of the fig treewell have to agree to disagree. Adam and Eve are coregentsthough obviously different in some of their functions. Which make symbols a BAD way to teach religious principle unless those symbols are explained. This new one? And one more thing: Exchanging money transaction in the temple (renting clothes) is a mockery and a contamination of the sacred space, full stop. Turns out there was a meaning and it wasnt a nice one. If preferred, members may still continue to use their current ceremonial clothing. I love to discuss, research, ponder and pray, rather like Joseph Smith. Look, all I want is an afterlife with fly fishing. Its the same with Adam and Eve. My interviewees said this happened near the end of the ceremony, and also during the prayer circle. 3870 Gateway Blvd Columbus OH 43228-9747 United States. I stood there in shock thinking, The book was dead right. The opportunity to gather and the power associated with gathering was very evident, Elder Bednar told Church News. About men, and the hierarchy, no man is dependent upon a woman over him in the church, to allow him to receive ordinances essential to his salvation. They will no longer feel like Gods favorite. It says a person who dislikes despises or is strongly prejudiced against men. I want a re-do on my wedding! So why doesnt the man need to be protected as a matter of navigating sacred space, but the woman does? Given Phase 2-B status May 24, 2021. Oh, and this has to be done for dead people also., I didnt really address Elisas questions, but I think Im pretty close to @Annas recommendation: The only way to fix the endowment is to accept that it was not what Jesus told us was needed and throw it out as false.. While attendees see images of the galaxies on screen, they hear the voices of Elohim, Satan and Jesus discussing how to save humanity. Implied consent means youd know much more about the next 4 hours in the temple than simply another Sunday school lesson about 5 vague principles. I like Jesus, so why not have more of him on screen? . 30 45 minutes would be even better! Regarding the 7 changes Elisa outlines in her first paragraph, my reactions are: LDS Church changes policy about civil ceremonies and temple sealings, making way for more family members to be part of weddings 'Mormon Land': NAACP president discusses the unlikely alliance . Ive heard from several people who have been that they dont see anything less sexist about it. PDF The Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony I shared a story of one of them in my last post to Elisa, so hopefully that will be up by the time I finish this. The church wants women to believe women are equal, but I dont think the church or church leaders believe it or even want to believe it. I sincerely disagree, but I guess thats what makes the world go round, right? And that God knew in some things wed choose poorly. I just sit in dread the whole time until its over with. What do you think their impact will be? If you are happy with your temple experience, do you think these changes are net negative (particularly taking away some of the ritualistic elements which some people actually prefer)? Murals in the temple by Minerva Teichert are also being preserved. 'Mormon Land' podcast: How Wilford Woodruff also changed LDS sealing Encouragements to come back to the temple. Our society is finally slowly but surely tearing patriarchy down.. When it is all made up anyway, it makes no difference to reality. And thats a beautiful thing (IMO) as it grounds us in those things that make possible the reception of the Holy Ghostwhich (reception) gets us on the high road to eternal life. They are a vigorous exercise for the mind and spirit. I certainly hope it amounts to more than just inserting a correlated still image here or there. It was very shocking and embarrassing because we then had to explain to this couple on the way to the temple what they were about to experience in terms of the described penalties My husband has a couple of books on the temple by LDS authors and I think they make a case for linking the temple rituals back to Israel. As for the implications, maybe recognizing that the instructions change according to the needs of the people will help temple attendees to identify the endowment. @Toad, I second you on finding the temple movie erotic as a missionary. No, I suppose Adam would have sprung for a nice pair of white shoes. But rather, they must be constantly studied and lived in order to be understood. And unifying men and women in an eternal complimentary relationship is the key to eternal life and felicity. For both of us, attending the temple was not something we ever enjoyed or made a priority.). I went to the temple this year for the first time in some years. While the Lord does most of the work involved with the creation of life in this sphere he allows us to participate in the process in such a way that we feel a deep sense of stewardship and kinship even ownership if you will with those whom we birth and nurture. Even so, I hope that my last few comments will give you a sense of what Im talking about. The temple instructions simply reiterate the order of the family: each wife is to hearken to her husband as he hearkens to the Father. To me, that seems pretty simple: if your husband doesnt hearken to Father, you shouldnt hearken to him; and if he does hearken to Father, hes making you a full partner in all decision-making, anyway. I do think 2020 was just reducing physical contact for Covid. Finally, you reference Doctrine & Covenants 132, which is great. Temple Open Houses and Dedications - The Church of Jesus Christ of I agree. My bishops credibility sank. I feel bored, discounted and coerced by those who ask me to sit in silence and believe everything someone in authority says. Todd Comptons book In Sacred Loneliness likewise provides detailed historical accounts. As appropriate opportunities become available, the Church urges its members, employees and missionaries to be good global citizens and help quell the pandemic by safeguarding themselves and others through immunization. Thats not to say that the man is absent. Not only is it important that we receive an inheritance of flesh and boneit is also crucial that we take our first steps as life givers. Joseph started giving the endowment to a select few as he introduced them to being given spiritual wives. I still discover weird stuff about the temple now and then. As a woman, I need your respect, not your flattery.. I did and of course, not enough was changed. Do you think we should do a better job making space for them. The differences between men and women is what makes the cosmos go around? 6) As for seeing a greater contingency of non-temple Saints in my circles, that may be true, but Im not sure were not making space for them.Is there something that makes you think we arent? Trying to avoid links, my quick google search brought up numerous blogs and articles about people leaving Catholicism. Do I care if the Grinch is green or blue? 13 MINUTES LONGER?? Without fertilized land, there is no grass, herbs, flowers, orchardsno garden. If you can point out somewhere in that section (or any other) where the two are equated, Im more than happy to listen, but I just read it again and still dont see it. . The fact that I dont care after spending so many years scrutinizing every single word and motion and symbol in the temple is probably the most significant thing to me about the change. In January 2020, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced changes to ceremonial temple clothing but later delayed the launch due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were astonished, impressed, gratified with what has been done to hold with the pioneer ancestry of this traditional great temple and house of the Lord to bring it into current technology and needs and configuration of rooms, all of which is essential for it to perform its service for decades to come, said President Oaks. As someone who enjoys doing family history I now find it ludicrous to be doing all these ordinances for the dead for which we can only do a chip of the iceberg. Their stake president is their ecclesiastical leader. In any event, nothing in this post was criticizing ordinary Mormon folks who like to attend the temple. My thoughts on the 7 changes: Ive been an Episcopalian for 55 years. This summer, missionaries arrived at the Provo MTC for the first time since the pandemic. Unless you are a male primary teacher, no man in the church has to be accountable to a woman for how he carries out his calling. 2. I used to be taught that Joseph Smith restored the ancient temple ceremony, but now I hear more of the sentiment that we will keep refining the temple ceremony until we have a beautiful gift to present to the Savior at His return (I cannot cite the source for this line of thought, anyone help here?) My view of the temple has changed radically in the past few years as I learned more about the origins (or non-origins) of the ceremony and of course how much it has changed over the years. The church wants to believe women are equal to men in our faith. I havent gone to the temple in years, so Im not affected by these changes, but Im extremely skeptical that theyve resolved the sexism. Multiple reminders that this is symbolic.
