In February, the Church had its first-ever Friend to Friend event. Because of the eternal nature of the temple and the work that takes place there, it has been decided that time-only marriages in the temple will no longer be performed. However, I have plenty of friends that arent Latter-day Saints, and they have the same complaint. (1) The LDS version of covenant is contractual, obligatoryinfantilized into a model of promises. I concluded it had to be allegorical. https://academia.edu/resource/work/94819636. Of course Ive learned about Masonry and Joseph Smith over the years. For you to say the early General Authorities were misandrist doesnt make sense so I am guessing you were trying to say they were prejudiced against women. Its fine that you feel that in the Church, women do not have the power, authority, or influence that men do, but I honestly dont see it that way. And in so doing she received knowledge that she was not able to live up toknowledge having to do with the mystery of Godliness (IMO). Also, I dont think its improper for a covenant to require the reception of ordinances in order to live up to it. The changes to sacred clothing include a simpler design for the veil and robe. I literally didnt sleep the 24 hours afterwards wondering what I had done but -alas my whole family had been doing this for generations and I thought myself unworthy for questioning. . My interviewees said this happened near the end of the ceremony, and also during the prayer circle. The woman is veiled within the stewardship of the man as a matter of protecting and navigating sacred space. What does this even mean?. One full year has passed since their confirmation. What are the certain elements. LDS Church changes policy about civil ceremonies and temple sealings, making way for more family members to be part of weddings . On the subject of the fig treewell have to agree to disagree. Some of us just wish the Church would move a little faster on this issue than it is. I would actually love to display my grandmas apron (that she made, and wore herself) somewhere in my home as its a beautiful part of my heritage. The gospel and the temple bring me abundant peace and radiant joy. But rather, they must be constantly studied and lived in order to be understood. Re: The Law of Obedience: I wouldnt get too fussy over the seeming double talkits just one of those things. But even as heretical as I am I dont think that would go over well right now. The temple sealing was expressly structured in a way to permit men to be sealed to multiple women but not women to be sealed to multiple men. I suppose thats the best outcome we could hope for, short of Church leaders actually admitting that the previous versions were coercive and manipulative. That He and Father knew I was going to make mistakes and counseled about it before the world was created and prepared a way to save all of us. It felt very simple and empty. Not enough has been changed still two fixes later. Superimposing a photo of Jesus on top of a satanic symbol is still a satanic symbol. Strikethroughs are used to indicate deleted passages, . In the past there have been times when Ive been distracted, frustrated, and questioned all sorts of things with the temple ceremony. I remember looking at my mother feeling shocked and betrayed. Travis, I understand symbols slightly differently than you do. Ive never once seen my husband run roughshod over me and our children, nor do I think any husband can do so and still be hearken[ing] unto Father.. Anyway, long response, but hopefully its helpful. Sort of like an ideal retirement. 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). Today's announcement means 12 temples will move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 which includes individuals receiving living child-to-parent sealings and own-endowment ordinances. ), Donate to the newsroom now. The Primary General Presidency was released during April 2021 general conference. If youre talking about the signs and tokens, I see no reason to believe theyre not of ancient, unchanging origin. But if youre talking about the other 99% of the time spent in an endowment sessioni.e. @Holly: I have had many friends (sadly) leave their religious faiths, but it seems only Latter-Day Saints care enough to stick around and blog, gossip, speculate, comment, rehash, reassign, and reassault those who simply enjoy their religion. Huh. I figured there had to be more symbolism and meaning that I was missing, so I persisted, waiting for greater light and knowledge. The cap will no longer come with a plastic insert or a tie from cap to veil, and the robe, cap and sash will have more durable fabric. More diverse racial representation. (3) D&C 132 is not about monogamous sealings, full-stop. To say otherwise sounds like toxic positivity to me. Kristi, I just looked up misandrist. Watch or Read Inspiring Messages about Jesus Christ - Talks Available. Thats great that you feel like you have everything you need based on your baptism. Are you seeing a greater contingency of non-temple Mormons in your circles? Read more about the Ephraim Utah Temple and the Manti Utah Temple at Newsroom. We provide the link to this third party's website solely as a convenience to you. In the past, a part of the temple ceremony was modeled by a witness couple, usually but not always a husband and wife, who were asked shortly beforehand to step into that role. But I no longer warp my vision to see things differently than they are. 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. Required fields are marked *. It sounds plausible but still doesnt satisfy my thinking that it came to Joseph by way of revelation. More Jesus, less touching: 14 changes to the Mormon temple endowment ceremony Just four years after the most recent revisions, the LDS temple ceremony has undergone more changes.. It also houses the Churchs Development Counseling Services and Employment Services. 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.. Your sexism across multiple threads is extremely disturbing, disgusting, and out of place. Always felt the cultural secrecy was silly. I dont need someone in authority to tell me what to think. Read the statement from the First Presidency and see renderings of the renovated Salt Lake Temple at LDS Living. Read more about the temple announcements at LDS Living. @jacalyn it is too bad that your judgey, self-righteous tone actually detracts from a good point you make: that making things more explanatory may be better for people who attend infrequently. Of course, and I frankly think they are! November 25, 2022 - Christmas lights are on at LDS Temple Square in SLC despite the ongoing construction November 18, 2022 - Temple Square Offers Christmas Experiences Despite Construction September 26, 2022 - Temple Update: Historic Temple Square Renovation Continues By the end, I felt tricked: Okay, so you folks got me to watch a poor quality video starring satan, and got me to walk around with this satanic symbol on my waist, and make covenants with this symbol (green amulet dark magik imagery), and these clothes are universally uncomfortable shopping bags. Too much satan in the previous endowment for my tastefreaks me out that most LDS were cool with it that much satan. I do think 2020 was just reducing physical contact for Covid. What Im longing for is a double speed version, or a streamlined express version for those of us who have been dozens or hundreds of times and no longer need repetitive explanations I did appreciate the Christ focus and added prequel. My bishops credibility sank. So the new movies came out in 2013 and were used until January 2019. How is that for exalting fatherhood? Maybe thats true, maybe it isnt, but it really seems to be the case, I just dont think we should be denigrating men for needing training we dont! These are gas lighty statements that try to put women on a pedestal so that if we move we will fall off and it will be seen as our fault for saying anything that isnt positive. Indeed, similar to my post from last week (sorry, I guess its week two of downer posts from me), there is little that could be done to the temple ceremony in anything resembling its current iteration that would seem meaningful to me so I honestly just dont care. I loved the context added about Christ. I am by nature an obedient person and see the necessity of finding ways to keep us more safe and increasingly conscious, and I think covenants have the potential to do that should we engage with them that way. For me, it didnt matter how much the ceremony wording changed over the years, my first experience always played through my mind when I went to the temple. The motions of how my life would be taken if I revealed anything was just so cultish. At one point I felt a little faint, I was dehydrated and my head pounded. The Lord gave us mortal bodies and a temporal salvation as an escape from the telestial fig fruit trap. By wearing the fig emblem of Satan/Cain throughout the entirety of the presentation of the endowment, we symbolically reject the sacrifice the Lord made in order to give us earth, embodiment, and resurrection. In January, the First Presidency and Apostles and their wives over the age of 70 received the COVID-19 vaccine. Why does Jesus curse it before entering Jerusalem? To sum up, (1) our LDS concept for covenant is limited, incomplete, arguably misleading, and (2) to carry satans symbol right into the celestial room is an abomination.. Learn more about FSY conferences at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Likewise, were asked explicitly to stand in here. You make some points that polygamy was used by some families in a positive way. By creating this site, I hope to discourage researchers from using temple exposs produced by individuals and organizations hostile to Mormonism. Nothing will strengthen your spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship.. Our society is finally slowly but surely tearing patriarchy down.. Adam and Eve in temple clothes. Ordinance is not covenant (in the case of baptism, for example). That way when you encounter something you didnt know, you dont have to say Oh no the church isnt true! and leave the church. The policy changes do not impact marriages that can be performed by Latter-day Saint chaplains, as directed by the handbook. I am positive that is not the meaning in the temple, but then it is never explained, yet I have ears people all bent out of shape over those stars. Should the Saints be better? Our early church leaders practiced earthly polygamy (much to the detriment of my foremothers who were harmed by this practice), and our current church leaders practice spiritual polygamy (both Nelson and Oaks are sealed to two women). Even if youre right and its all of the ordinances, the reality is still that the promises given to men and women in the temple are not the same. And promise not to tell this secret handshake or forfeit my life.um, shades of the Gadianton Robbers and werent they the bad guys? I'm not trying to be derogatory that's just the way it is. And we are not treated equally in the temple; setting aside hearken / obey / preside, men are promised to become kings and priests to God and women queens and priestesses to their husbands. Men are in multiple ways stand-ins as literal saviors to their wives in the temple ceremonies. Read more reactions from the tour at Deseret News. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Look, all I want is an afterlife with fly fishing. Men expect that, when a woman doesnt give in and defer she can be seen as broken, wrong or even sinful. In fact, I dont think they particularly care about women at all. We just dont understand that North America, for many, many millions of people, is NOT the center of the universe! But I agree with Chadwick. But the New and Everlasting covenant of Marriage is a complementary relationship. Symbols seldom have *one* hard and fast and unchangeable meaning. Ward and and stake boundaries are established according to how many priesthood holders pay tithes in the area. When a man fails to make his wife a full partner, thats not the Churchs fault; the Church is *constantly* telling them to do so. Things may have changed either before or since I was there many, many years ago. So much yes to that. I havent seen the new changes, so I dont know if they actually move the needle on any of the problems listed above. I dont really have feelings one way or the other about these changes. 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. Heaven in not like an armed camp where we need secret passwords to get in. We give consent to this, not only because we cant see it (its just the air we breathe) but also because from a young age we are taught to consent to it. Even so, I think women need both (generally speaking) as do menespecially from their significant other. I am deeply relieved it is gone. The question none of them have been able to answer for me, though, is what wording of the covenants am I bound by? We will leave those murals where they are located nowinside the Manti Utah Temple., The prophet continued by saying that the renovations and a temple in Ephraim will expand future opportunities for members in this temple district to participate in sacred temple ordinances and, at the same time, allow us to preserve the unique classical character and useful life of the historic Manti Utah Temple.. The church immediately switched to the slide show, and then in April 2019, Van Wagenen was charged with sexual abuse of another child. In my mind I was thinking how can you not know?!? The last temple to be dedicated before the pandemic was the Durban South Africa Temple, which Elder Ronald A. Rasband presided over on February 16, 2020. @fred, what specifically about these changes reflects a woke agenda? So Im pretty sure I remember circles where sisters were paired and elders were paired. Why dont we just sell indulgences? 3) Im guessing the changes were motivated by our ever-changing society, and their impact will be that people living in said society will better understand the things Father wants us to know. Just one month later, he announced the Ephraim Utah Temple. For the Strength of Youth conferences were postponed during the pandemic but will begin again in 2022 and 2023. If you are uncomfortable with our discussion with various points of view discussed, please dont log on. And as such, it is a symbol that is charged with profound meaning when considered within the context of temple theology. As I said, Im sure there were other changes as well. The 94-year-old temple had been extensively renovated over the past few years. I guess no one has to wonder if they are going to be asked to be the witness couple. Its a huge waste of money and time taken away from being real followers of Christ. So when I went after the 2019 changes, I was a little excited. Of the fact that weve made mistakes and sinned, just as Adam and Eve did. Say it.. So I guess what this leaves me with is a series of questions Ill leave it to our insightful readers to discuss. We screw up. They appear in an indoor setting that one person described to me as a temple altar but another said was nondescript. They are wearing temple clothing and receiving the tokens from the biblical Peter, who is also a character on the screen rather than being represented by a live officiant as in the past. While attendees see images of the galaxies on screen, they hear the voices of Elohim, Satan and Jesus discussing how to save humanity. Though one may perform more of her operations more closely to the center than the other that is not to say that one is therefore above the other. What operations does a woman do nearer the center? I was really interested by the discussion of the apron. The missionary department encouraged all missionaries and prospective missionaries to safeguard themselves by being vaccinated. Thats still there, but it says they are to be companions and helpmeets for each other, one person said, telling me it felt more equal and reciprocal. I havent been to the temple for over a decade. In September, The Tabernacle Choir returned to the Conference Center to rehearse for the first time in 18 months. I do have issue with the men in suits who claim to be the mouthpieces of God when they are in fact simply turning their own opinions into doctrine and dogmaat the expense of those ordinary Mormons (who I love) and my predominantly Mormon community (which I cant escape). Previously, senior service mission assignments were available only to members living in the US and Canada. That would certainly give an incentive for lots of males to go to the temple more often. . The church has been moving toward greater transparency on this for several years now, beginning with apostle David Bednars refreshingly open General Conference talk in 2019 that listed the five covenants. 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Given Phase 2-B status May 24, 2021. The Temple Department in the US and Canada announced new opportunities for service missionaries in a January 29, 2021, notice. Joseph started giving the endowment to a select few as he introduced them to being given spiritual wives. But as this is listed as a new change, I dont know what it refers to. Read about plans for the Nauvoo Pageant, the British Pageant, and the Mesa Pageant at Newsroom. Them it just got changed and we werent supposed to even talk about it or ask why. A phased reopening of Church historic sites was approved by the First Presidency in May 2021. Ive heard from several people who have been that they dont see anything less sexist about it. Another said there were still four ordinance workers in the session, but that most of them didnt have much to do until the veil portion at the end. And to be clear, Ive had experiences, as well: for example, I met the love of my life in high school, and we wanted to get married right after my mission. 5) Are we allowed to laugh now? Im sure there were a number of reasons for the various changes. Rest assured the Church & temple remain steadfastly sexist , (Tongue in cheek but I do appreciate your comment. Church historian answers. I meant to write meditation, not mediation. And the only ones who cant be saved are those who, like Satan, simply refuse it. Kabbalah has a longer history and claims a more exclusive mystery than the commonplace fraternal order of freemasonry. As I have experienced, priesthood holders can also choose not to treat us well. Wouldnt he be kinda pissed we didnt feed, clothe, and house people instead? Since April 2018 general conference, President Nelson has announced 83 temples. The Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, Family History Library, and Church History Library also began reopening this summer in July, followed by the Beehive House and Church History Museum in August.Read about the announcement on Newsroom. I asked my bishop about some of the specifics of the initiatory ceremony based on what I had read and he outright misrepresented the ordinance, and then shamed me for questioning such a sacred thing. Abraham did it, and it will come back someday, so stay tuned. Complimentary relationships are nowhere in our doctrine. These changes would increase capacity in the temple. Traveler, Anddenex, zil2 and 2 others. Full stop. I certainly hope it amounts to more than just inserting a correlated still image here or there. Im left with too many questions. For example, see Doctrine and Covenants section 22 where the phrase is directly related to baptism. Jesus said there was nothing else needed. It was the wrong time for me, but I capitulated. If the bishop were a woman, would it be sexist for her to release a man that thought differently? 3870 Gateway Blvd Columbus OH 43228-9747 United States. So, you are correct that the fig leaf has some meanings under which the apron should be removed. Though the people I spoke to tried, to the best of their recollection, to tell me what was new and different, this is not an exhaustive list, and in at least one instance, their memories conflicted with each other (see More diverse racial representation, below). My last trip to the temple was probably in 2017ish. Read more about the dedication at Newsroom. I actually spend all kinds of time doing all kinds of great things in my area. Theyve been announced in General Conference. They also participate in councils with men and women in the areas where theyre called, serving under the direction of Area Presidencies for three to five years. Is there any plausible argument remaining that the temple ceremony is of ancient, unchanging origin? That is not listed in the church handbook or temple prep classes. Thanks Elisa. Any chance it can be removed/significantly altered? 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)? 5 intriguing changes to early Church handbooks. @Angela, yep. Maybe you object to the term sexism because you think its a benevolent kind of sexism. Some of the changes that impacted children during their service included a revision to the Childrens Songbook, adjustments to Primary Sunday meeting schedule, and youth entering Young Men and Young Women classes at the beginning of the year they turn 12. rules, Utes seeing transfer portals impact on college gymnastics, revisions last week to the temple endowment ceremony, David Bednars refreshingly open General Conference talk in 2019, Dialogue article for a history of those shifts, temple building during church President Russell M. Nelson. However this story doesnt eliminate the negatives of my other family polygamy story. While I believe that we were somehow involved in the creation of lesser thingsthe bringing forth of human life was strictly reserved for the gods. I love the fact that agency is so central to the story. I dont know that *early* church leaders were that way, but I certainly know men that have felt slighted by when they see as the Churchs maltreatment of men. No touching until the end. The naming ceremony is a portion of the initiatory ordinance in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Blogger at Wheat & Tares. And Carol Lynn Pearsons book goes into the problems with current spiritual polygamy practices: I also loved Jennifer Finlayson-Fife LDS marriage & family therapist thoughts on polygamy: https://finlayson-fife.com/blog/post/jennifers-thoughts-polygamy. It just feels like we are being gaslit with these changes that are inconsequential and seem designed to stir interest in going through again just to see whats new. Second sentence: strawman and red herring. Therefore, effective immediately, all temple patrons and workers are asked to wear face masks at all times while in the temple. But I got acclimated to it with time and the elimination of the throat slitting gestures helped. Still the same length. Sexual reproduction between a male and a female is required to keep many species, including humans, alive. Both their children died on the trip and Mary wrote to her sister Matilda in England (also a recent widow with children), and invited her to come to Utah and marry John as well. The clothing adjustments do not change temple doctrine or symbolism but are designed to enhance members experience in the temple and make the ceremonial clothing easier to put on, care for and afford,the First Presidency said in January 2020 letter. The woman is veiled within the stewardship of the man as a matter of protecting and navigating sacred space. What does this even mean? Mom. I appreciate President Nelsons efforts, but I hope this is just a beginning to correcting the churchs misogyny. Tacloban City, Philippines. I tried to ask and got told my being so bold as to ask was a bad attitude and would take me straight to hell. You dont physically touch anyone until you cross the veil (probably a covid change). The church wants to believe women are equal to men in our faith. Re: The Law of the Gospel conflating covenant and ordinance: All covenants are established through ordinancesthough not every ordinance is utilized to establish a covenant. View all posts by Elisa. Started Phase 1 June 15, 2020; Phase 2 Aug. 31, 2020; Phase 2-B June 21, 2021; and Phase 3 July 5, 2021. Yes, The World, not the Church, is leading the way yet again. Color me not impressed. I think the church could easily increase temple attendance by having a ceremony that is 1 hour or less. It is a step forward to having more resources that are child-centric.. First Presidency announces changes to the temple endowment ceremony By The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints July 20, 2020 12:23 PM MDT The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following message on Monday, July 20, 2020, about changes to the temple endowment ceremony: . Under the umbrella of Hermeticism, Masonry, Rosicrucianism and Kabbalah share symbols like common language, but to assume the symbol has Masonic origin, instead of Kabbalist origin, one would have to tease out and differentiate mystery motifs independently.
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