The rite echoes some of the old morality stories that ask the viewers to put themselves in the place of the characters. 2) No effect. I thought it was a nice comment on the beauty of our flawed humanity. I also like that they are trying to do something to create a more Christ centered experience. They also had their own room in the temple to perform special ordinances for women about to give birth. Our society is finally slowly but surely tearing patriarchy down.. But a well-meaning elder instructed me, in a Priesthood blessing, not to get married yet. Promising to obey my husband doesnt match my values. I grew up outside the Mormon trail and was exposed to what was at that time called anti-Mormon literature detailing the temple ceremony. Still the same length. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instituted a number of revisions last week to the temple endowment ceremony. I had a friend in 1990 who promised me everything had been fixed and I HAD to give it another chance. My last trip to the temple was probably in 2017ish. Is Adam going to be wearing a tie? These volunteer advisers give training for local leaders of Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary outside of the US and Canada. The prayer included a blessing that the attendees would want to return and serve in the temple often. That first experience is seared on my memory. Those who wish to apply as a senior service missionary or as a senior missionary can do so at SeniorMissionary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Just to be clear I am not blaming the church for poor treatment of women. And, if the meaning doesnt change just because the words did (the reassurance some GAs gave folks after previous changes), am I bound by the meaning of the obey the law of your husband wording from even earlier? So what happens in an LDS temple? New guide offers first-timers real Their (the officiants) only role was starting the session and then saying the prayer at the end of the session, one person told me. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Seventy, and the Area Presidency determine the need for the advisers. 2) Im assuming these Jesus pics are all going to be Nordic Tinder Jesus, but its still an improvement over Supercuts Adam A womans psyche can be harmed by her husbands poor choices (as can a husband by his wifes), but there are pros and cons to any situation. 7) No effect. Then again I may not. 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. Were only human. And thats why the apron is (IMO) such a marvelous symbol. Mom. But is that the Churchs fault? It was not a part of my religious ritual, and my wife and I dont feel like we have missed out on anything by not attending. But others are also correct in saying that the fig leaf is sacred and should be worn throughout the entire endowment. Ive long complained that in the narrative of the endowment, Christ is at best a minor character who does little more than delegate instructions. Abraham did it, and it will come back someday, so stay tuned. What I cant see is how they can be coregents while one presides. By the way, many of us (myself included) have in fact spent a lot of time in other countries wheee temple attendance is more difficult. I felt so happy. @Elisa, WellI guess I was just reacting to the article in the SL Tribune. Ditto to the changes they had already made to the initiatory. Temple Changes and Trickle Up Revelation - Wheat & Tares President Nelson has announced 83 new temples since becoming president in 2018. ,, . I do think the General Authorities tended to be misandrist for a long time, but perhaps the men of the Church really were, by and large, that bad. In fact, I dont think they particularly care about women at all. Even when I barely allude to those differences Im labelled a sexist. That way when you encounter something you didnt know, you dont have to say Oh no the church isnt true! and leave the church. 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. No settlement, no possession, no inheritance. I bought a wedding dress with sheer sleeves, not knowing it was a little unacceptable. Both are presenttheres plenty of overlap. Read more about the temple announcements at LDS Living. And why are we promising to give everything to the institutional church and not to God? However, if the man presides and all final decisions in the church are made by men holding the priesthood, it just isnt true. (RNS) Just four years after the most recent revisions, the LDS temple ceremony has undergone more changes. See the full statistical report at LDS Living. When it is all made up anyway, it makes no difference to reality. Are you suggesting that my greatgrandmother should have focused on the positive aspects of having no relationship with her father? the instructions surrounding the actual endowmentthen no, I dont think theres a plausible argument for that, nor do I think the Church nor the prophets have ever claimed them to be. There arent any changes that would make me want to go again. Some of us just wish the Church would move a little faster on this issue than it is. But, since I picked a husband that would not ask me to obey him if I didnt agree, I wasnt too worried with that. The Choir, Orchestra, and Bells on Temple Square are tested for COVID-19 every time they rehearse. Just because your experiences are different doesnt mean my experiences are non existent. Are you seeing a greater contingency of non-temple Mormons in your circles? I believe that one of the reasons if not the primary reason that we shouted for joy in the premortal world was because we were offered an opportunity to participate in the bringing forth of human life. Even so, I hope that my last few comments will give you a sense of what Im talking about. Nothing in our actual doctrine says women are more sacred than men, except these sort of statements leaders put out to tell us to quit complaining about our status. What do you think motivated these changes? (RNS) Last week marked the four-year anniversary since Russell M. Nelson assumed leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it's . Really appreciate the honesty here as well as the respect for what others find sacred and meaningful. (I am not sure whether that language is the same now but thats what it was 16 yrs ago when I got married: I gave myself to my husband and he received me; he didnt give himself to me because he cant: he may be sealed to multiple women so cannot give himself to any one of them.). 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 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.. If the new and everlasting covenant is just the priesthood and priesthood ordinances, then why dont men and women have the same promise? So, credit where credit is due, but for many of us, its too little too late. All explained and laid out, nothing to have to remember from a possible temple trip 25 years ago (for the lucky ones). Because what Anna said. 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. The differences between men and women is what makes the cosmos go around? Learn more about how the Primary General Presidencys service impacted the children of the Church at LDS Living. Some might like a different symbolism where sins are removed. And it is in being one that both the woman and the man inherit all things together. Im a convert since high school and went through the ceremony when I got married in 1976. The church immediately switched to the slide show, and then in April 2019, Van Wagenen was charged with sexual abuse of another child. I know this because my non-heathen spouse is teaching the course in our ward at the moment and is constantly looking for better material. My last trip to the temple was to see my daughter married last year and Ill not be back unless something miraculous happens. This couple represents each of you as if you were at the altar . It is the second First Presidency announcement in five weeks dealing with marriage. Elisa, I also believe that thinking and considering religion in an honest way can help you think in a more grey, flexible way. Many people there will only attend the temple once, some mostly paid for by the One Time Temple Patron Assistance Fund. To download all photos or videos related to this article, select the links at the bottom of each section. You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com). If we feel like we have to lie about our temple ceremonies then something is really off. If youre automatically updated to the current version, does that mean I have to trust that no future leaders will ever change it to something I am not comfortable with? @lws, that whole series (I think its in 6 parts) is really good and eye-opening. Better or worse? I was not looking forward to going, and was horrified by the idea of having to wear garments afterward. The woman is veiled within the stewardship of the man as a matter of protecting and navigating sacred space. We both wanted to, but we waited because of the blessing. First of all, no, I meant what I said about the Churchs misandry. Do I care if the Grinch is green or blue? 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. 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 They encouraged others to safeguard themselves through immunization as well. At least the slide show will send fewer missionaries confessing to their mission presidents. I have to give the church some points for trying to respond to criticisms about the temple regarding informed consent and sexism. 30 years later I wish I had been emotionally mature enough to realize I was ceding decision-making authority to others. You also might note that women are no longer veiled in the temple. The first time I went to the temple was in the 70s. It would also allow for more sessions to be held each day. @decay, the symbols and conduit metaphors for the temple are Hermetic in nature, and Josephs temple motifs run far closer to Rosicrucianism and especially Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) than to Freemasonry. Should the Saints be better? The broadcast concluded with a message from President Nelson. How interesting for you to have had that direct experience with Masonic ritual! You see, its all about life! They are trying to be more inclusive, showing that we each make our own covenants, rather than women having to go through someone else.. My thoughts on the 7 changes: But Im very happy with how its going now. No man has to confess his sins to a woman over him in the hierarchy to be forgiven. No touching until the end. Senior service missionaries live at home and serve for a minimum of six months for eight to 40 hours a week. We obey commandment. Believe in women more, Jack. . I still think that most Mormons secretly dislike going to the temple. That they perform ordinances. Travis: We inherit from the womb-like fig symbol, the Gate to the First Estate, which is the Mortal Body, identified by Flesh and Blood. I actually have positive feelings about polygamy myself. Jana Riess: More Jesus, less touching new changes to the LDS temple Wouldnt he be kinda pissed we didnt feed, clothe, and house people instead? I thought the endowment was a gift to us, not a gift from us? The emphasis of covenantthe higher lawis responsibility for one another. A little odd, but oh well. As the project has progressed, we have learned a great deal about the condition of the temple and its surroundings. Kabbalah has a longer history and claims a more exclusive mystery than the commonplace fraternal order of freemasonry. Recent media attention has verified last month's Expositor report of significant changes in the Mormon temple ritual. I wouldnt trade it for anything this world has to offer. Out of respect, this preliminary assessment doesnt reveal what the signs and tokens are, as those are the elements of the temple ceremony that participants covenant not to reveal. I actually spend all kinds of time doing all kinds of great things in my area. I have been recently. I have perfect trust that as I keep my mind and spirit open to light and truth, I will continue to be taught until all is clear, and it will be more beautiful and holy than my own small thoughts and ideas could have ever conjured up. Also, since I got to use my grandmothers apron that she had made, it was a meaningful part of the ceremony to be connected to my deceased grandmother and wear the same thing she had worn. The War in Heaven. ." Without fertilized land, there is no grass, herbs, flowers, orchardsno garden. So Im pretty sure I remember circles where sisters were paired and elders were paired. Maybe you dont experience that as problematic, but I dont think theres an argument that there is equality in the way men and women are represented in the temple. The ceremony has undergone some changes. Learn more about FSY conferences at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The First Presidency letter includes a list of frequently asked questions addressing the redesign of ceremonial clothing. God decides to send his son. So essentially Cains pattern ruins the order of Creation, while Enochs pattern restores it to a new Creation. A example of this is there are five pointed stars adorning the temples, and under certain circumstances, some people see the five pointed star as a symbol of Satan. As for the apron, I think its beautiful. Responsibility is not obedience. Obfuscating this is worse than redressing it, and expresses that who ever is in charge of temple changes either doesnt fully understand it, or is manipulating it. Certainly the Prophet Jacob had to deal with that, in the Book of Mormon. The current church hierarchy favoring men has negative effects on both men and women, as your story illustrates. But Im glad I didnt prioritise it over building my home or my kids activities or caring for our elderly or all the yard work. You ask, Where in the D&C does it distinguish between polygamous sealings and monogamous sealings? It doesnt, and thats exactly my point. @Toad, I second you on finding the temple movie erotic as a missionary. President Henry B. Eyring announced the release of six General Authority Seventies during October 2021 general conference. In any event, nothing in this post was criticizing ordinary Mormon folks who like to attend the temple. I think its going to be a terrific help for folks new to the temple.