Of course Ive learned about Masonry and Joseph Smith over the years. I did and of course, not enough was changed. 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. Really appreciate the honesty here as well as the respect for what others find sacred and meaningful. But their complimentary relationship works in a way that allows the most sacred fruit to be brought forth in the most sacred space. Celestial Room, and in other areas in the Temple, if you need to communicate, Over the past few days, Ive been interviewing people off the record about their impressions of the changes. What operations does a woman do nearer the center? Second sentence: strawman and red herring. It was shocking and unexpected for me when I had to promise to obey my husband that I hadnt yet met, before my mission. When the 2019 changes came, people acted like women should be oh-so-happy about the changes. Its interesting to read about the changes, but I wont be going to see them. But rather, they must be constantly studied and lived in order to be understood. Joseph Smith did not get the temple from Masonry. Sorry folks use that stupid down-thumb social-blog-control mechanism, I like your comments. No settlement, no possession, no inheritance. I hope youll let me know what those are in the days to come, if you can. The woman is veiled within the stewardship of the man as a matter of protecting and navigating sacred space. What does this even mean? It isnt obvious to me. Instead you can say Yeah, some things are great about the church and the members and leaders, others not so much. and stay in the church and do what you can to make it a safe welcoming place for everyone. 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 if we had a second income from a second wife? I guess yes, but also, that takes away again from the embodied aspect of a ritual where you experience living something out. Its not fun to be out of step. if I have it right, everyone commenting here is North American Caucasian, is that right? To learn more about why and how the ceremonial clothing was redesigned and information about purchasing, altering, discarding and donating temple clothing, see Ceremonial Clothing FAQs on store.churchofjesuschrist.org. After the temple is formally dedicated, entrance is reserved for faithful members of the Church. Sometimes there were just very small circles, and the officiator could barely get to the alter. 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. LDS Endowment This website provides access to current and historical texts of the endowment, without exposing those few portions of the ceremony that are explicitly reserved for initiates. I stood there in shock thinking, The book was dead right. Cant remember what happened last week, let alone in January 2021? Honestly, I missed the richness of the other ceremony and the old movies. Men have a direct line to God. Say it.. Thats fine. They do need their free labor, though, so the sexism gets repackaged every once in awhile to make everyone feel better. In total, the Church has 45 stores throughout Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon, and Texas. Thank you for sharing. Its one of the best temple experiences Ive had. The only thing I can imagine that sparked the Trib comment is that a female is shown approaching the veil, and by eliminating the heavenly visuals you have fewer men in the mismatched gender ratio of the slideshow portion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instituted a number of revisions last week to the temple endowment ceremony. And because I am a MORO (Mormon of Record Only, less Mormon even than a PIMO) I just dont care about small changes to the temple ceremony. The church immediately switched to the slide show, and then in April 2019, Van Wagenen was charged with sexual abuse of another child. We obey commandment. @Jack Hughes, since writing this post Ive heard they also recite the BoM scripture that we are saved by Christ after all we can do. I still do not believe in a God of tokens and signs. How do you see Adam and Eve as obviously different in some of their functions? Many people there will only attend the temple once, some mostly paid for by the One Time Temple Patron Assistance Fund. It is gender normative in a weird way, though, and one thing I found disturbing is that if there are not enough male patrons, they will pair up two women, but I dont believe they will ever pair up two men. It feels like a fancier version of the language that has been used by male Church leaders (and their female lap dogs) all of my life to keep women in their rightful (lesser) place. Adam and Eve in temple clothing is about as consequential as learning that the new Adam parts his hair on the other side. She passed him unexpectedly on a city street. I sincerely disagree, but I guess thats what makes the world go round, right? (The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. God decides to send his son. I just spent a few minutes googling. 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 evening before we went out together to watch a movie Murder By Decree. This can just as easily suggest that he could have scooped these rituals and symbolism from several sources. I was endowed back in the penalty days and that part of the endowment still played out in my head every time I went. 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. 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. The initiatory consists of four main components: washing, anointing, clothing, and finally, naming. In the past there have been times when Ive been distracted, frustrated, and questioned all sorts of things with the temple ceremony. Even then many members there sacrifice greatly just to buy (then eventually replace) their own temple garments, buy food for the trip, etc. Im really surprised theyve made the endowment longer and not shorter thats pretty crazy to me. 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. Cant the man and woman embrace each other, so they are both at the center and at the edge at the same time? As cases of COVID-19 increase in many areas, we want to do everything possible to allow temples to remain open. that places the woman on a more sacred footing than the man Pedestal much? @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. If the temple ceremony has been changed to allow more instruction and consent prior to entering into a covenant that will be a great improvement. I tried to understand and all I got were platitudes at best and treated like I was evil at worst. I dont actually think they do anything to advance gender or racial equality so wondering what Im missing. The problem is that people tended to ignore the Prophets teachings: just because we need to support the doctrine of plural marriage doesnt mean every individual has to personally enter into a plural marriage. I felt so happy. 'Mormon Land' podcast: How Wilford Woodruff also changed LDS sealing When the Lord saw the fig leaf upon Adam, He immediately removed it from him, and replaced it with a [terrestrial] leather skin of flesh and blood sacrifice. Jul 12, 2021, 12:21pm PDT SHARE Latter-day Saints reminded of new ceremonial clothing as temples resume operations Flipboard A view of the Ogden Utah Temple on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. John and Mary Douglas came to Utah in the Martin hand cart company. I know it was probably inserted because of pushback about informed consent but it would be better placed in a good temple prep course which at the moment is still sadly lacking. Blogger at Wheat & Tares. Find out more about senior missionary opportunities at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. But it seems to me absurd to obey a law of obedience. FIRST PRESIDENCY'S STATEMENT: Since the temple Endowment was first administered in this dispensation, minor changes have been made from time to time by the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve, acting unitedly in their capacity as Prophets, Seers and Revelators. The Church's announcement emphasizes how much more efficient the renovated temples are going to be. (2) I do not misunderstand polygamy. After, the Masons invited us to the lodge to present. Believe in women more, Jack. Joseph synthesizes modern and ancient temple ordinance in this. ." It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025. As COVID-19 restrictions diminish in various areas and temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to increase operations, Latter-day Saints are reminded of previously announced adjustments to temple ceremonial clothes and the availability of new styles. But I havent been since pre-Covid so I dont know. Why dont we just sell indulgences? Particularly, the bishops right. Those live roles have been eliminated, with the demonstration instead being performed on screen by Adam and Eve. I remember the change to hearken from obey. Another thing really bothered me that day: During my senior year of high school I was part of a leadership group that was selected to attend a national conference. I might be getting a little nit-picky herebut I think its important to point out that not only does the symbol have to do with the means provided to get us into the mortal world it also represents our ability to be involved with those means. It becomes the mans choice whether to treat us well in their decision making or choose to delegate any decisions to us. Elisa, thanks for your civil response. I used to teach that class and after a few years I decided to include the covenants they will make. In any case, it doesnt matter, I wont ever be going back. I first went through an endowment session in Dec of 1993. Some of the similarities were unmistakable. I dont know how anyone could take a tour of this temple and not be moved by the presence of God in Christ. I love the fact that agency is so central to the story. And once you have gone through the temple, well, youve made these covenants and if you break them, damnation awaits you. Only members who have participated in a multi-tier personal interview process with patriarchal leaders are granted permission to enter. I cant think of a scenario where this doesnt look weird. On top of that, theres now a line emphasizing that ADAM has the PRIESTHOOD, which seems a step backward since we silly women thought we were getting some kind of priesthood through temple ordinances. Elisa, the only rule I recall was that missionaries werent allowed to perform sealings. Conclusion: a troll by any other name is still a troll. It is a manmade construct. The Conference Center reopened to the public for tours on June 14. (All causes that those do-gooders seem so invested in.) Temple and spiritual foundations need to be strengthened, President Nelson says. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Danielle is a features writer and editor for, Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company, No more bathing caps? It makes men better 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. Ive very happy with it, despite ongoing questions. 2) I havent been to the temple recently enough to have experienced these changes, but it doesnt sound like a net negative.