First let me explain that I am not Mormon (and I live in Utah). My question concerns a temple ordinance known as “second endowment”. Could you please explain what it is? Also, I understand that it is no longer done. If not, why? How often do the secret/sacred temple rituals change and who enforces these changes?
2 Responses to “First let me explain that I am not Mormon (and I live in Uta…”
Daniel Paz
2010-08-22 00:26:16
The San Diego temple in San Diego, California.
Hi Lou Ann. I've been to Bountiful before. You live in a beautiful city. :)
By "second endowment," I assume you mean "second anointing." The second anointing was a temple ceremony that was fairly common in the 1800s. The last confirmed time that this ceremony was performed was in the 1950's. I'm not certain if it is still performed, but if it is, it is performed only rarely; to my knowledge, none of the Mormons I know have received their second anointing.
Mormons believe in modern revelation, meaning that they believe God continues to communicate with His children in our modern days, just as He did anciently. Even though God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, through modern revelation He can adapt His eternal principles to our changing human cultures and perspectives. It should come as no surprise, then, that the temple ceremonies change from time to time, under the guidance of this revelation. Some aspects of the temple ceremony that were common in the 19th century, for example, would seem quite strange to us, given our modern culture. Through inspiration from God, these aspects can be modified so that modern worshipers can better appreciate the ceremony. Revelations regarding changes in the temple ceremony are received by the prophets and apostles of the Church.
Pamela Dean Bonta
2010-08-22 21:53:45
The Recife temple in Recife, Brazil.
I believe you are actually referring to an ordinance called the "second annointing. " it was instituted by Joseph Smith, and is still openly practiced by self-identified Mormon fundamentalist groups. The Community of Christ (formerly known as the reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) never practiced this ordinance. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began performing this ordinance in the 1840s, and open discussion of the ordinance continued until the middle of the last century. As it is a most holy ordinance, it is rarely spoken of and the church does not release information concerning the number of these ordinances that have been performed (I don't believe the numbers for other temple ordinances are released either) or indeed even *if* this ordinance is still performed.
As the ordinances that happen in temples are sacred, it is not meet to discuss them in detail, nor any changes that may have occurred to them. However, sometimes the ceremonies do change. The important thing to remember is that the words rarely do, the intent never does, and that changes that are made are usually so that more faithful members can access them. One small example that I do not feel would be inappropriate to share concerns the ceremonial clothing that is worn for some ceremonies: even though there are very specific guidelines as to appropriate attire for these ceremonies, people in wheelchairs often receive permission from the temple presidency to amend the clothing so that they too can participate fully. Changes that occur come from the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, and are conducted by temple presidencies through temple workers and matrons.
By "second endowment," I assume you mean "second anointing." The second anointing was a temple ceremony that was fairly common in the 1800s. The last confirmed time that this ceremony was performed was in the 1950's. I'm not certain if it is still performed, but if it is, it is performed only rarely; to my knowledge, none of the Mormons I know have received their second anointing.
Mormons believe in modern revelation, meaning that they believe God continues to communicate with His children in our modern days, just as He did anciently. Even though God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, through modern revelation He can adapt His eternal principles to our changing human cultures and perspectives. It should come as no surprise, then, that the temple ceremonies change from time to time, under the guidance of this revelation. Some aspects of the temple ceremony that were common in the 19th century, for example, would seem quite strange to us, given our modern culture. Through inspiration from God, these aspects can be modified so that modern worshipers can better appreciate the ceremony. Revelations regarding changes in the temple ceremony are received by the prophets and apostles of the Church.
As the ordinances that happen in temples are sacred, it is not meet to discuss them in detail, nor any changes that may have occurred to them. However, sometimes the ceremonies do change. The important thing to remember is that the words rarely do, the intent never does, and that changes that are made are usually so that more faithful members can access them. One small example that I do not feel would be inappropriate to share concerns the ceremonial clothing that is worn for some ceremonies: even though there are very specific guidelines as to appropriate attire for these ceremonies, people in wheelchairs often receive permission from the temple presidency to amend the clothing so that they too can participate fully. Changes that occur come from the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, and are conducted by temple presidencies through temple workers and matrons.