“Without the necessary preparation, the sacred promises and symbols would not be appreciated.”- I pulled this quote from the section of the website on Temples; I understand some may not be ready to enter another religion’s grounds with respect for it, but why is this quote so unspecific? If anything I would enjoy reading more about the promises and symbols to gain a better understanding of how much this religion means to it’s members, and so that I can see something outside of the path I have always been on since I was born. Also, I have some great friends who are Mormon and all that have great character. It would be very interesting to see how they have grown up through their religion.
3 Responses to ““Without the necessary preparation, the sacred promises…”
Miguel Miranda
2013-04-21 19:05:12
Temples are considered houses of God, places of holiness and peace separate from the preoccupations of the world.
Hi Anonymous. I'm happy you're interested in learning more about your friends' religion. While there are some aspects of temple worship that are too sacred to discuss outside of the temple, many of the symbols can be discussed. I've written about them extensively on this site.
Temples are considered houses of God, places of holiness and peace separate from the preoccupations of the world.
When my grandmother lay dying in the hospital two summers ago, I was heartbroken. I had spent many hours caring for her. In those last precious hours we spent together, she told me many things about her life that were so dear to her that she had not shared them with other people, even other family members, because she knew that they did not have the knowledge or the understanding to hold those memories and thoughts precious and private. We had conversations that I would not hesitate to say were of a sacred nature. Those conversations I have shared in full with only one other person - my husband. I have shared small portions with other people who are dear to me and who were dear to my grandmother, people like my mother, my daughter. But because they did not have the privilege of gaining my grandmother's trust on those matters, I cannot share with them exactly what we talked about as she lay dying. My grandmother entrusted me with that knowledge, and I fully intend on honouring her wishes in that regard.
For Latter-Day Saints, worship inside our temples is a lot like the experience I have just described. When we feel we are ready, and when our local and area leaders agree, we can become privileged to enter a holy temple and learn more about the nature of God, ourselves, our world. It would be breaking a sacred trust to share that knowledge with others who do not have the same understanding. That can only be found in those who have a testimony in everything we hold dear.
Kel
2013-04-22 20:18:26
I think it's so beautiful that you are interested in learning about those things that are so special to us and hope that you continue to investigate it. I am one who truly loves sharing my beliefs. However, I try not to share too much too soon. Imagine a small child asking a parent where babies come from. The parent, knowing the child knows nothing about reproduction, will not start with a detailed explanation of all the facts surrounding the subject. The child would not understand, to say least, and would maybe even be left confused and uncomfortable. Maybe we would tell the child that when two people love each other, God blesses them with a baby. As the child matures and develops a greater mental capacity, we would reveal more of the truth.
Often times, people I know hear about a certain LDS belief and misunderstand or misjudge it out of context and I always think, if only you understood 'x' and 'y', 'z' would make so much sense to you.
The more accepting society becomes of ungodly behavior, the more bizarre our beliefs appear, and are more difficult to understand or accept. Years ago, to hear that living with a person before marriage is wrong, would have been normal and widely agreed upon. Today, some may be ridiculed for believing it's even possible to accurately choose a spouse without having lived with them first.
The idea is to build upon our knowledge, starting with the basics first, which prepare us for more complex truth :)
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
For Latter-Day Saints, worship inside our temples is a lot like the experience I have just described. When we feel we are ready, and when our local and area leaders agree, we can become privileged to enter a holy temple and learn more about the nature of God, ourselves, our world. It would be breaking a sacred trust to share that knowledge with others who do not have the same understanding. That can only be found in those who have a testimony in everything we hold dear.
Often times, people I know hear about a certain LDS belief and misunderstand or misjudge it out of context and I always think, if only you understood 'x' and 'y', 'z' would make so much sense to you.
The more accepting society becomes of ungodly behavior, the more bizarre our beliefs appear, and are more difficult to understand or accept. Years ago, to hear that living with a person before marriage is wrong, would have been normal and widely agreed upon. Today, some may be ridiculed for believing it's even possible to accurately choose a spouse without having lived with them first.
The idea is to build upon our knowledge, starting with the basics first, which prepare us for more complex truth :)