Temple Shock

[_KimberlyAnn]

Before going to the temple for the first time, I took Temple Preparation classes. Unfortunately, they prepared me very little for what would happen in the temple.

Having no idea what to expect, I entered the temple for the first time thinking I might actually be visited by an angel. Or maybe a dead relative. (Some of the more eccentric ladies from Relief Society swore they had visitations in the temple.) I didn't see angels or ghosts, but what I did see shocked me more than I thought it would. I was ill-prepared for what happened.

I don't want this thread to be moved to the Telestial forum, but I have to say I was very surprised by the clothing and the washing and anointing. Something in me wanted to bolt when I was given the option to leave before the endowment session began, but I didn't. Half my family and a good part of the ward were in the session smiling and looking at me expectantly, so leaving didn't feel like an option, even though I suppose it technically was.

Feeling overwhelmed and apprehensive, I went through the session. I felt truly faint during the prayer circle. After the whole thing was over, I was dazed, not understanding what had just happened to me. It was the oddest feeling. I do want to say that I was never scared during the session, but I would have appreciated being better prepared during Temple preparation classes for what was to come.

Why are first-time temple attendees not forewarned about what goes on in the temple? I don't think the goings-on qualify as too sacred to share with already temple-worthy men and women preparing to take out their endowments. Surely what goes on in the temple is no more sacred than Jesus' death on the cross or His resurrection or the communion reverencing His sacrifice--no one makes an effort to shield folks from any of that. It cannot be that just anyone who knows the signs and tokens can make it automatically into the Celestial Kingdom. Those are available all over the internet and in a Masonic Lodge near you.

So why the secrecy? Is it really necessary, even for folks about to enter the temple worthily? I do not think I was alone in my shock over receiving my endowments. Should not people have the option of knowing what oaths they're about to be asked to take before they're put on the spot in front of their family and friends in the temple? Temple preparation classes should be more thorough.

Or is there a fear that no one would go for the first time if they were to know what to expect?

Please keep comments Terrestrial Forum worthy. Many posters won't go to the Telestial Forum, having been sufficiently forewarned about the place.


KA

[_collegeterrace]

......Why are first-time temple attendees not forewarned about what goes on in the temple? .....

Because #1 many would not go, I sure as f*** would not have.
#2 All cults have something like this to bind the group together. It helps make them feel special and above the non members.

[_harmony]

It will probably be written somewhere in the heavens that harmony was a ditz, but I was totally clueless both before and after I went through the temple. Totally. Clueless.

The oaths were no more binding on me than the blood oath I'd taken in the 4th grade with my best friend (you know the one where you prick your finger and touch it to the bloody finger of your friend, vowing to be friends forever). It was hard (and still is) for me to take seriously something that is so ... well.... lame. God is a much better writer than whoever put that nonsense together. And God would never allow women to be veiled. He's not like that. (Although I loved the little twinkling lights in the ceiling that were supposed to be the stars, which I would have missed entirely had my future MIL not pointed them out to me).

The only vow I took seriously that whole day (and any session I ever attended after that day) was my marriage vow.

[_Inconceivable]

Surely what goes on in the temple is no more sacred than Jesus' death on the cross or His resurrection or the communion reverencing His sacrificeKA

Hi KA,

You just went through or are you talking about 15 years ago?

Shockingly, apparently there are things more sacred than what Jesus did for you.

Things have changed a little since I when through for the first time. Now you don't have to agree to be slaughtered for divulging the secrets.

[_Yoda]

I completely agree that there should be more preparation done before attending the temple.

A good friend of mine in college took me aside the night before I went through the temple for the washing/anointing, and getting my own endowments.

I will be forever grateful to her for telling me what was going to happen because if she hadn't, I would have completely freaked out.

I was also taken aback at how "cultish" the temple ceremony felt the first time I went though. Also, I was a member of Rainbow for Girls, which is a Masonic organization. Some of the tokens and symbols used in the temple are very similar to the the types of signs and handshakes that we made during initiation at Rainbow. Also, in Rainbow, as with the temple, we are told never to reveal anything in the ceremony book to non-Rainbow girls.

I will say, that since I knew what to expect, I had a positive experience when taking out my endowments at the Provo temple.

We got sealed in the Salt Lake temple the following day so that my husband's uncle could perform the sealing ceremony. That was neat, as well. The part I didn't like about Salt Lake was the bride room. I felt like I was part of a cattle herd. There were probably 30 brides all trying to get ready in this huge room. My Mom and my Grandma were there to help me get dressed, but it was just kind of a frustrating situation (for all 3 of us) because it just wasn't a private, special moment.

Now, when I had my wedding reception in California, my girlfriends who I had chosen to be my bridesmaids, helped me get my wedding dress on before the reception, and we giggled and joked around. It was much more like I imagined a "wedding" to be because I had my friends there.

So, I suppose for me, my first temple experience was a mixed bag. It wasn't horrible, but it was not the great spiritual experience that everyone had geared it up to be.

I will say, that going through the temple later, I have had some spiritual and reflective experiences, which I choose not to share in this forum.

[_Jason Bourne]

I agree that more should be done to lay the ground work. My MP when I went home walked us through how he as a SP and bish had done first time TR interviews. He went into a ton of detail, explanation and background and explained this better prepared people for their own endowments.

I have always followed his suit when I had the opportunity with mostly positive results.

[_Dr. Shades]

Kimberly Ann:

Did you go through the temple for your first time before or after April 1990?

Also, I was a member of Rainbow for Girls, which is a Masonic organization.

Just curious, but what made you want to join that organization?

[_Yoda]

Just curious, but what made you want to join that organization?

For social reasons. A lot of my good friends were members. Also, my Mom was a member of Rainbow.

I was actually extremely active in Rainbow. I played the piano for nearly every local event; I had the opportunity to sing with the Grand Choir and attend the Rainbow Grand Assembly in Anaheim, CA. We got to spend two days in Disneyland while there. Our local group was also asked to sing a special number for one of the dinners. Ironically, the song we sang was "Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God" by Janice Kapp Perry. LOL It was the song I had used to audition for the choir with, and the director was so impressed, she asked me to teach it to this smaller group that performed it.

[_krose]

There is no good reason to keep the entire thing secret, especially from people who are about to go through it. As I recall, an initiate only promises not to reveal the specific "signs and tokens." Avoiding speaking about any of it seems a bit paranoid and overly cautious to me.

[_Scottie]

I hear you, KA.

Not only is there immense pressure to stay for the entire session, but afterwards there is immense pressure to say just how wonderful and spiritual it all was.

You have to wonder how many people are creeped out, but don't dare say for fear of being ostracized by the Mormon community. Can't you hear the Relief Society gossipers now? "AH! She didn't feel the spirit in the temple! She is OBVIOUSLY hiding some major sin, and felt guilty for being there."