What is the purpose of the veil?

[_mentalgymnast]

Are we the only Christians who believe in a Pre-existence, and thus the need for the veil doctrine?

I didn't see any other takers on this question so I'll simply say that to the best of my knowledge the LDS Church places a heck of a lot more emphasis on pre-mortal existence than any other Christian church. if the evidence shows otherwise, I'd be happy to recant.

You know, it's interesting, if we hypothetically look at things from the POV that we did exist before we came to earth and that there is a veil of forgetfulness between us and another reality, then message boards such as this fit right in with "the plan". If there wasn't a veil, there would be little need to be spending time talking about all the stuff we talk about on a board such as this. We would already know all the answers.

But here we are, trying to see through a glass darkly. And exercising agency to choose one way or the other.

Of course, it's possible that there is no veil between us and any other previous or future reality and that would shoot the ramifications of my hypothesis to hell. It's very possible that we're just blowing dust in the wind.

Regards,
MG

[_kamenraider]

The "veil of forgetfulness" is our physical bodies. When Adam and Eve came here and ate food grown from the earth, they became physical and forgot all and became like little children.

I believe the veil of the temple also represents our physical bodies, as well as the body of Jesus Christ. It has marks that correspond to those in our garments (less so since 1980, since the marks are no longer cut into the garments).

Paul said "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal. 6:17) and Heber C. Kimball commented that this had reference to garment marks, but I think that Paul was referring to actual physical scars and things he suffered in receiving them as well.

As far as women veiling their faces in prayer circles, why do they do this? "Because of the angels" (1 Cor. 11:10). Any heavenly messengers who appear must be introduced to the women by their husbands, just as the women should be taken through the veil of the temple by their husbands. This prevents imposition by false messengers and preserves the chain of authority in the family.