Question for the believers on the board...

[_KevinSim]

The non-Mormon radio commentator I mentioned, who watched the "Big Love" episode that included part of the temple ceremony, was certainly not "expected to say so," or at least he had no pressure from the LDS Church to say so. And yet, as I said, he cried over the beauty of the ceremony.

I think the temple affects different people in different ways. If you're ready to consider the possibility that it might be inspired of God, then it resonates with your soul. If you're not, then it seems foolish to you.

This is a bit problematic don't you think? The radio commentator was referencing a Hollywood version of the ceremony with production music and ambience. It's the very reason you get emotional during a movie. Now would he say the same thing after watching the full ceremony on YouTube? Probably not.

I don't think the producers of "Big Love" were trying to showcase the beauty of the temple ceremony.

The second part of your statement is equally problematic. How do explain someone that prepares themselves for the temple, believes it is inspired of God and expects it to resonate with their soul only to walk out thinking "that was it"?

Sanctorian, how does one determine how large the number is of people who prepare themselves for the temple, believe it is inspired of God and expect it to resonate with their soul, "only to walk out thinking 'that was it'?" It would be interesting to see someone do a thorough study of this, if someone could find some good way to tell whether any group of people really had prepared themselves as much as they could for the temple. I am under no obligation to explain a hypothetical until someone demonstrates that the hypothetical actually exists.

[_Sanctorian]

It only takes one person to throw a wrench in your theory. And since these boards are full of people that likely would claim they did all they could to prepare for the temple only to walk away feeling underwhelmed, I don't think it would be too hard to debunk your theory.

Basically you are saying it works for you so it should work for everyone. When someone claims it didn't work for them, you claim they didn't do it right. The perfect Mormon answer. Blame the person and not the process claimed by the church.

[_sock puppet]

And everyone always talked about how much you learn. I never got anything out of it. It's just a story of mythology, and pretty poorly told at that.

I agree.

I remember thinking, "The Adam and Eve story....Seriously??? I looked forward to and waited my whole life for this?"

Then my next thought was, "And why does Satan have more screen time and a larger role than Christ? What's up with that?"

He's more interesting. Ergo, more screen time.