Hey again, Kish
Kishkumen wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 2:25 am
my experience going through the temple the first time was profound and life-changing. I was fully prepared to go, and I was not disappointed in regard to the transformative impact it had on my life.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. If I may ask, how old were at this time of your life?
Perhaps not the same but the way you describe your experience reminds me of a guy I know pretty well. He is a Jewish friend of mine (non religious/secular) who has told me on more than one occasion about a trip he took to Israel when he was in his early 20's. He tells me that when he approached the Wailing Wall, he became very emotional, began to cry and describes this as a profound spiritual event in his life. (Almost how you described yours less the life-changing part.) But for him, that's as far as it went - Like nothing happened after that. He went to Jerusalem as a secular Jew and after this experience, he came home as a secular Jew - And remains a secular Jew to this day. Anyway, I don't really know what to make of his experience - or your experience - because, obviously, neither of them were my experience. My friend I speak of is a great guy and I always love speaking with him about his beliefs as a secular Jew and my beliefs as a Bible believing Christian. The cool part, in my opinion, is that these discussions never get tense and/or uncomfortable, rather, they are always really open and relaxed.
Early on the SA gave those receiving it a maximal autonomy in priesthood matters, and this was taken out to make sure the LDS Church retained its hold on the person who received it.
Interesting. Thanks!