And about Peterson's claimed hebrew/jewish scholar contacts

[Guest]

I go to the temple for answers. I bring questions. I get answers.
If there's an irony in my own experience, I've missed it completely.

In all fairness, let me add:
I believe there are only a small percentage of members who are driven by the desire/need to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Historically (even back to the likes of BH or Orsen Pratt (another bad boy)) these poor individuals are cursed, not blessed with this affliction. The sad tale of most of this group, loose of jobs, disfellowships, excommunications, inactivity, self banishment/loneliness from normal other members etc..

A healthier individual might be more interested in a focus on personal spiritual growth, like along the lines of Charity, Christlikeness etc. The need for mystics/mysteries can easily overpower the underlying reason, “to know who you worship, and how you should personally worship him” you known like D&C something or rather.

The atmosphere of the temple is still fertile ground for seeking this. DP, just don’t let them herd you through … sit in the back of the chapel and skip as many sessions as you want/need … this is not sneaky/secret and a nice atmosphere to “think” (those nice ladies will keep wanting to help you find the rest of your party, let them know you would just like to sit here for a while).

[_harmony]

In the larger 6 endowment room temples (like provo and timp) The various rooms were staggered about 20 minutes apart (try hanging out in the CR for more than 20 minutes and see what the nice women in there does). When workers are “between veils” i.e. nothing to do … there are dedicated places where the workers are suppose to wait for the next one. If you were lucky enough to have lots of “veil workers” (temporary 3 month callings that only worked the veil) then you would not even be needed at the veil … leaving lots of time/quite to share. But even if not you usually had some time to talk.

You mean all those people just wandering around aren't really just wandering around... they're assigned to look like they're just wandering around, but they're really on guard duty?

Did you ever catch anyone doing something in a place they weren't supposed to be? (I'm thinking of newlyweds... or almost newlyweds... but could be others too with different agendas)

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I go to the temple for answers. I bring questions. I get answers.

If there's an irony in my own experience, I've missed it completely.

The irony, of course, is that you can't discuss questions with temple workers other than a member of temple presidency (at least that's how it's supposed to work), from whom you probably would get pat answers already approved by Correlation.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

You mean all those people just wandering around aren't really just wandering around... they're assigned to look like they're just wandering around, but they're really on guard duty?

I'm not surprised. It's been my experience that nearly everything in the LDS Church (well, except perhaps testimony meeting, but even that's changing) is scripted or calculated. Better with which to keep the masses in line ....

[_harmony]

You mean all those people just wandering around aren't really just wandering around... they're assigned to look like they're just wandering around, but they're really on guard duty?

I'm not surprised. It's been my experience that nearly everything in the LDS Church (well, except perhaps testimony meeting, but even that's changing) is scripted or calculated. Better with which to keep the masses in line ....

Well, they've always been so helpful, I thought they were wandering around with nothing to do... so they were happy to help be find my way back to the dressing room (I always get really turned around and have been known to try to enter the Men's dressing rooms... oops!)

[_Daniel Peterson]

It's all a plot, harmony. A manipulative, oppressive, mind-controlling plot by the SCMC. Or something like that.

Aieeeeee!

[_harmony]

It's all a plot, harmony. A manipulative, oppressive, mind-controlling plot by the SCMC. Or something like that.

Aieeeeee!

To get me lost in the maze inside the temple? It's working!

So silly, Daniel. I'm impervious to your shenanigans today... I just did my numbers... I'm at 99%! Woohoo!

[_RockSlider]

...
You mean all those people just wandering around aren't really just wandering around... they're assigned to look like they're just wandering around, but they're really on guard duty?

Did you ever catch anyone doing something in a place they weren't supposed to be? (I'm thinking of newlyweds... or almost newlyweds... but could be others too with different agendas)

Well, "on guard duty" might come over a bit harsh, but yes they are watching for a given list of things.

Here are a couple examples:

Provo temple … had these old escalators, a sister used to always be assigned to sit at the top of them … one of the things she was suppose to watch for … zippers! (This one was not thought out very well before hand). So, one day a brother comes up the escalator with this zipper down. The sister quietly and as properly as she possibly could informs the man his zipper is down. The guy is a jerk and chastises her for looking at his crouch. The sister, in tears with her supervisor is in the president’s office pronto. The brother’s schedules are immediately adjusted to take over the top of the men’s escalator.

So one night I’m sitting at the top of the escalator (very sucky job by the way), and here comes the funniest thing I’ve “caught”. A guy is all robed up and headed for sealings, but forgot to put on a white shirt and pants (i.e. G’s, robe, shoes, hat …. And did I mention lots of Gsssss’). Very funny stuff (and about as serious of a violation that one would find).

The workers are mostly positioned to keep things flowing and make sure people go from locker room to chapel, to OR, to Locker to door … and nowhere else … you will be herded.

[_maklelan]

Rockslider -

Did you ever read the Beyond the Mark series by Max Skousen or his Temple Book? I'm curious as to what you thought about them if yes. I learned more about the temple and the symbolism in the first few pages of the Temple book than all of the accumulated attendance of sessions.

Personally, I agree with Skousen that no one will learn the symbolism unless there is an avenue to discuss it and learn it. And please, no one chime in and say "you can discuss it in the CK room" because that is completely absurd. Its just not the place for theological discussion or education.

I have had deep theological discussions with my mission president and with a temple president in the celestial room. I've also had deep discussions with friends and relatives in there. If you weren't comfortable having a conversation with someone else that's not really the temple's fault.

You can't bring books or papers in, nor have more than whispered chit chats. I giggle when people say "I learn something new everytime" because I know they are just repeating the cliché. What, you noticed an animal you missed? You heard a new emphasis on a particular word you didn't notice before? Please. That is more just I-Spy than learning.

No, it's not "I-Spy learning." About half the time I go I pick up some new piece of symbolism or some gospel application. When I go with a specific question in mind it's more common. The last time I went just to do initiatories I was remarkably inspired and came home to immediately pour through Exodus and Leviticus. I took copious notes on ritual purity and ordination and learned a great deal. You get out of it what you put into it, and I'll thank you not to presume to tell me what I can and cannot learn at the temple.

[_Yoda]

I have had deep theological discussions with my mission president and with a temple president in the celestial room. I've also had deep discussions with friends and relatives in there.

I have had this type of experience as well. My father in law has an awesome doctrinal knowledge. When we went through for a family session where we did temple work for a lot of my mother in law's geneology, my father in law shared some wonderful thoughts with us.