A SHORT RESPONSE ABOUT DISCUSSIONS OF TEMPLE ORDINANCES This is not my page, I am just an assistant admin, so I do not want to become the arbiter of what is and is not acceptable to discuss here, nor do I want to get into a debate with the scholars here who feel like the Church is not doing enough to educate people about the temple. I would like to encourage everyone to exercise great caution, because it is so easy to cross the line of appropriateness, which is almost always done with the good intent of educating others. For most of my life I held similar views. Serving in the temple Presidency brought me to a completely new awareness of the sensitivity of the brethren about discussions of the temple outside of the temple. Scholars and educators will chafe–I did--but I finally came to understand that what I was being taught was correct. Here is the essence, which I am well aware that many of you may delight in poking holes in, but here it is nevertheless. Temple Presidencies are taught they are NOT to answer questions which patrons ask about the meaning of the temple ordinances, clothing, and symbolism. The attitude seems to be that God wants to teach his people about the endowment and prefers if human agents stay out of the way. Therefore, we were taught two fundamentals: There are two teachers in the temple–the Spirit and the ordinances themselves. Ordinance workers and Presidencies do not qualify, so keep out of it. I believe that principle with all my heart. [I have a great story about this that I may perhaps share sometime.] Presidencies are taught to teach the patrons to study, fast, pray, worship in the temple, and to live righteously so they will learn and be taught what they need to know. The second principle was taught most definitely by President Hinckley, in my hearing, in a temple setting. He said, “If it happens in the temple, don’t discuss it out of the temple.” He applied that to whatever happened in the temple, related to the temple or not. Pretty stringent stuff! I agree. But when you understand the principle that the Spirit and the ordinances (and on rare occasions the brethren), are the teachers–it makes perfect sense. But it takes considerable faith to accept, believe, and FOLLOW. I think the related principle is, the Lord knows when one is ready, by way of intellectual and spiritual preparation, for the answers they seek. Those ideas of course, fly in the face of those who feel the Church isn’t doing a good job and set themselves up as the ones to fill the need. But it isn’t so difficult. Just follow the example of the brethren, not Hugh Nibley, and you will be okay and so will everyone else. As far as quoting the brethren, there is a difference between quoting a published talk or statement, and something from someone’s journal. Elder Oaks has repeatedly taught new Temple Presidencies to be very careful what is put in their journals, because well meaning but misguided Saints will take license to publish those things–which shouldn’t be published or discussed in public. I frankly think this is the problem with the Signature Press volumes by Anderson and Bergera. There is plenty to study. I have been instrumental in getting a bibliography of about 8,000 items related to the temple, both from Mormons and non-Mormons, online both at the website of The Academy For Temple Studies and the BYU library. It continues to grow, and with the proper help and expertise could easily be doubled in size. I recommend personal study, prayer, lots of temple service, and great, great circumspection when it comes to teaching others, inside or outside of the temple. We all know the scriptures about the “constraint” of the Spirit, but very few (especially scholars and educators) whom I know, have the discipline requisite to follow that constraint. I believe it is present and required by the Spirit much more than the freedom so many long and argue for. Alma explained “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid UNDER A STRICT COMMAND THAT THEY SHALL NOT IMPART ONLY ACCORDING TO THE PORTION OF THE WORD WHICH HE DOTH GRANT UNTO THE CHILDREN OF MEN, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” (Al 12:9) I suggest that the presiding brethren are charged with guiding the church as to what “portion” is to be granted to the generation in which they preside. We would do well to follow them, rather than run when we are not sent.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 01:59:00 +0000
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