Seer Stones and the Urim and Thummim

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

How about garments? That seems to fit the bill.

For some it does, that's true.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

How about garments? That seems to fit the bill.

For many, they do.

[BigFatMeanie]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

How about garments? That seems to fit the bill.

Some other contestants:

YM/YW medallions?
Pictures of the brethren in our homes?
Pictures of temples in our homes?

I would say for some these objects are simply just "visible reminders" in the Indy sense but others would certainly associate talismanic qualities with these same objects. Talismanism is in the eye of the beholder.

[Chapel-Hill-Coug]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

For many, they do.

Isn't this still taught in the temple, that garments have protective powers? Or did they change this?

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Chapel-Hill-Coug

Isn't this still taught in the temple, that garments have protective powers? Or did they change this?

Packer teaches that it is a protective covering in The Holy Temple. He goes so far as to refer to it as "armor."

All of this, it seems, has a spiritual meaning first-- that is, it reminds wearers of their covenants, etc.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by Chapel-Hill-Coug

Isn't this still taught in the temple, that garments have protective powers? Or did they change this?

Its still taught. I'm sure there is a wide spectrum of belief as to it's literalness.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Its still taught. I'm sure there is a wide spectrum of belief as to it's literalness.

I have never believed in its literalness seeing them instead as a reminder of the faith and/or obedience necessary to obtain such a blessing, although I know others feel differently, as SIEQ points out.

[bluegoose]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Its still taught. I'm sure there is a wide spectrum of belief as to it's literalness.

In the current temple rec interview, there is a brief statement to be read by the interviewer regarding the appropriateness of wearing the garment. There are a couple of sentences that clearly state that the garment serves simply as a reminder of covenants previously made. It says nothing about providing physical protection and, I think, is quite clear to the contrary that this is not the purpose of the garment.

[Radawg]

I've heard many stories (and it seems to me that some of them have been told over the pulpit) about somebody being protected by garments during a fire/car crash/war/whatever. I remember one story where a soldier was caught in some sort of fire and suffered severe burns over every part of his body that wasn't covered by garments. For some time after receiving my endowment I remember feeling like after working out I had to change back into garments for the car ride home for the sake of protection.

So the idea of garments as a protective talisman was definitely prevalent in the community I grew up in (Utah Valley). Whether it's preached in more official venues I don't know. It would be interesting to see if there has ever been mention of one of these protective garment stories in general conference.

[MikeWaters]

You know just a few days after posting this thread, the whole family was in my son's room, and I reached down on floor and picked up a crystal. Very raw, still with dirt on it. I asked Farrah, "where did this come from?" She said that Danimal's son had found showed it to her, that he had found it in our yard or their yard, can't remember.

Coincidence?