I went through the temple this weekend - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Black Diamond Bay · 07-28-2008, 05:49 PM

with my younger brother. Did anyone else have church leaders attempting to psyche you out beforehand? My stake president said all kinds of weird things like "don't freak out." I wasn't freaked out until he said that, and then I had to stop and wonder what I was about to get myself into. I kept waiting for something really shocking to happen...and it never did.

I will admit that later that evening I did have a moment of panic when I realized that there's no turning back now, which is admittedly a ridiculous thing to even worry about, since I wasn't planning on falling off the wagon anyway.

Tex · 07-28-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Diamond Bay

with my younger brother. Did anyone else have church leaders attempting to psyche you out beforehand? My stake president said all kinds of weird things like "don't freak out." I wasn't freaked out until he said that, and then I had to stop and wonder what I was about to get myself into. I kept waiting for something really shocking to happen...and it never did.

I will admit that later that evening I did have a moment of panic when I realized that there's no turning back now, which is admittedly a ridiculous thing to even worry about, since I wasn't planning on falling off the wagon anyway.

The temple ordinances are far more formal and ceremonial than anything else we do in the church. I think it's appropriate to give a person some instruction on preparing for a new and unusual form of worship. "Don't freak out" may not be the words I'd choose, however.

Black Diamond Bay · 07-28-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

The temple ordinances are far more formal and ceremonial than anything else we do in the church. I think it's appropriate to give a person some instruction on preparing for a new and unusual form of worship. "Don't freak out" may not be the words I'd choose, however.

Yeah, my stake is kind of hardcore on preparation. I was required to attend 7 weeks of temple prep, have a one hour meeting with my bishop, an hour and a half with the stake president, and another hour and a half with a member of the stake high council. My brother on the other hand said that his bishop gave him the little "The Holy Temple" pamphlet and sent him on his way. My brother did admit to me afterwards that he would have rather done everything my stake made me do than nothing at all, because he had no idea what to expect.

Archaea · 07-28-2008, 06:54 PM

Unless they're endeavoring to do a Nibley approach to the temple, what could they do over the seven week period, given the simplistic nature in which the temple is otherwise presented?

If it were truly diligent study, but given the simplistic nature of Church instruction, what could you discuss?

It's been so long since I went to such instruction, that I simply forget.

Snowcat · 07-28-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Unless they're endeavoring to do a Nibley approach to the temple, what could they do over the seven week period, given the simplistic nature in which the temple is otherwise presented?

If it were truly diligent study, but given the simplistic nature of Church instruction, what could you discuss?

It's been so long since I went to such instruction, that I simply forget.

I believe there are seven temple prep lessons. Six before you go and one after. Our ward does the 6 in three weeks.

MikeWaters · 07-28-2008, 08:02 PM

I hope it was a positive experience for you.

il Padrino Ute · 07-28-2008, 09:44 PM

Good for you, BDB. I hope it was a positive experience for you.

Gidget · 07-28-2008, 10:43 PM

I was a temple prep teacher in my singles ward, and we taught one lesson a week, and yes, a few people from church tried to freak me out. One person even said "Watch out when they throw the fish." Huh? Yeah, exactly. Some of the prep only made me feel more freaked out. That, and I didn't know in the few years prior to my endowment they had changed your clothing during the initiatory blessings, so I was expecting more of a draft. And when everything went smoothly, I didn't get what all the hype was about. I certainly feel that the experience is like no other, and even thought to myself, how could I not have heard about any of this before now (the night I went through). But all in all going back frequently has squashed any obscure feelings I might have had. I just tried to make my class formal enough to be reverent, but not so formal that people felt like they couldn't ask the crazy questions they wanted to. I was able to give pretty detailed answers, too, without botching my covenants, it was a pretty cool teaching the class all in all. Even had a few people say they thought everything discussed (from the manual, and personal/funny curiosities) was the perfect prep for their own endowment. That made me pretty happy.

MikeWaters · 07-28-2008, 10:45 PM

I was told, "there is nothing in the temple ceremony that should surprise you, that is any different than what you are taught in church every week."

Yes, I was a bit surprised.

Gidget · 07-28-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

Honest question: Did they tell you that the temple language was not scripture and has changed over the years and you can reasonably expect it to change in the future?

Wow, look at you trying to stir the pot already.

07-28-2008, 05:49 PM	#1
Black Diamond Bay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California Posts: 1,000	I went through the temple this weekend with my younger brother. Did anyone else have church leaders attempting to psyche you out beforehand? My stake president said all kinds of weird things like "don't freak out." I wasn't freaked out until he said that, and then I had to stop and wonder what I was about to get myself into. I kept waiting for something really shocking to happen...and it never did. I will admit that later that evening I did have a moment of panic when I realized that there's no turning back now, which is admittedly a ridiculous thing to even worry about, since I wasn't planning on falling off the wagon anyway.

07-28-2008, 06:54 PM	#4
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Unless they're endeavoring to do a Nibley approach to the temple, what could they do over the seven week period, given the simplistic nature in which the temple is otherwise presented? If it were truly diligent study, but given the simplistic nature of Church instruction, what could you discuss? It's been so long since I went to such instruction, that I simply forget. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-28-2008, 09:44 PM	#7
il Padrino Ute Board Pinhead Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the basement of my house, Murray, Utah. Posts: 15,941	Good for you, BDB. I hope it was a positive experience for you. __________________ "The beauty of baseball is not having to explain it." - Chuck Shriver "This is now the joke that stupid people laugh at." - Christopher Hitchens on IQ jokes about GWB.

07-28-2008, 10:43 PM	#8
Gidget Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: With Surfah Posts: 329	I was a temple prep teacher in my singles ward, and we taught one lesson a week, and yes, a few people from church tried to freak me out. One person even said "Watch out when they throw the fish." Huh? Yeah, exactly. Some of the prep only made me feel more freaked out. That, and I didn't know in the few years prior to my endowment they had changed your clothing during the initiatory blessings, so I was expecting more of a draft. And when everything went smoothly, I didn't get what all the hype was about. I certainly feel that the experience is like no other, and even thought to myself, how could I not have heard about any of this before now (the night I went through). But all in all going back frequently has squashed any obscure feelings I might have had. I just tried to make my class formal enough to be reverent, but not so formal that people felt like they couldn't ask the crazy questions they wanted to. I was able to give pretty detailed answers, too, without botching my covenants, it was a pretty cool teaching the class all in all. Even had a few people say they thought everything discussed (from the manual, and personal/funny curiosities) was the perfect prep for their own endowment. That made me pretty happy. __________________ I am a philosophical Goldilocks, always looking for something neither too big nor too small, neither too hot nor too cold, something jussssst right. I'll send you a card from purgatory. - PaloAltoCougar

07-28-2008, 08:02 PM	#6
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I hope it was a positive experience for you.

07-28-2008, 10:45 PM	#9
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I was told, "there is nothing in the temple ceremony that should surprise you, that is any different than what you are taught in church every week." Yes, I was a bit surprised.