Disapointment in Temple, how to get over?

[Duncan]

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

[JAHS]

Even though the temple is the House of God; it is still just a building and the people in it are still just regular people.
In the end the spirit of God is not found in the temple it is found within yourself and what you take into the temple.
Preparing yourself before you go in will help you to ignore any distractions that might be there. 
Most people don't get their prayers answered while in the temple, but attending the temple can help your mind and spirit 
be open and receptive to the answers when they do eventually come. 

[RevTestament]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

The Lord has talked to me in the temple, but it was probably not an experience others would be looking for... It wasn't a bad experience. It was a confirmatory experience, but nonetheless, I really don't ascribe any particularly holy feelings to the temple. I have never had a prayer answered in the celestial room. I just enjoy it with the company I am with. I guess my expectations aren't terribly high... then there is nothing to be disappointed about. On the one occasion, I wasn't praying for an answer. The Lord just spoke to me. So, I can't say I've ever had a "bad experience" in the temple. I've had teaching experiences. I've had experiences where I probably shouldn't have been there because I was too tired. I can't say that any particular spirit has ever accepted the gospel due to my efforts on their behalf, but I am sure many have and are grateful, because I believe they can now be resurrected with the Church. I hope my grandparents are among them. I would advise just to enjoy the temple for what it is... not for what you hope it to be. I've had many more prayers answered outside of the temple than in it. 

[gregory_underscore]

You know that story about dirty windows. Problem is you not them you get what you put in. 

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, Duncan said:

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

The temple president needs to be told if the Celestial Room is too noisy.  That is just unacceptable.

[Robert F. Smith]

46 minutes ago, gregory_underscore said:

You know that story about dirty windows. Problem is you not them you get what you put in. 

I love the stained glass & leaded windows in the Provo City Center Temple.  I also like Gregorian Chant --

 

[JLHPROF]

Build a family altar.  It used to be a common practice among members.

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The temple president needs to be told if the Celestial Room is too noisy.  That is just unacceptable.

And especially the Matron.  Typically there are sisters stationed there to keep order - in a nice way of course. 

 

 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

4 hours ago, Duncan said:

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

I think some things are just due to humans being flawed. As for unanswered prayers, you will find that, be they offered in the Temple or out, it is a mystery that eludes this old man, and I suspect many others, as to why they go unanswered . Other times, I have prayed, completely believing they were not heard, or would not be answered, and they were. As I once heard someone say, “We pray on our time, God answers on his, or in his time”. 

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I love the stained glass & leaded windows in the Provo City Center Temple.  I also like Gregorian Chant --

 

That's about the only thing I miss from Catholicism.   Now those folks know how to create sacred space.  Gothic arches pointing to heaven just draw the eye upward, throw in some soft chant and it sets the stage nicely and immediately puts you into a cultural community. 

Of course you still have to be in tune or it's not going to lead to anything anyway.... 

 

Edited September 29, 2019 by mfbukowski

[mfbukowski]

3 minutes ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

I think some things are just due to humans being flawed. As for unanswered prayers, you will find that, be they offered in the Temple or out, it is a mystery that eludes this old man, and I suspect many others, as to why they go unanswered . Other times, I have prayed, completely believing they were not heard, or would not be answered, and they were. As I once heard someone say, “We pray on our time, God answers on his, or in his time”. 

The only thing I "pray for" is for a better attitude, and not to change the world to be the way I want it.  

It almost always helps me, at least.

[SettingDogStar]

2 hours ago, gregory_underscore said:

You know that story about dirty windows. Problem is you not them you get what you put in. 

Only true to a certain extent. 

[Robert F. Smith]

11 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

And especially the Matron.  Typically there are sisters stationed there to keep order - in a nice way of course. 

Yes, I am always glad for their presence -- and the fact that they are allowed to smile.

[Coop]

4 hours ago, Duncan said:

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

This is an interesting topic.  I had an experience in the Calgary Temple that I had trouble processing.  We were in the second ordinance room when a cell phone went off.  After two rings this brother answers it.  I sat there thinking this has to be the weirdest experience ever.  Then just as everyone was getting over their shock his phone rings again, and again he answered it.  This is as close as I have been to a demonic experience in the Calgary Temple.

I decided that the next time this happens I'm going to get up, grab the phone, and take it out to the front desk.  I do things like this but I don't recommend it to others unless your real old and you don't care what people think of you.

All the best,

Bob

[katherine the great]

4 hours ago, Duncan said:

 in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

Hmmm. Not a bad idea. Try going to a Hindu or Buddhist temple or a masonic temple. Maybe a little comparison shopping will help you appreciate our temple more. 

I'm kidding (but it might be kinda fun). I don't have a good answer for you. I know people who absolutely love the temple and others who go more out of a sense of duty. Both types of people are faithful members but they just experience the temple differently. I think it may boil down to personality more than anything else. I'm a little surprised that your Celestial room is noisy though. I haven't come across that yet

[Kenngo1969]

Yeah, I don't have any practical answers except talking with matrons, or patrons, or Presidency.  I can't say I've ever had a bad experience in the Temple.  I've had a couple where I've said, "OK, what does that mean?  What do I do with it?"  I still wonder.  The only thing I can say is, the Temple is one of the few places where I can have (and where I have had) experiences that transcend mortality, where a verse from a hymn I like actually comes to pass:

Quote

 

Oh may my soul commune with Thee

And find Thy holy peace.

From worldly care and pain of fear

Please bring me sweet release.

"Oh, May My Soul Commune With Thee," Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985) No. 123, text and music by Lorin F. Wheelright.

 

As always, of course, I wish you well.  

Edited September 29, 2019 by Kenngo1969

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The temple president needs to be told if the Celestial Room is too noisy.  That is just unacceptable.

 

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

And especially the Matron.  Typically there are sisters stationed there to keep order - in a nice way of course. 

 

 

Temple ordinance workers walk a fine line between the need to maintain reverence and the need to avoid hurting someone’s feelings when giving a reminder. Temple patrons ought to recognize that and try to govern themselves accordingly. We all should be patient and courteous with one another in the House of the Lord. 
 

That said, I’ve been an ordinance worker for a little over a year now and personally have yet to observe or encounter anything in the temple that one might characterize as a bad experience. I expect to find holiness there, and I’ve never been disappointed. 

[Robert F. Smith]

2 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Temple ordinance workers walk a fine line between the need to maintain reverence and the need to avoid hurting someone’s feelings when giving a reminder. Temple patrons ought to recognize that and try to govern themselves accordingly. We all should be patient and courteous with one another in the House of the Lord. 
 

That said, I’ve been an ordinance worker for a little over a year now and personally have yet to observe or encounter anything in the temple that one might characterize as a bad experience. I expect to find holiness there, and I’ve never been disappointed. 

Some time ago, when I was working at the Provo Temple, in the hallway, among those of us waiting to go in and work the veil, just outside the Celestial Room, the conversation got too noisy.  We got called out for it, and rightly so.

[Duncan]

1 hour ago, katherine the great said:

Hmmm. Not a bad idea. Try going to a Hindu or Buddhist temple or a masonic temple. Maybe a little comparison shopping will help you appreciate our temple more. 

I'm kidding (but it might be kinda fun). I don't have a good answer for you. I know people who absolutely love the temple and others who go more out of a sense of duty. Both types of people are faithful members but they just experience the temple differently. I think it may boil down to personality more than anything else. I'm a little surprised that your Celestial room is noisy though. I haven't come across that yet

oh, we had this one 60 plus couple clawing all over each other and no offense but blech! it's not like a train station noisy but mid range talking about who did you travel with, what did you have for dinner and people tapping you on the shoulder with questions etc.

Edited September 29, 2019 by Duncan

[Scott Lloyd]

12 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Some time ago, when I was working at the Provo Temple, in the hallway, among those of us waiting to go in and work the veil, just outside the Celestial Room, the conversation got too noisy.  We got called out for it, and rightly so.

Oh, I’ve seen that sort of thing, but I wouldn’t regard it as a “bad experience,” I guess because the individual was not in any way harsh or unkind. 

Edited September 29, 2019 by Scott Lloyd

[JAHS]

16 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The temple president needs to be told if the Celestial Room is too noisy.  That is just unacceptable.

 

2 hours ago, mfbukowski said:

And especially the Matron.  Typically there are sisters stationed there to keep order - in a nice way of course. 

 

 

Temple ordinance workers walk a fine line between the need to maintain reverence and the need to avoid hurting someone’s feelings when giving a reminder. Temple patrons ought to recognize that and try to govern themselves accordingly. We all should be patient and courteous with one another in the House of the Lord. 
 

That said, I’ve been an ordinance worker for a little over a year now and personally have yet to observe or encounter anything in the temple that one might characterize as a bad experience. I expect to find holiness there, and I’ve never been disappointed. 

This is especially an issue when a large group of family friends and relatives come for a wedding or missionaries first visit. It's hard for them to just stand there and look at each other without saying something to each other. And if someone does speak the conversation will naturally get louder along with some laughter. A brusk strict temple worker could cause some offense in the way they remind patrons to talk quietly. It is a fine line. 

[CV75]

6 hours ago, Duncan said:

Not to get personal but how do you get over bad experiences in the Temple? I'm not talking about Demonic posession or running into someone from Calgary( 😣) but constant unanswered prayers, too noisy in Celestial room or other things like that? in other aspects of life if you have regular bad experiences as a grocery store you just shop elsewhere

I found that praying for charity, though I hardly knew what it was, turned out to be very helpful in this regard.

I thought Calgarians were gregarious agrarians until I looked up what to call someone from Calagary... turns out to be a Demonym! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary

1,285,711. Demonym(s) Calgarian. Time zone. UTC−07:00 (MST)

[rpn]

Questions,  I finally determined helped me when I feel unanswered are:

Have I studied it out in my own mind and determined the course I think is what God wants for me and then asked for confirmation?   (God really believes and respects our agency and I just don't think doctrinaly  (sp?) I can reasonable expect Him to tell me what choice I should make.  

Am I asking the right question?  

Am I asking for confirmation of what I have already received confirmation for?

I have no doubt at all that your Heavenly Parents and your Savior know you intimately and personally in every moment of your life.   Assuming you've done your part, it could be no, or not yet, or even "I trust that you can get through this hard part.  You aren't alone, but you you need to do that this time for yours or someone else's, or My plan's sake."

As for noisiness in the celestial room, the workers will tell you the quietest times.   But I often just do my praying on the grounds or in the car in the parking lot.

Edited September 29, 2019 by rpn

[katherine the great]

3 hours ago, Duncan said:

oh, we had this one 60 plus couple clawing all over each other and no offense but blech!

Ahahaha! Do you mean like "boxing" clawing or "get a room!" clawing?

[Duncan]

14 minutes ago, katherine the great said:

Ahahaha! Do you mean like "boxing" clawing or "get a room!" clawing?

like get a room clawing🤢 tee hee!