Publishing The Temple Ceremony

[Bernard Gui]

The temple ceremony is published on various anti-Mormon websites. IMO, this is among the

most egregious expressions of hatred against Mormons, because the contents of the temple

ceremony are among the most privately sacred LDS beliefs. Some of the most bitter anti-Mormons use

public desecration of the sacred temple garments to mock, ridicule, or draw attention to

LDS beliefs. For the same reasons, anti-Mormons publish the LDS temple ceremony. Some

accompany this despicable act with a disclaimer, such as the following on one well-known anti-Mormon

website:

A note to the reader: Practicing members of the LDS Church regard the temple ceremonies, including the text of the endowment ceremony, as sacred and not to be divulged to the world or discussed with others. They take an oath not to make this information public. Former temple-going members who have left the LDS Church, on the other hand, often view their oath as invalid or non-binding. Although we do not regard the LDS temple ceremonies as sacred and do not agree with the idea of keeping sacred things secret, we understand and acknowledge that some Mormons may be offended by the publication of details concerning LDS temple ceremonies. It is definitely not our intention to mock Mormons or their practices; our intention is simply to make information available to those who are looking for it. We encourage readers to be circumspect about bringing up these things when engaged in discussion with practicing Mormons.

Notice the reference to the oath Mormons make not to make this information public. Also notice that only

"some Mormons may be offended," implying that most won't.

So, if Mormons take an oath not to make the information public, how do these websites obtain copies of

the ceremony?

The same website describes the most common method: a "Mormon" makes an audio tape of the ceremony

and transcribes it or gives it to the anti-Mormon ministry for transcription and publication.

The following is a transcription of the new 1990 version of the Mormon temple “endowment ceremony." As we explained in the Preface, it was transcribed by a man from a tape recording made in a Mormon temple by a member of the LDS Church in July, 1990. We have carefully compared the transcript with a copy of the tape and have made some minor corrections in the text. Our research has verified that the transcript is an accurate copy of the tape...

The man who made the transcript informed us that he checked with the Mormon who made the tape recording and was told that this wording, [deleted to avoid sacred text], is exactly the same as it was before the Mormon leaders changes the temple ceremony in 1990.

So, a member of the LDS Church made the tape recording. How did this member gain entrance to the temple?

1. He petitioned his bishop and stake president for a temple recommend.

2. In private interviews, he:

affirmed his loyalty and faithfulness to God, the Church, and its leaders

affirmed his honesty in all his dealings

affirmed that he has no allegiance or dealings with individuals or organizations that oppose the LDS church

3. He signed this recommend in the presence of these priesthood leaders, and by signing it he affirmed that

he was worthy in every way to enter the temple

4. He presented it to the attendant at the door of the temple, who accepted it as a bona fide document used in

good faith to be allowed entrance.

5. He viewed the sign at the entrance desk that instructed members to leave electronic devices in their lockers

6. He swore in the ceremony that he would not divulge the sacred elements of the ceremony

This member violated all 6 of the above requirements to obtain the temple ceremony recording. There are also

a number of anti-Mormon websites that detail stealing or borrowing recommends to deceitfully gain entrance

into the temple in order to record the ceremony.

This recording is then passed along until it is published in a book or on a website.

Those who publish the ceremony defend their deceit by claiming they are just a) informing the public, b) providing

information for investigators of the church, or c) exposing the wickedness of Mormonism. The above disclaimer

states that Mormons who have left the church feel no obligation to keep their knowledge private.

The questions:

Do the reasons a, b, and c justify the string of deceptions by which the copy was obtained?

If you are a non-Mormon recipient and publisher of the temple ceremony, would you personally

steal or borrow a recommend in order to get into the temple, or would you pay money to someone

to do it for you, or would you pay money to someone who offered it to you?

If a Mormon has left the Church and no longer keeps his oath, how could a "Mormon" record the

ceremony and pass it on? A Mormon who has left the church no longer has a temple recommend,

cannot enter the temple, and would have no means to record the ceremony except deceitfulness.

Is this claim a prevarication?

Bernard

Edited January 15, 2012 by Bernard Gui

[Duncan]

I have no idea for sure but I assume someone smuggled in a recording device. A true but sad story. In our stake about 15 or so years ago their was this women in our stake who let's just say was (not to judge) but a few Bradys short of a bunch. Anyway she did something bad, got excommunicated and went away from here. End of story right? Well apparently not. She left our neck of the Canadian woods and apparently moved to Utah. She somehow got involved with Ed Decker and his group. Someone there told her to re-join the Church, get a recommend and get the Temple ceremony. She re-joined but I think she was unsuccesful in getting the ceremony. Anyways some time later she came back here and gave some lectures of sorts about the Church. One of the attendees was our Stake Pres. who was involved in her excommunication and she attempted to argue with him about Church history. Little did she know but he has a PH.D. in History in Mormon studies and now, teaches at a Church school and is well respected. This lecture series came to an abrupt end and I never heard from her again.

[Bernard Gui]

I have no idea for sure but I assume someone smuggled in a recording device. A true but sad story. In our stake about 15 or so years ago their was this women in our stake who let's just say was (not to judge) but a few Bradys short of a bunch. Anyway she did something bad, got excommunicated and went away from here. End of story right? Well apparently not. She left our neck of the Canadian woods and apparently moved to Utah. She somehow got involved with Ed Decker and his group. Someone there told her to re-join the Church, get a recommend and get the Temple ceremony. She re-joined but I think she was unsuccesful in getting the ceremony. Anyways some time later she came back here and gave some lectures of sorts about the Church. One of the attendees was our Stake Pres. who was involved in her excommunication and she attempted to argue with him about Church history. Little did she know but he has a PH.D. in History in Mormon studies and now, teaches at a Church school and is well respected. This lecture series came to an abrupt end and I never heard from her again.

but a few Bradys short of a bunch. Harhar! Does not having enough beans for a full burrito excuse the duplicity?

Bernard

[Duncan]

but a few Bradys short of a bunch. Harhar! Does not having enough beans for a full burrito excuse the duplicity?

Bernard

well, I could've said she wasn't the sharpest marble around but this coming from a guy who safe to say is rowing a boat with only one oar...!

[GingerRed]

I find this truly appalling! And only the most devil-driven would publish it out in the internet!

I also hate the You Tube videos I've seen, with people showing the Temple clothes and how they are worn and demonstrating the signs and symbols! Unbelievable! Mockery at its finest!!

So technically speaking...there really is no 'secret' to our temple ceremonies anymore, its all over the internet! Has been for years! So anyone who still claims what we do is so 'secret'...it ain't no more! Anyone on the planet can look it up.

Sad

[Duncan]

heard a rumour too, that it was on the Tele at one point. How it got there, what station broadcasted it I dunno

Edited January 15, 2012 by Duncan

[katherine the great]

I think I figured that there are three type of people who would do such a thing. 1. A sociopath in which case they probably will be judged very leniently since they don't have a conscience. 2. A person who is naturally a trouble maker, never had a testimony and does things like this to make trouble and 3. A person who did once have a testimony but who fell very hard when they lost it and was filled with passive-aggressive anger and did this as a type of revenge. Anyone with an ounce of class would never do something like this that would inflict severe pain on the people who hold it sacred--some of whom they probably care about. It's very badly done.

[Nominee]

but a few Bradys short of a bunch. Harhar! Does not having enough beans for a full burrito excuse the duplicity?

Bernard

Yep, not the sharpest pencil in the box, eh? ha ha!

[David T]

People will do what they choose to do. We view our scriptures as sacred, and they're out in the public. We view our sacrment meetings and baptismal services as sacred, and they're out in the public. Each are discussed and ridiculed in some way. They continue to have sacred and personal meaning for me.

Others discussing it and making fun of it won't stop me from using the Temple experience to reinforce in a powerful way how I can strive to adjust my life to become increasingly more Christ-like.

Our crying and complaining about it is exactly what they want to happen. Why give them the pleasure?

[Nominee]

I feel sorry for the man who posts our ceremonies on the internet in the name of Christianity. He brings shame to Christ with that sort of behavior. I am sure I would not want to be the one answering for that on judgment day. The more anyone understands what it means to be Christlike, the more accountable one becomes. And because I believe heavily in the 11th article of faith I think this bloke will be in some hot trouble. It is clearly a hurtful act and I can't imagine any excuse they use to explain will fly with Heavenly Father. One does not need to be a LDS to know what Jesus would do and would not do.

[Duncan]

I think I figured that there are three type of people who would do such a thing. 1. A sociopath in which case they probably will be judged very leniently since they don't have a conscience. 2. A person who is naturally a trouble maker, never had a testimony and does things like this to make trouble and 3. A person who did once have a testimony but who fell very hard when they lost it and was filled with passive-aggressive anger and did this as a type of revenge. Anyone with an ounce of class would never do something like this that would inflict severe pain on the people who hold it sacred--some of whom they probably care about. It's very badly done.

one thing too, is how could you kife a recording device in? it would be all shakie and wouldn't anyone see you holding this thing and it seems like an extremely risky venture. Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode with Kramer and bootlegging movies and seinfeld and Elaine's dancing! haha!

[Bernard Gui]

People will do what they choose to do. We view our scriptures as sacred, and they're out in the public. We view our sacrment meetings and baptismal services as sacred, and they're out in the public. Each are discussed and ridiculed in some way. They continue to have sacred and personal meaning for me.

Others discussing it and making fun of it won't stop me from using the Temple experience to reinforce in a powerful way how I can strive to adjust my life to become increasingly more Christ-like.

Our crying and complaining about it is exactly what they want to happen. Why give them the pleasure?

Didn't think I was crying and complaining. How about calling them to account for their deceit?

Bernard

[Bernard Gui]

one thing too, is how could you kife a recording device in? it would be all shakie and wouldn't anyone see you holding this thing and it seems like an extremely risky venture. Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode with Kramer and bootlegging movies and seinfeld and Elaine's dancing! haha!

Easily done. Espionage for Jesus.

Bernard

[katherine the great]

one thing too, is how could you kife a recording device in? it would be all shakie and wouldn't anyone see you holding this thing and it seems like an extremely risky venture. Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode with Kramer and bootlegging movies and seinfeld and Elaine's dancing! haha!

There are all kinds of cool little surveillance gadgets out there--small recorders and cameras. I assume they used something like that.

[Duncan]

There are all kinds of cool little surveillance gadgets out there--small recorders and cameras. I assume they used something like that.

I suppose, but you have to fit your critieria to do it though, a tech savvy nutcase!

[Nominee]

I suppose, but you have to fit your critieria to do it though, a tech savvy nutcase!

Genuinely frightening when you think about it, huh?

[thesometimesaint]

They shall have their reward. But the most important thing to me is to live up to the promises I've made.

[Duncan]

Genuinely frightening when you think about it, huh?

yes and sadly they are out there in the Church I have no doubt

Edited January 15, 2012 by Duncan

[GingerRed]

They shall have their reward. But the most important thing to me is to live up to the promises I've made.

Well said!

[Jeff K.]

People will do what they choose to do. We view our scriptures as sacred, and they're out in the public. We view our sacrment meetings and baptismal services as sacred, and they're out in the public. Each are discussed and ridiculed in some way. They continue to have sacred and personal meaning for me.

Others discussing it and making fun of it won't stop me from using the Temple experience to reinforce in a powerful way how I can strive to adjust my life to become increasingly more Christ-like.

Our crying and complaining about it is exactly what they want to happen. Why give them the pleasure?

Silence is acceptance. We should protest what we feel is most sacred. You seem to confuse deeply held personal sacred things with those sacred items we choose to share with the public. My love for my wife is sacred, I will show it with affection and a kiss in public, our times of intimacy are personal sacred moments which are not for the public.

[Storm Rider]

I find this truly appalling! And only the most devil-driven would publish it out in the internet!

I also hate the You Tube videos I've seen, with people showing the Temple clothes and how they are worn and demonstrating the signs and symbols! Unbelievable! Mockery at its finest!!

So technically speaking...there really is no 'secret' to our temple ceremonies anymore, its all over the internet! Has been for years! So anyone who still claims what we do is so 'secret'...it ain't no more! Anyone on the planet can look it up.

Sad

The accusation that our temple ceremonies and the covenants we make are secret are made by only the most ignorant of individuals. They have been published for a long time now and if anyone wants to know what is said can find them.

As far as putting blame on someone, I feel most disappointed toward those members who deceive those around them, attend the temple, and break their covenenants by sharing the temple ceremonies. I don't really put too much blame on anti-Mormons because they are just serving their master. There is no honor in them nor has there ever been; they deal in lies, half-truths, and sensationalism.

On the other hand, should one come to know the covenants we make I can't see how it creates a problem for the Church or our members. They are the type of covenants that all Christians would make in order to serve God.

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

I love the Temple, and the rituals, and ... everything about it. Love it. But the "secretness" of the Temple has never been what has made it "sacred" to me. As Daniel Peterson suggested in his Mormon Stories interview, I can see ways that in the future we might even bring non-members in to share with important events like marriage. The ceremony has certainly gone through enough revisions in the past that something like that wouldn't be too drastic a change.

In a weird way, I'm actually grateful for the goobs who snuck in tape recorders or whatever. It was anti-Mormon screeds and Temple "exposes" that helped to spark my interest in the Church - I doubt I would've joined if all I knew about the Temple was that it was "secret". So in a way, they're actually helping the Missionary effort - they're just giving free advertising to the very group they think they're fighting against. *grin*

So let people will think what they want to think. Those who want to find something blasphemous are going to do it regardless of how open we are - those of us who find Beauty in it will seek it out regardless of how out-of-context it's been placed. The basic storyline is published for all the world to see in our scriptures anyway.

[ebeddoulos]

If a person steals a precious jewel and then sells it to fence who knows it is stolen property, are not both equally guilty? Is that so different from an individual who illicitly acquires the temple ceremony, and then turns it over to an anti-Mormon webmaster who knows its sacred nature but still publishes it to the world? I find such anti-Mormons who justifies their dishonest behavior contemptable.

Edited January 15, 2012 by ebeddoulos

[Grundelwalken]

They shall have their reward. But the most important thing to me is to live up to the promises I've made.

I believe it was Bro Nibley who said- when asked why keep things secret when it's all out there- he replied, yes but I didn't tell. MW

[thesometimesaint]

grundelwaken:

Nibley is/was my favorite LDS author. He is missed.