Temple Video

[Stargazer]

My favorite spot in the temple is at the veil. For some reason I cannot explain, I love being at the veil. And since I am a veil worker now, I get to spend as much time as I want to there! I would say, yes, shorten the endowment so I can get more veil time! On both sides.

Except the endowment has too much meaning to allow much shortening.

As I understand it, the endowment used to be much much longer, especially in the early days. It is now just right, in my opinion.

My wife's visiting teaching companion went with us to the temple last Saturday, and it was the first time in 24 years she had been in the temple. So i told her to expect a few changes from what she remembered, but nothing too drastic. She was perfectly happy with all the changes, she said.

Edited January 15, 2013 by Stargazer

[MorningStar]

My favorite spot in the temple is at the veil. For some reason I cannot explain, I love being at the veil. And since I am a veil worker now, I get to spend as much time as I want to there! I would say, yes, shorten the endowment so I can get more veil time! On both sides.

Except the endowment has too much meaning to allow much shortening.

As I understand it, the endowment used to be much much longer, especially in the early days. It is now just right, in my opinion.

How often do you get to go? Do you go to Seattle or Portland?

[Tacenda]

Who exactly has you 'move along'? My mum used to work in a temple, and she told me that they were instructed never to ask anyone to leave the Celestial Room, even at closing time. If someone was still there at that point, she was to go get the matron or one of her assistants to handle the situation. Back in October, I stayed in the Celestial Room until it was time to lock up the temple for the night, and this is precisely what happened. When the matron walked in, I knew it was time to leave.

On many, many other occasions -- and in at least a half-dozen temples in two different hemispheres -- I've sat undisturbed for multiple hours in the Celestial Room. So again, who exactly has hurried you along?

Forgive me for being hasty in answering Cal, I've never stayed long enough to find out. I've just heard of it happening to others. Maybe it happens in really busy temples. The temples I've been to, alot of the seats are taken and I'll stand with my husband and usually his family. We usually go for my in laws birthdays. Other than that, I've neglected going enough, to be honest.

[Garden Girl]

At some (one?) temple(s), I understand they'll let patrons go directly into the Celestial Room without going through a session first. Has anybody tried this? What'd you do? How does it work?

Hello Kennego1969...

I'm trying to think of what circumstances someone could go directly to the Celestial Room... if this is so, then I'm not sure... but to me as a former worker, I know that the Celestial Room is specifically the culmination of the Endowment. One time when I first started attending I was running late and so I started to leave rather than go to the Celestial Room and the worker stopped me and explained that I needed to go into the Celestial Room to complete the Endowment.

Unless something has recently changed, you must be in your full temple clothing to enter the CR. It's been just over a year since I've been to the temple, so I'm anxious to go soon.

GG

[Stargazer]

How often do you get to go? Do you go to Seattle or Portland?

Seattle. Over the past year I have been playing hookey, to my cost. Used to be at least once per month, and this year's goal is to get back on track with attendance.

With respect to veil work, we have a monthly assignment, but it is perfectly OK to show up extemporaneously to help out. They almost always need a hand.

We live about an hour's drive from the temple.

[Stargazer]

Hello Kennego1969...

I'm trying to think of what circumstances someone could go directly to the Celestial Room... if this is so, then I'm not sure... but to me as a former worker, I know that the Celestial Room is specifically the culmination of the Endowment. One time when I first started attending I was running late and so I started to leave rather than go to the Celestial Room and the worker stopped me and explained that I needed to go into the Celestial Room to complete the Endowment.

Unless something has recently changed, you must be in your full temple clothing to enter the CR. It's been just over a year since I've been to the temple, so I'm anxious to go soon.

GG

I've never heard of a rule or a policy about temple clothing being required to enter the CR. But then, I've never asked about it, either. In this respect, nothing stops you from donning temple robes in the locker room and going directly to the CR from there. It is not a requirement to go through a session in order to wear them. If you've ever served in a sealing team, then you know that's how it's done: don the robes and go to the sealing rooms. If you move about as if you have a perfect right to be where you are, then nobody will question you. Although there are places in the temple where only certain people are permitted. And these places are usually kept locked, so no worry on that score.

[canard78]

I assisted him with confirmations in the temple baptistery one afternoon.

Awesome. I'm glad he's been able to 'get on with life'

I've had lunch with the guy who plays Judas in the latest New Testament videos. He was a professional actor so was happy with it being just another job.

[Alan]

Joining this late.

First of all, the blonde Eve is by far the better.... er...... actress.

I would also say the "blonde Eve" film is better in terms of filming technique. The current (brunette) film has a major mistake in it which irks me every time. In one shot you can clearly see vegetation proir to it being created. There is also clearly evidence of life in the sea before it was created, though not so obvious to the untrained eye.

I heard the film was pulled (pulled in the Preston temple about a year ago) because one of the actors wanted to be paid royalties every time it was shown. I'm not sure that I believe that as I'm sure the church would have had all the actors sign something at the outset.

The gay thing? I'm not sure why the church would pull the film for that. But there may be more to it.

[Hamba Tuhan]

I've never stayed long enough to find out. I've just heard of it happening to others. Maybe it happens in really busy temples.

I'm afraid you may have picked up a bit of apostate folklore from somewhere. I remember reading a thread on an ex-Mormon forum sometime during the past year, and the participants there all agreed that it had never happened to them, but they had definitely heard of it happening to others. I took a folklore class as an undergrad, and this perfectly fits the description.

[Hamba Tuhan]

I'm trying to think of what circumstances someone could go directly to the Celestial Room.

After completing any other ordinance work. I can remember reading about this in the training handbook when I was working in a temple in America, though I don't remember the details. In addition, when I went to the temple the weekend before Christmas, a couple I home-teach were in the Celestial Room whilst I was in there. They'd arrived too late for the endowment session, so they'd done sealings instead, and after the sealing session, they'd been invited to visit the Celestial Room.

Unless something has recently changed, you must be in your full temple clothing to enter the CR. It's been just over a year since I've been to the temple, so I'm anxious to go soon

I've never heard of a rule or a policy about temple clothing being required to enter the CR.

I could be wrong, but I think it's possible one just has to be in white.

[Hamba Tuhan]

Except the endowment has too much meaning to allow much shortening.

As it is, I continually find myself a bit stunned at how quickly it all comes to an end each time.

[sheilauk]

That's probably why I'd like more time, a chance to be in there without the crowd. Do not go enough to have experienced it alone or with very few. Usually have gone on the weekends.

Forgive me for being hasty in answering Cal, I've never stayed long enough to find out. I've just heard of it happening to others. Maybe it happens in really busy temples. The temples I've been to, alot of the seats are taken and I'll stand with my husband and usually his family. We usually go for my in laws birthdays. Other than that, I've neglected going enough, to be honest.

I'm afraid you may have picked up a bit of apostate folklore from somewhere. I remember reading a thread on an ex-Mormon forum sometime during the past year, and the participants there all agreed that it had never happened to them, but they had definitely heard of it happening to others. I took a folklore class as an undergrad, and this perfectly fits the description.

I think Hamba Tuhan is correct, that its folklore. In my experience (at only three temples and possibly I've only been at quieter times), I've found that no one has asked me to leave and I've been able to stay as long as I wanted, which on a couple of occasions has been a very long time and I've been the only patron left in the room with the temple worker, who sat some distance from me, very patiently and didn't make me feel under any pressure to leave. When I was ready, i apologised to her for keeping her, she said there was no need and chatted with me and then showed me around the sealing rooms! I've only ever been told that you can take as long as you want in the Celestial Room. I think, if there are no seats, then you just need to wait until someone leaves, sit down and stay til you are ready to go - hopefully, those with you will be understanding and will wait for you, in the Celestial room or outside the changing rooms.

[Garden Girl]

I've never heard of a rule or a policy about temple clothing being required to enter the CR. But then, I've never asked about it, either. In this respect, nothing stops you from donning temple robes in the locker room and going directly to the CR from there. It is not a requirement to go through a session in order to wear them. If you've ever served in a sealing team, then you know that's how it's done: don the robes and go to the sealing rooms. If you move about as if you have a perfect right to be where you are, then nobody will question you. Although there are places in the temple where only certain people are permitted. And these places are usually kept locked, so no worry on that score.

Hello Stargaazer...

Oh yes, you're right... I can see that now. I guess that it's when you do go through a session that you must go to the CR to complete the session.

I'm pretty certain you have to be in full temple clothing in the CR... any current workers here to clarify that?

GG

[Tacenda]

It'd be nice to have a place of just prayer and meditation in the temple! Kneeling would feel appropiate, but definitely not acceptable.

[sheilauk]

It'd be nice to have a place of just prayer and meditation in the temple! Kneeling would feel appropiate, but definitely not acceptable.

There are the chapels - the one used before an endowment session and the one near the Baptistry - you can go in those at any time and I imagine that they are often empty between the start of the sessions, even in busy temples. I find them peaceful places where i can sit and think (or pray and/or meditate). One of the most powerful witnesses I've had was while sitting alone in a chapel in the temple. I don't think anyone would say anything if you chose to kneel, if anyone saw you. I know we don't generally kneel in chapel or the Temple, but a lot of people I know kneel in prayer in their home and I've knelt for prayers prior to meetings (eg of YW presidency) so I don't think kneeling is unacceptable.

[BlueDreams]

Forgive me for being hasty in answering Cal, I've never stayed long enough to find out. I've just heard of it happening to others. Maybe it happens in really busy temples. The temples I've been to, alot of the seats are taken and I'll stand with my husband and usually his family. We usually go for my in laws birthdays. Other than that, I've neglected going enough, to be honest.

I've never seen it happen and work at a busy temple. The workers in the celestial room are there only to make sure that it doesn't get too noisy and that certain rules are followed. They're also told to work to not disturb patrons and be as congenial as possible. The length of time spent there isn't one of the rules we're asked to abide. Of course, I could see a temple worker wondering if they may need help for, example, if the person was praying for an hour, eyes closed. And kneeling is generally not appropriate in certain areas, like the celestial room (that is one of the rule you watch out for).

I think for most it deals more with unspoken social pressure than anything else. They assume when the number starts to dwindle, or new people begin to come in that it's their turn to skedaddle. It's not so.

i'm a big loner when I'm seeking the spirit myself. Here's some secrets I found, at least in the provo temple. Go super early. I mean before they even start initiatories early, when they're opening the baptistry. I went with my roommates a couple of times when they did baptisms and went to do initiatories when i figured this out. They let you in and tell you that they'll start as soon as workers are out. It's cool, because you feel like the temple is all yours. There's not even that many workers around since they're in their meeting.

Find nooks and crannies. On the two upper floors there are benches and chairs that go all around the perimeter. You can usually find a quiet one to sit on and ponder and pray. plus if you go for the right windows at the right time you can take a peak and see the most beautiful view of the sun setting over UT lake. Generally, especially for larger temples, you'd be surprised where they'll put a bench and there's always a few that very few people are aware of or sit on.

From what you've mentioned, it sounds like you go in the middle of the day on a weekend. That is the WORST time to go if you want few people. Mornings or late evenings are the best, by far.

Just some random suggestions.

With luv,

BD

Edited January 15, 2013 by BlueDreams

[ERMD]

Hello Stargaazer...

Oh yes, you're right... I can see that now. I guess that it's when you do go through a session that you must go to the CR to complete the session.

I'm pretty certain you have to be in full temple clothing in the CR... any current workers here to clarify that?

GG

Being in all white is all that is required. After being with the youth in my ward to perform baptisms and confirmations, I have gone into the Celestial Room in my whites.

[Kenngo1969]

As it is, I continually find myself a bit stunned at how quickly it all comes to an end each time.

And I say to myself, "Dang, now I have to go back out into the 'real world' soon, that place where things are harder and more hectic and less peaceful ..."

[Hamba Tuhan]

And I say to myself, "Dang, now I have to go back out into the 'real world' soon, that place where things are harder and more hectic and less peaceful ..."

Exactly! I remember that feeling especially acutely from the day of my endowment. I was sitting in the Celestial Room with my parents, and my mum asked, 'Do you want to do that again?'

'You mean right now?' She nodded. 'Yes!' And that still wasn't enough, and we still had to leave. I thought I was fine with that clear up until we arrived in the foyer, and I could see out through the glass of the front doors to the car park and the world beyond. We stopped. I said I didn't want to go back out there, but of course, as the endowment itself teaches us, we have to.

I had the privilege back in May of accompanying one of my former Young Men to the temple as his escort. I was not surprised when we got to the front doors and he said, 'I don't want to go back out there'. I feel that same way every single time.

One of the women I got to teach as a missionary rang me up after her endowment to discuss the experience. She compared it to a 'taste spoon' at Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. (They give out free bites of ice cream in case a potential buyer wants to test a flavour.) She said she felt like she'd had a little bite of heaven on the end of a spoon, but it sure wasn't enough, and she was determined to buy the entire carton.

[Duncan]

Exactly! I remember that feeling especially acutely from the day of my endowment. I was sitting in the Celestial Room with my parents, and my mum asked, 'Do you want to do that again?'

'You mean right now?' She nodded. 'Yes!' And that still wasn't enough, and we still had to leave. I thought I was fine with that clear up until we arrived in the foyer, and I could see out through the glass of the front doors to the car park and the world beyond. We stopped. I said I didn't want to go back out there, but of course, as the endowment itself teaches us, we have to.

I had the privilege back in May of accompanying one of my former Young Men to the temple as his escort. I was not surprised when we got to the front doors and he said, 'I don't want to go back out there'. I feel that same way every single time.

One of the women I got to teach as a missionary rang me up after her endowment to discuss the experience. She compared it to a 'taste spoon' at Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. (They give out free bites of ice cream in case a potential buyer wants to test a flavour.) She said she felt like she'd had a little bite of heaven on the end of a spoon, but it sure wasn't enough, and she was determined to buy the entire carton.

To Kenngo1969 and Hamba Tuhan-Read Elder John H. Groberg's new book about the Temple where he talks about reality and the Temple. He also gave a talk at BYUI that catches a glimpse of what he talks about there

http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/MiscellaneousAddresses/2006_10_15_Groberg.htm

[Kenngo1969]

Exactly! I remember that feeling especially acutely from the day of my endowment. I was sitting in the Celestial Room with my parents, and my mum asked, 'Do you want to do that again?'

'You mean right now?' She nodded. 'Yes!' And that still wasn't enough, and we still had to leave. I thought I was fine with that clear up until we arrived in the foyer, and I could see out through the glass of the front doors to the car park and the world beyond. We stopped. I said I didn't want to go back out there, but of course, as the endowment itself teaches us, we have to.

I suppose part of the trick is learning, even if only in small ways, to take that spirit out with us into the world. I think it's part of what people see when they say we're "different," even if we can't necessarily see it ourselves. (And no, I'm not setting myself up as any kind of example in that regard. I have a long way to go! )

I had the privilege back in May of accompanying one of my former Young Men to the temple as his escort. I was not surprised when we got to the front doors and he said, 'I don't want to go back out there'. I feel that same way every single time.

I do, as well.

One of the women I got to teach as a missionary rang me up after her endowment to discuss the experience. She compared it to a 'taste spoon' at Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. (They give out free bites of ice cream in case a potential buyer wants to test a flavour.) She said she felt like she'd had a little bite of heaven on the end of a spoon, but it sure wasn't enough, and she was determined to buy the entire carton.

Makes one understand more why Sister Eliza R. Snow wrote of feeling as though she's "a stranger here" who has "wandered from a more exalted sphere." We're not essentially mortal beings here to have occasional spiritual experiences; we're essentially spiritual beings here to have a mortal experience. The temple satisfies my Longing for Home (not enough, but it'll have to do for now).

[Hamba Tuhan]

To Kenngo1969 and Hamba Tuhan-Read Elder John H. Groberg's new book about the Temple where he talks about reality and the Temple. He also gave a talk at BYUI that catches a glimpse of what he talks about there.

Thanks for the link! I was actually thinking many of these same thoughts earlier today:

'I have learned that the temple is the real world because what we learn and do there lasts forever. It is the world we go out into that is unreal because it doesn’t last forever'.

'If we go to the temple only to escape from the world or from our problems, we will not receive the full benefit of the temple. If we go to the temple to prepare to meet our challenges in the world with equanimity and faith, we will receive more of the intended blessings'.

[Duncan]

Thanks for the link! I was actually thinking many of these same thoughts earlier today:

'I have learned that the temple is the real world because what we learn and do there lasts forever. It is the world we go out into that is unreal because it doesn’t last forever'.

'If we go to the temple only to escape from the world or from our problems, we will not receive the full benefit of the temple. If we go to the temple to prepare to meet our challenges in the world with equanimity and faith, we will receive more of the intended blessings'.

no charge!

[Hamba Tuhan]

I suppose part of the trick is learning, even if only in small ways, to take that spirit out with us into the world.

Absolutely! In fact, if one reads Elder Groberg's talk, that's precisely why the temple exists and the most beneficial way to approach it. My personal testimony of this began as a child. My parents rarely made it to the temple because it was far away and very expensive for them, but, when they did and then came back, they came home as much-improved versions of themselves: more loving, more patient, more kind, more gentle. I can remember wishing that they could visit more often!

The temple satisfies my Longing for Home (not enough, but it'll have to do for now).

It's funny you should say that. I remember walking into the temple proper for the first time and saying to myself -- despite everything that was new and different -- 'I'm home!' And that's precisely how I felt.

[Tacenda]

Absolutely! In fact, if one reads Elder Groberg's talk, that's precisely why the temple exists and the most beneficial way to approach it. My personal testimony of this began as a child. My parents rarely made it to the temple because it was far away and very expensive for them, but, when they did and then came back, they came home as much-improved versions of themselves: more loving, more patient, more kind, more gentle. I can remember wishing that they could visit more often!

It's funny you should say that. I remember walking into the temple proper for the first time and saying to myself -- despite everything that was new and different -- 'I'm home!' And that's precisely how I felt.

This is beautiful, thank you.