New Exceptions For Receiving Temple Endowments

[Garden Girl]

I don't know what to to tell you!, she was led to believe she could be there and so she was there! 

Sounds like this was a case of misunderstanding on the part of the leaders and/or temple personnel... She did what she was led to believe was proper... the problem lies with those in charge... unless there was some mitigating circumstance that allowed a one time change in procedure... 

 

GG

Edited July 10, 2014 by Garden Girl

[Kenngo1969]

There's a balance to be struck here, I think.  If a person is properly prepared, of sufficient spiritual maturity, and otherwise ready to attend the Temple (whatever his chronological age), it can do incalculable good.  However, if a person is not properly prepared, is insufficiently spiritually mature, and/or is not otherwise ready to attend the Temple, it will do him no good (and, in fact, may do him great harm) to take upon himself covenants and obligations which he is neither prepared nor willing to meet.  If those responsible for ensuring that those who do something as simple as partake of the Sacrament do so worthily can bar a person from doing so on the basis that making those covenants if one is not worthy or ready, then surely a similar rationale applies all the more to Temple ordinances and covenants.

[bluebell]

Sounds like this was a case of misunderstanding on the part of the leaders and/or temple personnel... She did what she was led to believe was proper... the problem lies with those in charge... unless there was some mitigating circumstance that allowed a one time change in procedure... 

 

GG

 

That's what i was thinking as well.  This is an issue with the bishop/stake president (and temple president if he was even aware i suppose) and their beliefs about what the girl was allowed to do in that circumstance. It might be that everyone really didn't understand that she wasn't supposed to be there, or they all decided that she was an appropriate exception to the rule.  Whatever it was, she was just doing what she was told was o.k.

[Grundelwalken]

Duncan, the Church is true in Canada only as far as it is translated correctly . . .

 

What happened was against Church policy, but no harm done. It should have been stopped at multiple stages along the way (ward interview, stake interview, temple front desk), but wasn't. It happens, sometimes.

Right here in Zion we had an experience I had not encountered.  A couple were adopting their 2nd (or maybe 3rd) child and the older son (about 10) was allowed to be present at the sealing of the new sibling.  Never witnessed this before but I guess it happens.. MW

[bluebell]

Right here in Zion we had an experience I had not encountered.  A couple were adopting their 2nd (or maybe 3rd) child and the older son (about 10) was allowed to be present at the sealing of the new sibling.  Never witnessed this before but I guess it happens.. MW

 

I got to do the same thing when my adopted sister was sealed to our family when i was in my late teens (would have been in the mid-1990s).  I didn't just witness it though, i participated in the sealing.

 

Is that weird?

[JLHPROF]

Right here in Zion we had an experience I had not encountered.  A couple were adopting their 2nd (or maybe 3rd) child and the older son (about 10) was allowed to be present at the sealing of the new sibling.  Never witnessed this before but I guess it happens.. MW

 

Well, I would suppose if he had been there for his own sealing there would be little reason he couldn't witness a second one...unless he was also a baby.

[Hamba Tuhan]

Right here in Zion we had an experience I had not encountered.  A couple were adopting their 2nd (or maybe 3rd) child and the older son (about 10) was allowed to be present at the sealing of the new sibling.  Never witnessed this before but I guess it happens.. MW

 

The handbook clearly authorises children to witness the sealings of adopted siblings.

[Guest]

In 2005, I went for my endowments. No mission, no marriage. I do miss the temple ceremonies.

I miss them for a different reason, on April 19, 2012, I was working the parking lot at the Atlanta Temple. I was thinking to myself how fitting to be there on the "Day of Atonement" and looking forward to my friend and Stake President who was going to take me through to see the new improvements to the Temple. People longer for hours and I never got to see. A month later my back was broken. I can barely get through a Sacrament meeting without needing to walk and move around due to pain.

So, I have never been back to the Temple since.

[Stargazer]

I don't know what to to tell you!, she was led to believe she could be there and so she was there! 

 

I sure the world won't come to an end because of it!  Neither stands she in condemnation over it.  It probably did her good, all in all.  I have no complaint, Duncan, just pointing out what the policy on the matter is. 

[Calm]

I miss them for a different reason, on April 19, 2012, I was working the parking lot at the Atlanta Temple. I was thinking to myself how fitting to be there on the "Day of Atonement" and looking forward to my friend and Stake President who was going to take me through to see the new improvements to the Temple. People longer for hours and I never got to see. A month later my back was broken. I can barely get through a Sacrament meeting without needing to walk and move around due to pain.

So, I have never been back to the Temple since.

They do make allowances for people who need to move so if you can last by standing up and walking around at the back, you might want to consider this. I asked if I could if I ran into problems and was assured at the time it would not be an issue. Otoh if you have to rest horizontally, that would probably be problematic. Thankfully my meds have always gotten me through just fine. Edited July 11, 2014 by calmoriah

[Garden Girl]

They do make allowances for people who need to move so if you can last by standing up and walking around at the back, you might want to consider this. I asked if I could if I ran into problems and was assured at the time it would not be an issue. Otoh if you have to rest horizontally, that would probably be problematic. Thankfully my meds have always gotten me through just fine.

The ordinance workers/temple presidencies bend over backwards to help a patron have a good temple experience, and to accommodate those with various infirmaties... even missing limbs, etc.  Go in and talk to your temple personnel about your situation and what can be done so you can participate in a session.  Believe me, their goal is to help all those with a temple recommend to be able to partake of the blessing of temple attendance.

 

GG

[Rain]

The handbook clearly authorises children to witness the sealings of adopted siblings.

As long as the children are young enough right? I was at such a sealing. One child was able to attend the sealing, but I was told that the other child, had he been worthy, would not be able to attend because he was older than 18/19 something and not endowed yet.

[Que]

I have had 5 adopted children sealed to my wife and I, performed on 4 separate visits (once it was 2 at a time...). Unendowed siblings (bio kids and other adopted sibs) under the age of 18 were given limited use recommends to attend. An unendowed daughter over 18 was not allowed to attend.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Que

[Guest]

They do make allowances for people who need to move so if you can last by standing up and walking around at the back, you might want to consider this. I asked if I could if I ran into problems and was assured at the time it would not be an issue. Otoh if you have to rest horizontally, that would probably be problematic. Thankfully my meds have always gotten me through just fine.

As,I,understand it, this is what Atlanta went too...a progressive program like Salt Lake. The back and the fact that Mama could never be alone. But she is gone now...so now might be a good time to check it out. I do fear getting there (two hour round trip from where I live) and the session, I have a fear I might not be able to finish. Or I would have to drug myself with my meds...I fear it would harder to feel the Spirit.

[Calm]

The drive itself is always worse than the session for me.

I will admit it is not the same experience with medication...i cannot remember things and must be guided, but there is a peace and separateness in the temple that is very spiritually rejuvenating that makes it easier to bear the physical hardships even if at times I feel all I am absorbing is a sense of peace.

Edited July 11, 2014 by calmoriah

[Hamba Tuhan]

As long as the children are young enough right? I was at such a sealing. One child was able to attend the sealing, but I was told that the other child, had he been worthy, would not be able to attend because he was older than 18/19 something and not endowed yet.

 

It's 21.

[Storm Rider]

The ordinance workers/temple presidencies bend over backwards to help a patron have a good temple experience, and to accommodate those with various infirmaties... even missing limbs, etc.  Go in and talk to your temple personnel about your situation and what can be done so you can participate in a session.  Believe me, their goal is to help all those with a temple recommend to be able to partake of the blessing of temple attendance.

 

GG

 

The lengths temples go to accommodate the needs of each member is extraordinary.  I recall one individual with light sensitivity. Once a month they came to the temple and a session was set aside for them. In preparation all the lights were dimmed for in the dressing room, to the chapel, to the ordinance room, and in the Celestial room, returning to the dressing room and finally in departing from the temple.  This took a great deal of logistical work, but it was done happily and patiently.  

 

Those that used wheel chairs, missing limbs, hearing impairment, or even just a need for an alternative language than English; you name the challenge and it was met with joy.  

 

Anyone with a concern should call the temple and either ask for a member of the Presidency or the temple Matron.  They will quickly be able to assist you and see that your temple service is done in comfort.

[thesometimesaint]

The ordinance workers/temple presidencies bend over backwards to help a patron have a good temple experience, and to accommodate those with various infirmaties... even missing limbs, etc.  Go in and talk to your temple personnel about your situation and what can be done so you can participate in a session.  Believe me, their goal is to help all those with a temple recommend to be able to partake of the blessing of temple attendance.

 

GG

 

Being disabled myself I greatly appreciate the Temple staff helping me along the way.

[Kenngo1969]

As,I,understand it, this is what Atlanta went too...a progressive program like Salt Lake. The back and the fact that Mama could never be alone. But she is gone now...so now might be a good time to check it out. I do fear getting there (two hour round trip from where I live) and the session, I have a fear I might not be able to finish. Or I would have to drug myself with my meds...I fear it would harder to feel the Spirit.

Perhaps you can try doing something that doesn't take quite as much time as an Endowment session, such as sealings, initiatories, or confirmations.  I realize these things aren't quite the same as the Endowment and may lack the same spiritual "charge," but being in the Temple is being in the Temple, in my book.  (And being near it is being near it; I like walking around the grounds, even if time and circumstance don't allow me to go in or to perform any ordinances.)  I heard a rumor awhile back that the powers-that-be at one Temple (it may have been Salt Lake) were allowing patrons to go directly to the Celestial Room without participating in the Endowment session first.

 

There are still ways, Pa Pa.  Don't lose heart.

[mnn727]

do you need to be endowed to witness a sealing? When my older sister was married my younger sister wasn't endowed and she saw witnessed it

Yes, you must be endowed.

[ksfisher]

  I heard a rumor awhile back that the powers-that-be at one Temple (it may have been Salt Lake) were allowing patrons to go directly to the Celestial Room without participating in the Endowment session first.

 

 

 

As long as you are dressed in the appropriate temple clothing his can be done in Salt Lake.  I don't think that it's ever been otherwise. 

 

That being said, I think that going to the temple without participating in any ordinances is kind of like sitting in the chapel without taking the sacrament.  You miss out on much of the purpose.

 

I've always found that temple workers bend over backwards to help patrons with disabilities.  The last time I took my mother (who has MS) she dressed at home and then we took her to the underground entrance at the Salt Lake Temple. 

Edited July 11, 2014 by ksfisher

[Kenngo1969]

As long as you are dressed in the appropriate temple clothing his can be done in Salt Lake.  I don't think that it's ever been otherwise. 

 

That being said, I think that going to the temple without participating in any ordinances is kind of like sitting in the chapel without taking the sacrament.  You miss out on much of the purpose.

I share your preference for actually participating in ordinances, but if time constraints don't allow it; if other circumstances intervene to make it difficult for someone to participate in lengthy ordinances; and/or if, in fact, patrons are allowed to go directly to the Celestial Room if properly dressed, I can see a purpose in that, as well.

 

I've always found that temple workers bend over backwards to help patrons with disabilities.  The last time I took my mother (who has MS) she dressed at home and then we took her to the underground entrance at the Salt Lake Temple. 

 

Very cool.    Thanks for sharing.

Edited July 12, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[Rain]

Perhaps you can try doing something that doesn't take quite as much time as an Endowment session, such as sealings, initiatories, or confirmations. I realize these things aren't quite the same as the Endowment and may lack the same spiritual "charge," but being in the Temple is being in the Temple, in my book. (And being near it is being near it; I like walking around the grounds, even if time and circumstance don't allow me to go in or to perform any ordinances.) I heard a rumor awhile back that the powers-that-be at one Temple (it may have been Salt Lake) were allowing patrons to go directly to the Celestial Room without participating in the Endowment session first.

There are still ways, Pa Pa. Don't lose heart.

Any time I have asked In different temples I have always been able to go to the Celestial room after sealings, not quite what you were saying, but some may like to know.

[GingerRed]

I got my endowments out in 1993 when I was 35. And I was not getting married or going on a mission. My ward made big ta-do about it.  I was living in Reno at the time, and we did not have the temple yet so we had to drive the 4 hrs up to the Oakland Temple. My ward rented a van and took me , my bishopric , a few other ward members and my escort. ( friend Lisa who was endowed not to long before me)  We left at like 5 am! It was very cool having the support of my ward family as I am the only LDS in my own family.  

 

 

Red