Foreigner Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 This may seem to be contradictory. We are rather ready to talk about temple blessings. Yet there cannot exist blessing without the curse. (Deut. 27, Deut. 28, Lev. 26) I have heard occasionally people sharing their negative experiences in connection with the temple. But let me share my personal experience at first. This is not effectively negative actually. For people living near the temple and accustomed to the service it may be difficult to understand. When the temple is long away and the trip takes few days, one can afford this once or twice a year and this makes exceptional time. Temptation appears when traveling to distant country so to spend the time more effectively with some visiting, sightseeing etc. by the way. Not only temple ordinances but also having a good time before or after. Then various things happened to arrange very badly. Something beyond natural way. Details are not important here but the question arising: What is the reason behind? (This question is important for whole the topic.) After reflection I could find a reason. My sad experience had some positive results. One of these was an instruction (not only for me): When going to the temple prepare for it and focus on it solely, since leaving home until returning home. There is a strange fragment in Moses 7:48-49 where the earth is treated like a living creature. I had a thought that the temple may be considered in a similar way. Looking aside, one can notice that Israel was heavily instructed through the temple, many perished because of it, they could smell real curse. (Lev. 10, Num. 16, Num. 17, 1 Sam. 5, 2 Sam. 6) In fact the final exile to Babylon is directly connected with profanation of the temple. These reflections serve as introduction to the topic. I would like to hear any experiences of others.
Tacenda Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Having trouble typing using my cell since the board change so this will be short. And this isn't really all that exciting. My mom and my sister and I went to the temple to do initiatory work. We thought it would be easier for mom since she had signs of dementia. When we arrived I found that I had forgotten my temple recommend. So I had to wait in the waiting room. I definitely had things on my mind not focusing on the temple, but more perhaps on thinking it was the last time going there with my mom. So pretty devastated, but she had a good experience thankfully!
Garden Girl Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Hello Foreigner... I'm unsure of what you mean by there being a "curse." I was an ordinance worker in the Portland, OR temple for six years.... and I loved it the more and longer I served. I cannot tell you the many times, particularly in the Initiatory, that the Spirit was so strong, and I've wept with many a sister as they completed work for their ancestors and felt the thinness of the veil. Many times when between assignments, I'd find myself alone walking down a hallway to my next assignment and, again, the Spirit was wonderfully close that I felt such peace... complete peace... I personally don't know of anyone who has had a negative experience... GG 3
Jeanne Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 7 hours ago, Tacenda said: Having trouble typing using my cell since the board change so this will be short. And this isn't really all that exciting. My mom and my sister and I went to the temple to do initiatory work. We thought it would be easier for mom since she had signs of dementia. When we arrived I found that I had forgotten my temple recommend. So I had to wait in the waiting room. I definitely had things on my mind not focusing on the temple, but more perhaps on thinking it was the last time going there with my mom. So pretty devastated, but she had a good experience thankfully! Sorry that it happened that way, Sharing things with Mom are so special..and so are you. 1
Jeanne Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 18 minutes ago, Garden Girl said: Hello Foreigner... I'm unsure of what you mean by there being a "curse." I was an ordinance worker in the Portland, OR temple for six years.... and I loved it the more and longer I served. I cannot tell you the many times, particularly in the Initiatory, that the Spirit was so strong, and I've wept with many a sister as they completed work for their ancestors and felt the thinness of the veil. Many times when between assignments, I'd find myself alone walking down a hallway to my next assignment and, again, the Spirit was wonderfully close that I felt such peace... complete peace... I personally don't know of anyone who has had a negative experience... GG My sister-in-law has these kinds of experiences and in earlier discussion with my husband's family, not all of them do. Happy that you find such peace.
BlueDreams Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 (edited) 1 hour ago, Garden Girl said: Hello Foreigner... I'm unsure of what you mean by there being a "curse." I was an ordinance worker in the Portland, OR temple for six years.... and I loved it the more and longer I served. I cannot tell you the many times, particularly in the Initiatory, that the Spirit was so strong, and I've wept with many a sister as they completed work for their ancestors and felt the thinness of the veil. Many times when between assignments, I'd find myself alone walking down a hallway to my next assignment and, again, the Spirit was wonderfully close that I felt such peace... complete peace... I personally don't know of anyone who has had a negative experience... GG I'm not completely sure if I follow the OP either. But I think I could say that I've had 2 semi-"curse" like experiences in the temple. Once was when I got a prompting I didn't like in the temple. I prayed and stated that I was "pulling a Jonah," because I was sincerely not interested in listening to this as a direction for my life. I got a week and I was back in the Temple and was miserable (like you, I'm never really miserable in the temple...it's a place of peace and love). I knew it was because I was deliberately going against God. So I found a quite sealing room and repented....peace was then restored. The other was semi-related to this incident, but was equally short lived. With luv, BD Edited December 17, 2015 by BlueDreams 1
theplains Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 According to the July 2015 Ensign magazine, "God's Plan for Families", one is in a state of being cursed if you never marry or have a family. I suspect there is also a curse on those who don't follow what some have said is God's plan for us ... a temple marriage. "Satan proposes alternative lifestyles that are rooted in sinfulness and selfishness. He is cursed to never marry or have a family, and he entices us to live like him instead of like our Heavenly Father. He lies to us, telling us that marriage and family are an inconvenience and a bondage. He promises us that we will find greater joy and fulfillment in some other way or through some other arrangement. He tempts us not to marry and, if we do marry, to not have children." Thanks, Jim
VideoGameJunkie Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 5 hours ago, theplains said: According to the July 2015 Ensign magazine, "God's Plan for Families", one is in a state of being cursed if you never marry or have a family. I suspect there is also a curse on those who don't follow what some have said is God's plan for us ... a temple marriage. "Satan proposes alternative lifestyles that are rooted in sinfulness and selfishness. He is cursed to never marry or have a family, and he entices us to live like him instead of like our Heavenly Father. He lies to us, telling us that marriage and family are an inconvenience and a bondage. He promises us that we will find greater joy and fulfillment in some other way or through some other arrangement. He tempts us not to marry and, if we do marry, to not have children." Thanks, Jim But what about those with bad luck who haven't been able to find an eternal companion or have children yet? Are they cursed due to not being able to marry and have a family? Same with those who are sterile or have fertility issues and can't have children.
hagoth7 Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 2 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said: But what about those with bad luck who haven't been able to find an eternal companion or have children yet? Are they cursed due to not being able to marry and have a family? Same with those who are sterile or have fertility issues and can't have children. As to the latter issue, there are a number of options, including adapt and/or adopt. You underestimate how broadly one can choose to extend the concept of family. That very issue has been addressed in conference.
telnetd Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 9 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said: But what about those with bad luck who haven't been able to find an eternal companion or have children yet? Are they cursed due to not being able to marry and have a family? Same with those who are sterile or have fertility issues and can't have children. That's not the context of the Ensign article. Gail
KevinG Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 Fortunately the Mormons believe in the atonement and restoration of blessings lost to us through no fault of our own (and even those lost to our faults). In that context any discussion of the ideals of marriage, family, love, finances, gardening, and pet care will result in the realization of a fullness of blessings and becoming joint heirs with Christ in the resurrection. There is that pesky obedience thing however- and no willful rejection of those blessings without repentance.
theplains Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 On 18/12/2015 at 9:51 AM, telnetd said: That's not the context of the Ensign article. Gail Correct. Ensign is speaking to those who have the ability/opportunity but fail to obey. Jim
Tacenda Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 http://www.moroni10.com/mormon_history/logan-temple-devil.html Does anyone know if this story has been verified?
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