The temple as a technology - what are its effects?

[oats]

The original question was far far different in some ways but one thought led to another and, well, to this.

 

If technologies extend our capacities and expand our reach in some manner, what expansions of our faculties are facilitated by the temple and its accompanying practices? What/how does the temple, if looked at as a technology, expand our reach, or increase our ability to control our environment? Or how does the environment created by temple culture affect our thoughts and our behaviour and how do those, in turn, change our environment? I guess this could be looked at on an individual level and a collective level.

 

I am interested to see vein of thoughts and exploration this can trigger from others. Advance thanks for any input.

 

 

[oats]

One thought that comes to mind is what are the effects of performing physical ordinances on behalf of our ancestors? 

Religious practices and rituals practiced in churches seem to somewhat effectively pass down morals and lessons as well as sentimental attachment and appreciation for ancestors. However I have a hard time separating my normal Sunday worship experience from my temple experience. They are too intertwined for me to recognize what the temple adds to my sense of responsibility and connection to my ancestors, family, and future progeny. Has physically performing ordinances to connect family - past, present, and future - changed me and the way I act? Would it be different if I did not perform ordinances and merely maintained a mental/intellectual/sentimental appreciation of such things?

 

It would be good to get some perspective from people who have lived significant portions of their lives with and without temple worship.

Edited January 6, 2016 by oats

[Meadowchik]

To start:

The dressing in white in the temple helps to remove many of the random communications made by dress.  Being similarly attired helps to foster a sense of commonality.  The entrance requirements, the grounds, the surroundings including the architecture, carpets, paint, woodwork, paintings, hushed atmosphere, they create an atmosphere where we recognise the temple as a place apart.  In the temple, were creating a mental, social, and spiritual place that is supposed to be elevated in all 3 regards, personally and collectively.

[CV75]

18 minutes ago, oats said:

The original question was far far different in some ways but one thought led to another and, well, to this.

If technologies extend our capacities and expand our reach in some manner, what expansions of our faculties are facilitated by the temple and its accompanying practices? What/how does the temple, if looked at as a technology, expand our reach, or increase our ability to control our environment? Or how does the environment created by temple culture affect our thoughts and our behaviour and how do those, in turn, change our environment? I guess this could be looked at on an individual level and a collective level.

I am interested to see vein of thoughts and exploration this can trigger from others. Advance thanks for any input.

 

The temple (meaning the structure and practices) could be viewed as a “technology” in that it is the application of spiritual knowledge for practical purposes. Both the application and spiritual knowledge are available only through the keys of the priesthood given to the Lord’s servants on the earth. From there, we receive our own endowment to apply in our personal lives and associations with others. The practical purpose is “exalted life.” As realized in this world, that means the greatest joy under the present circumstances, and in the next life that means a fullness of joy in the highest kingdom of glory.

[CV75]

7 minutes ago, oats said:

Has physically performing ordinances to connect family - past, present, and future - changed me and the way I act?

I think every physical performance, both holy and profane, changes us and the way we act. For example, we would not act the same without baptism and the laying on of hands. I would not feel the same same (as if I had always been sealed to them) and therefore approach life with a greater degree of confidence in the Lord's promises had I not been sealed to my parents in the temple (one living and who had joined the Church some 30 years after me, and one by proxy).

[oats]

Something else that comes to mind thinking about the temple in this manner:

If technology allows us to project greater influence, or to extend our natural faculties in some manner, then what does temple worship increase our capacity to do?

Initially I wonder if it could extend our influence and reach over the direction, motivations and goals of future generations. Does the temple increase our individual capacity to do that?

[oats]

34 minutes ago, Meadowchik said:

To start:

The dressing in white in the temple helps to remove many of the random communications made by dress.  Being similarly attired helps to foster a sense of commonality.  The entrance requirements, the grounds, the surroundings including the architecture, carpets, paint, woodwork, paintings, hushed atmosphere, they create an atmosphere where we recognise the temple as a place apart.  In the temple, were creating a mental, social, and spiritual place that is supposed to be elevated in all 3 regards, personally and collectively.

Do you find the temple helps to foster a communal sense that is carried outside the temple? In what ways do you find this manifested? I guess that is a difficult question and could provoke some anecdotal answers. I wonder if there is anything common among Mormons as a whole that can be attributed to the temple covenants and  dress. Maybe I am looking too specifically here but we all notice different things to different degrees, so I don't feel like I will come out empty handed

 

I think every physical performance, both holy and profane, changes us and the way we act. For example, we would not act the same without baptism and the laying on of hands. I would not feel the same same (as if I had always been sealed to them) and therefore approach life with a greater degree of confidence in the Lord's promises had I not been sealed to my parents in the temple (one living and who had joined the Church some 30 years after me, and one by proxy).

I certainly feel this way about physical ordinances which I perform. I am not sure if there is an exact recipe for making sure that ordinances connect to our minds and hearts but I get the impression it helps a great deal.

Edited January 6, 2016 by oats

[CV75]

1 hour ago, oats said:

Do you find the temple helps to foster a communal sense that is carried outside the temple? In what ways do you find this manifested? I guess that is a difficult question and could provoke some anecdotal answers. I wonder if there is anything common among Mormons as a whole that can be attributed to the temple covenants and  dress. Maybe I am looking too specifically here but we all notice different things to different degrees, so I don't feel like I will come out empty handed

I certainly feel this way about physical ordinances which I perform. I am not sure if there is an exact recipe for making sure that ordinances connect to our minds and hearts but I get the impression it helps a great deal.

As with any technology, it needs to be used well to work well. It think a "recipe" is to become as little children to use any spiritual technology well. The ingredients for the recipe include our spirit, our body and all that the Lord has availed to us through His Atonement, and the steps to follow are entailed in the doctrine of Christ.

I've heard it taught that the dead for whom we have labored in the temple, having chosen redemption, join the heavenly hosts to watch over and assist us in this world.

The one thing I think all LDS have in common by virtue of having the same covenant and temple practice, despite how well they go about honoring them, is the opportunity to be judged according to having received and lived those standards in the flesh. We can enjoy some of the fruits now, in the mortal world and into the spirit paradise. This is a little different than the opportunity to "be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit," but the end result for all God's children is the same.

1 hour ago, oats said:

Something else that comes to mind thinking about the temple in this manner:

If technology allows us to project greater influence, or to extend our natural faculties in some manner, then what does temple worship increase our capacity to do?

Initially I wonder if it could extend our influence and reach over the direction, motivations and goals of future generations. Does the temple increase our individual capacity to do that?

I think our proper use of the temple certainly enhances both our natural and spiritual capacities, by virtue of Christ's grace, to influence others so as to bring them unto Christ. Because the temple is where the mysteries of godliness are revealed, it offers unique capacities not available from any other source or through any other means.

[rayhale]

I don't know if this counts as temples being technology, but I've heard that there are legends that the Hebrew language was given by God to priests in the temple. I've also heard theory's that Adam was not the very first human being, but was, at least, the first person 'out of the jungle', the reason stated is that he wanted to build a temple of God. In doing so it started the story of the human race.

[Tacenda]

3 hours ago, oats said:

One thought that comes to mind is what are the effects of performing physical ordinances on behalf of our ancestors? 

Religious practices and rituals practiced in churches seem to somewhat effectively pass down morals and lessons as well as sentimental attachment and appreciation for ancestors. However I have a hard time separating my normal Sunday worship experience from my temple experience. They are too intertwined for me to recognize what the temple adds to my sense of responsibility and connection to my ancestors, family, and future progeny. Has physically performing ordinances to connect family - past, present, and future - changed me and the way I act? Would it be different if I did not perform ordinances and merely maintained a mental/intellectual/sentimental appreciation of such things?

 

It would be good to get some perspective from people who have lived significant portions of their lives with and without temple worship.

I miss going to the temple, if only to feel loved by some of the temple workers there, meaning the women who helped me through the veil.  They were very patient with me.  

But that is about it.  I didn't feel the spirit any different than I do with things outside of the temple, and it's rare if ever, that the spirit is telling me the church is true.  I wish I'd had something in the temple tell me.  I tried, for many years.  

I think helping the living would suffice in God's eyes.  The dead have already been helped by God's grace, IMO.  No where IMO, is there anything about temple work in the Bible.  Of course there is the baptism for the dead, that has been misconstrued, IMO.  

[Jeanne]

I am probably the outside on this,,although at the age of 9, I was sealed to my parents in the SLC Temple with my siblings.  I can say that the Temple did not change the marriage and in fact, life became a living hell for my mother,

[volgadon]

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/196231/tefillin-the-love

Here is something on spiritual technology in general. The temple, of course, is different, but the article provides an interesting perspective.

[salgare]

My initial thoughts to this OP are the possibly its greatest power is its anti-technology.  Leave the cameras, phones, personal computing devices etc outside and return to a basic nature like place where only your mind, heart and a desire to feel are what draws us.

volgadon thank you for that link ... it was a wonderful read for me this morning.  A couple quotes that struck me

"so set are we with an expectation of a transformative emotional experience that by the time we cram in with the masses and find ourselves in the presence of the real thing we can’t help but feel disappointed."

"I stepped forward and stood there in silence as the big guy wrapped the leather straps on my arm and placed the second black box on my head. He asked how long it had been; I said not since my bar mitzvah. The big guy chuckled. “That’s what they all say,” he bellowed. Then, he gave me a printout of a blessing and urged me to recite it while I looked at the wall."

"Every morning, for months now, I rise, wrap the straps around my arm and over my head, read the prayers, and fret: Am I doing this right? Is the ritual’s force diminished by my disregard for so many other commandments? Can I truly clear my heart and my mind as I pray and maintain the purity of intention one desires when attempting to converse with the heavens? These are deep questions, and I’ve got no good answers. I put them on, even though I don’t fully understand why."

Yes, very nice.

[deli_llama]

7 hours ago, oats said:

If technologies extend our capacities and expand our reach in some manner, what expansions of our faculties are facilitated by the temple and its accompanying practices? What/how does the temple, if looked at as a technology, expand our reach, or increase our ability to control our environment? Or how does the environment created by temple culture affect our thoughts and our behaviour and how do those, in turn, change our environment? I guess this could be looked at on an individual level and a collective level.

If you are asking these questions, you might have really enjoyed the "Ritual as Technology in East Asia Workshop" held at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science a few years ago.  Here is a link to the workshop papers-http://pythia.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/nwg_schaefer/ritualTechnology/WorkshopPapers  

May I ask, in what context are you using environment?

[oats]

On January 6, 2016 at 1:54 PM, volgadon said:

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/196231/tefillin-the-love

Here is something on spiritual technology in general. The temple, of course, is different, but the article provides an interesting perspective.

That was very insightful. I have to say it always brings me some level of comfort when I see others who can derive at least similar experience and appreciation of religious rituals as I have. How did you find this? A search, or is it something you had previously stumbled upon?

 

On January 6, 2016 at 5:49 PM, deli_llama said:

If you are asking these questions, you might have really enjoyed the "Ritual as Technology in East Asia Workshop" held at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science a few years ago.  Here is a link to the workshop papers-http://pythia.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/nwg_schaefer/ritualTechnology/WorkshopPapers  

May I ask, in what context are you using environment?

Thank you for that link. I will chew through some of these papers eventually. I hope I can grab onto their meanings without much East Asia context to work with.

 

I think I use environment in the context of our surroundings that cause/force/allow/encourage/influence us to act/respond in certain manners. So when I mention expanding our 'control' of environment think along the lines of how remote sensors expand our ability to predict weather, monitor the results of our actions, and then change our actions according to the expanded sensoring ability offered by the remote sensors.

With the temple the thought crossed my mind of whether temple culture and the perspective it cultivates helps us extend our influence, understanding, and learning to future generations to a greater extent than what typically occurs.

Edited January 8, 2016 by oats

[deli_llama]

2 hours ago, oats said:

I hope I can grab onto their meanings without much East Asia context to work with.

Probably should be able to. Though trying to understand the temple as technology will probably lead you to studying somethings East Asian, because:

2 hours ago, oats said:

I think I use environment in the context of our surroundings that cause/force/allow/encourage/influence us to act/respond in certain manners. So when I mention expanding our 'control' of environment think along the lines of how remote sensors expand our ability to predict weather, monitor the results of our actions, and then change our actions according to the expanded sensoring ability offered by the remote sensors.

With the temple the thought crossed my mind of whether temple culture and the perspective it cultivates helps us extend our influence, understanding, and learning to future generations to a greater extent than what typically occurs.

It is my experience that what you speak of requires a good understanding of intention and a touch (ok, more than a touch) of the Tao. 

I am trying to grasp what you mean by "helps us extend our influence, understanding, and learning to future generations to a greater extent than what typically occurs."  I think I get what you are saying about "extending ... to future generations," but what do you mean by typically occurs?