Do the “unworthy” have a duty? (Witnessing temple attire in a funeral)

[hagoth7]

8 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I'm reading a lot of comments that imply "covenants" have been made not to discuss the temple attire. There is no such covenant. It doesn't exist. Therefore IMO censorship of the topic only creates a taboo that everyone thinks is important to avoid. It's a cultural restriction, not a doctrinal or covenantal restriction.

The prohibition about talking about temple attire (not including specific symbols that represent signs) are manufactured restrictions. The board can set whatever restrictions it wants for discussions on the board but that doesn't mean that discussion of temple attire is improper, inappropriate, or breaking some kind of covenant. It's a board policy. That's all.

Most religious traditions see subsequent generations add layers of protective gloss to original commands, out of their desire to safeguard the original commands.

A fenced perimeter where even approaching or touching upon sacred things becomes taboo.

Sometimes forgetting the purpose and origin of those commands.

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by hagoth7

[Calm]

"The prohibition about talking about temple attire (not including specific symbols that represent signs) are manufactured restrictions. The board can set whatever restrictions it wants for discussions on the board but that doesn't mean that discussion of temple attire is improper, inappropriate, or breaking some kind of covenant. It's a board policy. That's all."

I doubt anyone posting misunderstands the above.

Where they may differ is they see a covenant has been made to talk about aspects of the Temple respectfully and in an appropriate place and time with those who are ready to understand the purpose and meaning of the Temple to a certain degree, not just anyone who is casually curious or wants to debate value.

 Thus you might have a conversation that covers almost everything in the privacy of your own home with a child who is about to receive their endowment.  Otoh, you would not be having as full of a conversation with a child preparing for youth baptisms the first time and might say very little in details to your 5 year old who sees you washing and ironing Temple clothing (one of the ideal times to talk about the Temple with children in the view of my former stake patriarch, who pushed for more expansive discussions with family).

Knowing we can talk about almost everything in our experience in certain places and times does not mean we don't need to take care and even refrain from discussion at other times and places, especially public places.  Caution can be both respectful and effective teaching (too much info in an medium that is highly imperfect will lead to less understanding and greater confusion in the long run, not the reverse, imo).  

If one is concerned about being able to judge wisely, following the Church's example with their video on Temple clothing seems a useful choice.

Given that this board tends to move towards debate more than discussion, I choose to not discuss as much as I might elsewhere as I don't believe this is a topic that should be debated.  Otoh, if someone is asking in Social Hall and is respectful, that implies a desire to discuss, not debate and mostdebaters respect the boundaries of SH so I would share more information and be willing to explore ideas there where I wouldn't in this forum.

Edited June 5, 2017 by Calm

[hagoth7]

3 hours ago, Calm said:

Where they may differ....respectfully and in an appropriate place and time with those who are ready to understand the purpose and meaning of the Temple to a certain degree, not just anyone who is casually curious or wants to debate value. 

Hmm. 

In my experience, there are productive/respectful means to help someone onramp to such a state (to become ready to understand the purpose/meaning...i.e. to be raised *to a certain degree*) that encourages something beyond casual curiosity, *and* that helps people avoid friction in such an exchange. Topics that are fair game in *any* geographic setting. A brother refers to that general thing in one of his writings as The Aristotle Effect...in essence, baiting the line with something worthwhile...which draws/hooks young people and adults alike into rapidly gaining sufficient interest to engage and learn more. Fishers of men. Akin to Alma 32.

3 hours ago, Calm said:

If one is concerned about being able to judge wisely...

I'm not. In this matter. Their objective and mine, while seeking the same general outcome, are slightly different in intended audience and means of getting there. 

3 hours ago, Calm said:

Given that this board tends to move towards debate more than discussion...

Huh. I find the opposite to be my typical experience here...that most exchanges are instead respectful discussions, regardless of occasional differences of opinion. Perhaps part of being wired differently.  

MBTI helps defuse some of that a wee bit. As an INTP (where I score on the spectrum *most* days), I often process input from others with a different spin/flavor (neutral input to consider), where an INTJ might by default initially judge such input differently.

So I can see how other temperaments find value in being more guarded.  However, based on my *limited* experience, few actually want to attack, but instead prefer to be understood...and to understand. 

Edited June 5, 2017 by hagoth7

[HappyJackWagon]

5 hours ago, hagoth7 said:

Most religious traditions see subsequent generations add layers of protective gloss to original commands, out of their desire to safeguard the original commands.

A fenced perimeter where even approaching or touching upon sacred things becomes taboo.

Sometimes forgetting the purpose and origin of those commands.

 

Even the temple itself is an example of concentric circles of holiness until you get to the holiest. If one presumes that it begins with the holiest, you can then see that layers of protection are added to the temple and the grounds, out to the stakes. I assume it is with the best intentions that these layers of protection are added, but after a while we don't even remember the purpose of the holy of holies because we become more focused on the protective layers.