THE MORMON CURTAIN
Containing 5,709 Articles Spanning 365 Topics
Ex-Mormon News, Stories And Recovery
Archives From 2005 thru 2014
|
|
PLEASE NOTE:
If you have reached this page from an outside source such as an
Internet Search or forum referral, please note that this page
(the one you just landed on)
is an archive containing articles on
"MORMON TEMPLE CHANGES".
This website,
The Mormon Curtain
- is a website that blogs the Ex-Mormon world. You can
read
The Mormon Curtain FAQ
to understand the purpose of this website.
⇒
CLICK HERE to visit the main page of The Mormon Curtain.
|
| |
MORMON TEMPLE CHANGES
Total Articles:
15
The Mormon temple ceremonies were received by revelation to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young from God. While both prophets have strictly noted that changes could not be made, Mormon leaders continue to change the ceremonies to fit changing world views.
|
|
Last week all Temple Workers were called into the temples on Sunday for immediate meetings.
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints has changed another temple ceremony: The washing and anointing. No longer will the temple workers touch the patron during the anointing.
If one word or act of an ordinance is changed, then it's wrong. It's just like messing up the words of the sacrament or not getting someone completely under the water in baptism.
The temple ordinances can never change! If they do (like altering baptism) then it's a sign of church apostasy:
From August 2001 Ensign (page 22), in big bold print above a large colorful portrait of Joseph Smith:
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed."
To back up the Joseph Smith quote used in the August 2001 issue of the Ensign Magazine:
"Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last dispensation is that all things pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding dispensations.... He set the temple ordinances to be the same forever and ever and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them."
- The Prophet Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol.4, p. 208
"...the endowments have never changed and can never change; as I understand it; it has been so testified, and that Joseph Smith Jr., himself was the founder of the endowments."
- Senator Reed Smoot, Reed Smoot Case, vol. 3, p. 185
"...God is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever... The great mistake made down through the ages by teachers of Christianity, is that they have supposed they could place their own private interpretation upon scriptures, allow their own personal convenience to become a controlling factor, and change the basis of Christian law and practice to suit themselves. This is apostacy."
- The Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
"As temple work progresses, some members wonder if the ordinances can be changed or adjusted. These ordinances have been provided by revelation, and are in the hands of the First Presidency. Thus, the temple is protected from tampering."
- W. Grant Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Deseret News, Church Section, January 16, 1982
"No jot, iota, or tittle of the temple rites is otherwise than uplifting and sanctifying. In every detail the endowment ceremony contributes to covenants of morality of life, consecration of person to high ideals, devotion to truth, patriotism to nation, and allegiance to God."
- Apostle James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, 1968, p. 84
"...build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein. For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood.... And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein... For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times. And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built."
- Jesus Christ Himself, Doctrine and Covenants 124:27-28, 40-42
"The Gospel can not possibly be changed.... the saving principles must ever be the same. They can never change.... the Gospel must always be the same in all of its parts.... no one can change the Gospel... if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views.... if we substitute 'any other Gospel,' there is no salvation in it.... the Lord and His Gospel remain the same--always."
- The Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
But have the temple ordinances changed since they were "revealed" in perfect form to Joseph Smith?
http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/temple_changes.htm
| Changes To The Ordinance:
First, you are given a one piece garment outfit (with zipper in the front) and are told to PUT THIS ON FIRST. You are instructed to then put the "shield" on over the garments. The first thing I noticed was the shield is no longer open on the sides. AT ALL. It's sealed up all the way to your freakin' ankles. Sure, they've got arm holes and a big zipper in the front but it NEVER comes open.
No more icky naked feeling because, well, because you're not naked.
Then, you go into the first cubicle (about 4 feet by 4 feet) and sit on a little stool. The worker then lays his hands on your head and says:
"Brother______, having authority, I lay my hands upon your head for and in behalf of_______, who is dead, and confer upon you the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordain you an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
THEN, he reads from what is labeled, "PREFACE" and says,
"Brother__________, the temple washing, anointing and clothing ordinances were given anciently, as recorded in the Book of Exodus: "And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him..." (Exodus 40:12-13)
"We likewise administer these ordinances in our day, but you are washed and anointed only symbolically, as follows."
THEN comes the washing. The BIG difference here is that the guy ONLY dabs your forehead with a bit of water. Then, he places his hands on your head and says,
"Brother _______, having authority, I wash you preparatory to you receiving your anointings for and in behalf of _______ [patron gives the name. Then officiator repeats the name], who is dead, that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation. I wash your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell; your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, that you might have joy[here they removed the two words "and rejoicing"] in your posterity; your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint."
THEN comes the "Sealing of the Washing". A second man comes into the booth and they BOTH put their hands on your head and the second guy says:
"Brother _______, having authority, we lay our hands upon your head for and in behalf of _______[patron does NOT repeat the name], who is dead, and seal upon you this washing, that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation through your faithfulness, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
THEN you move to the second booth (where the guy that just sealed the washing came from) and the guy that just sealed the washing has you sit on a stool and he drips a drop of oil on the top of your head. HE DOESN'T TOUCH ANY PART OF YOUR BODY EXCEPT YOUR HEAD as he puts his hands on the top of your head and says:
"Brother _______, having authority, I pour this holy anointing oil upon your head for and in behalf of _______ [patron gives the name. Then officiator repeats the name], who is dead, and anoint you preparatory to your becoming a King and a Priest unto the Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever. I anoint your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell; your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, that you might have joy [here they removed the two words "and rejoicing"] in your posterity; your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint."
THEN another guy steps into the booth and does the "Confirmation of the Anointing". He (and the guy that did the Anointing) puts his hands on your head and says,
"Brother _______, having authority, we lay our hands upon your head for and in behalf of _______ (patron does NOT repeat the name], who is dead, and confirm upon you this anointing, wherewith you have been anointed in the temple of our God, preparatory to becoming a King and a Priest unto the Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever, and seal upon you all the blessings hereunto appertaining, through your faithfulness, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
THEN, you step into the LAST partition and the guy that just said the Confirmation prayer says:
"Brother _______, under proper authority, the Garment placed upon you is now authorized for and in behalf of_______ [patron gives the name. Then officiator repeats the name] who is dead, and is to be worn throughout your life. It represents the Garment given to Adam when he was found naked in the Garden of Eden, and is called the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. Inasmuch as you do not defile it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work on earth."
That's it. No more nakedness. No more touching you all over your body. No more shield with massive slits up the sides.
Credits: http://www.josephlied.com/
| "We explained briefly the Apostasy and the Restoration: that there is vast
evidence and history of an apostasy from the doctrine taught by Jesus and
his Apostles, that the organization of the original Church became corrupted,
and sacred ordinances were changed to suit the convenience of men..."
- Apostle David B. Haight, "Joseph Smith the Prophet," Ensign, Nov. 1979, 22
Thanks to Mike Norton, author of http://www.josephlied.com, we now know the
January 18th changes to the temple ordinances.
In summary, here's what changed in the temple initiatory ordinance:
1. Before, temple patrons had to get naked and then put on a poncho (called
a "shield") that was completely open on the sides, then walk to the
initiatory area to begin the ordinance
Now, temple patrons must put on garments (one-piece style) in the locker
area before even starting the initiatory ordinance.
2. The poncho "shield" has been replaced with a new dress-like piece of
clothing that is sewn shut on both sides, all the way down to the ankles.
Patrons must put this new dress-like shield over the garments before
beginning the initiatory ordinance.
3. A new part has been added to the initiatory ordinance, which quotes
Exodus 40:12-13 "And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of
the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt
put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him..." Then,
temple patrons are told that "in our day" you are washed and anointed "only
symbolically."
4. Before, the ordinance required temple patrons to be touched with water on
each part of their body mentioned in the washing ordinance, including the
forehead, an ear, an eye, the nose, the lips, the neck, the shoulders, the
back, a breast, the stomach, an arm, a hand, the hip, a leg and a foot.
Now, the priesthood ordinance giver only touches the forehead, then places
his hands on the head to pronounce the ordinance words.
5. Before, the anointing ordinance also required anointing with oil the
parts mentioned in the ordinance, including the forehead, an ear, an eye,
the nose, the lips, the neck, the shoulders, the back, a breast, the
stomach, an arm, a hand, the hip, a leg and a foot.
Now, the priesthood ordinance giver only places a little oil on the head as
he/she speaks the words of the ordinance.
6. Before, temple patrons were not allowed to wear garments until the very
end of the initiatory ordinance. As part of the ordinance, the patron
stepped into their garments, assisted by the ordinance giver, while only
being covered (barely) by the open shield.
Now, since temple patrons are already wearing their garments before the
ordinance begins, the priesthood ordinance giver ends the ordinance by
telling the patron that their garments are now "authorized" and must be worn
for the rest of his/her life.
Keep in mind that this is not the first time the initiatory ordinance has
changed. Descriptions of the early initiatory ordinance in the Nauvoo Temple
include references to a bathtub where the temple patron was literally
washed, as described in Exodus 40:12-13. In the excellent book "The
Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship author David John
Buerger writes:
"The earliest accounts of the Nauvoo temple endowment indicate that
initiatory washings followed a literal Old Testament model of actual
bathing. Large tubs of water are specified in the separate men's and women's
rooms. The anointing was performed by liberally pouring consecrated oil from
a horn over the head and allowing it to run over the whole body."
- The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship, page 81
The Salt Lake Temple also used to have large tubs for the washing part of
the ordinance. A 1893 article in Engineering Magazine titled "Architecture,"
on page 100 referred to the "largest bath-tub ever made," exhibited at the
World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 by the Standard Manufacturing Company,
which had manufactured twelve of them on special order for the LDS church,
for use in the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City.
- The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship, Appendix 2
Those who would say these are not changes to the ordinance, should consider
how the church defines changes to other gospel ordinances. As just one
example, here's what a church prophet taught in regards to priests not
kneeling while blessing the sacrament:
"...those who administer the sacrament will kneel when asking the blessing.
It is not that this form is absolutely essential to the acceptance of this
ordinance by the Lord; but it is in accordance with the word of the Lord
which was given for our guidance; and where it is possible to follow the
written word, in the spirit in which it is given, it is always better to do
so. Indeed, by doing so we will avoid a serious wrong, that might eventually
grow out of a disregard for the rules that the Lord has established, for it
might lead to a changing, to some extent, of the ordinances of the house of
God. It is necessary that we should pay proper attention and care to
carrying out the purposes of the Lord in the manner which He has already
revealed. And this may be extended to other matters of our religion. One of
the charges brought against the children of Israel, and mentioned by the
prophets in the latter times, was that 'they have transgressed the laws,
changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.' That is really the
complaint against the world today, and it is not meet that we should indulge
in any such things."
- The Prophet Joseph F.Smith, Collected Discourses Vol.3, p. 308-309
The changes made to the initiatory ordinance are akin to changing baptism
from total immersion to a light sprinkle - a change that the Mormon Church
uses to accuse other churches of apostasy:
"[Apostate Churches] have changed many of the ordinances. For instance, they
no longer baptize as Jesus was baptized when he went to John to be baptized
of him."
- Apostle LeGrand Richards, "The Things of God and Man," Ensign, Nov. 1977,
21
"[Jesus Christ] instituted baptism to set forth this glorious thing unto
men. But by degrees, yielding, as was supposed, to necessity, men depart
from this manner of administering the ordinance of baptism for the remission
of sins, until water sprinkled or poured upon the candidate was held to be
sufficient for baptism. Whenever they did that, wherever they did it, they
departed from the order established by the Son of God, they changed an
ordinance of the Gospel."
- Apostle B. H. Roberts, Collected Discourses Vol. 5, p.385
"The Prophet Isaiah saw the period of time when the earth should reel to and
fro like a drunken man; and he saw that glorious day when the Lord of Hosts
shall be about to reign in Zion and Jerusalem. And among other things he saw
in vision was that the earth became defiled under the inhabitants thereof;
"because," says the Prophet, "they have transgressed the laws, changed the
ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." Plainly showing that they were
to be a corrupt, people; a people who, for instance, would change the
ordinance of baptism, from immersion to sprinkling or pouring, or doing it
away altogether, and in the same manner changing the various ordinances of
the Gospel from the original form in which the Lord revealed them. He says,
through the mouth of His Prophet, that the people who should be guilty of
this great wickedness should be visited with fire."
- The Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 20, p.11-12
"For a century we have tried to show to the world from the scriptures that
baptism is necessary to man's salvation; that baptism signifies immersion
and that immersion was the only form of baptism known and practiced in the
primitive Church until several centuries A. D., and that the changing of the
mode of baptism from immersion to pouring or sprinkling is apostasy and
fulfils the prediction of Isaiah with respect to the last times, "The earth,
also, is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have
transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting
covenant."
- Apostle George F. Richards, Conference Report, April 1930, p.76
"The law of baptism was instituted as the means by which men were to gain
admission into the Church of God our Father in the earth. The mode is
indicated by the word from which "baptism" is derived, and when this
ordinance is administered in any other way we know it is incorrect. There is
no other way than by immersion for the remission of sins. We may be
challenged on this point, but the language itself concerning the mode of
baptism clearly defines the way by which men are to be brought into the
Church, and no other way could be considered. So we stand, as a church,
absolutely sure of our ground. Men have changed the ordinance, but our
Eternal Father's plan never changes. His language pointed out the mode in
the beginning. It will be so in the end."
- Apostle Samuel O. Bennion, Conference Report, October 1934, p.18
"Now, what have the Christians got that the Latter-day Saints have not got?
Has the holy Catholic Church got faith in Jesus that we have not got? Not a
particle that is true and pure. But as for the ordinances of the House of
God, we say, and we say it boldly, and here is the standard of our faith-the
Old and New Testament-that the mother church and all her daughters have
transgressed the laws, every one of them; they have changed almost every
ordinance of the House of God; and not only so, but like the children of
Israel in olden days, they have broken the covenants made with the fathers.
We are bold to say this and we will take this book-the Bible in which Jews
and Gentiles believe for our standard and proof."
"Has the holy Catholic Church the ordinance of baptism? So they say. What do
you say Latter-day Saints? We say they have not. There is but one mode of
baptism and that is by being immersed in the water that the subject may come
forth out of the water, in comparison like a child at its birth-struggling
for breath-emerging into another element. This is the figure that Jesus gave
us. Jesus and others were baptized of John, and the disciples of Jesus
baptized more; but none of them were baptized by pouring, sprinkling,
kneeling, or face foremost, but they were immersed in the water and came
forth out of the water."
"Have they the Sacrament? Yes, so they say. "Jesus took bread and blessed it
and brake it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat, this is my
body.' And he took the cup, and gave thanks and gave it to them saying,
'Drink ye all of it.'" Now, I leave it to all whether they carry out this
ordinance or not."
- Brigham Young, The Essential Brigham Young, p.196
Let us not forget, the restoration of the church includes the promise that
ordinances will not change:
From August 2001 Ensign (page 22), in big bold print above a large colorful
portrait of Joseph Smith:
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Ordinances instituted in the heavens
before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of
men, are not to be altered or changed.""
To back up the Joseph Smith quote used in the August 2001 issue of the
Ensign Magazine:
"Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last dispensation
is that all things pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted
precisely in accordance with the preceding dispensations.... He set the
temple ordinances to be the same forever and ever and set Adam to watch over
them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them."
- The Prophet Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol.4, p. 208
"...build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein. For there
is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that
which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of
the priesthood.... And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto
my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein... For I deign to reveal
unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of
the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.
And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house,
and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built."
- Jesus Christ Himself, Doctrine and Covenants 124:27-28, 40-42
"...the endowments have never changed and can never change; as I understand
it; it has been so testified, and that Joseph Smith Jr., himself was the
founder of the endowments."
- Senator Reed Smoot, Reed Smoot Case, vol. 3, p. 185
"...God is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever... The great
mistake made down through the ages by teachers of Christianity, is that they
have supposed they could place their own private interpretation upon
scriptures, allow their own personal convenience to become a controlling
factor, and change the basis of Christian law and practice to suit
themselves. This is apostacy."
- The Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
"As temple work progresses, some members wonder if the ordinances can be
changed or adjusted. These ordinances have been provided by revelation, and
are in the hands of the First Presidency. Thus, the temple is protected from
tampering."
- W. Grant Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department and a
member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Deseret News, Church Section, January
16, 1982
"No jot, iota, or tittle of the temple rites is otherwise than uplifting and
sanctifying. In every detail the endowment ceremony contributes to covenants
of morality of life, consecration of person to high ideals, devotion to
truth, patriotism to nation, and allegiance to God."
- Apostle James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, 1968, p. 84
"The Gospel can not possibly be changed.... the saving principles must ever
be the same. They can never change.... the Gospel must always be the same in
all of its parts.... no one can change the Gospel... if they attempt to do
so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is
merely a reflection of their own views.... if we substitute 'any other
Gospel,' there is no salvation in it.... the Lord and His Gospel remain the
same--always."
- The Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
| A Mormon was asked the following:
"Do you really think that Pres. Hinckley received revelation about this or do you think it has to do with a bigger problem the church has in regards to lawsuits from recent converts who were never told about the ordinance in their temple prep class? I mean, before you went to the temple did you learn about oli and water being rubbed on your body by strangers? Did you learn about secret passwords and handshakes? Is it because it is too sacred or too secret? Why do you think so many converts never come back to church after attending the temple for the first time? Because it creeps them out."
The Mormon responded:
"I heard that there may have been a lawsuit over the initiatories but if that's the case, then the Lord is pretty smart. If we haven't been doing them right in the first place, then he allowed the church to be sued in order for us to change the ceremony so that it would be more pleasing to him and be done correctly. If you look at it with the big picture in mind then it all makes sense. Thank goodness we have a prophet who can receive revelation from the Lord so he can correct the mistakes of past prophets."
Never under estimate the power of the Mormon Cult on the mind of a Mormon.
The above kind of thinking is exactly how resources like FARMS, that apologetic/propaganda arm of the LDS Church works.
| In 1987, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought carried an outstanding article by David John Buerger. In this article, Buerger charted the history of the changing world of LDS Temple ceremonies.
"As early as October 1835, Joseph (Smith) told his apostles of an awaited `endowment' which would grant them `power from on high,'" (p. 35).
In 1836, "...Joseph Smith declared that he `had now completed the organization of the Church, and we had passed through all the necessary ceremonies,'" (pp. 35-36).
"Five years later in Nauvoo, on 19 January 1841, a new revelation... (concerning) `your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead....' Thus, the Saints who had been previously anointed in Kirtland learned that those rituals were a precursor to new ceremonies," (p. 36).
During the Nauvoo Period, a ceremony called the second anointing was introduced. It was in two parts. "First, an officiator anointed the heads of a husband and wife with oil, then conferred upon them the `fulness of the priesthood.... The second part was a private ceremony between the couple in which the wife washed the feet of the husband...," (p. 47).
In 1877, the theological influence of Brigham Young could be observed in the Temple Ceremony. In the St. George Temple, "...a revised thirty-minute `lecture at the veil' which summarized important theological concepts taught in the endowment and also contained references to the Adam-God doctrine" was given (p. 50-51).
In General Conference of April 1894, President Wilford Woodruff "...stopped the practice of sealing people to General Authorities and other Church members outside their family lineage and instead directed that they be sealed to their own parents," (p. 52).
The Word of Wisdom became a central issue in 1921. "For the first time, adherence to the Word of Wisdom became an official requirement for admission to the temple. Apparently this had been encouraged prior to 1921, but exceptions had been made," (p. 56).
In 1927, Apostle George F. Richards sent a letter "...to all temple presidents (which) directed that they `omit from the prayer circle all reference to avenging the blood of the Prophet," (p. 55). This reference was known as the Oath of Vengeance.
In addition to the Oath of Vengeance, several other important changes were made at this time.
The ceremony was shortened from "six to nine hours in length to roughly three hours." The "graphic penalties, all of which closely follow Masonic penalties' wording, were moderated." The Temple garment style was "altered," (p. 55).
Just as the most recent changes in the Temple have caused a great deal of anxiety among LDS adherents, so some of the previous changes did likewise.
"The introduction of this new-style garment caused considerable unrest among some members. Nevertheless, the pre-1923 style garment was required in the temple ceremony until 1975 when its use became optional," (p. 56).
Beginning in the late 1960's and early 1970's, "probably because of recommendations made by Harold B. Lee, a member of the First Presidency, ...several phrases used in ceremony film scripts were subsequently dubbed out in the mid-1970's," (p. 62).
Some of these deletions and changes, including, the "preacher's reference to Satan having black skin," which is no longer mentioned. Also, "Satan and the preacher no longer fix a specific salary to proselytize the audience for converts," (p. 62 ftnt.).
In the conclusion of his article, Buerger observed, "...the endowment ceremony still depicts women as subservient to men, not as equals in relating to God," (p. 68).
With the most recent Temple change, this statement joins the long list of other Temple doctrines which were at one time true, but are now, only formerly true.
This article began with an insight from former LDS President Spencer W. Kimball. In his same article, he explained, "Follow the prescribed procedures, and you may have an absolute knowledge that these things are absolute truths....
"The true and living Church and its members and representatives stand ready to provide answers to any questions...," (Ensign, Sept. 1978, pp. 7-8).
Perhaps someone from the LDS Church could explain which, if any, of the Temple ceremonies is the Absolute True One. For it is obvious, by the process of simple logic, that they cannot all be correct!
| Mormon Church Eliminates Naked Touching from Secret Temple Rituals
Latest effort to "mainstream" LDS-Mormon Church still spells trouble for controversial religious sect.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - The LDS-Mormon Church ended the practice of non-consenting naked touching during a secret temple ordinance called "washing and anointing." The unannounced, secret change came on January 18, 2005. The LDS-Mormon Church, a religious organization headquartered in Salt Lake City UT with approximately 11 million members and 119 temples worldwide, refuses to apologize or even discuss the exposure of church members to a sexually intimidating ritual for over 170 years.
Mike Norton, a former Mormon who can verify the change, said, "Removing naked touching from the Mormon temple ordinance represents one of the biggest changes ever to Mormon temple doctrine and practice."
For over 170 years, faithful LDS members have started the temple ordinance by completely undressing and then donning an open poncho called a "shield." During this temple ordinance, certain parts of the patron's naked body were touched with water and oil under the shield, including the forehead, chest and thigh. This "washing and anointing" ordinance is necessary to prepare members to receive their new temple garments, which faithful members must then wear as their only form of underwear for the rest of their lives.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the washing and anointing ritual is that first-time temple patrons do not consent in advance to the naked touching. First time temple patrons typically attend "temple preparation classes", but those informal sessions do not reveal the rituals performed in the temple. Furthermore, Mormons are not allowed to discuss temple rituals outside of the temple. A first-time temple patron only finds out about the naked touching as it occurs.
The last time the Mormon Church made changes to its secret temple ritual in 1990, it eliminated some "penalties" for revealing temple secrets that had temple patrons acting our their own disembowelment and the slitting of their throats. The most recent changes are more significant because it represents a major alteration of gospel ordinances that church leaders have historically declared were unchangeable and required for salvation.
There's evidence that the move to change this sacred ceremony was done rather quickly. The new "shields" worn by temple patrons are just the old open ones, which have been sewn shut. Temple workers started this week sewing the shields shut, so it does not appear that this was planned in advance. There's speculation that this was done due to lawsuit against the church - either in connection with recent cases of child molestation in the church, or one directly tied to the naked touching in the washing and anointing temple ordinance. In either case, the Mormon Church refuses to discuss the changes to the secret temple rituals. And individual Mormons are instructed in temple rituals to protect the temple's secrets with their life if need be.
Transcripts of the old and the new washing and anointing ordinances have been published on the Internet. The old ordinance is available at http://helpingmormons.org/initiate.htm and the new ordinance is available at http://www.josephlied.com.
Summary of changes in the Mormon temple initiatory ordinance
http://www.think-link.org/think/temples/temple_ordinance.htm
Transcript of one LDS woman's temple experience, including her description of the washing and anointing ordinance:
http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/temple_experience.htm
| I went to the temple the first time in early 1990 just before my mission. That was before the changes, so I got the whole deal, the death penalties, the touching at the veil, etc.
Then while attending the temple at the MTC, there's suddenly a new movie, the death penalties are gone, and when I tried to make the five points of fellowship at the veil, the temple worker kept pushing me away. There was no explanation at all, so I was quite befuddled.
Then I got out into the mission field and my companion showed me a clipped article from some national news magazine that talked about the temple changes, mostly highlighting the fact that the temple movie no longer had the priest that did a derogatory representation of other religions.
But yeah, mormons don't like to acknowledge the changes, and also seem to want to forget that those death penalties and the awkward five points of fellowship at the veil were ever part of the ritual, so it's not uncommon to see them deny it all.
- -
When I went to the temple: 1) The ceremony included the reverend / priest accepting money from satan to sell his tokens. 2) Each of the first tokens and signs had penalties, slicing of the throat, tearing out the heart and disembowling. 3) We did indeed raise our arms crying out the "Adamic" words "Pey-Le-El" 4) When passing through the veil we did have to perform the 5 points of fellowship.
Why are the members lying or forgetting about their past and present? I've heard members (even some of my own LDS TBM family) swearing that the BoM has never been changed, that G.A.'s don't get paid and that the temple rites have never changed, even the latest washing and anointing changes (of course not too many active LDS actually do this ceremony very often).
- -
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/morm201/m...
Search for 1990, FAIR deals with the change by attempting to explain it away just as it always does:
"The main argument put forward by McKeever and Johnson in this section is that the temple ceremonies, which had supposedly been revealed directly by God, have been changed repeatedly over the 150 years since they were first revealed through Joseph Smith. They write:
Despite the fact that Joseph Smith himself said that God "set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever," the LDS Church has continuously changed the ceremony over the years. It quietly made many drastic changes in April 1990.
It is here that we see a distinct difference in the terminology and intent between McKeever and Johnson and the various LDS authorities they quote. In my introduction, I noted that there was a distinct difference between the ordinance and the ceremony. In their text here, McKeever and Johnson consistently talk of changes to the ceremony, while the LDS authorities consistently refer to the ordinance. The ceremony and the ritual is the teaching mechanism that surrounds the ordinance. It is in fact only logical that this would change over time as the background and needs of the participants change."
I guess Death penalties were once needed in the "ordinance - ceremony", and now they are not! Good point FAIR! Way to split hairs on death oaths once required and now not required, the ceremony is the same they say, only the death oath has been removed to protect the idiots who borrowed it from freemasonry. HA HA! :)
- -
I first went through the temple in 1971. There were subtle changes that had occurred when I came back from my mission in 1973 (the minister's perception of the devil had changed; black skin had been deleted for example). The slashing stuff did all go away in 1990. Too bad 'cause that was one of the things that kept me awake. Good exercise you know. Shortly after that I pretty much stopped attending regularly even though I had a recommend.
Within the past year on an airplane I was sitting next to a Mormon guy that admitted he was inactive and drank lots of beer. I thought it would be safe to share some of my knowledge with him. When I told him the temple ceremony had changed and that it used to have representation of personal violence (I described the executions of the penalties in detail) he refused to believe it and told me that they would never do such a thing. I could not convince him that it was true.
The church must realize that even the in-actives still cling to the church even if they do not adhere to all of the teachings and commandments. Kind of like "my country, right or wrong."
- -
What actually constitutes the "endowment" has over the years gotten continually smaller. As things are deleted from the ceremony it is justified as not being part of the actual endowment. "The stuff that was deleted was only needed to help people in the past learn the endowment." So, in actuality what constitutes the "endowment" is a moving target. You MIL feels that she is being completely honest when she says the endowment has not changed because she believes it when she is told that the stuff taken out wasn't really part of the endowment but simply extra stuff that helped people learn the endowment.
Which raises an interesting question. Why did people in the 19th, and the majority of the 20th century, need to have their lives threatened simply to learn the signs and tokens?
- -
I went through my first time in 1987 with my mother, and there were several blood oaths where we pantomimed certain forms of killing, including passing our thumbs across our throats, chests, and abdomens. This was referred to as a "penalty" and was done after swearing never to tell anyone the various signs and tokens. I had never seen anything like it in Mormonism, and I was completely blown away.
Today, my mother denies to me that any of it took place even though I saw her perform them.
| Can sacred mormon temple covenants and ordinances be changed?
Here's a recent quote from the church's official publication, The Ensign Magazine:
From August 2001 Ensign (page 22), in big bold print above a large colorful portrait of Joseph Smith:
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, 'Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed.'"
The church goes on to declare:
"It is this principle of consistent and unalterable requirements that gives true meaning to the performance of vicarious ordinances in the temple. The Prophet wrote that baptism for the dead and the recording of such baptisms conform to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel."
"Through time and apostasy following Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, however, the divine authority of the priesthood and the sacred ordinances were changed or lost, and the associated covenants were broken. The Lord revealed His displeasure over this situation in these words: 'For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god.' This situation required a restoration of knowledge pertaining to the importance, significance, and appointed administration of sacred gospel ordinances, both live and vicarious, as well as the divine authority of the priesthood and priesthood keys to administer them."- "Ordinances and Covenants", Church Ensign, August 2001, page 23
This is from an article specifically on the temple ordinances. The author of the article is a General Authority, so he must know that the temple ordinances have gone through major revisions - including deletions of covenants, teachings and ordinances - over the last 160 years.
To back up the declarations in the church's official publication:
"Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last dispensation is that all things pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding dispensations.... He set the temple ordinances to be the same forever and ever and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them."- Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol.4, p. 208
"No jot, iota, or tittle of the temple rites is otherwise than uplifting and sanctifying. In every detail the endowment ceremony contributes to covenants of morality of life, consecration of person to high ideals, devotion to truth, patriotism to nation, and allegiance to God."- Apostle James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, 1968, p. 84
"As temple work progresses, some members wonder if the ordinances can be changed or adjusted. These ordinances have been provided by revelation, and are in the hands of the First Presidency. Thus, the temple is protected from tampering."
- W. Grant Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Deseret News, Church Section, January 16, 1982
"...God is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever... The great mistake made down through the ages by teachers of Christianity, is that they have supposed they could place their own private interpretation upon scriptures, allow their own personal convenience to become a controlling factor, and change the basis of Christian law and practice to suit themselves. This is apostasy."- Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
"...the endowments have never changed and can never change; as I understand it; it has been so testified, and that Joseph Smith Jr., himself was the founder of the endowments."- Senator Reed Smoot, Reed Smoot Case, vol. 3, p. 185
"...build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein. For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fullness of the priesthood.... And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein... For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fullness of times. And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built."- Jesus Christ Himself, Doctrine and Covenants 124:27-28, 40-42
"The Gospel can not possibly be changed.... the saving principles must ever be the same. They can never change.... the Gospel must always be the same in all of its parts.... no one can change the Gospel... if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views.... if we substitute 'any other Gospel,' there is no salvation in it.... the Lord and His Gospel remain the same--always."
- Prophet's Message, Church News, June 5, 1965
Here's the Paradox:
The temple sealing ceremony (which is required for salvation) itself has gone through major changes over the years. so have the very covenants in the temple. In fact, the ordinances and teachings in the temple endowment ceremony went through a significant change as recently as April 1990!
See: http://helpingmormons.org/Altered.htm
If these were divinely restored in their complete form from "the foundation of the world" then why have they kept changing? And if Smith says they can never be altered OR changed, how come the Church did it? Who got it wrong, the prophet Smith or his only true Church? Either way, it smells like a hoax.
Don't take my word for it. Here' a comprehensive list of all the changes in the temple covenants, ceremonies and ordinances made in April 1990:
http://helpingmormons.org/compare.htm
Don't fall for the excuse that the ceremony is just a vehicle for the ordinance. If it's just a vehicle, then what IS the ordinance? If it includes the covenants, oaths, handshakes, signs, keywords or even words at the veil, then they have changed significantly over the years.
We're not talking about a blessing or a prayer that can be changed. We're talking about revealed temple ordinances that are suposed to be free from the tainting of men.
The words in the temple ordinances are just as revealed and un-alterable as the words in the sacrament prayer. The ordinance of sealing must be said correctly, just like the temple endowment ceremony or it's not valid. Every believing Mormon knows the reason for this is that they are revealed as the saving ordinances that can't change. Christ in the Book of Mormon taught this very principle when he gave the Nephites the exact same words used today for the sacrament. The temple ordinances are no different.
What about those poor young Priests in Sacrament Meeting who happen to say a word wrong in the sacrament prayer? Why embarrass them and make them say it exactly right if the words are just a "vehicle?" If the sacrament ordinance can't change, then why can the temple ordinances change?
Copyright © http://www.think-link.org, all rights reserved.
http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/temp...
| PETER: "We will now teach you the 'True Order of Prayer'. The
witness couple will now come forward and stand at the head of the
altar. Six or seven other couples will come forward and form a circle
around the altar." (The tape recording stops while the witness couple
and several other couples at random come forward and arrange
themselves in a circle of couples around the altar, men on the right
of their partners.) (tape resumes)
"John will instruct and lead in the prayer circle." (the
Officiator acts as John, pantomiming the tape recording.)
JOHN: "If any of you have unkind feelings towards any member of this
circle, you are invited to withdraw, that the Spirit of the Lord may
be unrestrained. In this circle, we are required to make all the
signs and penalties of the Holy Priesthood."
(The Officiator and patrons in the prayer circle all make the signs
and penalties as instructed.)
"We will begin by making the sign of the first token of the
Aaronic Priesthood, the sign is made by raising the right hand to the
square, the palm forward, the fingers close together, and the thumb
extended. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is
represented by placing the right thumb under the left ear, drawing the
thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the
hand to the side. The name of this token is the 'New Name'."
"We will now make the sign of the second token of the Aaronic
Priesthood by bringing the right hand forward, with the hand in
cupping shape, the right arm forming a square. The left arm being
raised to the square. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty
is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing
the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hand to the side.
The name of this token is the first given name of the person for whom
you are officiating today."
"We will now make the sign of the first token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, or sign of the nail, by bringing the left hand in front of
you, the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The
right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close
together, the thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the left
hip. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is represented
by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to
the sides. The name of this token is 'The Son' meaning the son of
God."
"We will now make the sign of the second token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or sure sign of the Nail, by raising
both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating
aloud the words, Pay lay ale; Pay lay ale; Pay lay ale."
"The sisters will please veil your faces. The brethren will each
take the sisters at your left by the right hand in the Patriarchal
Grip. Each of you will raise your left arm to the square and place
your left elbow on the shoulder or arm of the person on your left.
You will please repeat the words of the prayer."
(At this point the tape recording stops and the Officiator actually
speaks. He first carefully checks and adjusts the position of all
patrons in he prayer circle. Then he kneels at the Altar inside the
circle, facing forward and offers the prayer. The Officiator pauses
regularly to allow the patrons in the circle to repeat his words.)
A typical prayer would be as follows:
"Our Eternal Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for the privilege of coming to the Temple this day
and participating in these sacred ordinances which are essential to
these deceased individuals. We ask you to bless our Prophet, Spencer
W. Kimball, to bless the Temple Presidency, and all those who serve
with them .. (Many other topics may be covered, especially the
missionaries, missionary programs and work, genealogical work.) We
ask Thee Heavenly Father to look with favor upon all those whose names
are contained on this altar this day. We ask Thy healing blessing to
manifest in all their various needs, to restore health and strength to
body, mind, and spirit. We ask Thee to bless all those who are
participating here tonight and see them safely home to their
destination. We ask you to watch over their families and loved ones
until they arrive home, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
(Tape recording resumes, with Officiator and his aide standing front
and center facing the patrons.)
PETER: "The Sisters will unveil their faces and the Brethren and
Sisters in the circle will return to their seats." (patrons return to
their seats.) "We will now uncover the Veil."
(The Officiator and aide take appropriate action to expose a veil
segment to the audience. The Officiator continues to pantomime the
tape, using a pointer to identify the marks.)
"Brethren and Sisters, This is the veil of the Temple. We will
now explain to you the significance of the marks on the Veil. These
four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and corresponding
marks are found on your individual garments. This is the mark of the
square. It is located on the garment over the right breast,
signifying exactness and honor in living up to all of the covenants
made in the Temple this day. This is the mark of the compass. It is
located in the garment over the breast, signifying that desires,
appetites and passions are to be kept within the bounds the Lord has
established, and that all truth can be circumscribed into one great
whole. This is the navel mark. It is placed in the garment over the
navel as a reminder of the constant need of nourishment to body and
spirit. This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the
garment over the knee, and indicates that every knee shall bow and
every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ."
"These other three marks are for convenience in working at the
veil. Through this one the person representing the Lord puts his
right hand to test our knowledge of the tokens of the Holy priesthood;
through this one, he asks us certain questions, and through this one,
we give our answers."
"Since all of you will have to pass through the veil, we will
show you how this is done." (The aide is now behind the veil to act as
the Lord. The Officiator, acting as both Peter and Adam, gives three
taps with the mallet against the doorjamb, as the tape recording
continues.)
LORD: "What is wanted?"
PETER: "Adam, having been true and faithful, desires further light
and knowledge by conversing with the Lord through the veil (for and in
behalf of _____, who is dead.)"
LORD: "Present him at the veil and his request shall be granted."
LORD: (Extends his right hand through the compass mark in the veil
and takes Peter by the right hand in the first token of the Aaronic
Priesthood.) "What is that?"
PETER: (acting as Adam) "The first token of the Aaronic Priesthood."
LORD: "Has it a name?"
PETER: "It has."
LORD: "Will you give it to me?"
PETER: "I will through the veil."
NARRATOR: "You will now give the New Name to the Lord through the
Veil."
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the
Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.) "What is that?"
PETER: "The Second token of the Aaronic Priesthood."
LORD: "Has it a name?"
PETER: "It has."
LORD: "Will you give it to me?"
PETER: "I will through the veil."
NARRATOR: "You will each give your own first given name if you are
going through the Temple for your own Endowments, or the first given
name of the deceased for whom you are presiding today."
LORD: "What is that?"
PETER: "The first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the
Nail."
LORD: "Has it a name?"
PETER: "It has."
LORD: "Will you give it to me?"
PETER: "I will through the veil - the Son."
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the
Patriarchal grip) "What is that?"
PETER: "The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the
Patriarchal Grip or sure Sign of the nail."
LORD: "Has it a name?"
PETER: "It has."
LORD: "Will you give it to me?"
PETER: "I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I
have come to converse with the Lord through the veil."
LORD: "You shall receive it upon the five points of fellowship
through the veil."
PETER: "The five points of fellowship are: inside of right boot by
the side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back
and mouth to ear." (Peter demonstrates the five points with the Lord.)
"The Lord now gives you the name of the token, you will then repeat it
back to him through the veil, whereupon, the Lord responds, 'That is
correct.' The worker will then give three raps with the mallet - like
this, (Officiator taps with the mallet) and the Lord will ask:"
LORD: "What is wanted?"
PETER: "Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil,
desires now to enter his presence. The Lord then takes Adam by the
right hand through the opening in the veil and says:"
LORD: "Let him enter."
PETER: "The Lord then admits Adam into the Celestial Kingdom. We
desire all to enter his presence."
(The Officiator, who until now has not spoken to the audience, now
gives instructions for orderly movement, row by row, of the patrons
into the Telestial Room, where the actual veil is located. The
patrons then proceed to move to the Telestial Room and take up seats
there, still segregated, women on the left, men on the right. The
entire front of this room, plus extra space to both sides is filled
with approximately 50 veil segments [Los Angeless Temple]. Patrons are
called from their seats in groups of 8-10 by the Officiator [still
segregated by sex] to the veil area, where they are assigned to a veil
section in turn and then introduced at the veil.)
Three persons are involved at each veil ceremony: the VEIL
WORKER, who represents the Lord behind the veil; the PATRON, who is
going through the ceremony to obtain entrance into the Celestial Room,
representing the Celestial Kingdom, located behind the veil; and the
INTRODUCER who helps the patron and introduces him to the Lord. All
Veil Workers are men, but the veil segments are divided between men
and women patrons and women INTRODUCERS help women Patrons.
| I have a whole page dedicated to this subject on my web site:
http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/temp...
In summary, the Salt Lake Temple originally had huge bathtubs for the "washing and anointing" ordinance. All temple patrons were bathed naked and anointed with oil during the ordinance. According to the church, this ordinance is as essential as baptism and required before one can receive their garments.
At some point the ordinance baths were removed and patrons had to bathe before attending the temple. So the ordinance was changed to washing and anointing certain parts of the patron's naked body - including the groin and breast area.
I say temple patrons were naked, but they actually wore a sheet of cloth with a hole in it, much like a poncho. It was completely open on the sides and wearing it still gave the the full sensation of being naked.
This open poncho, conveniently called a "shield" was also a requirement of the ordinance. When going through the temple for the first time, the Salt Lake Temple president told us new initiates that the open poncho had to be the same as the one Christ used to cover the naked man he initiated in the Bible (See Mark 14:51-52).
Then in January 2005 the church changed the ordinance again. The ponchos were sewn up on the sides and temple patrons had to wear their garments underneath them. The touching stopped and the washing and anointing is done with motions close to the body.
The changes to this fundamental saving ordinance are akin to changing baptism from total immersion to a sprinkling on the head. Yet Mormons point out that changing saving ordinances is a wicked sign of a church's apostasy.
So why did my grandmother's salvation require her to be bathed naked in a tub when members today receiving the same ordinance aren't even touched? How could this eternal saving ordinance be coming from a timeless all-knowing God?
Why couldn't God just get it right the first time when He "revealed" the ordinance to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young?
| The Mormon Corporation has once again made changes to their temple ceremonies. Eliminated are sitting and standing and minor changes to the Endowment wording to accommodate such changes. Eliminating the sitting and standing is supposed to reduce the time required by 30 minutes.
When I have more detailed information, I will change this post to reflect those changes.
| Here's Jerald and Sandra Tanner's comprehensive article published shortly after the 1990 changes:
http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no75....
Note that several newspapers, such as the New York Times and the Arizona Republic, wrote of the changes. Of the elimination of the blood oaths, the Times wrote:
"The ceremony also contains elements resembling the Masonic rituals current in 1830, when Joseph Smith founded the church...
"The latest revisions diminish these elements, including gestures symbolizing the participant's pledge to undergo a gruesome death rather than reveal the rituals.
I went through about 30 endowment sessions in five different temples from 1974 to 1988. The death oaths were a major part of the ceremony. I distinctly remember when the reports of the 1990 changes were published in newspapers. We even discussed them in high priests' group meeting that Sunday. The bishop walked into the room during the discussion, and with a look of shock, he said "THEY CHANGED THE ENDOWMENT?" He, like the rest of us, had been taught that the endowment ceremony had been given by pure revelation, and was supposed to be an unchangeable ordinance---like the baptismal and sacrament prayers.
That event was a big blow to my "testimony," because I had been told by a GA in the assembly room in the Salt Lake temple in 1974 that the endowment had never been changed and never would be.
Any Mormon who went through the endowment ceremony before those April 1990 changes, and asserts that there were no blood oaths in that version, is either lying or has a poor memory.
| http://www.lds-mormon.com/whytemplech...
In 1987, David John Buerger (an active but liberal Mormon), published an article in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, a liberal Mormon publication which is not controlled by the LDS church. In the article, Buerger suggested that LDS church leaders needed to seriously consider making changes in the temple endowment ceremony to counter declining rates of attendance.
Although possibly just a coincidence, the Mormon Church issued a survey to about 3,400 members in Canada and the U.S. to determine members' opinions concerning temple work and various other topics only a few months after the 1987 Buerger article.
Soon after the 1988 survey, plans were underway to change the endowment ceremony again (the ceremony had been modified many times since its introduction in Nauvoo, Illinois in the early 1840's). In 1990, the revised ceremony became effective, and the Protestant minister was eliminated from the film.
Some of the key changes were:
- Protestant minister paid by Lucifer to preach false doctrine was eliminated.
- All penalties (and gestures like throat slashing, chest slashing and bowel slashing) were eliminated.
- Women's promise to be obedient to husbands was modified.
- The intimate position at the veil (foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand on shoulder and mouth to ear) was eliminated.
- The strange words "Pay Lay Ale" (meaning "Oh God hear the words of my mouth") were eliminated.
Instructions: "...we have developed this survey to help us understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences relating to temple and genealogy activities.... along with you, approximately 3,400 other members in the United States and Canada are being asked to participate in this project.... We hope that you will feel you can be candid and open in your answers.... what you write will be anonymous. We will not be able to associate your name with the questionnaire you complete…This survey should be returned in the mail by March 30th, 1988…"
Survey question 28:
For a person who had been through the endowment ritual, "did you feel spiritually uplifted by the experience?" and "was the experience unpleasant?" and "were you confused by what happened?"
Survey question 29:
"Briefly describe how you felt after receiving your own endowment."
Survey question 37-k:
"Did you find it hard to go to the temple?"
Survey question 39-b:
"have you ever fallen asleep during sessions?"
Survey questions 70-a and 70-b:
"Do you believe the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a prophet of God?"
"Do you believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth?"
Survey question 77-g:
"Do you have any doubts about specific LDS doctrines and teachings?"
A page at the end of the Survey was left blank in case the person had "any additional things to write about your feelings or activities in temple or genealogical work..."
| When Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844, his assassins created the circumstances for what has become known as the "Oath of Vengeance." A corollary to the doctrine of blood atonement, the oath of vengeance was created on the first anniversary of Smith's death as a formal prayer for God's vengeance upon those who shed the blood of the prophet's. Six months later this oath of vengeance became a part of the Mormon temple endowment ceremony.(1) The specific oath stated the following:
"You and each of you do solemnly promise and vow that you will pray and never cease to pray and never cease to importune High Heaven to avenge the blood of the prophets on this nation and that you will teach this to your children and your children's children until the third and fourth generation."(2)
This oath of vengeance was used several times in 1845 as justification for killing people who had been involved in the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.(3)
When the doctrines of blood atonement and oath of vengeance were dropped as part of church doctrine, fundamentalists saw this as yet another instance of the church caving in to political pressure. They still believe firmly in these doctrines. Kraut remarks that "Today, the doctrine of blood atonement is never taught and rarely mentioned. The idea of capital punishment has almost become eradicated by communists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and liberal educators. The Oath of Vengeance is no longer a part of the temple ceremony."(4)
(1)D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994), 179.
(2)Ogden Kraut, 95 Theses (Dugway, Utah: By the author, Box 222, n.d.), 79.
(3)Quinn, 1994, 180-181.
(4)Kraut, 78-79.
| Editor Note: This is a collage of posted articles on how the Mormon temple ceremony changed in 1990.
Where's a good, believeable source that this happened for a TBM? A member asked me about this and doesn't believe it ever existed.
http://www.mormonthink.com/temple.htm...
The apologist FAIR just admits that there has been changes over the years, but they don't address what changes have been made "due to the holiness of the ceremonies" and thus they try to dodge the bullet in that regard. So if you really want to know what the changes have been you'll just have to look the information from sources that are regarded as "anti-mormon" and critical towards the church.
--
Just ask any member who went through the temple pre-1990 as they would know but that's if they are willing to talk. I went through many times pre-1990 and the symbolic throat slashing was still very much in use as was also the cutting of one's stomach open. But if the person wants to see an apostle admit it then watch the following YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9v2Gx... keep in mind he first denies it then reluctantly admits it indirectly. Caught up in his own web of lies and deceit.
--
I went through the temple many times prior to the 1990s changes, and not only slit my throat but slashed my breasts and my bowel section.
It was taken from old masonic rituals of death for "revealing" the secrets of the lodge/temple ceremonies.
It was disgusting, and when the church began their push into Russia, Africa, they had such a backlash...that they made the changes.
That's when I realized they'd flushed Joseph Smith's edict that "no changes shall ever be made" to the ceremony.
There are several sites with listings of the hundreds of changes to the ceremony over the years...and it's usually triggered by appalled membership.
--
I ran into this issue with my TBM wife when I confronted her with the real facts about the church. She thought the idea of the temple penalties was so appalling and absurd that she literally laughed in my face for even considering that it was true. It didn't matter what anyone said online. They were lies. I told her to ask her parents (who had experienced the pre-1990 ceremony). Her mom wouldn't talk about it. So I told her to ask my TBM mom, who was more than happy to confirm everything I had said.
So my advice is to direct your friend to ask a TBM old-timer who they trust, and who likes to talk about the old days.
--
Not a TBM site, but accurate, here is a transcript with comparisons of the post-1990 with the pre-1990 endowments. It's also a great source to let those people know who never went pre-1990 that when we were told that the temple endowment was not "secret," it was "sacred," that's another lie since right in the ceremony it used the term "...obligation of secrecy..." with the signs, tokens, and penalties. Side note: The first time I went through the temple I was extremely sick (mono), with a big headache and fever. I was hoping that's why I felt such a revolting feeling when I went through, but I kept having the same feeling subsequent times at the "penalty" portions especially.
http://www.lds-mormon.com/compare2.sh...
You should encourage the TBM to ask about it in the celestial room next time they're in there with someone they trust to tell the truth and who was there pre-1990.
--
--
Pre-1990 here. Did it all, I can confirm it until I'm blue in the face, but any TBM who went post-1990 won't believe it. As mentioned, the best bet is an old TBM who's willing to talk about it. The Holland video is pretty good too.
Another thing from the pre-1990 version was that the protestant minister (since removed) was directly employed by Satan. Also, when Lucifer is talking about buying up armies and navies, false priests who oppress etc., before 1990 he said "popes and false priests who oppress". They took out the Pope.
ETA: My parents tell me the protestant minister used to lead the company in a hymn, but that was removed before I first went in 1980. And they had to wear wrist to ankle tie-up garments as well.
--
It was such a lovely wedding day in 1980 when I had to perform the death penalties before getting married. I remember that day with such fondness.
Yes, the death penalties included slashing the throat ear-to-ear and slashing the bowels. This was in the Oakland Temple.
Talk about cog dis---My primal instinct made me want to run for the border. But I looked around the room at my fiance and other family members and everyone else seemed okay with it. The temple workers always have such a lovely fake smile pasted on their faces.
WTF?!!
The temple garments had just been updated to the two-piece style and I took this as a sign from Gawd Almighty since there was no way in hell I was going to be caught dead in the hideous one-piecers I had seen my mother wearing.
Just want to verify that what MU and PJ said is 100% true and accurate!
--
I was thinking about this last night. If you have an old-time TBM who is reluctant to talk about it or who denies it, make the sign of one of the penalties and ask them "So this means nothing to you?"
The first one is probably easiest. Raise your right arm to the square, fingers close together and the thumb extended, palm to the front, then (as Further Light and Knowledge has already posted) bring the thumb of your right hand under the left ear, the palm down, draw the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, then drop the hand to your side.
Don't wait for a reaction of words, just look at their eyes!
--
The kinda crazy thing is ... there IS no believeable source for a TBM.
There is no official transcript of the temple ceremony. The word of "apostates" is discounted and active members who break their vow of secrecy are suspect. I think it would be interesting to ask the TBM, what would you accept as proof?
If the temple ceremony had changed dramatically from 20 years ago, how could you know?
Kinda like the related question...
If the church was not true, how would you know?
--
Slit my throat in September 1976 the day before going into the mission home. I thought the entire ceremony was weird and didn't believe any of it. But what was even more weird was the number of people that took the temple experience seriously. I just couldn't wrap my hear around people actually believing in the temple and the activities that went on inside. No wonder that want to keep it a secret. I was also angry that no one filled me in on what was going to happen in the temple before I got there.
This January is my 11th anniversary of being temple and weird undie free. Took me a while to finally give it all up.
--
I never went to the temple AFTER 1990 so I did not witness a new and improved version.
I joined the church in 1983 (I think) and was sealed to hubby and our two kids a few years later. I experienced the throat and bowel slashing. As a convert, I found it rather disturbing my first time through, although I convinced myself that it was my problem. I went one more time, thinking that I must have been in a bad frame of mind. After that second trip I never went back, even though I paid tithing.
In reality, I think that the temple experience hastened my slide toward apostacy.
| |
|
How to navigate:- Click the subject below to go directly to the article.
- Click the blue arrow on the article to return to the top.
- Right-Click and copy the "-Guid-" (the Link Location URL) for a direct link to the page and article.
Archived Blogs:
| |
Articles posted here are © by their respective owners when designated.
Website © 2005-2021
Compiled With: Caligra 1.119
HOSTED BY
 |
| |
|
