Temple Ceremony not weird

[_kate]

I was told not to tell anybody else about the ceremony, and to not even discuss it with other endowed members.

Has the definition of secret changed? I'm new, I know, and I'm not showing good form by being snarky right out of the gate, but I don't know how else to put it. Don't tell anybody means it's a secret.

[_harmony]

I was told not to tell anybody else about the ceremony, and to not even discuss it with other endowed members.

Has the definition of secret changed? I'm new, I know, and I'm not showing good form by being snarky right out of the gate, but I don't know how else to put it. Don't tell anybody means it's a secret.

It is secret. Nothing has changed. At least, nothing that makes any difference has changed. It's still secret. Women still veil their faces.

[_kate]

I was told not to tell anybody else about the ceremony, and to not even discuss it with other endowed members.

Has the definition of secret changed? I'm new, I know, and I'm not showing good form by being snarky right out of the gate, but I don't know how else to put it. Don't tell anybody means it's a secret.

It is secret. Nothing has changed. At least, nothing that makes any difference has changed. It's still secret. Women still veil their faces.

I've yet to understand what the big deal about the word "secret" is to the LDS. I have theories, but I've never heard any real explanation from the faithful as to why the word secret is so offensive, in reference to the ceremonies. This was never up for discussion while I was a member, so I would be interested to hear current LDS's take.

[_Yoda]

I've yet to understand what the big deal about the word "secret" is to the LDS. I have theories, but I've never heard any real explanation from the faithful as to why the word secret is so offensive, in reference to the ceremonies. This was never up for discussion while I was a member, so I would be interested to hear current LDS's take.

Welcome to the board, Kate!

I think that the whole "sacred not secret" phrase initiated with "The Godmakers" book and film, when the Church felt it was under severe scrutiny, and was deathly afraid of being categorized as a cult.

As an active LDS, I don't really hear the phrase as much now as I used to.

What I found interesting were the changes that happened in the endowment ceremony in the early 90's. It was obvious that someone was talking about the ceremony, because the changes all reflected issues which made the Church sound much more streamlined from a Christianity standpoint. (I can't really go into more detail than that in this thread....but we can talk about specific temple details in the Telestial Forum, if you are interested.)

[_The Nehor]

I've yet to understand what the big deal about the word "secret" is to the LDS. I have theories, but I've never heard any real explanation from the faithful as to why the word secret is so offensive, in reference to the ceremonies. This was never up for discussion while I was a member, so I would be interested to hear current LDS's take.

It's mostly just due to a change in connotation. The literal meaning is things that aren't generally known. In modern parlance it tends to convey that something sinister took place. If someone mentions a secret meeting everyone asks what there was to hide.

[_harmony]

In modern parlance it tends to convey that something sinister took place. If someone mentions a secret meeting everyone asks what there was to hide.

Kinda like the secret that's hidden in the closed books.

[_The Nehor]

In modern parlance it tends to convey that something sinister took place. If someone mentions a secret meeting everyone asks what there was to hide.

Kinda like the secret that's hidden in the closed books.

I have no reason to believe that is sinister either.

[_moksha]

I have no reason to believe that is sinister either.

It's just esoteric.

[_Gazelam]

Kate,

I've yet to understand what the big deal about the word "secret" is to the LDS. I have theories, but I've never heard any real explanation from the faithful as to why the word secret is so offensive, in reference to the ceremonies. This was never up for discussion while I was a member, so I would be interested to hear current LDS's take.

There are certain things that can be discussed, and certain things that can't.

The Creation and the Fall and the Atonement are certainly open for discussion among all people. Washings and Annointings and Baptism for the dead is certainly just fine to discuss amongst the company of other faithful members. Signs and tokens are to only be discussed in the Temple itself.

There is a great deal regarding the Temple talked about in Hugh Nibleys book Temple And Cosmos That I would highly recommend if you really want to delve into Temple study.

[_zzyzx]

I just wonder why something given directly from God, not to be changed... has been changed?

I agree with an earlier topic I have read that I would like to see Satans apron from the 1950/60's. It had actual symbols of his 'powers & priesthoods' on it. This one was not the Masonic apron. I had one of those and it was different.