Going to the temple for the first time in almost 2 years.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

Great new toy, SU. I also find much spiritual solace listening to great music. I'm rather partial to Mozart and Chopin myself.

I concur with Chopin. I like most of the Preludes, esp the more haunting sounds. I like my piano in minor chords.

[SeattleUte]

I have to be brutally honest with everyone. Nothing used to put me to sleep like the temple. I was terrified that I'd miss a cue and be bent over slobbering all over the front of myself, but just coudn't keep the eyelids up. The only thing that cured me was going with my dad, who had the same problem. I'd be mortified at his sleeping, even his gentle snoring. I'd elbow him but couldn't get him to stay awake.

[Babs]

So it got me wondering. When you feel like life is out of control, or are in search of some inner peace, where do the rest of you turn? If you are LDS, especially "progressive LDS" (per SU), do you go to the temple? What about those of you who have left the LDS religion? those of other faiths? SU? Do you have a place you go where you to feel a greater peace, or do you derive that peace wherever you may be?

Somebody asked the other day why, if so many of us are so unorthodox, we keeping going to church at all. What is it that we seek or find there?

I don't believe half of what my church teaches, but it is there that I center myself. I reflect on where I am and where I need to be. I could do it elsewhere, I suppose, but I'm lazy and I wouldn't ever take the time. The weekly service affords me that opportunity.

[SeattleUte]

I concur with Chopin. I like most of the Preludes, esp the more haunting sounds. I like my piano in minor chords.

The more I learn the harder it is to idenify favorites. For religious or traditionally spiritual stimulation, there's nothing quite like Bach. He's also so important historically, such a singular breakthrough. Bach may be the only one I'd want to have all of. The piano concertos by various composers have always struck me as maybe the best of all worlds. If I was going into space and could only take one composer's works I might take Mozart's piano concertos. But maybe not.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Somebody asked the other day why, if so many of us are so unorthodox, we keeping going to church at all. What is it that we seek or find there?

I don't believe half of what my church teaches, but it is there that I center myself. I reflect on where I am and where I need to be. I could do it elsewhere, I suppose, but I'm lazy and I wouldn't ever take the time. The weekly service affords me that opportunity.

I think many people(here and otherwise) can relate with your dilemma. My answer for you is that you should go or do what works for you, regardless of what others think about your personal beliefs or stances. Too many people know what is right for you. What is important is that you develop the relationship with God that works best for you.

I hope that makes sense.

[Babs]

I think many people(here and otherwise) can relate with your dilemma. My answer for you is that you should go or do what works for you, regardless of what others think about your personal beliefs or stances. Too many people know what is right for you. What is important is that you develop the relationship with God that works best for you.

I hope that makes sense.

It's not a dilemma. Not for me, anyway. I probably misspoke. I intended to restate a question posed elsewhere, and then answer it. SM's post hinted at my own answer to the earlier question.

[Jarid in Cedar]

It's not a dilemma. Not for me, anyway. I probably misspoke. I intended to restate a question posed elsewhere, and then answer it. SM's post hinted at my own answer to the earlier question.

Gotcha

[Art Vandelay]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

Great new toy, SU. I also find much spiritual solace listening to great music. I'm rather partial to Mozart and Chopin myself.

I went to bed and couldn't sleep pondering yours and other people's comments. I know of a few people in my ward who feel the same way as you have the past few years and there are likely many more who don't feel comfortable sharing their concerns about the temple with me, not that I'm insinuating they need to.

Anyways, a couple years ago I was reading a scripture I have read dozens if not hundreds of times, Malachi 3:7-11. I had always started this passage in verse 8, but when I read verse 7 I was given a different impression that i had previously. At the time I wasn't feeling as close to the Lord as I would have liked and was struck by a distinct and for me novel thought.

7 ¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

My thoughts at the time was if I return to the him he will be there for me. I found it interesting immediately after the question is of Wherein shall we return? is asked the oft quoted tithing scripture is given.

It occurred to me that maybe the greatest window of heaven tithing has opened for me in my life is the ability to have a temple recommend and to attend the temple. I think the temple truly can be a window into heaven- I can see clearer what God's plan is and what I am expected to me. And much like a window on a sunny day I can also feel the warmth and comfort of what is on the other side.

I'm groggy and always feel like an inadequate writer under the best of circumstances. I believe inspiration is real, but often is very personal. I realize my thoughts and impressions in relation to the this scripture may be of little worth or significance to anyone else, but it was and continues to be helpful to me.

[mUUser]

skiing & boating seems to clear my head best.

I too enjoy the temple, but it's a 4 hour drive.

[venkman]

Aristides and I think the Provo Temple is rad too. We were married there. Before the gold steeple was changed to white. We like the view of the valley below there too, and the backdrop of the mountains. We actually got some pretty cool wedding photos.

I love people who were married in the Provo Temple. Seriously. I find it somewhat annoying how everyone has to be married in the Salt Lake Temple or some other "cool temple". My sister was so cool she wouldn't get married in the SLT because everyone else was doing it, but she still had to do her own thing and dragged everyone down to Manti for her wedding. I was bugged. Plus I got a ticket in Mt. Pleasant. F'ing small town speed-traps.

[Soccermom]

I love people who were married in the Provo Temple. Seriously. I find it somewhat annoying how everyone has to be married in the Salt Lake Temple or some other "cool temple". My sister was so cool she wouldn't get married in the SLT because everyone else was doing it, but she still had to do her own thing and dragged everyone down to Manti for her wedding. I was bugged. Plus I got a ticket in Mt. Pleasant. F'ing small town speed-traps.

I find those who want the "cool" temple amusing too. All those diva brides would really do well to choose the Provo Temple. Our wedding was the only one that day. Talk about getting pampered. I had the bride's room all to myself and we weren't rushed out of the sealing room. It was a very calm and relaxing day. I contrast that to my sister's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple. Everything was rush rush rush. The bride's room was packed. Of course, I am still bitter that one of the temple workers thought I was the mother of the bride. My sister is only 14 months younger than me. We look identical. Most people think I am younger than my age. I'm sure she just assumed that I was the mom because most brides' escorts are their own mothers, but it still got to me.

Of course, that day was not a good day for me. Pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving on the way to get my sister's hairdresser at 5 a.m. That was the day I learned I needed vision correction. Then while carrying the wedding dress into the temple, I slipped on some ice (blasted December weddings) and did the splits on the sidewalk, ripping my tights, cutting my knee, all whilst holding the wedding dress high in the air above my head. And what did my sister and her husband do? Laugh. At least it was a good day for her.

[TripletDaddy]

Soccermom, this is a really nice thread. thanks for starting it.

I wish you and Arist. the best of luck and fulfillment during this time.

Re: temples, I can understand your consternation. I wasn't raised to love or to hate the temple. I just didn't really know about it. So the notion of going to the temple for answers or peace was something foreign to me as a youth and a teen.

I do remember a talk by President "Better Than Ezra" Taft Benson from back in the 80s....."Sometimes in the peace of lovely temples, the serious problems of life find their solutions...pure knowledge flows to us there under the influence of the Spirit."

This quote has always stuck with me because it resonates as true, but not necessarily for the reasons one might think. Let me explain briefly why it resonates as true.....It always seems that everyone is going off about how amazing the temple is, how they feel peace, how they receive all this inspiration, etc. Yet, often, when I go, my experience seems to echo those here...I am hungry, I get tired of sitting and standing, I get distracted after an hour, sometimes I am bored, etc. Other times everything is great, btw...don't want to leave that out). What I love about Ez-Ben's quote is that he qualifies his entire statement with a very realistic, "sometimes." And coming from one of the most hard-core Presidents we have had in my day and age, for him to acknowledge that it is only "sometimes" that we may have these experiences, well.....that really resonated with me. Because it suggests that other times might not be so productive.

Sometimes we go to the temple and the heavens might not part. The pillar of light might not shine upon us to illuminate the mysteries. And that is ok. Sometimes the benefit of the temple lies not necessarily in the spiritual, but in that which is ancillary to the Spirit.....a quiet 2 hours of downtown away from the kids......a period of time to think about some problem in your life....whatever it may be, it is different for everyone.

I am not suggesting that we can't have these spiritual experiences every time we go. I am just pointing out to Soccermom that it is normal and actually common to not have them every time we go. And even the Prophet recognizes such.

For me personally, I enjoy the temple, but admit that the depth of my experience varies from visit to visit. Perhaps it is a function of my preparation and mindset. In fact, it probably is. But I don't get very caught up in being blown away every time I attend the temple. If it happens, great. If not, no worries. I will pass the time in various ways.....I will play games in my mind, I will look for things in the film or even in the room (don't ask).

I have shared this previously on cougarguard, but truthfully, in the 11 years I have been married to MMM, the best part of the temple session is always the same.....the very very end, we see each other in the celestial room. She is always smiling at me. There is genuine love there between us. The veracity of the Church is unimportant in that moment. The Church could be totally false, but at that exact second, we both believe it to be true and we are bonded by that common belief and hope. We are sharing with each other one of the most sacred things in our common belief system. And by doing such, there is a tremendous feeling of safety, companionship, intimacy, and love. I think that is why I go to the temple, to be honest. Every time I go I get that feeling of reaffirmation simply by seeing my wife, sitting down with her, and maybe a hold hold or a brief and strategic pinch when nobody is looking (temple voice rowrrrr!).

So I will end this ramble with another well-wishing and hope for the best for you and your family. I will throw my hat into the Temple ring and say that there is definitely some measure of peace/comfort/solace to be found there. I will also acknowledge that some things will not be found there and require searching elsewhere. But if you go, esp if you go with your husband, there is benefit to be had simply by focusing on each other. Best of luck to you and thanks again for starting this thread.

ps for those that don't dig the length of the endowment session, be advised that you can do W/A (much shorter time commitment) and then go directly into the celestial room. Give that a try if you are pressed for time but still want to sit on the couch.

pss i didn't notice that the Provo temple spire was changed from gold to white. a HUGE (yet respectful) WTF are they thinking? I just saw a pic of the white spire version on an LDS website. It is like looking at one of those fashion alternate Yankees baseball caps that come in weird non-team colors. You know what it should look like, but it just doesn't look right.

[cowboy]

So it got me wondering. When you feel like life is out of control, or are in search of some inner peace, where do the rest of you turn? If you are LDS, especially "progressive LDS" (per SU), do you go to the temple? What about those of you who have left the LDS religion? those of other faiths? SU? Do you have a place you go where you to feel a greater peace, or do you derive that peace wherever you may be?

I thought about this all morning while I was out irrigating. I get a lot of peace being outside working and exercising, but I think that's more a release than actual peace. As I think about it, there are two ways to find peace: perspective and service.

We often go to the temple to find peace because the spirit we feel there helps us to understand that our trials are temporary. We feel comforted in the knowledge that God loves us and has a plan for us that will bring great happiness. Anything that invites the Spirit thus helps calm our anxieties and organize our attack on life. For some it is the temple, and for others it is standing on a mountain and taking in all that God has created for us.

Another way to find peace is through service. We are here in mortality to learn how to get over ourselves. By overcoming our selfish desires we prove to our Father in Heaven that we can be responsible over a greater stewardship and power than we now have. This starts with service, and as we serve others we will develop a love for them and for ourselves that brings an incredible peace into our lives.

I didn't mean to sound like I was trying to write a conference talk, but those are the thoughts I had.

[Goatnapper'96]

As I have briefly mentioned in previous posts, I have struggled much with being a member of the LDS church the past several years. I'll spare the details of that journey, but briefly mention that there were many days when SeattleUte sounded like the only intelligent person in the foyer.

At the current moment, my struggles are still there, but a few experiences have persuaded me that my belief in God is the right direction to go and I should stick with what has worked for me in the past. I think I would be what SU refers to as a progressive Mormon, although not as well versed in church history or as intelligent as the likes of Cardiac, ER, et al.

Anyhow, I am going tomorrow after a long absence (and no, it wasn't because of sin you silly mullahs, unless you count nonattendance as a sin of omission).

Aristides feels like he will get the peace of mind he needs and the direction we need to deal with a few major blows that have come our way. I know I have felt peace there before and have only felt greater peace in the mountains, especially when I saw the Pyrenees.

So it got me wondering. When you feel like life is out of control, or are in search of some inner peace, where do the rest of you turn? If you are LDS, especially "progressive LDS" (per SU), do you go to the temple? What about those of you who have left the LDS religion? those of other faiths? SU? Do you have a place you go where you to feel a greater peace, or do you derive that peace wherever you may be?

I like the temple. I think what I like the most is that I feel it helps me to structure my life. Every time I go I feel like I come out more focussed in who I am and with a greater resolve to structure my time and efforts more consistently in line with what I believe are my priorities. I believe that peace in my life comes with that resolve. Call it repentence or whatever, but to me the experience is about introspection and what Goatnapper needs to do better to make Goatnapper trully happy living his own very sexy, and occassionally rippled, skin. I don't feel guilt or that I am falling short, as I believe the message is to Come Unto Christ no matter if ye are heavy laden or not.

Other than that, I find similar focus/peace in small moments with my family. Last night we tried to do a FHE where I drew out the Plan of Salvation. That was what it was, but as we sang "I am a Child of God" afterwards and I was wrestling with some of my young daughters I believe it was reinforced to me that this period of my life, raising my kids, is my biggest chance to influence this world for good. I believe that if I trully want to make the world a better place and do some good for mankind (perhaps some call that our search for immortality) being a good father is my best opportunity to accomplish that. I hope that I don't make a liar out of my kids who sing about "parents kind and dear."

Good luck and may you and Aristides finish the evening with a raucous doubleheader! Play Ball!

[Goatnapper'96]

I didn't mean to sound like I was trying to write a conference talk, but those are the thoughts I had.

After mentioning irrigating, talk about how the service we do is similar to the water you brought to your afalfa. It can't get a drink for itself so the Christ relies upon you to bring it the water which if it drinks it will never thirst again. But that you must go consistently, and if you don't water consistently then weeds can get in and spoil the crop (I don't know if that is true and it probably isn't but outside of folks from rural America - most of whom are inactive- ain't nobody would know you were making shit up). Call it Cowboy's message to hometeachers and you are rollin', rollin' I tell ya!