looked down on by other members? This is a serious question, so LDS members only answer, please. I have heard that the term "social Morman" is used disdainfully.
2007-10-06 11:29:24 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Q and A is to an extent an open forum and I frequently ask questions about other beliefs including atheism. Re. my query: I am not referring to inattendence at ward meetings, rather to not joining in Temple ceremonies.
2007-10-06 11:58:00 · update #1
Concerning your question, perhaps a better understanding of the purpose of the Temple would help to understand.
It is not mandatory for an LDS person to go to the Temple, however there are very strong influences to do so. The answer as to whether you do go or do not go is to be found inside of each individual. Some may not wish to go, yes. Others feel they must go. For any person male of female to "go out on a Mission", it is a requirement to go to the Temple to recieve their own blessings. For a couple to be married in the Temple they must each "recieve" their own indoments (blessings more or less).
Understand in faithful LDS families there is great internal pressures to go, coming from other relatives. There are great, "influences" applied to the individual members to go.
Among the pressures are the "fear factor " of not acheving a "higher kingdom" in heaven. For males to achieve nearly any higher Priest hood office in the church, Temple attendance is almost manadtory. Temple attendance is part of the requirements Temple ( Time and all Eternity) marriages. That goes also for the wife in the marriage.
Thus it is an easy, ..."well they haven't been to the Temple" as to suggest they may not really be converted in totality. Even though the members are not required like in historical times for men to set on this side and the women on the other side of the meeting hall, there is an underlying layer of membership relationships. Oh the Chapel is fully intrigated men and women and all that, those whom do not attend the Temple are still considered ...perhaps, "novice, apprentises, newbies etc.
2007-10-06 12:13:21 · answer #1 · answered by quietgrandpaforchating 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think I could tell you who in my ward or stake hold a current temple recommend or even if they do, whether or not they go to the temple. On occassion, I do see people there from my ward & stake, but I don't assume to know who goes and who doesn't. As important as the Temple is, I fully believe that the Lord understands that schedules and life can often keep people from attending very often. There is no set doctrine that says one must attend the temple a set number of times per year. If someone is being 'looked down upon by other members' for lack of temple attendance, it's wrong. It is not for these 'other members' to judge. It's between the member and his or her Savior.
Now, I will also say this: I have noticed that there are people with what I call a social testimony. They know little of the doctrine of the church, but attend because they grew up doing so. They do not appear to have wrestled with the Lord for a testimony of the Lord. The brethren have cautioned us that we need to be certain that our testimonies are strong enought that we don't need to lean upon the testimonies of others. But, ultimately again, it will be between them and the Savior. I'm more concerned that my testimony is strong enough to withstand the buffeting of Satan and that my children will be able to have the same. I'd love to have the time to go to the temple on a more regular basis. I live less than 10 miles from the temple and I average a handful of times a year. I'd love to make it 2x per month [eventually, even weekly], but I seem to run out of time.
And like many things in life there is a natural ebb and flow. A time and a season.
2007-10-06 11:59:19 · answer #2 · answered by strplng warrior mom 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We have a large number of adult members who have not gone to the temple. They are not 'looked down' upon. There is a different reason with each, and in their own time, they may go.
The leadership in the ward has an assignment to prepare members for this experience. When temple attendance is discussed in sacrament or classes, some may feel omitted. We need to be sensitive to tender feelings. Temple experience should be shared only to promote the desire in others, not to slight them. I think it is an additional small blessing that temple ordinances are not discussed outside the temple.
2007-10-08 03:47:42 · answer #3 · answered by Isolde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hunnerbunner, you have overlooked the factor of what your calling an "handout". The Bishop is to blame for those money and has the possibility to maintain on with the spirit so some distance as what he would ask them to do or not do. I even have not common a single Bishop that did not understand the way the Lord would have him help others. The Church does not furnish unfastened handouts to this is people, the thought continually is to strengthen and progression. Please seek advice from the Bishop approximately it in case you have a difficulty with it. you additionally can seek advice from the Stake President in case your frightened of your Bishop. so some distance as cleansing the Church, we do it each and every week because of the fact the last area of mutual and then 2 to 3 households get the privileged of having it waiting for Sunday centers on saturday. this is been a great blessing to my relatives to get to take part. It has taught us greater of comprehend for the construction and the grounds. It makes the construction sense greater like it incredibly is ours, like we are at living house as quickly as we bypass there. this is been a remarkable adventure even to the factor the place we can take place whilst it is not our turn just to assist.
2016-10-21 06:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by balsamo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read from an LDS apologist/scholar, that he doesn't like the term "temple worthy". He prefers "temple ready". I like that, because a lot of people are "worthy" but they just aren't "ready".
Just curious, but did you ever take a temple preparation class? Or ever look over the questions asked in a temple recommend interview?
Actually, it's really no body's business whether you go to the temple or not.
2007-10-07 01:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am not a LDS member, but I ahev attended chirch with a very good friend and have other friends who are members. It is frowned upon to not attend church. I was watching General Conference earlier toda and had itconfirmed that, in theory, Mormons never "look down" upon any member.
In practice though, it is looked down at. It is seen a sign of great falibility and that Satan wished to keep all members from church at all costs. By not going that equals one victory for him.
I am athiest, but do a great amount of religious study
2007-10-06 11:42:38 · answer #6 · answered by Justin H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a temple recommend holder. I can honestly say that I have no idea, (outside of my husband) who holds a recommend and who doesn't at my ward. It is not talked about. I guess if we asked another couple to double date and they said no. Well, not really, we still would not ask why. I would assume, well, that they just couldn't go.
So I guess the answer is no one really knows who has one and who doesn't. It s not like we wear signs or anything.
2007-10-06 11:41:11 · answer #7 · answered by LDS Mom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Out for a Saturday afternoon troll, I see!
there are a lot of other questions you could ask, about other beliefs!
2007-10-06 11:40:26 · answer #8 · answered by evictus 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
most don't know who has gone, who is going.
2007-10-06 11:43:15 · answer #9 · answered by guest 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋