Mormons, a tough question: What did the temple "shield" used for the washing ritual look like in 2000...?

Question

...and what did you wear under it? Why did the design for the shield change a few years ago?

This is a tough question. Are you going to say that this is ignorant so that you don't have to answer it? This is a valid question and many people would like to know the answer.

I can hear the crickets now....

Plastik Punk: Since you won't answer it, I'll tell everyone. In 2000 it was a large oval towel with a hole in it for your head. The sides were open and you were naked underneath it. Then an old person would touch your body under it with oily fingers to wash and anoint you.

Mormon Duck: You may have had the garments on underneath, but that was abnoirmal. Most people wore nothing underneath, but don't take my word for it. http://www.exmormon.org

Plastik Punk: I'm asking so that other people will read it and know what they look like, in order to make the Mormon church look bad.

Answer 1

So this is one of your so called tough questions no one will answer? You said it all. It isn't about the question, you just want to make the Church look bad. Find a dupe for your game some where else.

Answer 2

The shield wasn't oval shaped...I went through pre-2000 (pre-1990 for that matter) and it was a square white poncho with a hole in the center for your head. And yes, you were naked underneath for most of the ceremony...only at the end would you put the garment on.

The washing is "symbolic" now, however, they do touch you near your "loins" among other areas (eyes, ears, head, neck, back, arms, legs) during the washing (with water) and anointing (oil). Some members were okay with the ordinance but most that I spoke with found it a little creepy. Especially when you saw a big fat guy going in to do them. They didn't have the big fat guy size and so they were "flappin' in the breeze" as it were.

To the mormons who think this question was inappropriate...intent doesn't make it appropriate or inappropriate. Asking a question to help someone critically examine their beliefs and/or claims should be encouraged...especially in the church. You all can talk all day long about how much you've researched the history of the LDS faith but you and I both know that the average member has no idea (or doesn't even believe them if the have heard) about how different the early church was from what they experience every week. Pay, pray, and obey. Don't think...it's already been done for you.

Answer 3

You think this is a tough question?!? How so?

The shield was like a giant sheet with a hole in the top for your head. For most of the ceremony (which took place in the single-sex locker room area in a private booth) you wore only the shield, with nothing underneath it, and held the sides shut when walking from the changing area to the washing and anointing section (a journey of about ten feet in the three temples I've been in). At the end you put on the garment and return to your cubicle.

I used to love the washing and anointing ceremony, it made me realise just how special I am to Heavenly Father. First time I went through the Temple I came out of that room feeling ten feet tall!

Now the sides of the shield are sewn shut - I suppose to preserve modesty, although I don't really see the point of that - and so much of the ritual is more symbolic. No idea why it needed to be changed. Possibly because so many anti-Mormons were making a big thing of part of the "secret temple ritual being walking around naked with just a loose sheet to cover up your private parts..." Ignorant, pointless people. It was - and is - a beautiful, meaningful, spiritual experience and how dare you say anything to devalue it for me.

Answer 4

The ordnance of the washing and anointing is sacred to me. It is not a sexual type of action so you really don't need to be so worried about saving others from participating in it.
It is not a requirement to have old people serving in the temple, only that they have a recommend and were called by prophesy and ordained to do the work.
The washing used to be literal, and now is done in a more symbolic fashion, that is the easy answer to your "hard" question...

The change, I presume, was made because we have prophets alive today, they know what is best for our time and instruct us accordingly, isn't this a beautiful concept?

I only found your question because I opened up your list of questions asked and found it, I did not bypass it earlier and finally decide to return to it out of embarrassment.

Keep studying, some day you may realize the truth, and choose to join with us!

Answer 5

Why do they want to know the answer is the real question. If you were asking sincere questions, we could talk. But seeing as you just want to be the antagonist and criticize what you are not quite ready to understand, let's just leave it alone. You seem to take the opinions of a very warped few and construe them as fact. I wish all my opinions were fact, but they are not.

*edit* If you already know the answer, why are you asking?

Why don't you look inside yourself and understand why you have so many resentments toward Christians religions? Maybe if you took your own inventory you might find some level of happiness and you would stop trying to take everyone else's inventory. You have a pretty co-dependent outlook on things.

Answer 6

Worship amenities the place we study approximately God and make sacred covenants with God to stay righteously and persist with the standards of the gospel. The provider specializes in the Savior, His place in Heavenly Father's plan, and the interior maximum dedication of each and every member to persist with Him. exceptionally wild, huh?

Answer 7

Before 2000, it looked like a big piece of cloth with a hole in it for your head to go through. I wore garments under it.

I have no idea why it changed. I didn't ask and they didn't say.

Answer 8

Straight from the community quidelines

"Yahoo! Answers isn't a soapbox to vent personal frustrations or rant about issues. We are a community of people with diverse beliefs, opinions, and backgrounds, so please be respectful and keep hateful and incendiary comments off Yahoo! Answers"

I don't know if your question violates it or not, but according to your edit it seems to. I'm not going to report you, just giving you a warning.

Answer 9

why are Mormons still Mormon after there is hard proof Joseph Smith did not translate the so call "book of Abraham" correctly. (so 25% of BoM is false) (the other 75 % he put his head in a hat and read the "spiritual light")
It's proof J. Smith was a fraud. and had no translating abilities.

They are Mormon because they are still brainwashed. I went to a Mormon church service last sunday. they start brainwashing them young....2-3 years old talking about J. Smith and G. hinkley are living prophets. of course, NO mention of Jesus Christ.

Sad really, poor Mormons, they don't know no better or know nothing else.