Drpepper

Here is what it saids about wearing temple garments in Handbook 1 Stake Presidents and Bishops since their seems to be some confusion over this. 3.4.5 Wearing and Caring for the Garment Church members who have been clothed with the garment in a temple have taken upon themselves a covenant obligation to wear it according to the instructions given in the endowment. When issuing temple recommends, priesthood leaders should teach the importance of wearing the garment properly. Leaders also emphasize the blessings that are related to this sacred privilege. These blessings are conditioned on worthiness and faithfulness in keeping temple covenants. The garment provides a constant reminder of the covenants made in a temple. When properly worn, it provides protection against temptation and evil. Wearing the garment is also an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior. Endowed members should wear the temple garment both day and night. They should not remove it, either entirely or partially, to work in the yard or for other activities that can reasonably be done with the garment worn properly beneath the clothing. Nor should they remove it to lounge around the home in swimwear or immodest clothing. When they must remove the garment, such as for swimming, they should put it back on as soon as possible. Members should not adjust the garment or wear it contrary to instructions in order to accommodate different styles of clothing. Nor should they alter the garment from its authorized design. When two-piece garments are used, both pieces should always be worn. The garment is sacred and should be treated with respect at all times. Garments should be kept off the floor. They should also be kept clean and mended. After garments are washed, they should not be hung in public areas to dry. Nor should they be displayed or exposed to the view of people who do not understand their significance. Members who have made covenants in the temple should be guided by the Holy Spirit to answer for themselves personal questions about wearing the garment.

Thanks James. Appreciate the thought you have put into this and i agree whole heartily My question to you is do you feel that this is being taught most Sunday's? My original post was that there seems to be a lot of depression in our ward. Im sure if everyone read your post they would feel alot better but im wondering if their just hearing "You have 3 days before the month ends go out and do your home/visiting teaching". Perhaps in the doing, the why has been lost.

Thanks, i think thats true.

I have been listening to messages, testimonies, lessons etc over the last few months paying particular attention to what i call the undercurrent of the message or in other words how a person may feel or receive the message. Here is an example. We have a particular elderly member who gets up every month during testimony meeting and saids. We should all be going to the temple more often. Im sure this is not unfamiliar in alot of wards. Im wondering if people hearing this are sitting their thinking 1. his right i need to go to the temple more or 2. Im a failure for not going to the temple enough. there is a big difference in how an individual mentally process the above statement. One sunday i took the time to listen to all the, We should's, we need to be, we could be doing better at, have you done invitations through the 3 hr block and they really added up. I could easily see how a person could feel overwhelmed and depressed.

I serve on the bishopric in my ward and have the opportunity to speak to a number of people. I have noticed over a period now how many members are suffering or receiving counselling for depression ( and it's alot ) and I'm not just referring to sisters although I get the impression the sisters are more active in seeking help but the brethren tend to suffer in silence. The numbers are alarming especially when you start looking at the fact that the gosple is the Plan of Happiness. Sometimes I feel people leave church on a Sunday more heavier, more burdened, more to do and less uplifted. I really hate sitting on the stand and looking into the faces of the congregation alot of people look sad ( I'm glad investigators don't sit on stands ) Is this normal? Or does our ward need a major adjustment. I wonder where the atonement fits into all of this. Some people I know have been getting counselling for years and years. There was a time when people would say yes I would love to serve. Now I get maybe, let me think about it, and sometimes just no. Is all this normal? Do LDS members suffer from depression more than other people and if so why? I guess I'm trying to figure out if this is a local problem or a much broader issue.

Thanks for the advice everyone... Looks like I have a little more reading to do and alot more learning.

Married 14 years, I have read the book but probably wouldn't hurt for me to read again. Thanks for the tip

I have tired, she normally apologies but then slips back into the same patterns. If I bring it up too much it causes contention.

Sometimes when my wife and I go to the temple I think to myself your sitting on the wrong side. Often around the home I feel my opinions are over ruled or just not valued. Often decisions are made that I didn know about. Sometimes I have made suggestions about things and later a conference speaker may make a similar suggestion and only then will she notice. Is this normal? I don't really subscribe to the I'm the head of the home so u need to listen to me thing. But it would be nice to have a little more respect and understanding.