Kneeling in the Celestial Room

[Hemidakota]

Probably for the same reason Joseph Smith, Bruce R. McConkie, and anybody else would kneel in the presence of God. The Church has taught me all my life about the importance of kneeling in prayer, from Primary to Sunday School to General Conference.

I don't know if there's a Churchwide policy, but in our local temple it is the official policy, and I've heard of it happening in other temples.

HEP

Yes but not in the temple you will find them kneeling. If you have been in their presence in the Temple, it is not the same as meeting them outside for the first time.

I don't doubt each Temple has its own policy and suspect that is left in the hands of the Temple Presidency.

[HEthePrimate]

Yes but not in the temple you will find them kneeling. If you have been in their presence in the Temple, it is not the same as meeting them outside for the first time.

I'm not trying to be contrary, but I honestly don't see what difference it makes, whether one meets God in the temple or outside the temple.

In any case, I finally got an email response to my question from someone I know who is an ordinance worker, and he said: "I think members are discouraged from kneeling in the Celestial Room so as not to draw attention to themselves and disturb or distract others who are using the room, and also to keep the robes from touching the floor." So basically, he echoes responses given by some of you folks. :)

It probably doesn't really matter. My personal view of the temple is that it's not meant to be a place that is holier than everywhere else. Rather, it is meant to teach us how to be holy, and how to take that holiness with us out of the temple and spread it all through the world. Just as we're not supposed to be "Sunday Mormons," behaving ourselves only one day a week, so we should not be "Temple Mormons" in the sense that we behave in a holy manner only when we are inside a particular building.

So, whether I kneel at home or in the temple doesn't really matter. In fact, perhaps my home should actually be MORE holy...

HEP

[Wingnut]

In any case, I finally got an email response to my question from someone I know who is an ordinance worker,

Several of the people who have responded on this thread probably are or have been ordinance workers as well. It doesn't make one an authority on all things temple-related.

[HEthePrimate]

Several of the people who have responded on this thread probably are or have been ordinance workers as well. It doesn't make one an authority on all things temple-related.

Your point is?

[Hemidakota]

I'm not trying to be contrary, but I honestly don't see what difference it makes, whether one meets God in the temple or outside the temple.

In any case, I finally got an email response to my question from someone I know who is an ordinance worker, and he said: "I think members are discouraged from kneeling in the Celestial Room so as not to draw attention to themselves and disturb or distract others who are using the room, and also to keep the robes from touching the floor." So basically, he echoes responses given by some of you folks. :)

It probably doesn't really matter. My personal view of the temple is that it's not meant to be a place that is holier than everywhere else. Rather, it is meant to teach us how to be holy, and how to take that holiness with us out of the temple and spread it all through the world. Just as we're not supposed to be "Sunday Mormons," behaving ourselves only one day a week, so we should not be "Temple Mormons" in the sense that we behave in a holy manner only when we are inside a particular building.

So, whether I kneel at home or in the temple doesn't really matter. In fact, perhaps my home should actually be MORE holy...

HEP

You need a personal visitation to understand what I have provided as a statement. But I do understand your point.

[Hemidakota]

Before I forget, what makes a location holy in other religions or beliefs? What makes the LDS church considered it a holy location? I

[HEthePrimate]

Well, according to Elder Neuenschwander, "Our homes, likewise, are holy places filled with sacred space. Though not always tranquil, our homes can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teach in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities” (Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Holy Place, Sacred Space,” Liahona, May 2003, 71–72)."