Solemn Assemblies vs. Temple dedications

[Misshalfway]

I guess I thought that temple dedications were solumn assemblies.

But, I must admit that they feel.....how shall I say.....doctrinally/spiritually light. If one were to compare the Kirtland temple dedication to our current ones, there would be some differences. Not that this isn't to be expected. Bringing the temple back to the earth was certainly an important event. But now, they seem just like an everyday Ensign article and the "hozanna shout" seemed more blah than anything, if you kwim.

Anyway.....

Can anyone shed light on this? Perhaps if I understood the difference that might help.

[beefche]

What does "kwim" mean?

Solemn assemblies is not just for temple dedications. When a new prophet is sustained, there is a solemn assembly.

[Maureen]

What does "kwim" mean?.

I assume it's: Know what I mean?

M.

[Moksha]

But now, they seem just like an everyday Ensign article and the "hosanna shout" seemed more blah than anything, if you kwim.

Wish my memory was better, but I seem to remember that hankie waving is part of some old Scandinavian celebration. Wonder if some of the pioneers brought that with them, sort of like Christmas wreaths.

[Jenamarie]

Maybe it's because they've become more common? I attended the broadcast for the Palmyra Temple, and I remember it being very spiritual.

I know when I go to the Temple for regular ceremonies, there are times when it's The Best Spiritual Experience of All Time - you could cut the Spirit with a knife, it's so thick. And there are other times where it's just "eh" - going through the motions, trying to pay attention, and failing miserably. It doesn't mean the ceremony is any less momentous or important or sacred, it's just where *I* am that's changed. I either have too much on my mind that I can't let go of, or I didn't go in with the right frame of mind, or whatever.

Ya, there aren't angels flying through the windows any more, but also remember, there wasn't a cloud or a pillar of flame hanging over the ancient Tabernacle all the time either. But I'm sure the Holy Spirit was just as present (when Israel was righteous).

[Misshalfway]

So a temple dedication IS a solumn assembly, yes?

And yeah, Moksha, I was pretty certain that the hankie thing was an earthly tradition that had significance. Perhaps we today don't understand it as it isn't our tradition.

[Ezequiel]

wait....can someone explain the difference?

[beefche]

"A solemn assembly, as the name implies, denotes a sacred, sober, and reverent occasion when the Saints assemble under the direction of the First Presidency. Solemn assemblies are used for three purposes: the dedication of temples, special instruction to priesthood leaders, and sustaining a new President of the Church. This conference session today is a solemn assembly for the purpose of sustaining a newly called Church President and other officers of the Church."

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Solemn Assemblies

[Misshalfway]

Thanks Beefche. That is what I thought. Good. Now I just have to decide what I should expect out of a solumn assemby.

[Traveler]

I guess I thought that temple dedications were solumn assemblies.

But, I must admit that they feel.....how shall I say.....doctrinally/spiritually light. If one were to compare the Kirtland temple dedication to our current ones, there would be some differences. Not that this isn't to be expected. Bringing the temple back to the earth was certainly an important event. But now, they seem just like an everyday Ensign article and the "hozanna shout" seemed more blah than anything, if you kwim.

Anyway.....

Can anyone shed light on this? Perhaps if I understood the difference that might help.

Like the sacrament a solemn assembly is directly involved in our covenants. Because we partake of the sacrament often some will become dull to the significances. As in the sacrament the significances becomes meaningless to those that have not entered into the covenant of baptism. So also is a temple dedication – the significances becomes meaningless to those that have not entered into the endowment covenants.

I believe the hosanna shout is of particular interest. I believe that such a vocal cry is a recognition and plea that Jehovah is the promised Messiah that will save us from the fall and redeem (purchase or pay for) us for our sins. We see a shadow of this in the scriptures when Jesus entered Jerusalem just prior to his crucifixion. Therefore I believe that if one is fulfilled in this ordinance that they will receive a confirmation of their sins being forgiven and the assurance of the resurrection. For those of us that may not have caught on the first time – hopefully there will be other opportunities.

The Traveler

[Ezequiel]

thank you Beefche. That puts it in a simple and clear way.

I think the Hosannah shout has similarities to the time when Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, right before His crucifiction. The people held up palm leaves instead, but they also cried out Hosanna

" And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. "

(Mark 11|9~10)

Although the words were different, and they were chanting for different purposes, the general idea was still the same.

[Misshalfway]

I think the Hosannah shout has similarities to the time when Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, right before His crucifiction. The people held up palm leaves instead, but they also cried out Hosanna

This was my understanding of the shout thing too.

[rameumptom]

I recall sitting in my stake center, watching the first dedication session for the Nauvoo Temple. I was filled with the spirit, and then Pres Hinckley paused, choked up, and said he could feel the presence of the Father, the Son and Joseph Smith. Clearly, these events can still be very spiritual to us.

I've been in several other temple dedications, where special events occurred, as well.

[HEthePrimate]

But now, they seem just like an everyday Ensign article and the "hozanna shout" seemed more blah than anything, if you kwim.

I hate to say it, but I was rather disappointed by our temple dedication. Makes me wonder how much of it can be attributed the the old New England Puritan influence: "Joy is bad and unseemly." As for the hosanna "shout," it was more of a mutter than a shout, and did it feel like a real "hosanna" in that it did not seem joyful or full of praise for the Lord.

[End of rant.]

Oh, it is true that when a new prophet is sustained we have a solemn assembly.

Shalom.

HEP

[beefche]

HEP, the hosanna mutter is because Mormons don't know how to speak with passion unless a BYU/UoU is game on.

Go to any sacrament meeting and just listen to how a hymn is sung...even the "Spirit of God" is sung like a death dirge.

[bytebear]

HEP, the hosanna mutter is because Mormons don't know how to speak with passion unless a BYU/UoU is game on.

Go to any sacrament meeting and just listen to how a hymn is sung...even the "Spirit of God" is sung like a death dirge.

Have you ever heard "Called To Serve" sung in the MTC? Amazing!

[Misshalfway]

HEP, the hosanna mutter is because Mormons don't know how to speak with passion unless a BYU/UoU is game on.

Go to any sacrament meeting and just listen to how a hymn is sung...even the "Spirit of God" is sung like a death dirge.

LOL. This one made me laugh. So true.

HEP..... For me, this last temple dedication was blah with not only the shout but the whole thing. I am not saying I didn't feel the spirit. I am not saying I didn't feel the truth of the temple thing. What I am saying is that the talks, the doctrine in them, the nature of the gathering felt lite.....like it stood in contrast to the words of the "Spirit of God" hymn.

[rameumptom]

We have to remember that the Church is mostly made up of new converts now. They aren't ready for the deep and heavy doctrines that Miss Half enjoys discussing during her lunch hours. And so the GAs have toned down the teachings, and kept them on the foundational issues for the newer members.

As for a spiritual experience, a lot of that depends on us to have our own personal experiences. Not every temple dedication will be a Kirtland Pentecostal moment. Those are more often kept for when we are alone in prayer.

[Misshalfway]

We have to remember that the Church is mostly made up of new converts now. They aren't ready for the deep and heavy doctrines that Miss Half enjoys discussing during her lunch hours. And so the GAs have toned down the teachings, and kept them on the foundational issues for the newer members.

As for a spiritual experience, a lot of that depends on us to have our own personal experiences. Not every temple dedication will be a Kirtland Pentecostal moment. Those are more often kept for when we are alone in prayer.

Yeah....makes sense. Keeping it simple as the deeper stuff can throw people off.....I get it. Do you have any documentation on that directly from the brethren? (Not asking to challenge you......just so I get it correctly.)

It just seems like I have, thru the course of my life in the church, been to firesides that had more meet than that. I am sure that in those congregations had new members in them. Its not like this temple was built in the mission field. This temple was built in the heart of mormon central. But then again.....they did broadcast it.......

[beefche]

Have you ever heard "Called To Serve" sung in the MTC? Amazing!

Oh yes...I was in that choir when I was in the MTC. Powerful experience and fantastic singing. But, MTC enthusiasm does not extend to everyday sacrament meetings throughout the wards.

[rameumptom]

Yeah....makes sense. Keeping it simple as the deeper stuff can throw people off.....I get it. Do you have any documentation on that directly from the brethren? (Not asking to challenge you......just so I get it correctly.)

It just seems like I have, thru the course of my life in the church, been to firesides that had more meet than that. I am sure that in those congregations had new members in them. Its not like this temple was built in the mission field. This temple was built in the heart of mormon central. But then again.....they did broadcast it.......

Nothing directly from the Brethren. However, the direction of the Church manuals and talks, how they've gone away from the days of speculation to discussing pure doctrine is very evident.

They are refocusing on the simple things, and letting the members seek out their own personal revelation on the deeper things. I think it is good, because in the past, everyone relied on Joseph Smith or Bruce R. McConkie to tell them what to think and believe. Now, we have a very basic set of instructions/doctrines/principles, and have to seek out the rest for ourselves.

It causes us to be a Nephi or a Laman. When Nephi heard Lehi's vision, he went out and sought for an understanding of it himself. Laman declared that God doesn't tell him anything. In this manner, the Lord can reveal to the individual the secrets that the person is ready to receive.

[Hemidakota]

I recall sitting in my stake center, watching the first dedication session for the Nauvoo Temple. I was filled with the spirit, and then Pres Hinckley paused, choked up, and said he could feel the presence of the Father, the Son and Joseph Smith. Clearly, these events can still be very spiritual to us.

I've been in several other temple dedications, where special events occurred, as well.

The Spirit that was felt was the Savior and Joseph Smith in accepting this Temple - both were in attendance of this wonderful edifice.

[Hemidakota]

Concerning the Hosanna shourt, I do bleieve this was done in the council of GOD when the Plan of Salvation was given.

The sacred ceremony of the Hosanna Shout is usually reserved for temple dedications. It is given in the spirit of thanksgiving and petition, fulfilling the instruction to bless the name of the Lord with loud voices and "with a sound of rejoicing", with "hosannas to him that sitteth upon the throne forever" (read D&C 19:37; 36:3; 39:19; 124:101).

Looking back to the past temple ordinance, when the ordinance of the washing of feet was introduced at Kirtland, shouts of hosanna were viewed as a sealing benediction on both private and quorum prayer and then on the dedicatory prayer. At prayer meetings in the Kirtland Temple, the Saints sometimes used related phrases such as "Blessed is the name of the Most High God" and "Glory to God in the highest" (HC 2:386).

In a Sperry Lecture, Lael J. Woodbury, "The Origin and Uses of the Sacred" stated -

The Hosanna Shout is whole-souled, given to the full limit of one's strength. The congregation stands and in unison shouts the words "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Amen, Amen, and Amen," repeating them three times. This is usually accompanied by the rhythmic waving of white handkerchiefs with uplifted hands. The epithet "Lamb" relates to the condescension and Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Hosanna Shout memorializes the pre-earthly Council in Heaven, as "when…all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). It also recalls the hosannas and the waving of palm branches accorded the Messiah as he entered Jerusalem. And hosannas welcomed him as he appeared to the Nephites. President Lorenzo Snow taught that this shout will herald the Messiah when he comes in the glory of the Father (cf. 1 Thes. 4:16).