Temple Question

[slamjet]

This might be a bit weird, but I always wondered this and I really can't find a definitive answer. But it could also be a product of over a decade of absence. So here goes.

Is the temple the one place where Satan cannot penetrate? Or is it dependent on whether we bring him in there with us or not?

If the first question is correct, is that the one place on earth where we can count on not having evil influences thus whatever flows through out mind that is not conducive to the Spirit a product of our own weaknesses and a good indicator of what we need to work on?

[Obolus]

This might be a bit weird, but I always wondered this and I really can't find a definitive answer. But it could also be a product of over a decade of absence. So here goes.

Is the temple the one place where Satan cannot penetrate? Or is it dependent on whether we bring him in there with us or not?

If the first question is correct, is that the one place on earth where we can count on not having evil influences thus whatever flows through out mind that is not conducive to the Spirit a product of our own weaknesses and a good indicator of what we need to work on?

If people are allowed in, then the natural man is allowed in. The natural man is the adversary's servant, and some people entertain them in the temple. So yes, he gets into the temple all of the time. The prayer that the temple president gives at the beginning of each day essentially rededicates the temple on a daily basis.

The temple's entire approach to the adversary seems to address this issue very effectively, though. We are trained to send him away so that we can perform the Lord's holy work. We are instructed on how to deal with him.

[Iggy]

This might be a bit weird, but I always wondered this and I really can't find a definitive answer. But it could also be a product of over a decade of absence. So here goes.

Is the temple the one place where Satan cannot penetrate? Or is it dependent on whether we bring him in there with us or not?

If the first question is correct, is that the one place on earth where we can count on not having evil influences thus whatever flows through out mind that is not conducive to the Spirit a product of our own weaknesses and a good indicator of what we need to work on?[/QUOTE]

Don't think it is weird at all. After my endowments, the following Sunday I had one last lesson with the Temple Preparedness teachers (husband & wife) they taught how we bring in the good and bad. And how to strive to keep the good around us while we are there, and how to maintain that spirituality after we leave the Temple.

Yes, it is dependent on whether we bring him in.

Yes, you have that correct.

My first time I was SHOCKED that we had to have locks on the lockers. In the Temple? My temple worker escort said yes, even in the Temple. There is nothing in the Temple that will invite satan in, other than us humans. No mindless TV. No blaring radio. The entire atmosphere is that of reverence and holiness.

And yes, unworthy people do get in. My third time in the temple it was a stake temple day. The group I was with decided to eat first and while we were getting our food- the two couples in front of us were asking the server where the coffee was. Made us look and listen. The server said that there was no coffee or tea, added up their meals, took their money and they went and sat down.

Just as they finished eating, two white suited gentlemen came to them and asked them to please follow them and escorted them out a back way.

We later learned that they had used their neighbors temple recommends to gain entrance into the temple. All they wanted to do was eat a cheap, good meal. Yes the LDS members who loaned out their recommends lost their temple privileges for a "season". Our Stake President didn't say for how long - just that it was for a "season".

On my last trip to the Portland OR temple before I married and moved to AZ, a wedding party invaded the temple. Or, they tried to. They got stuck at the front in their s t r e t c h limo. The limo was too long and couldn't make the turn & had to back out. The guys got out- looking rather different in their tuxedos and 'colors' wrapped around their heads, then the women got out. Their gowns were more suited for nightclubbing than a wedding. They were gang bangers - loud and obnoxious.

Temple security came and escorted them away from the front. Took twelve white suited men to escort them. One dainty white robed sister went to the driver of the limo and presto the music was silenced.

They had paid some person (not LDS or affiliated with the church) $1,500.00 who then told them to go to the Mormon Temple and they will take pictures of your wedding party there.

Yes, you are allowed to take pictures of your wedding party- but it is on the lawn, and you must be reverent, quiet and respectful. They were still there when the sister and I were leaving. Took them a long time to learn to be quiet, respectful and to wait for their own photographer to show up.

That day the greeters in the Temple had the LDS members go into the Atrium first- to calm down- then go check in. Good move. Get your talking out of your system in there- put your reverence back on and proceed through to the changing rooms.

[applepansy]

My opinion: If Satan isn't allowed there then we would be protected from temptation. From behavior I've witnessed in the temple I believe we can bring him in with us. However, I also believe that those who don't bring him in are more protected against his influence while in the temple.

Its a matter of obedience, humility and faith.

The temple is the only place where IF you choose you can shed the temptations and bad feelings/behaviors that plague us in our lives.

[Suzie]

The temple is the only place where IF you choose you can shed the temptations and bad feelings/behaviors that plague us in our lives.

Doesn't apply to all places? ("If we choose..").

[applepansy]

Doesn't apply to all places? ("If we choose..").

yes it does. The difference is the level of protection the Spirit can bring to bear for those who are doing their best to be repentant and righteous.

[Saguaro]

We later learned that they had used their neighbors temple recommends to gain entrance into the temple. All they wanted to do was eat a cheap, good meal. Yes the LDS members who loaned out their recommends lost their temple privileges for a "season". Our Stake President didn't say for how long - just that it was for a "season".

Seriously? They went through all that trouble just to eat at the temple cafeteria? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. I also don't think a Stake president should be telling people about whose recommends he has taken away, one's recommend status should be strictly confidential.

[Guest saintish]

"Now there was a day when the asons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and bSatan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going ato and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 1:6-7

even satan can present himself in the lords presence.

[applepansy]

Seriously? They went through all that trouble just to eat at the temple cafeteria? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. I also don't think a Stake president should be telling people about whose recommends he has taken away, one's recommend status should be strictly confidential.

He didn't say the Stake President announced the names of the people. The Stake President probably used the incident as an example and didn't say a word about names.

[Iggy]

Seriously? They went through all that trouble just to eat at the temple cafeteria? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. I also don't think a Stake president should be telling people about whose recommends he has taken away, one's recommend status should be strictly confidential.

Think what you like, it is a true story. I was there and witnessed it, as I stated.

Seriously, have you not eaten in a Temple cafeteria? The food is pretty darn good and extremely cheap. For less than $10.00 gets you the hot meal including soft drink, dinner roll or bread. (it was $5.00 back in 2004 at the Portland Temple, don't know what it is now - - I never ate at the Mesa Temple or the Seattle Temple)

The Stake President & his presidency made it a point to go to all the Wards and Branches in his stake to relate this story and how important the recommend is. It is NOT to be loaned out, nor used for a credit reference either. So many people were there and witnessed it, most of them from our stake, and we all talked and were curious about what was going on. His going to all the wards and branches and explaining simply what had happened put an end to the talking and speculating.

He never said the names of the members who loaned out their recommends, or even where they lived. They could have lived in a different state and loaned their recommends to their neighbors so they could eat on the cheap where ever there is a LDS Temple!

I don't really care if you believe it or not. I witnessed it first hand, and I do not lie.

[mightynancy]

My first time I was SHOCKED that we had to have locks on the lockers. In the Temple?

There weren't always locks - I had things stolen from a locker in the Los Angeles Temple.

I think the Temple affords us an opportunity to shed the cares/temptations of the world, but we have to prepare ourselves to take advantage of it. I doubt there's anywhere on the earth where Satan cannot go, if we are speaking of locations.

[Traveler]

This might be a bit weird, but I always wondered this and I really can't find a definitive answer. But it could also be a product of over a decade of absence. So here goes.

Is the temple the one place where Satan cannot penetrate? Or is it dependent on whether we bring him in there with us or not?

If the first question is correct, is that the one place on earth where we can count on not having evil influences thus whatever flows through out mind that is not conducive to the Spirit a product of our own weaknesses and a good indicator of what we need to work on?

I was told a story by a temple worker at the Manti Temple. I do not remember the date or the name of the temple president but the event was told to me to have taken place some years ago.

One day the temple president arrived at the temple and found Satan waiting near the entrance. An unpleasant conversation followed after the temple president unsuccessfully attempted to cast Satan from the temple gourds and finely the temple president asked Satan why he was at the entrance of the temple and would not leave. Satan responded that he planned on attending the temple that day. The temple president was quite shocked and asked how it was that he would enter the house of the L-rd. Satan replied that he was waiting for someone unworthy to invite him to enter. That he regularly would enter temples via an unworthy member that was not loyal to their temple covenants.

The Traveler

[Saguaro]

Think what you like, it is a true story. I was there and witnessed it, as I stated.

Please accept my apologies. I assumed too much.

[Blocky]

Seriously? They went through all that trouble just to eat at the temple cafeteria? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. I also don't think a Stake president should be telling people about whose recommends he has taken away, one's recommend status should be strictly confidential.

The Oakland temple cafeteria is so totally awesome. They have these muffins that may be the best muffins I've ever eaten in my life. 75 cents each.

[UrbanFool]

We'll be getting our recommends in a couple months. I had no idea you could eat at the temple. We'll be going to Medford or Sacramento.

I've always wondered if the statue of Moroni was stolen off the top of the Oakland temple

[skippy740]

My first time I was SHOCKED that we had to have locks on the lockers. In the Temple? My temple worker escort said yes, even in the Temple. There is nothing in the Temple that will invite satan in, other than us humans. No mindless TV. No blaring radio. The entire atmosphere is that of reverence and holiness.

As another reason for locks, is that not all our elderly members are completely coherent. It can help to prevent unintentioned intrusions into your things.

[bytebear]

We'll be getting our recommends in a couple months. I had no idea you could eat at the temple. We'll be going to Medford or Sacramento.

I've always wondered if the statue of Moroni was stolen off the top of the Oakland temple

Most temples do not have cafeterias. Check the temple website to know for sure.

[Iggy]

We'll be getting our recommends in a couple months. I had no idea you could eat at the temple. We'll be going to Medford or Sacramento.

I've always wondered if the statue of Moroni was stolen off the top of the Oakland temple

Both the Medford and the Sacremento temples are the smaller temples. They do not have cafeterias or clothing service. Medford Oregon

Sacramento California.

[Iggy]

Most temples do not have cafeterias. Check the temple website to know for sure.

In the US, most do. The smaller temples do not however. Nor do the smaller temples have clothing service/rentals.

[applepansy]

As another reason for locks, is that not all our elderly members are completely coherent. It can help to prevent unintentioned intrusions into your things.

Your implication that elderly people in the temple are going to snoop in someone's locker bothers me. When working in the temple, it was my observation that it was the elderly who were the most respectful of others space.

[Dravin]

Your implication that elderly people in the temple are going to snoop in someone's locker bothers me. When working in the temple, it was my observation that it was the elderly who were the most respectful of others space.

I don't think he was implying snooping, just confusion. Namely that an elderly person may not remember their exact locker and pop open yours by mistake. I have a hard time contemplating unintentional snooping, thus my parsing. I leave it up to the reader if that implication is any less or more offensive.

[MarginOfError]

Seriously? They went through all that trouble just to eat at the temple cafeteria? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. I also don't think a Stake president should be telling people about whose recommends he has taken away, one's recommend status should be strictly confidential.

A similar incident happened in the Boston Temple when I was an ordinance worker there. A member's friend was curious about the temple, so the member loaned her a recommend. She asked for coffee at the cafeteria and was greeted with (justified) suspicion.

People do stupid things. 'nuff said.