Tough question

[Birplds]

Well, first of all I need you all to know that I have been lds member ever since I was born. I'm married and sealed in the temple. I love going to the temple and meditate much about church doctrines (not to figure it true or not, but to further my knowledege of it) Recently, paying close attention to the film in the endowments session where the heavenly messenger sent to Adam and Eve to teach them the plan of salvation and all we learn therin about the priesthood, I came out with this question: how was it possible for the messenger to shake his hand with Adam's? I've been pondering of different facts like the doctrine that teaches the 2 different type of heavenly beings, the one with spiritual bodies which are not allowed to offer up the hand; and the ones with resurrected bodies that are allowed to do so. Other point to consider is the fact that in this world Adam was the first

Flesh, but the messengers are referred to as apostles of Jesus, so are they the same who we know lived with Jesus during His mortal ministry? Or are others with resurrected bodies? I know all this is a total confusion and perhaps some may think is not necessary info for my salvation, and for that very reason I'm appealing to this forum to see other people's insights and knowledge or personal points of view regarding my question, being aware there are many loyal members that have gained more light and knowledge through thorough scripture study. So I would appreciate that if you are thinking in lecture me about "not necessary for your salvation" please abstain from posting. Other than that please share your thoughts.

[theSQUIDSTER]

I'm not sure this is the appropriate venue to discuss such things in detail.. Perhaps in the temple only, since some of the details are too sacred to speak about anywhere else. Sorry.. Not trying to give you the brush-off. You raise some very interesting questions. I'd love to hear what others think as well.. But just don't know about discussing certain things here.

[JojoBag]

I've wondered about the same thing, but my conclusion is that it is more symbolic in nature.  It goes back to more than just shaking hands.  If you recall, just prior to Adam being tossed out of the garden, we are taught that Satan intends to possess the bodies of the descendants of Adam and Eve.  In fact, possession of the bodies of the human race by evil spirits in one of Satan's three main purposes. 

 

First, he plans to destroy the agency of man. That was the issue in the contest which resulted in his expulsion with the third of the hosts of heaven. Moses declared that he is here "to destroy the agency of man" (Moses 4:3). Now, therefore, we may see him in power wherever we see an individual so overwhelmed by his own habits as a result of his sinning and where he seems powerless to control his habits and evil tendencies. You will find that in evidence in men who have vicious habits, who claim they are overwhelmed by a power that is beyond their control. Then you may conclude that you have one who has so far lost the power of agency that he is almost [under] the control of that evil power which is trying to destroy him. Likewise in that nation where representative government has given way to the will of dictatorships, there you may see the power of Satan, or the "prince of this world," reigning in great demonstration.

 

Satan's second purpose is to possess the bodies of Adam and his posterity. Why? Elder John Taylor, in his very excellent work The Government of God (Liverpool: S. W. Richards, 1852), discusses this subject:

 

[satan] exerts an invisible agency over the spirits of men, darkens their minds, and uses his infernal power to confound, corrupt, destroy and envelop the world in confusion, misery, and distress; and, although deprived personally of operating with a body, he uses his influence over the spirits of those who have bodies, to resist goodness, virtue, purity, intelligence, and the fear of God; and consequently, the happiness of man; and poor erring humanity is made the dupe of his wiles. But not content with the ravages he has made, the spoliation, misery, and distress, not having a tabernacle of his own, he has frequently sought to occupy that of man, in order that he might yet possess greater power, and more fully accomplish the devastation. (Pp. 32-33.)

 

The third purpose of Satan, which is described carefully and accurately in the scriptures, was to make captive the souls of men

Teachings of President Harold B. Lee, Pgs. 37-38

 

 

While the temple ceremony teaches us that Satan wants to possess human bodies, it also teaches us how to cast him out and away from us.  Another reason for why Peter was shaking hands was to demonstrate that he was a true messenger, not a false spirit sent from Satan.  Joseph Smith was so concerned about false spirits that he wrote a very long editorial in the Times and Seasons called, "Try the Spirits."  It can be found in the History of the Church, Vol. 4, Pgs. 571-581.

[Traveler]

Well, first of all I need you all to know that I have been lds member ever since I was born. I'm married and sealed in the temple. I love going to the temple and meditate much about church doctrines (not to figure it true or not, but to further my knowledege of it) Recently, paying close attention to the film in the endowments session where the heavenly messenger sent to Adam and Eve to teach them the plan of salvation and all we learn therin about the priesthood, I came out with this question: how was it possible for the messenger to shake his hand with Adam's? I've been pondering of different facts like the doctrine that teaches the 2 different type of heavenly beings, the one with spiritual bodies which are not allowed to offer up the hand; and the ones with resurrected bodies that are allowed to do so. Other point to consider is the fact that in this world Adam was the first

Flesh, but the messengers are referred to as apostles of Jesus, so are they the same who we know lived with Jesus during His mortal ministry? Or are others with resurrected bodies? I know all this is a total confusion and perhaps some may think is not necessary info for my salvation, and for that very reason I'm appealing to this forum to see other people's insights and knowledge or personal points of view regarding my question, being aware there are many loyal members that have gained more light and knowledge through thorough scripture study. So I would appreciate that if you are thinking in lecture me about "not necessary for your salvation" please abstain from posting. Other than that please share your thoughts.

 

You are being way to literal.  The temples are about symbolism.  The meaning of the symbolism is sacred and should not be discussed on this forum.

[Guest]

Birp,

 

It is important to remember that the story of Adam and Eve both in the temple and in scriptures is largely allegorical.  You're supposed to uncover the allegory (speak with someone in the temple).

 

While there was a real Adam and a real Eve, and there was a Garden of Eden, much of what we read is not necessarily to be taken as what literally happened in the Garden.

 

Any more than this is really to be discussed in the temple.  Find someone you trust is knowledgeable in the gospel and temple matters and ask if he/she would be willing to go to the temple with you so you can ask such questions.

[Blackmarch]

Don't stress over it too much.

Edited October 27, 2015 by Blackmarch

[The Folk Prophet]

So I would appreciate that if you are thinking in lecture me about "not necessary for your salvation" please abstain from posting. Other than that please share your thoughts.

 

This isn't necessary for your salvation...

 

....oh....whoops!

 

[cdowis]

The Temple Endowment, as administered in modern temples, comprises instruction relating to the significance and sequence of past dispensations, and the importance of the present as the greatest and gra ndest era in huma n histo ry. This course of instruction includes a recital of the most prominent events of the creative period, the condition of our first pa rents in the Garden of Eden, their disobedience and consequent expulsion from that blissful abode, their cond ition in the lone and dreary world when doomed to live by la - bor and sweat, the plan of redemption by which the great transgression may be atoned, the period of the great apostasy. the restoration of the Gospel with all its ancie nt powe rs and privileges, the absolute and indispensa ble cond ition of personal purity and devotion to the right in present life, and a strict compli ance with Gospel requ irements.   Talmadge's "The House of the Lord"

 

Read this carefully and you will have a better understanding of the symbolic meaning of the events recounted in the temple ceremony -->>

the creation, the Garden of Eden, the Fall, the great apostasy and the restoration of the Gospel.

Edited October 29, 2015 by cdowis