Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Temple Theater



Bit of background information:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has more than 100 operating temples around the world. Visitors are welcome to visit the temple grounds at all of these temples and attend open houses prior to dedication. However, only baptized members who are qualified and prepared are allowed to enter a temple after it is dedicated.

In temples, Church members participate in ordinances designed to unite their families together forever and help them return to God. In the temple, members:
  • Learn eternal truths.
  • Receive sacred ordinances, including those that bind husband and wife together for eternity, as well as join children and parents (Malachi 4:5-6).
  • Provide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to
  • receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:29; 1 Peter 4:6)
One of the tools for learning is a film. (Except in a couple of very old temples, like Salt Lake, that still use live actors.  I must say that I am glad that I first learned from a film because it was easier to hear and understand, but I hope that the Salt Lake Temple always uses live actors. It is another special experience.) 

The church has added a 3rd new temple film to the mix.  I look forward to seeing it! 

LDS Living Magazine :
 “ A year after the LDS Church began using a new film for temple instruction for the first time in 20 years, and six months after introducing a second, a third new film is in rotation.
“The latest film presentation began showing Tuesday in 30 of the 143 operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a church spokesman confirmed.
“The new film is only in English for now. Like the others, its use will expand to other temples around the world over time and as translations are prepared.
“The script in each of the films is the same. The films are shown in a rotation to provide variety to temple instruction.”

Adds a little zest to temple attendance. J  There are things I particularly favor in each of the 2 currently in use.  It will be fun to see what’s different in this one.  There are advantages to modern life .

The script is the same.  It is interesting to see the different tone and feeling that can be given to the same words.  The difference in personalities even though they say the same thing.  In the case of Lucifer, it reminds me that he will present himself to us in any number of different ways to throw us off guard or appeal to our particular nature, but he is still the same and up to no good no matter what face he puts on. 

         I read on LDS Living a list of temples showing the new film.  Sacramento was not on the list. Yet.  Sigh.  All 14 of the Utah temples have it and a scattering of others – like Fresno and, I think LA.  Not sure how many because the leader said 30 temples but the list header said 27.   I didn’t count them.

             I went to the temple Thursday, as usual.   It was new film #2.  I call it the Aspen Forest one.   I am telling you I like the lone and dreary world!  Better than heaven which is paved with gold. (Does that make me a sinner?)   Not that I have anything against gold, but basically that’s all there is.  And a nice view of earth.  New film #1 I think of as Utah canyons.  I have no idea where the canyons really are, but there is a lot of barren rock.  Impressive, but much more lone and dreary.  Even by the sweat of their brow, don’t know how they are going to get food there.  

            I will be back many times and I will enjoy the films and their variety as well as be enlightened and uplifted by unchanging, eternal truths. 

           If you do not have a temple recommend, make it a goal  The Lord has a gift for you, but you must prepare to receive it. 

No comments:

Post a Comment