Mackman wrote: ↑Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:38 pm
It would be nice to just get rid of the temple ceremony altogether!!!!!!
I used to think this way. But on further thought I found myself thinking they should just pull out the weird stuff.
Permanently remove the initiatory and the garments.
Remove the robes, sash, and hats. The whole costume can go.
Add back a comfortable white leisure suit.
Add in some comfy couches you can sit next to your spouse, parents, kids, friends etc.
Reduce the endowment to a simple narrative that summarizes eternal progression beginning with the creation of the world and ends with death on earth and the idea that after this life we move on to live with God and our friends and families in paradise in the afterlife.
Imagine this: you’re sitting in the comfy seat next to your loved ones, all dressed in comfort.
The lights dim, James Earl Jone’s voice comes over the speaker welcoming you to the temple. He introduces the endowment by saying “enjoy your life’s journey, please make the best of it by being kind, serving others, and laughing at life’s challenges. God loves you, please enjoy your temple worship today.”
The movie portion starts with the creation and resembles various scenes from Planet Earth. The focus is in the beauty of the earth and asks the patrons to promise to take care of the planet.
The second part of the endowment then shows a new born baby in the hospital being loved, cared for, and celebrated by a large group representing the various people in its life. The patrons are asked to take an oath of non-judgement and to realize that all of Gods children can be born under various circumstances such as to unwed mothers, gay fathers, in rich or poor circumstances. Reiterate the idea to not judge it to take an oath of care and responsibility for all.
The third part of the endowment will show various aspects of humans growing up learning to be kind, courteous, and cheerful for the benefit of humanity. Show reflections of life’s challenges pointing out that humans learn and grow through overcoming difficulties. End with old people near death surrounded by their friends, family, and loved ones iterating they have lived a happy full life and do not fear death. They lived up to their promise to be loving and kind and have no shame or guilt for not doing enough. Life was good.
The last part of the endowment then portrays death and returning to heaven being greeted by family, friends, and loved ones who are overly excited to meet again. No focus on Jesus, judgement, or missionary work. The camera captures the reunion of loved ones and maybe pans back for a brief moment to Godly Parents sitting on their throne with smiles of pure joy as they watch with the same natural excitement of overjoyed parents helping their child ride a bike for the first time without training wheels.
The endowment then ends with the lights coming on and the voice of Robin Williams telling patrons to live long and prosper! Nanoo Nanoo!
Patrons then walk out and change back into their street clothes and celebrate worshipping in the house of the Lord with a free cup of pudding from the temple cafeteria without the funny hat marks on their foreheads.
Consequently, temple attendance increases 300% in conjunction with Saturday ward building cleaning attendance. Kidding on the ward building cleaning, the church actually hires professional cleaners in this fantasy.