Green Oasis

I don’t mean to harp on this topic, but I remembered this episode of Engaged & Underage showing the disharmony surrounding the temple wedding of an LDS couple.

“But it’s my wedding, not hers!”

Non-Mormon relatives? Jesus says “Fuck ‘em.”

Another random thought. Was I the only first-timer who wondered—dare I admit it? hoped—that the video in the Endowment ceremony would show Adam and Eve naked? I was at once relieved and disappointed when I realized all the naughty bits were always conveniently covered with bushes or animals and such: relieved that I wouldn’t be watching porn with my family in the room, and disappointed because… well, because. In my defense, it wasn’t all that unreasonable that the Endowment would involve ritual nakedness. After all, I had been naked under that liberatingly loose poncho during the Washing and Anointing ritual.

I recently noticed that ldsendowment.org—an excellent, respectful resource for information on the Mormon temple rituals—has gone offline. I would hate to see this site disappear into the ether. I’ve sent an email to the webmaster offering any assistance, but does anyone know the webmaster personally? Maybe you could give him a call and remind him to renew his domain name.

Thank goodness and foresight for archive.org!

I’m sorry mom. I went and did what I thought good people were supposed to do, and that meant you were not able to go to see me sealed to my wife. Even today when I hold no faith in the temple ceremonies, I feel sealed to my wife. If God is truly compassionate, then he would not separate people who love each other. If he would, then to hell with him. You missed out on the marriage of your first son, and I wish I could make that decision again. You were there when my dad was less then a good person, and then died. You had to show strength that has always impressed me. You were there when the world seemed rough to me, and I left you out of that important day. I’m sorry. (Gunner)

It hurts to hear these stories of ritual violence which I was deaf to back when I was married. To all those excluded by my decision to marry in an LDS temple, I am sorry. It seemed so simple to me then that I was oblivious to how unjust my hurtful actions were. The irony that I may also face this exclusion by those I love most dearly doesn’t escape me.

You can take issue with Ed Decker, the producer of this video, and the presentation is a bit sensationalist, but to my knowledge, there is only one factual error in this cartoon (I make no claims about the stuff after the cartoon). As far as I’m aware, Joseph Smith never claimed to have done more for mankind than any other man including Jesus. It was John Taylor who claimed that Joseph did more for mankind than all other men except Jesus.

All other doctrines in this video were taught at one time or another by leaders in the Mormon church and believed by the members thereof. Current Mormons don’t believe all of this stuff and might not even be aware that it was ever taught. If forced to do so, I’ll find references. I dare anyone to call me Anti-Mormon for presenting the truth.

Before any religious reader from another religion gets too smug, I think your beliefs are just as outlandish… if you believe them literally. Admit it, talking snakes, the universe created in seven days, zombie gods rising from the grave, etc. would all sound pretty strange the first time you hear about them. At least Mormons get Endless Celestial Sex.