This past week the Mormon Church premiered a new Endowment film in selected temples across the country. There hasn’t been a lot of information forthcoming on this new film, but what we do know is that its approximately 12-15 minutes longer than the previous one. It has a new cast, a little more detail about the creation periods, uses the same script and has no significant changes to the rituals.
This will be the second change to the Endowment film since it first debuted in temples in 1970. The first change had significant revisions such as “death oaths” being removed and a Christian pastor no longer accompanied Satan on one of his visits to Adam and Eve.
As a former temple-goer I would love to know a little more about the film such as, why is it longer? The two hours for the previous film alone was hard to get through, and served as a nap time for many weary travelers who left home early that morning to make their long trip to the closest temple in the area. And for those who don’t drift off I can’t imagine staying awake for an additional 15 mind numbing minutes.
Looking back on the time I wasted in the temple performing those ridiculous rituals because I believe God required it of me makes me so heart sick for those who are still doing it. I’m so glad, so thankful those days are behind me.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
If you would like to watch the temple film prior to the newest one you can do so here.
When I received an e-mail from Melissa earlier today telling me about this I went to the pro-LDS chat-room she referred me to where Mormons were sharing their thoughts on this new film.
My heart sank asI read some of the comments from these people. All of the comments were in support of the new film and most if not all said they wanted to go back again just so they could watch the film. It was like I was reading a movie review instead of how God changed their lives because of the film. Or what, if any, new insights were imparted to them by the Lord as it is for Christians during a worship service.
I am perplexed at such behavior and have to wonder if their cognitive thinking is intact while sitting through these things. The devil is indeed like a roaring lion roaming the earth…
Please, don’t forget to pray for them!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
1 Cor 1:18
I am lds, and I recently attended the temple and was able to see the new film. I also find it strange the reaction some have had to the new film. I will never share my thoughts on what I learned and felt watching that video, because it is a sacred experience that should not be shared outside of the temple
This fits into the category of pearls before swine. Not that I think of anyone as swine, but because I know there are those that will attack me because of what I say and believe.
Melissa, how curiously insulting. “It was like I was reading a movie review instead of how God changed their lives because of the film.” God is supposed to change our lives just because a small part of the Temple experience is updated? So, if your church is redecorated you’d expect people to talk about how the new Magnolia colour scheme brings them closer to God than Classic Cream did?
“Or what, if any, new insights were imparted to them by the Lord as it is for Christians during a worship service.” Plenty of insights are imparted to Mormon Christians during worship services too. Each Sunday I post “What I learned in Church today” on my Facebook page, and on my blog (see http://www.annajonesbuttimore.blogspot.com). These are things God has taught me through others, or directly, during that morning’s three-hour block, I have also had many wonderful revelatory experiences in the Temple, but those are very personal and special, and not something I would choose to share publicly.
As for your having to wonder whether “their cognitive thinking is intact while sitting through these things,” words fail me. Really? You can’t understand how other people can be spiritually moved by something so there has to be something wrong with their brains? Please, have some respect.
http://mormon.org/me/1FQ7/Anna
Oh, also check out http://www.amazon.com/Saved-Saint-Anna-Jones-Buttimore/dp/1479159964/.