Recovery to Mormonism
Why are temple ceremonies kept so secret?
Mormons are often criticized for their “secrecy” with regards to temple ceremonies. A better word for secrecy in this situation would be discretion. There are many reasons that temple ceremonies are not discussed in specifics outside of the temple. The most basic and most important reason is that Mormons who go into the temple are obligated not to speak of sacred things openly. Mormons do their best to be obedient to God, and since we are commanded by God not to speak in detail of temple ordinances outside the temple, we don’t.
Since promises made in the temple are sacred and important, breaking them is extremely serious. The temple ceremonies are sacred to the individual, and like any personal, sacred experience, they are never to be shared lightly. The command not to talk openly about the ordinances is an injunction from God that keeps this sacredness for both the person who has received it and for the person who has not yet received it.
Temple ceremonies and the ordinances they contain are sacred. These ceremonies contain knowledge from God and covenants. These covenants make the people who make them responsible for keeping them. Those who aren’t ready for that responsibility should not be given the knowledge that makes them responsible. It is important that those who enter the temple are prepared and personally ready to make sacred and binding covenants. To expose someone to these things before they are prepared to learn from them and understand the love of God in them can be a huge disservice to that person.
On the other hand, the blessings of the temple are great, and to speak of them openly would be like ruining Christmas in a way. These gifts are meant to be received at the right time: when they are valued and meaningful. People deserve to have their first temple experience under the best of circumstances: with the proper preparation, in the temple where the spirit of God is so strong, and where they can receive the full ordinances. Hearing only parts of the ceremony can generate confusion and misunderstanding. In the temple, the whole ceremony can be given to people who are worthy to feel the Holy Ghost’s wisdom touch their minds and hearts. Worthiness is crucial for gaining wisdom in the temple, and giving information to those who aren’t worthy benefits them nothing.
Often, anti-Mormons claim that Mormons don’t talk about temple ceremonies because we have something to hide. They try to imply that inappropriate, illegal, or frightening things happen in the temple. This is just not true. In the temple, complete modesty is maintained. Absolutely no illegal acts are performed in temples. There is no abuse of any kind in the temple, and men and women are both treated with respect. The temple is not a scary place. In fact, though the ceremonial nature of temple teachings can be foreign to some, there is nothing very shocking or at all offensive about them. The refusal of Mormons to speak openly about temple ceremonies is not to hide anything, but to keep things sacred for God, for themselves, and for everyone else.
The blessings of the temple are meant for everyone, but as noted above, the blessings can only fully be realized in the temple with the proper preparation and worthiness. Making the information public does not and cannot give everyone the blessings of the temple. Only worthiness, preparation, and authorized entrance into the temple to receive the ordinances and participate in the ceremonies can really bring those blessings. The only thing we can do is send out Mormon missionaries and encourage others to become worthy and prepare to enter the temple and receive the blessings.