Culture Shock and the Temple

Question: The endowment seems strange to me! What’s wrong with me?

Culture Shock

            The temple ordinances, especially the endowment, can result in a form of ‘culture shock’.  Wikipedia defines this as “the difficulty people have adjusting to a new culture that differs markedly from their own.”

            Why would we experience culture shock in the Lord’s house?  Isn’t it supposed to be a haven of peace—apart from the world?  Yes!  But I think we live in the world so much, and are attuned to telestial attitudes and beliefs that learning in the Lord’s house—a celestial environment—can overwhelm and confuse us at times.

            Our Sunday meetings have taught us one way of learning the gospel—through the spoken word, music and discussion among members.  This model follows us into the home also with family home evenings, etc. 

The temple learning experience is markedly different.  In his abundance and grace towards us the  Lord has given us the ‘endowment’—a series of instructions, rituals, ordinances and covenants designed to empower us with ‘the power of godliness’, his strength to help us return to him and become like he is.  And he has clothed his teachings in symbolism (both visual and tangible). 

We are used to ‘plain and simple’...and suddenly we find ourselves handed what appears to be symbols and actions without a manual to interpret them. 

This can result in frustration.

“Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger,” Wikipedia explains, “as one continues to experience unfavorable events that may be perceived as strange and offensive to one's cultural attitude”

            Hopefully no one has it that bad!

 “Adjusting to a new culture can be difficult and frustrating,” Julia Ferguson agrees, “but it can also be a wonderful, thought provoking time of your life during which you will grow as a person.

“Remember, you are a guest in another country. Avoid at all costs disparaging the host country's culture. Once you have gained an understanding of the country and its customs, learned a few phrases, become familiar with the neighborhood, and made a few friends you are on your way to overcoming culture shock..."

Next we will explore these helps to getting over culture shock. 

Further Reading

Culture Shock