The next time someone asks me why Mormons don’t discuss the specifics of temple ceremonies, even amongst themselves, I am going to say this: “To leave each of us free to interpret the temple in our own way; to protect it from correlation.” I used to crave more open discussion about temple rituals so that I could figure out their real, fixed meaning once and for all. Now I am almost thankful for the secrecy—the symbols, the archetypes, the influence of Masonry—whatever keeps the endowment from being easily codified by a committee.

Now that I feel free to apply my own reading to the endowment, I find it surprisingly universalist. I am delighted at how Mormonism’s highest ordinances are not very Mormon at all in an institutional sense. Mormonism’s ultimate worship experience actually points away from itself, to a universalizing faith. Although one must be very Mormon in order to be admitted to the temple, once one is inside, where is Joseph Smith? The Restoration? The cultural politics? The institutional church? It’s almost as though we need to embrace the extremes (unbelief or partisan belief) before coming to the temple to discover that denominationalism is a means, not an end. Now that I have stumbled on transcendence, so many of those turns of phrase and symbols that used to bother or puzzle me, I see as endearing trappings: tools, not idols; convenient media for teaching, but not literal at all. God really does want me to transcend Mormonism, not get hung up on it. And that’s one reason I love Mormonism.

Joanne Case

North Manchester, Indiana