American Gothic?
We got a tour of the Kirtland Temple, which is now owned by the Community of Christ, formally the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a good experience. While the general land scape was barren from winter, the weather was warming up and the tour group was small allowing us to see all three floors of the Temple. I admire how great the building was, but I couldn't help but recognize the similarities and big differences between this, the first temple built by the saints and later temples built. Not just architecturally, but functionally too.
We also spent some time in the reconstructed 'Historic Kirtland' owned and operated by the Church. It was fun to see, hear, and think of the events in the context and setting they happened.
So, I've been thinking about something and wanted to pose a question. What is the relationship between spiritual places and spiritual experiences?
I was thinking about a conversation I had with one my Muslim friends, in which we were talking about sacred places. I think I had asked him about Mecca and the Dome of the Rock. In that conversation he mentioned that he didn't personally believe these places held any special 'cosmic force' that made them more spiritual than other places in the world and that going there wouldn't necessarily enhance his ability to be a better person. Being in Kirtland, I reflected on that conversation because I do believe that there are places set apart on earth where we can have spiritual experiences more easily than any other places. Temples are built for this purpose. They are set apart and dedicated to be a place for God. A place for his ordinances to be done. However, I also agree with my friend, in that there are places where spiritually significant events have happened, that don't necessarily ensure a personal enlightenment for those who make the pilgrimage. However, while pondering this I thought, it is still possible that a person, while at a historical site and in the right state of mind can have extremely powerful experiences, in fact testimony building and faith promoting experiences. So, Kirtland is a mixed bag that brought all these thoughts to the surface. It is where the first temple in the latter days was built and dedicated to the Lord. It was abandoned/sold and is no longer used the way it was intended, nor is it set up to do the ordinances that we now perform in temples, but it is one of these historical sites where great spiritual experiences and manifestations happened before and after the saints inhabited it.
Again the question, What is the relationship between spiritual places and spiritual experiences? In a slightly different wording, what are the differences and/or similarities between having a spiritual experience
1. Worshiping in a sacred and holy place, like the Temple
2. Visiting a historic site like Jeruselum, The Sacred Grove, Kirtland
3. Personal study or prayerful inquiries about truth, like the events that happened at the aforementioned places.
Leave a comment and start a discussion if you'd like.
You can see more pictures on the album I created.
