LDS LDS Handshakes

[drstevej]

A Mormon handshake is something special. It beams sunshine and light.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1975/03/the-mormon-handshake?lang=eng

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEz4EpztiZQ

 

[drstevej]

BTW, claiming these are sacred (i.e. secret) is yet another example of Mormon "otherness" (i.e. unorthodox & cultish)

 

[tampasteve]

It is not unusual to have "secret" handshakes or similar in mainstream Christianity too. I was a third degree Knights of Columbus member, and while there was not secret handshake (that I was taught), there were plenty of "secret" rites to the society. Just do a google search on "knights of columbus first degree exemplification ceremony" and you will find a TON of material about it - most of which is just wrong or written to make it sound intimidating, which in reality it is not.

 

[dzheremi]

It is not unusual to have "secret" handshakes or similar in mainstream Christianity too.

Yes it is.

I was a third degree Knights of Columbus member, and while there was not secret handshake (that I was taught), there were plenty of "secret" rites to the society.

That's a fraternal order, more akin to a fraternity. The fact that it is connected to a church is, if not exactly incidental, at least not comparable to the Mormon situation, wherein the handshakes form a part of the liturgical worship that they practice in the Mormon temples.

There are no "secret handshakes" in Christian liturgies.

 

[tampasteve]

Yes it is.



That's a fraternal order, more akin to a fraternity. The fact that it is connected to a church is, if not exactly incidental, at least not comparable to the Mormon situation, wherein the handshakes form a part of the liturgical worship that they practice in the Mormon temples.

There are no "secret handshakes" in Christian liturgies.

Fraternal order or not, they are officially sanctioned by the RCC and the knights take part in liturgy frequently in varying capacities.

Are these handshakes part of any liturgy? The video didn't mention that. But if so I can see the point you are making.

 

[drstevej]

The LDS handshakes are not peripheral or optional, they are integral to Temple ceremonies in all locations.

 

[drstevej]

Are these handshakes part of any liturgy? The video didn't mention that. But if so I can see the point you are making.

Let's ask the LDS here that question.

 

[dzheremi]

I have (indirectly) asked that question to LDS here, because I used to want to know about LDS 'liturgy', but they wouldn't tell me, because they're not allowed to talk about the temple ceremonies. But that is the example they gave of LDS being 'liturgical' -- their temple ceremonies that they won't tell you about. So I think the best we can do is assume that they are, even though they won't confirm it here. (You can find examples of it on YouTube, though.)

 

[Ironhold]

I have (indirectly) asked that question to LDS here, because I used to want to know about LDS 'liturgy', but they wouldn't tell me, because they're not allowed to talk about the temple ceremonies. But that is the example they gave of LDS being 'liturgical' -- their temple ceremonies that they won't tell you about. So I think the best we can do is assume that they are, even though they won't confirm it here. (You can find examples of it on YouTube, though.)

...Which should tell you everything about why videos like the above don't go over well.

 

[dzheremi]

LDS reactions to such videos aren't the point of that post, or else I would've just included one.

 

[Rescued One]

"A formal act or set of acts prescribed by ritual"

Is that not temple ceremonies? I ask because I've not been aware of many rituals in Protestant churches. And the printed programs that are handed out don't list anything as liturgy.

 

[Rescued One]

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1975/03/the-mormon-handshake?lang=eng

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEz4EpztiZQ

It doesn't beam sunshine and light. If it did, non-Mormons would be asking why.

 

[drstevej]

Would it be OK when I visit the LDS Temple opening her to use one of these handshakes to greet LDS guides there? President Bush seems to use it.

 

[Ironhold]

Would it be OK when I visit the LDS Temple opening her to use one of these handshakes to greet LDS guides there? President Bush seems to use it.

View attachment 236468

I vaguely recall that being one from Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts.

 

[drstevej]

I vaguely recall that being one from Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts.

You are right. Its a scout handshake. I just googled it.

http://pack533cypress.scoutlander.com/MediaVaults/imagevault/p56mx49qo2190255.jpg

 

[tampasteve]

"A formal act or set of acts prescribed by ritual"

Is that not temple ceremonies? I ask because I've not been aware of many rituals in Protestant churches. And the printed programs that are handed out don't list anything as liturgy.

High Protestant churches such as Lutheran, Anglican/Episcopal, Methodist, etc. have a Liturgy of some sort that is generally followed, some even call it Mass as the Roman Catholic Church does or Divine Service/Liturgy similar to the Orthodox name. These Liturgies generally look very much like a Catholic mass when done on the higher end. Low Protestant and non-denominational churches do as well, but they do not call it a liturgy generally.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

It's bizarre to think that God would require people to have knowledge of a secret handshake in order to attain salvation.

I also wonder what they do for people who have no hands/arms. My cousin's father-in-law lost both arms in a farming accident. I guess he would be prohibited from mormonism's Celestial kingdom. "Sorry, no handshake, no entry!" Not worthy perhaps?

 

[dzheremi]

Yeah, that's a good question. It's the same issue I have with the western/Roman Catholic concept of the "age of reason" which would prohibit some (e.g., the mentally retarded or those with certain types of mental illness) from ever being able to do things as they've set them out, but in the Mormon case, it's made to be a matter of the physical body.

Gee...how unusual for Mormonism!

 

[Rescued One]

It's bizarre to think that God would require people to have knowledge of a secret handshake in order to attain salvation.

I also wonder what they do for people who have no hands/arms. My cousin's father-in-law lost both arms in a farming accident. I guess he would be prohibited from mormonism's Celestial kingdom. "Sorry, no handshake, no entry!" Not worthy perhaps?

When he's resurrected, he'll have a perfect body. The Mormon god also knows the person's heart (they say).

 

[Rescued One]

High Protestant churches such as Lutheran, Anglican/Episcopal, Methodist, etc. have a Liturgy of some sort that is generally followed, some even call it Mass as the Roman Catholic Church does or Divine Service/Liturgy similar to the Orthodox name. These Liturgies generally look very much like a Catholic mass when done on the higher end. Low Protestant and non-denominational churches do as well, but they do not call it a liturgy generally.

Thank you.