My boss has occasionally asked me questions about Mormons... just things she's heard and wondered about. Like "Why can't anyone else go inside a Mormon temple?" Or "Do you really wear special underwear?"
The other day, the topic of temple marriage came up (as part of a discussion about a wedding of another religion that someone had recently attended). Afterwards, my boss followed me into my office and said, "Can I ask you something?" I said, "Of course," and waited for her to go on. I could tell that she regretted bringing it up even as she was asking. She was having a really hard time even getting the question out.
"I'm sure it's not even true... I mean, if it is, there's nothing wrong... I don't want to sound like I'm judging... I just... I heard once, and I thought it can't possibly be right... but of course, maybe it is and there's deep symbolism... If you don't want to discuss it..."
I tried to put her out of her misery by assuring her she could ask and I wouldn't be offended, and she finally spit it out.
"I heard that in a temple wedding, after the ceremony the bride and groom go into another room with the... the... what do you call the head of your church?"
"The prophet."
"Right. So they go into the room with the prophet... and he... has... relations... with the bride while her husband is there and it's all okay with everyone."
I couldn't help myself. I started laughing. And assuring her it was most definitely not true. For one thing, I pointed out, the prophet is often a man in his 80s or 90s. And there are a LOT of people all over the globe who get married every day. There's not enough Viagra in the world. :)
Not sure where she heard that one, but at least now there's one less person believing a really odd Mormon rumor.
2 comments:
Wow! That's the first time I've ever heard that one, too! I wonder if it is from the whole FLDS and Warren Jeffs case? None the less, glad your boss asked you. I came to your blog to thank you for helping me understand where this Magnet and Mormon questions came from. Thanks for listening to The Cultural Hall Podcast! I may be using the blog entry for material! Thanks again! Lauren
Wowzers. That is a new one. It really makes me sad to think of what misconceptions some people have, but this was a good reminder of the importance of being open and honest and willing to answer questions.
Post a Comment