Sacred not Secret

With the ad in the TV Guide of the HBO Big Love representation of the temple, I have been pondering how to put into words why what goes on in the temple is sacred rather than secret. It really isn't a secret. Apparently you can find out everything in the temple ceremony on the Internet. Everything about the temple and the ceremony is richly symbolic, with layers and layers of symbolism. Taken out of the context of the whole experience and not being prepared spiritually, especially in light of a TV shows misrepresentation, distracts from the personal spiritual message. The sacredness of the experience comes from the personal preparation of the individual. It also comes from enough spiritual maturity to be able to start understanding that symbolism. That takes time and study and application in things of a spiritual nature. We also make covenants in the temple. That is like signing a contract with God. We need to understand what it is that we are promising. We also need to be willing and capable of carrying out that promise. Have you ever signed a contract that you did not understand? What happens when you default on that contract? So it is with the covenants we make in the temple. The blessings that come are rich, but the consequences of default are devastating. That is why those that are not willing, or are not capable, are NOT to go to the temple. Everyone is welcome to the opportunity, but you need to be capable of fulfilling your side of the promise, otherwise it is not a blessing but a curse.