Here is an email that I sent to the president of an LDS temple. I am omitting the identifying information.

I participated in an endowment session in the XYZ temple on Saturday, June 10, at 1 pm. I was one of only three male patrons in the session. I have had a very stressful time for the last several months and was running on fumes as my wife and I drove from (a city 90 miles away). The details of my stress are unimportant for this email but have been very severe. During the session, I briefly set my packet on the floor. As a result, one of the officiators halted the session and scolded me in front of the other patrons. I completely lost the Spirit at this point. I agree that the packet should be treated with respect and care. But there is no instruction that it should not be placed on the floor given at the start of the session. Perhaps there should be.

I have learned through my experience that it is often best to overlook “infractions” that my wife commits at home because she is almost always dealing with far weightier matters than whatever “constructive criticism” that I had planned to give her.

I am also concerned that we sometimes give inanimate objects too much attention in the Church. The story of Moses raising the brazen serpent so that the children of Israel could be healed is so important that it is referred to four times in the Book of Mormon, in various ways. Yes, symbolic objects have importance and should be respected. Where is the brazen serpent today? Can we view it in some museum of antiquity? No. King Hezekiah had it destroyed because his people began worshipping it.

The temple should be an inviting sanctuary of peace and love for all, but especially for those fighting unseen battles so often masked by their Sunday-best dress and smiles. Perhaps more seats would be filled for the Saturday 1:00 pm sessions if a Christ-like spirit was allowed to prevail.

Thank you,
Tom Irvine

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Postscript:

The scriptures are given in: When Righteous Actions become Idolatry

The temple president sent me a brief apology reply.