I have shared my name before and it's still one of my favorite Mormon stories. I took out my endowments on the day that I got married in 1985 (early in the morning). The washing and annointing really unnerved me. Then, I get in the white garb and go to exit the dressing room. The sister gives me my new name, "Houldah." I couldn't believe my ears. I asked her to repeat it. I'd never heard such a god-awful name and this was my wedding day! I girded up my baggy garments and proceeded to the temple ceremony (Upon further review, I should have left at washing and annointing). I had to repeat this name to my soon-to-be husband upon the five points of fellowship (creepy) through the veil. Off to married life.
Ten years later, I no longer believed. I had never shared my temple name. I was too disgraced. Then, one day at work, I saw it ... in the obituaries. Some poor dear had the name Houldah and had died. I shared this with my co-worker and he immediately revealed his temple name, Frederick. We were so busy laughing that we didn't notice that the Mormons were totally insulted. Nothing else happened to us though.
From then on, I shared my name at the appropriate times (with non-believers or non-members). My children and my boyfriend know it too. It's not uncommon for us to be shopping somewhere and my sons will yell, "Houldah." There's a ton of people named Mom in Utah, but Houldah is definitely unique. My boyfriend says that I have to houldah his rod. So, that's how the temple name goes. And, no I will never answer to it in the hereafter - ever.
I was soooo excited to go through the temple. I was looking forward to the strange parts and was hoping that it would blow my mind. I new about the new name, and was looking forward to my new eternal handle. Imagine how pissed I was when I was named after the most pitiful and abused character in Bible History. Yes my name for eternity was...... JOB... yes fucking JOB. The lamest character in the Scriptures. Made leaving the church even that much sweeter.
Mine is EDNA the only way I remember it was to think of one of my best friend's father who's first wife was named EDNA and his second wife was EVA. Now that I am older I realize that he was probaly maried to both of them at the same time bbut just hiding it from the other ward members because he took care of both of their homes and other needs until they both died. I guess old polygamy habits never really die.
It means 'mole' or 'weasel' in Hebrew. Nice, huh? My mother assured me they were pretty names like Mary or Elizabeth, and here I get stuck with the ugliest name on the planet. Guess I can join the crowd with the other two on here!
I thought the names would be like what your spirit was named in the pre-existence. A bit disappointed with that but at least it wasn't Hulda! Seattle April 21