Mormon Planet Kolob in LDS Theology

This is the kind of stuff that Mormons generally try to avoid. I appreciate your candor in openly discussing this topic, which, generally, is an uncomfortable one for LDS people to discuss in public. If only the LDS church would be generally more open about discussing its actual doctrines and beliefs - not just good PR stuff - the real stuff. What a disappointment it was to see Gordon B. Hinkley in his live interviews dodging the truth and saying things like: "I don't know that we believe that . . . it's more of a couplet" etc., when asked about uncomfortable but well-established LDS doctrines. Let the true doctrines and practices of the church be known, present them without shame, and let them stand or fall on their own merits. This kind of article is a good step forward in that direction. Good job.

Its not that we do it with shame, it is that some things are held to a higher standard in our eyes, and that those things need to be kept sacred. Take for example the temple of herod back in the time of the hebrews after their enslavement in egypt. The priests were the only ones who could enter into the temple, becuase they were ordained of God. The hebrews were given the aaronic priesthood so they could understand the basics of temple ordaninances, but they were not fully educated on the scope of temple endowments. It is the same with us in this day and age. I am 18 and i still don't know every detail of what truly goes on in the temple, but i have learned from my parents that it is a sacred matter and that if I am willing to believe and go in with faith i can know all things.

Yes, the standard LDS doctrine of “not secret, but sacred.” This has been long used to keep much shrouded from potential converts and the outside world for many years. Is the Kingdom of God really one of secrecy? Did Jesus keep any of His doctrines in secret or fail to proclaim the doctrine for what it was? No:

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and IN SECRET HAVE I SAID NOTHING.” John 18:20
What about the truth should need to be kept in secret? If you are supposed to believe in something, you need to know what it is. Right?

The fact of the matter is that nothing should be kept in secret (nor will it need to be kept in secret) in an honest truthful gospel. Christ, Himself, declared:

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21

Simply put, what is truth and light, will want itself to be manifest and to be known for what it is.

The Apostle Paul also said:

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL the counsel of God.” Acts 20:27

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, NOR HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY; BUT BY MANIFESTATION OF THE TRUTH commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-4

As for the example that you have chosen, I too was taught that the temple was such a sacred matter that discussion of what really goes on there was simply too sacred to discuss outside its walls. I prepared myself most diligently, consuming all the LDS scriptures and materials that I could, attending the temple preparation classes, knowing only that I would be making “sacred” covenants in the most holy place on earth and that it was a necessary step for my eternal salvation. When that day arrived, I was shocked and deeply disturbed by what I found myself participating in. Indeed, had there been a bit more disclosure, I would likely have not chosen to participate (then again, maybe I would have because of all the family and peer pressure to do so - but, at least, it would have been a participation in something that I had made an informed decision to be part of).

Be wary of anyone or anything that claims it is too sacred to discuss. The truth loves the light and will want to be fully disclosed and known for what it is.

So, who are the dogs and the swine? Is the potential convert about to be baptized still a "swine" and not ready for the real "pearls"? Would he/she feel differently about becoming a member if those pearls were disclosed?

Is the high school seminary student still in the swine category?

At what point then can the "pearls" of Mormon doctrine really be shared without risking negative repercussions (either scarring someone away or having what is "holy" trampled upon)?

Milk before meat buddy. You don't tell people about Kolob when their just learning what repentance is. They are still infants in the gospel and as they continue to be nourished by the good word of god; they'll find things that are new to them but are prepared to learn and understand because they have a solid foundation or framework to hold them up. I believe we learn things on gods time; not our own.

I think that we should not to be confused between the sacred and the light, to mantain something in "secret" sometimes obeys to keep that clean, but beyond of that we are keeping a commandement of god to not reveal the things we do or listen to in the temples is just like that it is a matter of obedience, and as a good servants of him we have to do whatever he asks us is because he knows everything and most of the time we do not understand his designs, and in the Bible and the scriptures in general the prophets and the people obey him notwithstanding they not comprehend all what he commands. and if the mormons, specially the general authorities do not discuss openly the things like "kolob" is because that they do not want to fall in the traps of satan, because the most of the reporters or people outside the LDS church want to use their words against the LDS beliefs, and let me tell you something they have been called to serve and declare repentace to all nations, kindreds or tongues not to discuss or clarify or I`d say to satisfy the curiosity of the anti-LDS that only look to ridicule our beliefs. And let me make and advice listen to them (the prophets) because they are not talking for ever one day their words shall cease and the time of the lord shall come and there is not going to be more time to repentance.... Remember just what happened with prophet Noah he preached the repentance for more than a century and none of the people of that age listened to him and he and just 7 people of his family survived....