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THE MORMON TEMPLE ENDOWMENT CEREMONY Comparison between the pre and post 1990 versions The following is the 1984 transcript of the endowment with the appropriate
changes marked to indicate where differences between this version and the
current endowment. FIRST LECTURER: Brethren and sisters, we welcome you to the temple,
and hope you will find joy in serving in the house of the Lord this day.
Those of you who are here to receive your own Endowments should have been
washed, anointed, and clothed in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. For
those who are representing deceased persons, the ordinances of
washing, anointing, and clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood,
together with the ordaining in behalf of the deceased brethren were preformed
previously Please be alert, attentive and refrain from whispering during the presentation of the Endowment. As you are asked to proceed to the Veil, please do so in an orderly manner, row by row, as directed. After passing through the Veil into the Celestial Room, and in other areas in the Temple, if you need to communicate, please whisper, thus helping us maintain the quiet reverence that should prevail in the House of the Lord. We will now proceed with the presentation of the Endowment. SECOND LECTURER: Brethren, you have been washed and pronounced clean, or that through your faithfulness, you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have been anointed to become hereafter Kings and Priests unto the Most High God, to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever. Sisters, you have been washed and anointed to become hereafter Queens and Priestesses to your husbands. Brethren and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will come when you will be chosen, called up, and anointed Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses, whereas you are now anointed only to become such. The realization of these blessings depends upon your faithfulness. You have had a Garment placed upon you, which you were informed represents
the garment given to Adam and Eve when You have had a New Name given unto you, which you were told never to
divulge, nor forget. This New Name is a keyword which you will be required
to give at a certain place in the temple today. If you proceed and receive your full endowment, you will be required to take upon yourselves sacred obligations, the violation of which will bring upon you the judgment of God; for God will not be mocked. If any of you desire to withdraw rather than accept these obligations of yourown free will and choice, you may now make it known by raising your hand. Brethren and sisters, as you sit here, you will hear the voices of three
persons who represent Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael. Elohim will command
Jehovah and Michael to go down and organize a world. The work of the six
creative periods will be represented. They will also organize
man in their own likeness and image, male and female. THE CREATION--FIRST DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, see: yonder is matter unorganized, go ye down and organize it into a world like unto the worlds that we have hereunto formed. Call your labors the First Day, and bring me word. JEHOVAH: It shall be done Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down. MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Michael, see: here is matter unorganized. We will organize it into a world like unto worlds that we have heretofore formed. We will call our labors the First Day, and return and report. MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors on the First Day, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have ELOHIM: It is well. SECOND DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, go down again. Gather the waters together and cause the dry land to appear. The great waters call ye seas, and the dry land call ye earth. Form mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams, to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth. When you have done this, call your labors the Second Day, bring me word. JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down. MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Michael, we will gather the waters together and cause the dry land to appear. The great waters we will call seas, and the dry land we will call earth. We will form mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth. We will call our labors the Second Day, and return and report. MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have ELOHIM: It is well. THIRD DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth that you have organized. Divide the light from the darkness. Call the light "day", and the darkness "night." Cause the lights on the firmament to appear; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Cause the stars also to appear and give light to the earth, the same as with other worlds heretofore created. Call your labors the Third Day, and bring me word. JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us return again to the earth that we have organized. MICHAEL: We will return JEHOVAH: Michael, we will divide the light from the darkness,
and MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the Third Day, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have ELOHIM: It is well. FOURTH DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down. MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Michael, we will place seeds of all kinds in the earth
that they may spring forth as grass flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all
manner of vegetation; MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the Fourth Day, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down as thou hast commanded, and have placed seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring forth as grass, flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself, after its own kind, as on the worlds we have heretofore created; and we have called our labors the Fourth Day. ELOHIM: It is well. FIFTH DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided
and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon, JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down. MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon, we will place all beasts upon the land: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of animals; fowls in the air in all their varieties, fishes of all kinds in the waters, and insects and all manner of animal life upon the earth. We will command the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in their respective elements, each after its kind, and every kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every form of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have joy therein. We will call our labors the Fifth Day, and return and report. MICHAEL: It is well, Jehovah. Now that the earth is formed, JEHOVAH: It is, Michael. MICHAEL: Let us return and report our labors of the Fifth Day, Jehovah. JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have ELOHIM: It is well. SIXTH DAY ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, is man found upon the earth? JEHOVAH: Man is not found on the earth, Elohim. ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, then let us go down and form man in
our own likeness and in our own image, male and female, and put into JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim. (The film now shows a scene of a lush, tropical area. A thick mist rises from the earth.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, see the earth that we have formed. There is no man to till and take care of it. We are here to form man in our own likeness and in our own image. JEHOVAH: We will do so, Elohim. (The youthful body of Adam who lies in a comatose state, is shown from the shoulders up.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, man is now organized, and we will put into himhis spirit, the breath of life, that he may become a living soul. (Light shines on Adam's face, and his chest expands as he begins to breathe. He stirs, as if awakening.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, is it good for man to be alone? JEHOVAH: It is not good for man to be alone, Elohim. ELOHIM: We will cause a deep sleep to come upon this man whom we have formed, and we will take from his side a rib from which we will form a woman to be a companion and helpmeet for him. (Adam lays his head upon the ground as he looses consciousness.) NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this is Michael, who helped form the earth. When he awakens from the sleep which Elohim and Jehovah have caused to come upon him, he will be known as Adam, and having forgotten all, will have become a little child. Brethren, close your eyes as if you were asleep. (All male patrons in the room close their eyes.) ELOHIM: Adam, awake and arise. (Adam obeys the command, and is shown with foliage in front of him which conceals his body from view. The youthful Adam appears to be in his 20's, is in good physical condition, and is clean shaven.) NARRATOR: All the brethren will please arise. (The male patrons open their eyes and rise from their seats. An attractive, youthful Eve enters the scene and stands beside Adam. They are both shown from the shoulders up.) ELOHIM: Adam, here is a woman whom we have formed and whom we give unto you to be a companion and helpmeet for you. What will you call her? ADAM:: Eve. (For the first time, the Gods, Elohim and Jehovah, are shown. They are two bearded, luminescent, glorious personages, clothed in flowing white robes. They appear standing in mid air above and in front of Adam and Eve, and are surrounded by a radiant aura of silvery-white light.) ELOHIM: Why will you call her Eve? ADAM:: Because she is the mother of all living. ELOHIM: That is right, Adam; because she is the mother of all
living. JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden. The brethren will now be seated. (As the male patrons sit down Adam and Eve are shown turning to follow Jehovah into the garden. The scene quickly changes to the garden.) ELOHIM: Adam, Eve we have created
(The scene changes, and it is understood that the Gods have again ascended. The following scene occurs in the garden, and no indication is given as to how much time has passed since the Gods' departure. Lucifer, the devil, is shown standing nonchalantly observing Adam, and is clad in black and red robes; also wearing a square black apron tied to his waist. Though youthful, Lucifer appears perhaps a few years older than Adam, and wears a beard and mustache, His speach is fluid, persuasive, and without hesitation.) LUCIFER:: Well, Adam, you have a new world here. ADAM:: A new world? LUCIFER:: Yes, a new world, patterned after the old one where we used to live. ADAM:: I know nothing about any other world. LUCIFER:: Oh, I see, your eyes are not yet opened. You have forgotten
everything. You must eat some of the fruit of (Lucifer plucks two pieces of fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and presents it to Adam.) LUCIFER:: Adam, here is some of the fruit of ADAM:: I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me that in the day I should partake of it I should surely die. LUCIFER:: You shall not surely die but shall be as the Gods, knowing good and evil. ADAM:: I will not partake of it. LUCIFER:: Oh you will not? Well, we shall see. (Adam leaves, and Lucifer walks over to Eve, who is tending flowers.) LUCIFER:: Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It will make you wise. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable. EVE: Who are you? LUCIFER:: I am your brother. EVE: You, my brother, and come here to persuade me to disobey Father? LUCIFER:: I have said nothing about Father. I want you to eat
of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, that your eyes
may be opened, for that is the way Father gained his knowledge. You must
eat of this fruit so as to comprehend that everything has its opposite:
good and evil, virtue and vice, light and darkness, health and sickness,
pleasure and pain; EVE: Is there no other way? LUCIFER:: There is no other way. EVE: Then I will partake. (Eve takes the fruit from Lucifer, and bites it. Lucifer approves and places the other piece in her hand, which he closes around it and pats gently.) LUCIFER:; There, now go and get Adam to partake. (Eve approaches Adam, fruit in hand, and presents it to him with a persuasive tone of voice.) EVE: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable. ADAM:: Eve, do you know what fruit that is? EVE: Yes, it is the fruit if the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. ADAM:: I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that Father commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that tree? EVE: Do you intend to obey all of Father's commandments? ADAM:: Yes, all of them. EVE: Do you not ADAM:: Eve, I see that this must be (Adam takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with a look of approval.) LUCIFER:: That is right. EVE: It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we may know the good from the evil. EVE: I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast out of Father's presence for rebellion. LUCIFER:: Yes, you are beginning to see already. ADAM:: What is that apron you have on? LUCIFER:: It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.
ADAM:: I am looking for Father to come down to give us further instructions. LUCIFER:: Oh, you are looking for Father to come down, are you? (The Gods' voices are suddenly heard in the garden, reverberating through the air.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that
we would visit JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim. ADAM:: I hear their voices, they are coming. LUCIFER:: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide! ADAM:: Come, let us hide. NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons. (The film pauses temporarily while the patrons remove their fig-leave aprons from the bundles whch have been resting on their laps. All patrons tie the aprons on around their waists. When the film resumes, the Gods have once again descended, represented as before.) ELOHIM: Adam ... Adam! ... Adam!! Where art thou? ADAM:: I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was naked. ELOHIM: Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake? ADAM:: The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree, and I did eat. ELOHIM: Eve, what is this that thou hast done? EVE: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. ELOHIM: Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here? LUCIFER:: I have been doing that which has been done in other worlds. ELOHIM: What is that? LUCIFER:: I have been giving some of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them. ELOHIM: Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt be cursed
above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly thou shalt go, and dust
LUCIFER:: If thou cursest me for doing the same thing which has been done in other worlds, I will take the spirits that follow me, and they shall possess the bodies thou createst for Adam and Eve! ELOHIM: I will place enmity between thee and the seed of the woman. Thou mayest have power to bruise his heal, but he shall have power to crush thy head. LUCIFER:: Then with that enmity I will take the treasure of the
earth, and with gold and silver I will buy up armies and navies, ELOHIM: Depart! (Lucifer looks defiantly at Elohim; he then turns and walks away.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to
guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam and Eve put
forth JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns to the side, and stretches his arm toward the tree.) JEHOVAH: Let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam put forth his hand and partake of the fruit thereof, and live forever in his sins. It is done, Elohim. ELOHIM: Adam, because thou hast THE LAW OF OBEDIENCE ELOHIM: Inasmuch as Eve was the first to eat of the forbidden
fruit, if she will covenant that from this time forth she will obey EVE: Adam, I now covenant to obey ADAM:: Elohim, I now covenant with thee that from this time forth I will obey thy law and keep thy commandments. ELOHIM: It is well, JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (At this point the film pauses and the lights come on.) NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters the garment (A pre-selected "Witness Couple" now come forward and kneel at the altar, resting their hands upon it as they face the Officiator. The Officiator pantomimes all movements and gestures as a model for the patrons to follow when directed.) NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this couple ELOHIM: We will put (Female patrons stand as instructed.) ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and
each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these
witnesses at this altar that you will each observe and keep the law of
WOMEN: Yes. ELOHIM: That will do. (The female patrons now resume their seats.) ELOHIM: Brethren, Arise. (Male patrons stand as instructed.) ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angles, and these witnesses at this altar that you will obey the law of God, and keep his commandants. Each of you bow your head and say "yes". MEN: Yes. ELOHIM: That will do. (Male patrons resume their seats.) THE LAW OF SACRIFICE ELOHIM: Brethren and sisters, The posterity of Adam down to Moses, and from Moses to Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field, and the firstlings of the flock, which continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood. And as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the redemption of mankind, so we should covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary, in sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God. All arise. Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each
of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses
at this alter that you will observe and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained
in the PATRONS: Yes. ELOHIM: That will do. (patrons resume their seats.) THE FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD ELOHIM: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. Before doing
this, The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand, in this manner. (The Officiator, representing Elohim, takes the right hand of the male witness, who represents Adam at the alter, and demonstrates the token. The male witness, who remains kneeling, is obliged to raise his hand above his head while receiving the grip, thus enabling the patrons to view the manner in which the token is to be given.) ELOHIM: Adam, we unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to receive it. All arise. (As the patrons stand, the Witness Couple returns to their seats. The Officiator and several other temple workers circulate around the room and administer the token to the patrons as they stand at their seats. Male workers attend to the male patrons, female workers to the females. The Witness couple also receives the token at this time. Each patron sits after receiving the token.) ELOHIM: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand. The name of this token is the New Name that you received in the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the New Name, please stand. The sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. (The Officiator, again at the altar, demonstrates the sign ELOHIM: This is the sign. I will now explain the covenant and obligation I, John, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses
that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with
its accompanying name, (The Officiator demonstrates the execution of the penalty.) ELOHIM: All arise. (All patrons stand.) ELOHIM: Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood, by bringing your right arm to the square, the palm of the hand
to the front, the fingers together, and the thumb extended. This is the
sign. Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, I ________, think of the new name, covenant before God, angels
and these witnesses that I will never reveal the First Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and
sign, That will do. (Patrons sit down.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, see that Adam JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (As the lights are turned down the film presentation continues.) THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM (Adam and Eve are shown full view for the first time. They are clad in animal skins which cover their bodies to their knees. The lone and dreary world is represented by desert scenery. Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreads his hands to heaven, and piously invokes the Lord.) NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the lone and dreary world. Brethren and sisters, this represents the Telestial kingdom, or the world in which we now live. Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words he uttered: ADAM:: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth. (As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of the shadows.) LUCIFER:: I hear you; what is it you want? (Although Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, he fails to recognize him at this appearance.) ADAM:: Who are you? LUCIFER:: I am the God of this world. ADAM:: You, the God of this world? LUCIFER:: Yes, what do you want? ADAM:: I am looking for messengers. LUCIFER:: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion,
do you?
ADAM:: But I am looking for messengers from my Father. (The scene changes to a view of the Celestial Kingdom, where Elohim reigns from a white throne afront tall white pillars. He is radiant as before, and his voice resonates as he speaks with Jehovah, who stands before him.) ELOHIM: Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John to visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing their identity. Have them observe conditions generally, see if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in the garden of Eden. Have them then return and bring me word. JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns from Elohim and walks to the edge of the platform upon which he stands. He there meets Peter, James and John, who await His command. They are dressed as the Jews were at the time of Christ.) JEHOVAH: Peter, James and John, go down and visit the man Adam
in the Telestial World, without disclosing your identity. Observe conditions
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.
(The three turn and leave, and the scene turns to the lone and dreary world. Peter steps out from behind a large rock, followed by James and John; they approach Adam, Eve, et al.) PETER: Good morning. LUCIFER:: Good morning gentlemen. PETER: What are you doing here? LUCIFER:: PETER: What LUCIFER:: PETER: How is your religion received by this community? LUCIFER:: Very well-- (Peter, James and John approach Adam and Eve.) PETER
ADAM: I am looking for messengers from my Father to teach me. PETER: That is good. PETER: (Lucifer steps up to the side of Peter and interjects his query.) LUCIFER:: PETER: We have sufficient for our needs. LUCIFER:: You can buy anything in this world for money. PETER: Do you sell your tokens or signs for money? You have them, I presume. ADAM:: I have them, but I do not sell them for money. I hold them sacred. I am looking for the further light and knowledge Father promised to send me. PETER: That is right. We commend you for your integrity. Good day. We shall probably visit you again. (Peter, James and John exit; Lucifer stares into the camera.) LUCIFER:: Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth. There is none who dares to molest, or make me afraid.
(The scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter, James, and John approach Jehovah with their report.) PETER: Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the Telestial
World as thou didst command us. We found Sat JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John (Jehovah turns
and approaches Elohim) Elohim--Peter, James and John have been down
to the man Adam in the Telestial World. They found Satan there, with ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James and John to
go down in their true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, to
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, and approaches
Peter, James and John.) Peter, James and John, go down in your true
character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ to PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down. (The scene changes again to the lone and dreary world. The three Apostles boldly approach Lucifer.) PETER: I am Peter. JAMES: I am James. JOHN: I am John. LUCIFER:: Yes, I thought I knew you. What are you going
to do now?
PETER: We will dismiss you without further argument. LUCIFER:: Aah! You have looked over my kingdom, and my greatness and glory. Now you want to take possession of the whole of it. (Lucifer turns, and stares into the camera). I have a word to say concerning these people. If they do not walk up to every covenant they make at these altars in this temple this day, they will be in my power! PETER: Satan, we command you to depart! LUCIFER:: By what authority? PETER: (With his right arm raised to the square.) In the
name of Jesus Christ, out Master. (Lucifer is visibly shaken as he turns
and leaves. Peter waits until he has left, and then approaches Adam)
Adam, we are true messengers from the Father, and have come ADAM:: How shall I know that you are true messengers? PETER: By our giving unto you the token and sign you received in the Garden of Eden. ADAM:: (Grasps Peter by the right hand.) What is that? PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. ADAM:: Has it a name? PETER: It has. ADAM:: Will you give it to me? PETER: I cannot, for it is the New Name, and I have made
a covenant not to disclose it, but this is the sign (The right
arm to square); ADAM:: Now I know that you are true messengers sent down from
Father. (To audience) These are true messengers, I exhort you to
give strict heed to their NARRATOR: The Officiator will represent Peter at the altar. (At this point the film is concluded. The remainder of the Endowment is conducted from an audio recording.) THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness couple
comes to altar as before.) Brethren and sisters, this couple at the
altar represent all of you as if at the altar, and you will be under the
same obligations as they will be. We are required to give unto you the
Law of the Gospel as contained in the All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. (this is done.)
PATRONS: Yes. PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.) THE ROBES OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD PETER: We are instructed to clothe you in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood. Place the robe on your left shoulder. Place the cap on your head with the bow over the right ear, replace the apron, tie the girdle with the bow on the right side, remove the slippers from your feet, and put them in again as part of the temple clothing. You may now proceed to clothe. (Patrons open their clothing envelopes dress as instructed.) SECOND TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (The witness couple
kneels at the altar as before.) With the robe on the left shoulder,
you are prepared to officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood.
We will now give unto you the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with
its accompanying name, and sign, (The Officiator and the male witness joins hands in the token, and slightly raise their hands to demonstrate in to the patrons.) PETER: We desire all to receive it. All arise. (As the Patrons stand, the witness couple returns to their seats, and various temple workers circulate about the room administering this token as they did the former.) PETER: If any of you have not received this token, The sign is made by bringing the right hand in front of you, with the
hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and the left arm
being raised to the square. This is the sign. (The officiator demonstrates.)
If I were receiving my own endowment today, and if my first given name
were "David," I would repeat in my mind those words, after making
the sign, I, David, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses
, that I will never reveal the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood,
with its accompanying name, and sign, All arise. (All Patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood by bringing the right hand in front of you, with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and the left arm being raised to the square. This is the sign. Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, I, _________, think of the first given name, solemnly covenant,
before God, angels, and these witnesses that I will never
reveal the second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying
name, and sign, (All patrons sit down.) PETER: JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John. Elohim--Peter James
and John have been down to ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John
again to the Telestial World. Have Adam and Eve and JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James and John, go
down again to the Telestial World; instruct Adam and Eve and their
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us
go down. We are instructed to have you (The patrons stand, and remove their robes, replacing them on their right shoulders. The male patrons now turn their cap, so that the bow is now placed over the left ear, and the girdle is tied on the left side. The patrons then sit.) THE TERRESTRIAL WORLD NARRATOR: We now enter the Terrestrial World. (Additional lights are switched on.) THE LAW OF CHASTITY PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness Couple
comes as before.) We are instructed to give unto you the law of Chastity;
which
PETER: That will Do.
FIRST TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD OR SIGN OF THE NAIL PETER: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, or the sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and
sign, (After Officiator and male witness demonstrate token at the altar, temple workers circulate around room to administer this token to the patrons.) PETER: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand. Then name of this token is "the Son", meaning the Son of God. The sign is made by bringing the left hand in front of you with the
hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square; the right hand is
also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together, with
the thumb extended, I will now explain the covenant and obligation I solemnly covenant before God, angels and these
witnesses in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the
First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its
accompanying name, and sign All arise (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of the
First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail by brining
the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left
arm forming a square; Now repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, I solemnly covenant in the name of the Son that I will
never reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the
Nail, with its accompanying name,and sign (Patrons perform the action as the Officiator guides them.) That will do. (All patrons sit down.) PETER: JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter James and John. Elohim--Peter, James and John have been down to the man Adam and his posterity, have placed the robe on the right shoulder, and have introduced them into the Terrestrial World. They have also put them under covenant to observe and keep the Law of Chastity. They have given unto them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. This is their report. ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John
and instruct them to give to JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James and John, go
down to PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come, James and John, let us go down. THE LAW OF CONSECRATION. PETER: A couple will now come to the alter. (The Witness couple comes forward, and kneels at the altar as before.) We are instructed to give unto you the Law of Consecration as contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants (The Officiator picks up a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants from the altar, and holds it up in view of all patrons.), in connection with the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice which you have already received. It is that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents and everything which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion. All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these
witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as
contained in Each of you bow your head and say "yes." PATRONS: Yes. PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.) SECOND TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, THE PATRIARCHAL GRIP, OR SURE SIGN OF THE NAIL PETER: We will now give unto you the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign. This token has reference to the crucifixtion of the Savior. When he was placed upon the cross, the crucifiers drove nails through the palms of his handsm then feering that the weight of his body would cause the nails to tear through the flesh of the hands, they drove nails through his wrists. Hence, in the palm is the sign of the nail, and in the wrist, is the Sure Sign of the Nail, or the Nail in the Sure Place. This token is given by clasping the right hands, interlocking the little fingers, and placing the tip of the forefinger upon the center of the wrist, in this manner (The Officiator demonstrates this token with male witness.). We desire all to receive it. All arise. (As the witness couple returns to their seats various temple workers administer the token as before, and each patron sits after receiving it.) If any of you have not received this token, You will please raise your hand. This token has a name and a sign, The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head (The officiator demonstrates.), and while lowering the hands repeating aloud the words:
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
PETER: When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, he built
an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words that he uttered
All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of
the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or
Sure sign of the Nail, by raising both hands high above the head, and while
lowering the hands repeating O God, hear the words of my mouth! (As the patrons make the sign they repeat words with recording as described before.) PETER: That will do (All patrons sit down.) THE PRAYER CIRCLE AND THE TRUE ORDER OF PRAYER PETER: A few of you, including couples, will please come forward and form a circle around the altar. (The audio recording stops and the Officiator says in his own words a statement to the following effect.) OFFICIATOR: We would like to invite the witness couple, to take their place at the head of the altar, and an equal number of Brothers and Sisters to join us in the circle. any receiving their own personal Endowment, and any who are about to be married are especially invited to join us in the Prayer Circle at this time. (The tape recording again resumes.) NARRATOR: Only the best of feelings should exist in the Circle. If any of you have unkind feelings toward any member of this Circle, you are invited to withdraw so that the Spirit of the Lord may be unrestrained. In the Circle we make the signs of all the tokens of the Holy Priesthood. (Patrons make each sign as they are mentioned by the Narrator.) We will begin by making the Sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
This is done by brining the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand
to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. This
is the sign. The name of this token is the New Name received in the temple
today. We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
This sign is done by bringing the right hand in front of you with the hand
in cupping shape, the right hand forming a square, and the left arm being
raised to the square. This is the sign. The name of this token is your
first given name if you are going through the temple for your own Endowment,
or if you are going through for the dead, it is the first given name of
the person for whom you are officiating. We will now make the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood
or Sign of the Nail. This is done by bringing the left hand in front of
you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The
right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together,
with the thumb extended, We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail. This is done by raising
both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
We have here a list of names of persons who are sick, or otherwise afflicted,
whom we are requested to remember in our prayer. We will place The sisters in the room will please veil their faces. Each brother in
the circle will take the sister at his left, by the right hand in the Patriarchal
Grip. Each of you bring your left arm to the square, and rest it upon the
shoulder or arm of the person at your left. OFFICIATOR: (the officiator kneels at the altar, and makes the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood by bringing his right hand forward, with the hand in cupping shape, resting it upon the altar. His left arm is raised to the square. The prayer is spoken by the Officiator, who decides its form and content. He speaks a few sentences at a time, which are repeated in unison by the patrons in the circle. After the prayer, the patrons in the circle release the grip, the Officiator rises, and the audio tape resumes.) PETER: The sisters will unveil their faces, and the brethren and sisters in the circle will return to their seats. (All patrons sit.) We will now uncover the Veil. THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE (A Veil segment is now displayed from behind the curtain which is in the front of the Endowment room. The Officiator takes a pointer in and, prepares to draw attention to the marks on the Veil as they are explained.) PETER: Brethren and sisters, this is the Veil of the Temple. I will now explain the marks on the Veil. These four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and corresponding marks are found in your individual Garment.
This is the navel mark. It is placed in the Garment over the navel, suggesting to the mind the need of constant nourishment to the body and spirit. This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the garment, so as to be over the knee cap, suggesting that every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ. These other three marks are for convenience in working at the Veil. Through this one, the person representing the Lord puts forth his right hand, to test our knowledge of the tokens of the Holy Priesthood. Through the one on our right, he asks us certain questions, through the one on the left, we give our answers. (As the Officiator, who now represents Peter, steps to the front of the Veil another male worker steps behind it to represent the Lord. A small mallet hangs on the metal frame which supports the Veil.) PETER: As all of you will have to pass through the Veil, we will show you how this is to be done. The person is brought to this point, and the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet. (The officiator raps the mallet three times.) Whereupon, The Lord parts the Veil, and asks: LORD: What is wanted? PETER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all things, desires further light and knowledge, by conversing with the Lord, through the Veil. LORD: Present him at the Veil, and his request shall be granted. PETER: The person is then brought to this point, whereupon the Lord puts forth his right hand, gives the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, and asks: LORD: What is that? PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. LORD: Has it a name? PETER: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PETER: I will, through the Veil. PETER: The person then gives, through the Veil, the name of this token, which is the New Name received in the temple today. The Lord then gives the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, and asks: LORD: What is that? PETER: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. LORD: Has it a name? PETER: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PETER: I will, through the Veil. PETER: The person then gives the name of this token, which is his first given name, if he is going through the temple for his own Endowment, or if he is going through for the dead, it is the first given name of the person for whom he is officiating. The Lord then gives the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail, and asks: LORD: What is that? PETER: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it a name? PETER: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PETER: I will, through the Veil. PETER: The person then gives the name of this token, which is "the Son," meaning, the Son of God. The Lord then gives the Second Token of he Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, and asks: LORD: What is that? PETER: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it a name? PETER: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PETER: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through the Veil. LORD: You shall receive it PETER: It is received as left arms are placed upon right shoulders through the veil.
PETER: LORD: What is that? PETER: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it a name? PETER: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PETER: I will, PETER: The person then repeats back to the Lord the name of this token, as he receives it, whereupon the Lord says: LORD: That is correct. PETER: The person is again brought to this point, and the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet. The Lord parts the Veil and asks: LORD: What is wanted? PETER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the Veil desires now to enter his presence. PETER: The Lord puts forth his right hand, takes the person by the right hand, and says: LORD: Let him enter. PETER: He is admitted into the presence of the Lord. We will
now report. Jehovah, we have been down to JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John. Elohim--Peter, James and John have been down to the man Adam and his posterity in the Terrestrial World, and have done all that they were commanded to do. ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James, and John to introduce the man Adam and his posterity at the Veil, where we will give unto them the name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to their entering into our presence. JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James, and John you
will introduce PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, we will introduce them at the Veil.
CEREMONY AT THE VEIL. (At this point, a temple worker motions to the patrons, row by row, directing them to the various Veil segments. A worker stands at each segment to introduce the patron to "the Lord" who is on the other side of the Veil. The worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet.) LORD: What is wanted? WORKER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all things, desires further light and knowledge, by conversing with the Lord, through the Veil [for and in behalf of _____, who is dead]. LORD: Present him at the Veil, and his request shall be granted. (The Lord gives the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood through the opening in the Veil.) LORD: What is that? PATRON: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. LORD: Has it a name? PATRON: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PATRON: I will, through the Veil. (The patron gives the New Name). (The Lord gives the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.) LORD: What is that? PATRON: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. LORD: Has it a name? PATRON: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PATRON: I will, through the Veil (The patron gives the first given name of the person for whom the temple work is being done). (The Lord gives the First Token of the Melchizedeck Priesthood.) LORD: What is that? PATRON: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it a name? PATRON: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PATRON: I will, through the Veil--the Son. (The Lord gives the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood.) LORD: What is that? PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it a name? PATRON: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PATRON: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through the Veil. LORD: You shall receive it (The Lord and the patron, still holding the grip, LORD: This is the name of the Token--"Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews, power in the Priesthood be upon me, and upon my posterity through all generations of time, and throughout all eternity." LORD: What is that? PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail. LORD: Has it an name? PATRON: It has. LORD: Will you give it to me? PATRON: I will, LORD: That is correct. (The Lord and patron break the ceremonial embrace, and the temple worker gives three taps with the mallet.) LORD: What is wanted? WORKER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the Veil, desires now to enter his presence. LORD: Let him enter. (The Veil is now parted and the Lord takes the patron by the right hand, and pulls him gently through the Veil into the Celestial Room.) |