3571 lines
160 KiB
Plaintext
3571 lines
160 KiB
Plaintext
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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What's Going on in There?
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About the Authors
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Preface
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PART 1
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EXPLANATION AND COMMENTARY
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Introduction
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Why work for the Dead?
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Mormon's Goal: To be a "Savior on Mount Zion" To Christians and Other
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Lost Souls
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All Temples Would Close Without Genealogical Research
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Satan Always Trademarks His Wares
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The Holy Melchizedek Priesthood: the Only Authority to Act for God
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The Mormon Bible Contradicts Their Priesthood Claims
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Ordinances for the Living
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Ordinances for the Dead
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An Overview of the Mormon Temple Ceremonies
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Pre-Initiatory Ordinances for the Dead
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Baptism for the Dead
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Confirmation as Mormons and the Holy Ghost
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Ordination to the Mormon Holy Melchizedek Priesthood
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Initiatory Ordinances for the Living and the Dead
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Washing in Water
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Anointing with Holy Oil
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Clothing in the Mystical Temple Garment
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The "New Name"
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The Ultimate Heresy -- Eternal Sexism
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Preparation for the Endowment
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The Endowment Ceremony
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The Creation Drama
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The Garden of Eden Drama
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The Lone and Dreary World Melodrama
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The Christian Minister is Satan's Hireling Lackey
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The Terrestrial World Presentation
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The One and Only "True Order of Prayer"
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The "True Order of Prayer" Resembles Ancient Rituals
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The Veil of the Temple
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The Veil Ceremony
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The Five Points of Fellowship
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The Celestial Room
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Marriage for Time and Eternity
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Sealing of Children to Parents
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Proxy Sealing Sessions
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Summary of the Secrets of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood
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Bestowed in the Endowment
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The Five Laws
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The Four Tokens (handclasps) - With Accompanying Names
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The Four Signs and Three Penalties
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The Oath of Vengeance Against the United States
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The Garment of the Holy Priesthood - Four Marks
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The Mormon Magic Talisman Protects From Evil Powers
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The Historical Origins of the Endowment
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The Faithful Must Be Buried in Their Temple Costume
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The Significance of Jesus and Christianity in the Temple Rituals
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Mormon Women Seek Glorious Joy in ETERNAL PREGNANCY
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The Endowment Attacks and Ridicules Paid Christian Clergymen, BUT Mormonism
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Has Paid Clergymen (and women) Too!!
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Baptism for the Dead is From Twisting Scriptures
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Freemasonry in the Mormon Temple
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Masonic Symbols and Elements Used in the Temple Rituals
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Immorality and Sexual Activity in the Temple Rituals
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Half of Qualified Mormons Don't Participate
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Moroni Tells the World That Mormons Have "A Different Gospel"
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Poor Moroni -- He's Blowing the Wrong Tune
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The Purpose of God: Mormon vs. Christian
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Mormons Deserve to Know
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PART II
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THE TEMPLE CEREMONIES VERBATIM
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The Pre-Initiatory Ordinances
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Baptism for the Dead
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Confirmation for the Dead
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Ordination for the Dead
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The Initiatory Ordinances
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Preparation for Participation
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The Washing and Anointing Room
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Washing in Water
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Confirmation of Washing
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Anointing with Holy Oil
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Confirmation of Anointing
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Receiving the "Garment of the Holy Priesthood" and the "New Name"
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Preparation for the Endowment
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Entering the Endowment Room
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The Endowment Ceremony
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Introduction and Instruction
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The Creation
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The First Day
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The Second Day
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The Third Day
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The Fourth Day
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The Fifth Day
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The Sixth Day
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The Garden of Eden
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The Law of Obedience
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The Law of Sacrifice
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The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood
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The Lone and Dreary World
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Elohim Sends Down Messengers
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Elohim Sends Down Peter, James & John in Their True Characters
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Satan is Cast Out
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The Law of the Gospel
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The Robes of the Holy Priesthood
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The Terrestrial World
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The Law of Chastity
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The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail
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The Law of Consecration
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The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip,
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of Sure Sign of the Nail
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Lecture Before the Veil
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The "True Order of Prayer"
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The Veil of the Temple
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The Instructions at the Veil
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Moving to the Terrestrial Room
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The Ceremony at the Veil
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The Celestial Room
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Marriage or Sealing for Time and Eternity
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The Marriage Ceremony
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Sealing of Children to Parents
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Proxy Sealing Sessions
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Conclusion
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List of Figures
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Acknowledgements
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Dedication
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WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE?
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This booklet has been prepared to inform the general public,
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including most Mormons, and especially the Body of Christians,
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and to reveal to them of exactly what transpires during the
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secret Mormon Temple Ceremonies. Our purpose is not to ridicule,
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but to shed light on these hidden things of darkness. We
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sincerely believe that Mormons and non-Mormons alike cannot
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comprehend or accurately evaluate the complex Mormon gospel
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without knowing what actually transpires inside of the Temple,
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the place where the Keys of Knowledge necessary for exaltation
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are imparted to LDS Gods in embryo. We pray earnestly that this
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information will be especially helpful in encouraging Christians
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in their witness of the true Lord Jesus Christ to those lost in
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the deception and bondage Mormonism.
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AUTHOR'S PREFACE
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This booklet contains the entire series of Mormon Temple
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ceremonies, called "Ordinances" and is 100% accurate in the
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essence of what is done, and very nearly 100% accurate in the
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exact wording of what is said. This is because this edition was
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transcribed from a tape recording made inside the Temple at the
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actual Endowment ceremony*. Other ceremonies have been verified
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by comparing them with copies of Temple Worker Instruction Books
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*This booklet is purposely not copyrighted and may be copied or
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used in any way deemed appropriate.
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The tape recording of the Mormon Temple Endowment from which
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this booklet was transcribed was recorded in the Los Angeles
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Mormon Temple. The recording was made using a personal pocket
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size tape recorder carried by one of the patrons during Endowment
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presentation.
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The patron who made this recording entered the Temple using his
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own personal Temple Recommend and carried his own Temple Veil
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Worker's name tag and identification card during the ceremony.
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He was greeted by several Temple Worker acquaintances who
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obviously did not know of his excommunication from the Mormon
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Church, which had been at his own request several months earlier.
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One of the objectives of this foray was to test the well known
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Mormon claim of Divinely aided Temple security. Another
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objective was to provide and up-to-date and accurate text of the
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Endowment. (There have been many revisions to the Endowment text
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in the past ten years, some of them significant). Contrary to
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popular belief of Mormons, not one person in the Temple appeared
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the slightest bit spiritually or supernaturally alerted to the
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presence among them of one whom they classify as an "apostate"
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and a "son of perdition". As he departed, the patron was
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encouraged by a member of the Temple Presidency to return again
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soon.
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Or similar authentic sources, making this the most accurate and
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up to date rendition of these "secret" ceremonies ever published
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in the 120 year history of Mormon Temple exposes. The ceremonies
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have been annotated and explanatory information included to help
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the reader understand the activities as they progress. Part one
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contains background information and commentary, including a brief
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overview of all of the ceremonies in sequence to prepare the
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reader to understand the dialogue of the ceremonies.
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Even though we know that the Authorities of the Mormon church,
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the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City,
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Utah, will be highly offended at the publication of this work, we
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do not apologize for doing it. As former Mormons and Temple
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Workers who are now born again Christians, we acknowledge a great
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responsibility to the unsuspecting world to expose and reprove
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with exactness and the light of truth, precisely what activities
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transpire inside the Mormon temples today.
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We heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian
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Saints, who had previously participated in similar pagan and
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occultic rituals, "For ye were sometimes (once) darkness, but now
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ye are light in the Lord, walk as children of light ... and have
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no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
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reprove (expose) them ... for it is a shame even to speak of
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those things which are done of them in secret. But all things
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that are reproved (exposed) are made manifest by the light."
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(Ephesians 5:8, 11-13) We recognize that this is not the first
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such "expose", but it is the most accurate and current account of
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the activities of the Mormon temple "Endowment"ever published.
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We wish to bring it to the attention of concerned people
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everywhere so that they may be knowledgable concerning this, the
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most sacred of all activities and teachings to the modern Mormon
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(see John 18:20). Mormonism cannot be fully understood by
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Mormons or non-Mormons alike without an understanding these
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Temple rituals - the "Keystone" of modern Mormon doctrine and
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theology.
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Statistics released in January 1982, by qualified Mormon church
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authorities indicated that at least three out of every four
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Mormons (teenage and older) have never participated in these
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rituals. These non-participating Mormons have been subjected to
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a variety of powerful propaganda from their leaders, impressing
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upon them the sacred, holy, and enlightning nature of their
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Temple "Ordinances", and the great blessings to be obtained
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through them. This booklet is intended especially for those non-
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participating Mormons, to enable them to recognized the occultic,
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non-Christian nature of these rituals, and to see them for them-
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selves in the clear light of reality. We are confident that
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those who will prayerfully evaluate these rites for themselves
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will be able to see them as they truly are, rather than
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continuing in the naive belief that they are the sacred vehicle
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essential to becoming a polygamous god, destined to rule over a
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new planet for eternity.
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Mormons who regularly attend the Temple should also be very
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interested in this booklet. They will be "dying to find out" if
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it really contains a "word perfect" rendition of all the Temple
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rituals, and anxious to find a misplaced word so they can
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criticize its accuracy. We are pleased to give them the
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opportunity, with a challenge to call to our attention any errors
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they believe they detect. We also challenge them to listen more
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attentatively while attending the Temple, and to compare what
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they hear with the Bible or the Book of Mormon, which teach an
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entirely different Gospel and plan of salvation from that
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presented in the Temple Endowment.
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Anyone who is familiar with the rite of Freemasonry will
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recognize them as the primary source for the tokens, signs, and
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penalties used in the Temple Endowment. Much of the mystical
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symbolism of Mormonism is also borrowed from Masonry. The
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symbolism and practices of the ancient pagan mystery religions
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associated with nimrod and Babylon are also richly displayed in
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the Mormon temple and reflected in the doctrines presented
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therein. Part one of this booklet contains commentary comparing
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these Mormon rituals with those of other religions and
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theologies, including Christianity.
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PART ONE - EXPLANATION AND COMMENTARY
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INTRODUCTON
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Mormon Temples are the most secret/sacred facet of Mormonism and
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are completely different from neighborhood Mormon chapels. Once
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a new Temple is dedicated, no non-Mormons are ever allowed
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inside. Most Mormons are not permitted to enter the Temple
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either. Only Mormons who have passed stringent requirements of
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worthiness determined by a penetrating private interview with
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their Bishop, and then a second similar interview with their
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Stake President, are issued a "Temple Recommend" which permits
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them to enter the Temple (See figure 1). Temple Recommends are
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valid for one year after which the entire interview process must
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be repeated to receive a new Recommend. According to LDS church
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leaders, less than 20% of adult Mormons have valid Temple Recom
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mends and thus are qualified to attend the temple. Less than 10%
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of adult Mormons regularly attend the Temple.**
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Before a Mormon is issued his first Temple Recommend, he is
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normally required to attend a course of study intended to
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qualify him to "live worthy" or to become qualified to live LDS
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standards of loyalty, dedication, financial contributions and
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personal traits of worthiness. Very little of the ceremonial
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aspects, and none of the promises or penalties of the Temple
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rituals are included in the ciriculum nor are these ever discus
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sed at any time outside or inside of the Temple. These are still
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a mystery to the participants, who are acting on faith in Joseph
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Smith and the Mormon church's divine authority.
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During a member's first participation in the Temple ceremony, he
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"receives his own endowments" which means he attends to his own
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personal salvation requirements. In a special instruction ses
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sion with all the initiates he is asked by the Temple President
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to make a personal commitment to return to the temple often, at
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least once per month, to renew his own commitment and to remind
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him of his covenants while he is serving as a proxy for a
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**See the Church News supplement to the Salt Lake City Deseret
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News, week of January 16, 1982, page 10 for very interesting
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information on Mormon dedication to this "Keystone of their
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religion."
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deceased person to provide that person with Mormon salvation. He
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thus becomes a "Savior on Mount Zion" by acting in behalf of
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someone who did not have this opportunity himself.
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WHY WORK FOR THE DEAD?
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Mormons believe that everyone who lives and dies on this earth
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goes to a place called the Spirit Prison, except faithful
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Mormons, who go to Paradise. Mormon Spirit Missionaries go down
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from Paradise to the Spirit Prison and teach the Gospel of Joseph
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Smith to the lost Christians and others there. Those who accept
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Mormonism must remain in prison until a worthy Mormon performs
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certain essential rituals, called "Ordinances" for them in one of
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the Mormon Temples. Then they are released from Spirit Prison to
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join the Mormons in Paradise. Since these rituals or Ordinances
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require a physical body to be washed, anointed, baptised, etc.,
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they can only be performed by a living person in the place and
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manner prescribed by Diety, acting under Universal (Mormon)
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cosmic laws.
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MORMONS GOAL: TO BE A "SAVIOR ON MOUNT ZION"
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TO CHRISTIANS AND OTHER LOST SOULS
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The extent of the pressure upon worthy Mormons to return to the
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Temple as often as possible to perform more of these proxy Temple
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rituals is difficult to convey. They are continually reminded of
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their responsibility to all of the multitude of dead persons
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waiting in "Spirit Prison" for their "work" to be done. They
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believe they are personally becoming "Saviors on Mount Zion" to
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each individual for whom they perform these rites, and all of
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those who accepted Mormonism will be waiting for them in
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Paradise, to greet them and heap thanks and praise upon them for
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having done this work in their behalf, which released them from
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the "Spirit Prison".
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ALL TEMPLES WOULD CLOSE WITHOUT GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
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The operation of all Mormon Temples is totally dependent upon
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continuing genealogical research. Mormons spend millions of
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hours and scores of millions of dollars annually doing exhaustive
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personal genealogical research to correctly identify their
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deceased progenitors so that these secret ordinances can be
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performed for them in one of the Temples. Since they do not
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provide enough names to keep the Temples busy, the church has a
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massive "name extraction" program which provides the bulk of the
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individuals for whom patrons serve as proxies. Mormons spent
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over ten million man hours, at approximately two and one half
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hours per person, performing these rituals for the dead last
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year. The investment of the church in genealogical facilities,
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equipment, and manpower is staggering to the imagination,
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employing several thousand persons, plus even more volunteers,
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and hundreds of millions of dollars invested. Christian churches
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kept nearly all of the early U.S. and European vital records
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which are used for genealogical research. Therefore most Temple
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work is being done to make dead Christians Mormons. If your
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Christian ancestors were West European, or settled in the U.S. by
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the early 1800's, they probably have been or soon will be made
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Mormons in one of these Temples. This unique doctrine and
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practice of Mormonism attracts many converts to the church for
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the sake of their unsaved, departed loved ones.
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Mormons are continually reminded that their own personal
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exaltation, which is equivalent to a Christians salvation, is
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dependent upon their "good works". One of these essential works
|
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is making certain that all of the Temple Ordinances are performed
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for each one of their dead ancestors which they are able, through
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all diligent effort, to identify and thus qualify to receive
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them. They are also responsible for doing this work for the
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world's departed masses. A lifetime of diligent church service
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and good works is wasted if they neglect this responsibility to
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provide these names, and perform these rituals for their dead.
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Most mormons are not aware of the only New Testament references
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to genealogy in Titus 3:9 and I Timothy 1:4, both of which
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condemn it as foolishness and ungodly.
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SATAN TRADEMARKS HIS WARES
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|
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In Anton LeVeh's Satanic Bible, under "Infernal Names", "Mormon"
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||
is listed as "God of the ghouls", which are the living dead. His
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consort is "Hecate - Goddess of the underworld and witchcraft";
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||
his followers are known as MORMONS. With the Mormon pre-
|
||
occupation with ancestor research and work for the dead in their
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Temples, one has to question whether this is an amazing
|
||
coincidence, or one of Satan's brash signals to the wary. Mormon
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Missionaries in Hong Kong must use caution because 'Mormon' means
|
||
"Gates of Hell" in Chinese, another amazing coincidence, or
|
||
brash danger signal. Satan, the supreme egotist, always
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||
trademarks his products; let the proselyte beware.
|
||
|
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THE HOLY MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD:
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THE ONLY AUTHORITY TO ACT FOR GOD
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|
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Mormons claim sole custody of the "Holy Melchizedek Priesthood"
|
||
described in the book of Hebrews. All activities of the Mormon
|
||
church function under the direction and authority of this
|
||
supposed Priesthood. Mormons claim theirs is the only authority
|
||
to act for God in the entire universe, and aggressively dispute
|
||
Roman Catholic and Masonic claims to this same Priesthood. The
|
||
Temple Rituals are called the "Higher Ordinances of the
|
||
Malchizedek Priesthood, as do all the other church auxilliary
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organizations.
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||
|
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Mormons claim to trace their "Priesthood Authority" directly to
|
||
Jesus much like they trace their ancestry through genealogy.
|
||
Every Mormon Priesthood holder has his personal "Line of
|
||
Authority" documented, and when he performed an ordinance such as
|
||
baptism, it is customary for him to present a printed copy of
|
||
this "Priesthood Lineage" to the person receiving the ordinance.
|
||
This Priesthood is bestowed upon all male members over 18 years
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||
of age who have shown their "worthiness" by good works and
|
||
faithfulness to the Mormon Church. They receive it by "Laying on
|
||
of hands" by men who have received their Priesthood in the same
|
||
way, thus extending this "Line of Authority". This line is
|
||
always traced back through Brigham Young, Joseph Smith and Oliver
|
||
Cowdry, and the Apostles Peter, James and John, who supposedly
|
||
brought it to Joseph and Oliver directly from Jesus Christ.
|
||
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THE MORMON BIBLE CONTRADICTS THEIR PRIESTHOOD CLAIMS
|
||
|
||
Mormons use only the authorized King James Version of the Bible
|
||
in their Missionary work and worship services. Joseph Smith's
|
||
"Inspired Version", which belongs to the Reorganized LDS church,
|
||
contains many substantive changes to the King James text. It is
|
||
intentionally shielded by the Utah Mormon church from public
|
||
discussion and exposure, though it is used selectively in their
|
||
teachings. The Mormon church prints and widely uses its own King
|
||
James Version containing special Mormon study guides, reference
|
||
sections, and the official LDS church name and insignia. Reading
|
||
in this official Mormon King James Missionary Bible, 1968
|
||
edition, in Hebrews, concerning the resurrected Lord and these
|
||
Priesthoods, we find that it says Jesus in NOW the sole and only
|
||
holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and that the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood has been forever abolished. It states, "But this man
|
||
(Jesus), because he continueth ever, hath and unchangeable
|
||
priesthood." (Hebrews 7:24) The footnote for 'unchangeable'
|
||
states: "or, which passeth not from one to another* (Author's
|
||
emphasis). The original Greek word, aparabatos, used here means
|
||
"perpetually non-transferable" or "Untransferable forever." How
|
||
can Mormons continue passing it on anyway? By simply ignoring
|
||
their own Bible!! Since they believe it is only true as far as
|
||
translated correctly, and the Book of Mormon says it is full of
|
||
errors and ommission,they can easily ignore what they don't like.
|
||
Please read Hebrews chapters 7 and 8 to understand how completely
|
||
defiant of God's word the Mormon Priesthoods really are.
|
||
|
||
*This marginal note has been removed from the latest edition
|
||
Missionary Bible.
|
||
|
||
ORDINANCES FOR THE LIVING
|
||
|
||
The Ordinances for living Mormons include Washing, Anointing,
|
||
Clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, and the Endow
|
||
ment. Sealings are performed for married couples, and minor
|
||
children are then Sealed to parents. Marriages are performed for
|
||
time and eternity, and under special circumstances, marriages for
|
||
time only. These ceremonies account for less than 2% of all
|
||
Temple Ordinances performed.
|
||
|
||
ORDINANCES FOR THE DEAD
|
||
|
||
The ordinances for the deceased ancestors of members or names of
|
||
deceased persons provided by the temple from genealogical records
|
||
include Baptism, Confirmation of membership in the Mormon Church,
|
||
and Ordination to the Holy Melchizedek (Mormon) Priesthood for
|
||
males. All the ordinances described above for the living must
|
||
also be performed for each of the dead persons who are post
|
||
humously receiving their "Temple Blessings". Over 98% if the
|
||
Ordinances performed are for the dead by a living Mormon proxy.
|
||
The writer performed approximately 150 Endowments for deceased
|
||
relatives and many other identified persons known to the writer,
|
||
as part of over 1000 Ordinances performed in a nearly ten year
|
||
period.
|
||
|
||
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MORMON TEMPLE CEREMONY
|
||
|
||
This information is new to most of the readers of this booklet
|
||
and may be difficult to grasp at times, therefore, we have pre
|
||
pared the following overview of these Temple Ceremonies to let
|
||
you preview the activities and to concisely present the important
|
||
elements to you.
|
||
|
||
Mormons attending the Temple are called "patrons" by the Temple
|
||
staff, and will therefore be similarly designated hereafter in
|
||
this publication. Quotation marks enclose direct quotes from the
|
||
ceremony.
|
||
|
||
THE PRE-INITIATORY ORDINANCES OR RITUAL
|
||
|
||
The "Pre-Initiatory Ordinances" or rituals are those that are
|
||
performed only for the dead in the Temple. Living Mormons
|
||
receive these Ordinances in their local Ward or Stake organiza
|
||
tions.
|
||
|
||
BAPTISM
|
||
|
||
Baptism is the first ceremony performed in behalf of the dead in
|
||
the Temple. This is performed in the beautiful baptismal font
|
||
mounted on the statues of 12 full sized oxen, located in the
|
||
Temple basement.*(See figure 2) The Officiator and the patron
|
||
are in the font dressed in heavy white jump-suits. There are two
|
||
or more Witnesses observing the procedure. Often a closed cir
|
||
cuit T.V. is used to project the names of the deceased persons on
|
||
a large T.V. screen. Typically 200-300 baptisms are performed
|
||
per hour, with LDS teenagers serving as proxies to introduce them
|
||
into the Temple rituals and vicarious Ordinance work at an
|
||
impressionable age. The baptismal pronouncement is recited in
|
||
full for each baptism, and the patron is completely immersed by
|
||
the Officiator as observed and approved by the two Witnesses.
|
||
|
||
CONFIRMATION AS MORMONS AND THE HOLY GHOST
|
||
|
||
The next ritual is Confirmation for the Dead. This makes the
|
||
deceased person a member of the Mormon church and gives him the
|
||
Holy Ghost. This is usually performed at or near the baptismal
|
||
font, by the same persons who performed the baptism ritual. Two
|
||
or more Temple Workers place their hands on the patron's head
|
||
while one pronounces the confirmation.
|
||
|
||
ORDINATION TO THE MORMON HOLY MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
|
||
|
||
The ordination of dead males to the Mormon "Holy Melchizedek
|
||
Priesthood" is usually(but not always) performed in the same area
|
||
of the Temple by the same proxy. A patron may not receive a proxy
|
||
Ordinance which he has not received for himself. Therefore LDS
|
||
teenagers who have not yet received this Ordination may not
|
||
perform this Temple Ordinance, and adult male patrons must
|
||
receive this by proxy. This is often performed in conjunction
|
||
with the Initiatory Ordinances described next. Other Temple
|
||
Workers perform this Ordinance following the Baptism and Confir
|
||
mation. Two Temple Workers lay their hands upon the patron's
|
||
head and one of them pronounces the Ordination.
|
||
|
||
*All Mormon Temples from Nauvoo, Illinois in 1842 to the twenty
|
||
presently operating Temples have or had baptismal fonts as
|
||
described, always located below ground level, as Joseph Smith
|
||
instructed (Doctrine & Covenants 128:13). It appears that the
|
||
new generation of Temples presently under construction or
|
||
planned, will abandon this "prophetic directive". Plans for
|
||
these Temples show baptismal fonts above ground level with only
|
||
six oxen in a semi-circle supporting them. See Church News,
|
||
January 16, 1982, page 14.
|
||
|
||
INITIATORY ORDINANCES OR RITUAL
|
||
|
||
WASHING IN WATER
|
||
|
||
Each patron is ceremonially washed so that he "may become clean
|
||
from the blood and sins of this generation." A Temple Worker wets
|
||
his fingers in running water and touches each member of the
|
||
patrons body as he pronounces a blessing upon it. Women Temple
|
||
Workers wash female patrons, and men wash men. The worker starts
|
||
at the top of the patron's head and works down to the feet,
|
||
reaching under the shield to touch shoulders, back, breast,
|
||
vitals and bowels, and loins. The washing is sealed by two
|
||
workers laying their hands on the patron's head and pronouncing
|
||
the sealing.
|
||
|
||
ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL
|
||
|
||
Each patron is then anointed with consecrated oil preparatory to
|
||
"becoming a King and a Priest (or a Queen and Priestess) unto the
|
||
Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House of Israel
|
||
forever." A Temple Worker pours some drops of oil on the top of
|
||
the patron's head and moistens his fingers in oil and then
|
||
touches each member of the patron's body as he pronounces a
|
||
blessing upon it, reaching under the shield to anoint shoulders,
|
||
back, breast, vitals and bowels, and loins. Two workers then
|
||
place their hands in the patron's head and one of them pronounces
|
||
a sealing of the anointing.
|
||
|
||
CLOTHING IN THE MYSTICAL TEMPLE GARMENT
|
||
|
||
The patron is then dressed in the "Garment of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood" as a Temple Worker gives him special instructions
|
||
regarding the constant wearing of it 24 hours per day throughout
|
||
his life: "It will be a shield and a protection to you from the
|
||
power of the destroyer until you have finished your work on the
|
||
earth, providing you do not defile it, but are true and faithful
|
||
to your covenants." The worker also gives instructions regarding
|
||
the secret "New Name" and then whispers the "New Name" to the
|
||
patron.
|
||
|
||
THE "NEW NAME"
|
||
|
||
A Mormon's most secret and cherished possession should be his
|
||
"new name" which he receives during the Temple Rituals. This is
|
||
the name by which he "will be called forth on the morning of the
|
||
First Resurrection" by his God, and by which he will be known
|
||
throughout Eternity. He receives this from a Temple Worker, in a
|
||
whisper, as he is being helped into his new "magic underwear" for
|
||
the first time, during his Temple initiation. Each time he
|
||
returns to do Temple work he will go through these same rituals
|
||
for a dead person, whose name he will carry through the entire
|
||
ceremony on a little slip of paper, which he surrenders to the
|
||
Introducer at the Temple Veil, before he enters the Celestial
|
||
Room. On these return visits he will normally by-pass the
|
||
"Washing, Annointing, and Clothing in the Garment of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood" rituals, and just receive the "New Name" in a little
|
||
booth as he leaves the locker room on his way to the theatre type
|
||
Endowment Rooms. The "New Name" is usually Biblical, such as
|
||
Abraham, Moses, Seth, or Mary, Martha, Naomi, or they come from
|
||
the Book of Mormon. Many Mormons are not aware that every person
|
||
attending the Endowment on a particular day receives the same
|
||
male or female "new name", or its alternate. The alternate is
|
||
given when the first given name of the person receiving the
|
||
Endowment, deceased or alive, (not the proxy) is the same, or
|
||
sounds very similar to the "new name". My son and I share the
|
||
same "new name" of Enoch with the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. and
|
||
probably millions of other living and dead Mormons. I often
|
||
wondered how we would know which "Enoch" was being called forth,
|
||
or if we would all be judged together enmasse.
|
||
|
||
THE ULTIMATE HERESY - ETERNAL SEXISM
|
||
|
||
A Mormon husband must know his wife's (or wives') "new name(s)".
|
||
He normally learns this by representing the Lord behind the Veil,
|
||
and taking his wife through the Veil Ceremony when she is
|
||
receiving her own Endowments. She is not allowed to know his
|
||
"new name" under any circumstances. This is because the Lord
|
||
calls forth only the Priesthood holder, and it is up to him to
|
||
call forth his wives, if he wants them, or leave them behind if
|
||
he doesn't want some of them.
|
||
|
||
PREPARATION FOR THE ENDOWMENT
|
||
|
||
The patron returns to the locker room, removes the shield and
|
||
dresses of the Temple Garment, in the white Temple attire; pants,
|
||
shirt, belt, tie, socks and slippers, or slip, dress, hose and
|
||
slippers. He then takes his name slip and the package containing
|
||
his robe, girdle (sash), hat (veil for women), and bright green
|
||
fig-leaf apron with him through the beautiful foyer, up the
|
||
magnificent circular staircase, and into the theatre type
|
||
Endowment Room. He is seated by the Officiator who presides over
|
||
the presentation, women on the left, men on the right, and waits
|
||
in profound silence for the ceremony to begin. Absolute silence
|
||
is maintained for up to 20 minutes while the company is
|
||
assembling.
|
||
|
||
THE ENDOWMENT CEREMONY
|
||
|
||
The Endowment is a two hour drama-ritual-ceremony presented to
|
||
groups of patrons, rather than individually, as most of the other
|
||
rituals are done. It is performed in beautiful theatre type
|
||
rooms, where walls are covered with floor to ceiling murals
|
||
depicting appropriate scenes. The performance is a basic 19th
|
||
century melodrama, with Lucifer as the villian, Elohim as the
|
||
hero, and Adam and Eve as the victims. Supporting roles are
|
||
played by the Apostles Peter, James and John, a Christian
|
||
Minister, Jehovah, and the arch-angel Michael (who becomes Adam).
|
||
All of the secret names, signs, tokens, penalties, the "True
|
||
Order of Prayer", and the Veil Ceremony are incorporated into the
|
||
dramatic performance, with some audience participation, and a
|
||
"Witness Couple" participating as representatives of the entire
|
||
audience. The patrons are tested by the Lord, and must
|
||
individually demonstrate their knowledge of the secrets in order
|
||
to complete the ritual. For over a century, live actors played
|
||
the various roles with interesting props and costumes. Now all
|
||
Temples have changed to a motion picture and tape recording
|
||
presentation in which the Officiator, who presides over the
|
||
presentation, rarely speaks. Several Temple Workers are present
|
||
during the performance to administer the secret elements named
|
||
above, and to help patrons don and change the special robes and
|
||
other attire, where needed. Before the movie version, the
|
||
patrons move enmasse to four differently muralled rooms to
|
||
receive the various portions of the rituals. Now they stay in
|
||
one room for approximately one and one-half hours, watching the
|
||
film or the Officiator as he pantomimes the tape recording. The
|
||
Endowment can be divided into four "acts" according to the four
|
||
rooms previously used: the Creation drama, the Garden of Eden
|
||
drama, the Lone and Dreary World drama, and the Terrestrial World
|
||
presentation.
|
||
|
||
THE CREATION DRAMA
|
||
|
||
This can best be described as a consciousness lowering, mood
|
||
altering experience. The movie shows hypnotic type scenes of
|
||
volcanoes and lava flows, ocean, animal and flower scenes, as the
|
||
dialog drones through a very monotonous and repititious descrip
|
||
tion of the first five creative periods. Elohim, the head God,
|
||
sends his agents, Jehovah and Michael (the arch-angel) down to do
|
||
all the creative work, but one day at a time. He requires that
|
||
they return each day and give him a report of their activities,
|
||
and receive further instructions, because he is a man with a
|
||
body, and cannot tell what they are doing, nor see or hear beyond
|
||
normal distances. Many patrons are asleep, and most are drowsy
|
||
at the completion of this act.
|
||
|
||
THE GARDEN OF EDEN DRAMA
|
||
|
||
Elohim actually comes down to earth with Jehovah to create bodies
|
||
for Michael, who becomes Adam, and Eve. Adam and Eve are placed
|
||
in the garden by Elohim, are tempted by Lucifer, and Eve secumbs
|
||
and eats the forbidden fruit. Eve convinces Adam to partake
|
||
also, then recognizes who Lucifer really is. Lucifer instructs
|
||
Adam and Eve to make fig-leaf aprons to cover their nakedness
|
||
when they hear Elohim and Jehovah coming. All the patrons don
|
||
bright green fig-leaf aprons with Adam and Eve, which they
|
||
continue to wear over all of Elohim's Priesthood attire
|
||
throughout the remainder of the rituals. Elohim is outraged, and
|
||
curses Lucifer, who according to LDS doctrine will never have a
|
||
body, to crawl on his belly and eat dust forever. Lucifer defys
|
||
him to his face, and ignores his curse throughout the following
|
||
scenes. He is cast out, then Adam and Eve are cast out with him,
|
||
to join him, but only after they make a secret covenant with
|
||
Elohim, and receive a secret token (handgrip), with its name,
|
||
sign and penalty (blood/death oath).
|
||
|
||
THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD MELODRAMA
|
||
|
||
Upon arrival in the lone and dreary world, which is the world in
|
||
which we now live, Adam "builds an altar and offers up prayer."
|
||
Lucifer answers, instead of Elohim, affirming that he is "the God
|
||
of this world," and the drama develops its conflicts, around this
|
||
altar scene. Lucifer's claim to be "the God of this world" is
|
||
never challenged or denied by Adam, Eve, or Elohim's agents.
|
||
|
||
THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER IS SATAN'S HIRELING LACKEY
|
||
|
||
Lucifer employs a Christian Minister as his hireling lackey to
|
||
confuse, deceive, and destroy all mankind along with Adam and
|
||
Eve. He preaches to them a comical perversion of the 3rd century
|
||
Nicean Creed, which Adam rejects, employing sarcasm and ridicule
|
||
to develop audience contempt, but without hissing or booing, as
|
||
was done in prior decades. The Apostles Peter, James and John
|
||
are sent by Elohim to rescue Adam and Eve, and the hireling
|
||
Minister deserts Lucifer and joins them after Peter discloses
|
||
Lucifer's true identity. He embraces Mormonism with Adam and Eve
|
||
and is saved, along with the patrons in the audience, while
|
||
Lucifer is cast out. Jehovah, whom Mormons have told outside of
|
||
the Temple is really Jesus, has been relegated to the role of
|
||
messenger boy between Elohim and his new agent team of Peter,
|
||
James and John.
|
||
|
||
THE TERRESTRIAL WORLD PRESENTATION
|
||
|
||
Adam, Eve, and the patrons advance to the Terrestrial World,
|
||
where they are put under covenant by Peter, James and John to
|
||
obey several more laws, and taught their accompanying Priesthood
|
||
tokens, names,signs and penalties, along with being clothed in
|
||
the Robes of the Holy Priesthood (see figures 8-10), and being
|
||
taught "The True Order of Prayer."
|
||
|
||
THE ONE AND ONLY "TRUE ORDER OF PRAYER"
|
||
|
||
The only "live entertainment" in the Endowment is the True Order
|
||
of Prayer After all of the secrets have been received (except
|
||
the one learned only at the veil), all the temple clothing has
|
||
been put on, then taken off and put on again differently, and the
|
||
ritual activities are completed, the patrons enjoy sitting and
|
||
watching something different. (The patrons have stood up and sat
|
||
down approaching 20 times since the Endowment started).
|
||
|
||
The Officiator calls the Witness Couple and seven or eight other
|
||
couples to come forward and form a circle around the altar.
|
||
Those in the circle then proceed to follow the Officiator in
|
||
performing all of the names, signs, and penalties of the tokens
|
||
of the Priesthoods which they have previously received. Then
|
||
they form the "True Order of Prayer". The sisters all veil their
|
||
faces (in the audience also). Then each couple in the circle
|
||
joins right hands in the Patriarchal Grip and everyone raises
|
||
their left arms to the square and rests their left elbow on the
|
||
person next to them. The Officiator carefully checks everyone's
|
||
position ... then kneels at the altar and offers a prayer, which
|
||
all those in the circle repeat, one phrase at a time. (this is
|
||
the first time the patrons hear the Officiator's voice. He has
|
||
been pantomiming the tape recording during all of the prior
|
||
twenty minutes of the ceremony since the movie ended).
|
||
|
||
The prayer is usually long and quite involved, covering many
|
||
subjects from the prophet's health to the patron's safe return
|
||
home. It opens, as all Mormon prayers do, addressed to "Heavenly
|
||
Father", and closes "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." The
|
||
patrons in the circle repeat the "Amen" and are instructed to
|
||
return to their seats.
|
||
|
||
THE "TRUE ORDER OF PRAYER" RESEMBLES ANCIENT RITUAL
|
||
|
||
Prayer circles around Altars, doing very much the same sort of
|
||
ritualistic activities, are described in the Egyptian Coptic
|
||
Gnostic writings recently first published in English. These were
|
||
a continuation of the ancient Egyptian pagan rituals performed
|
||
for centuries before the birth of Jesus. This most certainly was
|
||
another Gospel, a very strange occultic one, from that which the
|
||
Apostles preached in the New Testament (see Galatians 1:8,9).
|
||
Dr. Hugh Nibley and other mormon scholars speak of these pagan
|
||
ceremonies as if they validated the Endowment, when they actually
|
||
demonstrate the pagan nature and foundation of the Temple
|
||
rituals.
|
||
|
||
THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE
|
||
|
||
The climactic conclusion to the Endowment if the Veil Ceremony in
|
||
which each patron is tested by a Veil Worker, who represents the
|
||
Lord behind the Veil, for his knowledge of the four tokens and
|
||
their names, which were given to him during the Endowment. The
|
||
Veil is a seven foot high by three foot wide ivory colored fabric
|
||
panel hung on a beautifully finished hardwood framework (see
|
||
figure 4). It has seven "Marks of the Holy Priesthood" in it
|
||
which correspond to the four marks in the patron's Priesthood
|
||
Temple undergarment. Three of these Veil marks are sewn in the
|
||
form of openings which are large enough for hands or arms to pass
|
||
through. Between each pair of Veil segments is a curtained
|
||
opening through which the patron is conducted after he
|
||
successfully completes the testing. The Veil is located at the
|
||
front of the Terrestrial Room, representing the Terrestrial
|
||
(where almost all Christians and nearly all Mormons will
|
||
supposedly spend eternity), and separates it from the Celestial
|
||
Room, representing the Celestial Kingdom, where those who
|
||
successfully keep all of the Mormon commandments will go to
|
||
become Gods over their own planets. Thus the patron gains
|
||
entrance to the Celestial Room by passing the testing conducted
|
||
by the Lord at the Veil. Unfortunately for them, no Mormon is
|
||
successfully keeping all of the commandments required for
|
||
entrance into their Celestial Kingdom.
|
||
|
||
There are approximately 60 Veil segments in the Los Angeles
|
||
Temple, equally divided between men and women. The Veil is
|
||
perhaps the most important object in the Temples, and was used
|
||
over four million times last year alone. The veil of the Hebrew
|
||
Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom at the time of Jesus'
|
||
crucifixion, thus destroying its function (Matthew 27:51).
|
||
Jesus' atonement ended the need and purpose of the Temple forever
|
||
(Hebrews 9:11-17). The Veil of the Hebrew Temple had only one
|
||
opening and was only opened once each year by the one and only
|
||
High Priest to enter for a specific ritual performed on behalf of
|
||
all Israel and then to return through it (Hebrews 9:6-7). Over
|
||
four million Mormon Temple patrons, mostly women but including
|
||
hundreds of thousands of High Priests, WORKED their way through
|
||
their Temple Veil to provide vicarious exaltation for dead
|
||
people. They did nothing on the other side, an did not return
|
||
through it as the Hebrew High Priesthood, yet Mormons speak of
|
||
their Temple as a restoration of the one in Solomon's Hebrew
|
||
Temple. They rarely mention any claims of specific similarities,
|
||
or the very many obvious differences.
|
||
|
||
THE VEIL CEREMONY
|
||
|
||
The Veil Ceremony is the Patron's principle opportunity to
|
||
participate in this two hour ritual. A Veil Worker represents
|
||
the Lord behind the Veil, and an Introducer presents the patron
|
||
to the Lord and coaches him through his lines and actions if
|
||
necessary. The Lord reaches through and opening in the Veil to
|
||
take his hand in the various grips or tokens and asks him
|
||
specific questions through the Veil. His answers must be word
|
||
perfect. The culmination of this examination is the name of the
|
||
Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip,
|
||
or Sure Sign of the Nail, which is given to the patron only
|
||
through the Veil, while embracing the Lord in the Five Points of
|
||
Fellowship.
|
||
|
||
THE FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP
|
||
|
||
"The Five Points of Fellowship are inside of right foot by the
|
||
side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back,
|
||
and mouth to ear." The patron and the Veil Worker both reach
|
||
their left arm through the appropriate mark in the Veil, while
|
||
holding right hands in the Patriarchal Grip, and embracing each
|
||
other, maintaining strong contact at all the points indicated
|
||
with the Veil separating them, while the Veil Worker gives the
|
||
name of the token to the patron and the patron repeats it back
|
||
vebatim. The name of the token is, "Health in the navel, marrow
|
||
in the bones, strength in the loins and sinews. Power in the
|
||
Priesthood be upon me, and upon my posterity through all
|
||
generations of time, and throughout all eternity." This is a
|
||
form of incantation similar to various Witchcraft, Voodoo, or
|
||
Black Magic incantations in use for centuries before Joseph Smith
|
||
developed his Endowment. Many women patrons are seriously
|
||
agitated and disturbed by this procedure through the Veil. Since
|
||
the Veil Workers are all men, they tend to put the blame on the
|
||
men for being overly familiar or enthusiastic in this embrace.
|
||
Since the women tend to be more sensitive and perceptive, I
|
||
believe they are often spiritually disturbed by the overtly
|
||
occultic mystical demonic power that is being invoked in this
|
||
incantation. This probably significantly contributes to why less
|
||
than ten percent of those Mormons who are eligible actually
|
||
attend the Temple regularly, while nearly triple that number have
|
||
been through this experience once. After the patron repeats this
|
||
incantation vebatim, calling these spiritist powers down upon
|
||
himself and his posterity for eternity, he is ushered into the
|
||
beautiful, etherial Celestial Room, as the climax and reward for
|
||
his perserverance and performance.
|
||
|
||
THE CELESTIAL ROOM
|
||
|
||
The Celestial Room is a very large, elegantly decorated and
|
||
furnished sitting room. It has no function or purpose except
|
||
that patrons may stand or sit for a few minutes to wait for
|
||
spouse, friends, or associates to come through the Veil.
|
||
Conversation is permitted only in quiet whispers. This is the
|
||
only opportunity a Mormon ever has to ask a question about the
|
||
Temple ceremonies. It is supposed to be a place to meditate, or
|
||
seek answers to problems or inspiration. In actual practice,
|
||
however, patrons are not permitted to remain in the Celestial
|
||
room for more than a few minutes. Rarely is anyone available to
|
||
answer any questions or discuss a problem. It is very business
|
||
like an efficiently operated, like a production line.
|
||
|
||
Patrons move from the Celestial room out a side door and back
|
||
downstairs to the locker room, still wearing all the Temple
|
||
clothing. There the patron removes his Temple attire, puts on
|
||
his normal clothing, and is free to leave at his leisure. There
|
||
is a comfortable waiting room near the entrance where he may
|
||
await spouse and friends.
|
||
|
||
TEMPLE MARRIAGE FOR TIME AND ETERNITY
|
||
|
||
A typical Temple contains from six to twenty Sealing Rooms where
|
||
marriages and Sealings are performed for the living and the dead.
|
||
Sealings are performed for couples already married, living or
|
||
dead, to extend their marriage to eternity. On a typical spring
|
||
Saturday in Los Angeles from 60 to 100 marriages and Sealings may
|
||
be performed, mostly for young couples. The Sealing Rooms are
|
||
elegantly furnished and decorated (See figure 5). The walls are
|
||
lined with formal dining room type chairs and a beautiful altar
|
||
is in the center. Two opposing walls are covered with solid
|
||
mirrors so that one can seem to see "for Eternity" in both
|
||
directions. The Officiator for this ceremony is a Temple Sealer,
|
||
who is called to this position because he is considered an
|
||
especially "Spiritual" person.
|
||
|
||
The room is often filled with many friends and family of the
|
||
wedding couple, who must also have valid Temple Recommends, who
|
||
have come to be with them, all dressed in white Temple clothing.
|
||
It is an impressive ceremony. There were approximately 40 dearly
|
||
beloved friends at the Sealing of my wife and three teenage
|
||
children to myself one year and six days after our Baptism. (It
|
||
is the order of the Priesthood that wife (or wives) and children
|
||
are sealed to the Priesthood holder). Though we were dazed and
|
||
perplexed by the rush of confusing activities that had taken
|
||
place during a period of sever hours preceeding it, at the
|
||
completion of that brief climaxing ceremony we truly felt
|
||
blessed. With this capacity crowd of joyful well wishers
|
||
encouraging us, we truly felt a wonderful bond of family
|
||
togetherness envelop us. It is an event I will never forget. We
|
||
thought we had achieved a wonderful goal through sustained
|
||
sacrifice, dedication and hard work. The promises bestowed were
|
||
glorious beyond understanding, and it felt worthwhile and
|
||
rewarding. The support and fellowship of all those beloved
|
||
friends who were there just for us was a very significant factor
|
||
in the good feelings we had, for without them it would all have
|
||
been a mass of confusion and senseless rituals.
|
||
|
||
5 LAWS- All Temple patrons covenant and promise to keep and live
|
||
by these five laws of the Endowment.
|
||
|
||
1 - Law of Obedience- Wives agree to obey their husbands in
|
||
righteousness, and husbands, in turn agree to obey the law of
|
||
Elohim and keep his commandments.
|
||
|
||
2 - Law of Sacrifice- All agree to give everything they have,
|
||
including their lives, if necessary, to the building up of the
|
||
Kingdom of God.
|
||
|
||
3 - Law of the Gospel- All agree to obey the Law of the Gospel,
|
||
and to avoid lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the
|
||
Lord's annointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and
|
||
every other unholy and impure practice.
|
||
|
||
4 - Law of Chastity- All agree that they shall have no sexual
|
||
intercourse except with their legal and lawful husband or wife
|
||
(or wives).
|
||
|
||
5 - Law of Consecration- All agree to consecrate their time,
|
||
talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed them or
|
||
will bless them to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
|
||
Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God and the
|
||
establishment of Zion (the Mormon Church).
|
||
|
||
4 TOKENS (HANDCLASPS) - WITH ACCOMPANYING NAMES - Temple
|
||
participants each receive these four secret tokens or handclasps
|
||
with accompanying secret names, signs, and penalties.
|
||
|
||
1 - The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood: Is given by
|
||
clasping the right hands together and by placing the joint of the
|
||
thumb over the first knuckle of the hand. Its name is the NEW
|
||
NAME you received in the temple this day (The 'New Name' is
|
||
usually Biblical, and is the same for everyone on a given day,
|
||
i.e., every male who goes to the temple on the third of the month
|
||
will receive the name "Abraham". The name of the First Token of
|
||
the A.P., then, would be "Abraham").
|
||
|
||
2 - The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood: Is given by
|
||
clasping right hands together and by placing the joint of the
|
||
thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand. The
|
||
name of this token is your given name (If you are Elmer Jones the
|
||
name of the token would be "Elmer", and if you were Sadie Jones
|
||
it would be "Sadie").
|
||
|
||
3 - The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the
|
||
Nail: Is executed by bringing your right hand forward in a
|
||
vertical position, fingers close together, thumb extended, and
|
||
the person giving the token placing the tip of the forefinger in
|
||
the center of the palm with the thumb on the back of the hand.
|
||
The name of this token in "The Son".
|
||
|
||
4 - The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the
|
||
Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail: Is given by clasping
|
||
right hands and interlocking little fingers, and placing the
|
||
index finger of the right hand on the center of the wrist. The
|
||
name is "Health in the navel, marrow in the bone, strength in the
|
||
loins and in the sinews, power in the priesthood be upon me and
|
||
upon my posterity through all generation of time and throughout
|
||
all eternity".
|
||
|
||
4 SIGNS AND 3 PENALTIES
|
||
|
||
1 - The Sign and Penalty of the First Token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood Is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the
|
||
palm of the hand forward, the fingers close together, and the
|
||
thumb extended. The penalty is executed by placing the right
|
||
thumb under the left ear, palm down, fingers close together. The
|
||
thumb is drawn quickly across the throat to the right ear and the
|
||
hand dropped to the side. This signifies having your throat slit
|
||
from ear to ear and your tongue torn out by its roots.*
|
||
|
||
2 - The Sign and Penalty of the Second Token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood Is made by bringing the right hand in front of you,
|
||
the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and
|
||
the left arm is raised to the square. The penalty is executed by
|
||
placing the right hand on the left breast, and drawing the hand
|
||
quickly across the chest, then dropping both hands to the sides.
|
||
This signifies having your chest ripped open and your heart and
|
||
vitals torn out and fed to the beasts of the field and the fowls
|
||
of the air.*
|
||
|
||
3 - The Sign and Penalty of the First Token of the Melchizedek
|
||
Priesthood is made by bringing the left hand forward, the hand
|
||
in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The right hand
|
||
is brought forward, the palm down, fingers close together, and
|
||
the thumb extended. The thumb is placed over the left hip. The
|
||
penalty is executed by drawing the thumb quickly across the body
|
||
and dropping both hands to the sides. This signifies having your
|
||
body cut asunder and your bowels gush out upon the ground.*
|
||
|
||
4 - The Sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood
|
||
(no penalty is mentioned) Is made by raising both hands high
|
||
above the head, palms forward, fingers close together, and
|
||
lowering the hands to the side three times while repeating aloud
|
||
the words, 'PAY LAY ALE, PAY LAY ALE, PAY LAY ALE.' They are
|
||
told this means, "Oh God, hear the words of my mouth" in the
|
||
Adamic language.
|
||
|
||
*Up until the 1930's the penalties were plainly stated as
|
||
indicated. The patron was agreeing or covenanting that if he or
|
||
she revealed these secrets, the Mormon elders would very
|
||
literally take them and execute the penalties upon them. This is
|
||
known as "blood atonement", and is still a doctrine of the Church
|
||
today.
|
||
|
||
*The significance of the penalties is no longer explained to the
|
||
patrons as plainly as it was in former days. Today it is
|
||
described as "various ways in which life may be taken." As the
|
||
patron is executing the morbid gesture of the penalty, he is
|
||
affirming that rather than reveal the secret token, name, sign
|
||
and penalty, he would "suffer his life to be taken."
|
||
|
||
IMMORALITY AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN THE TEMPLE RITUAL
|
||
|
||
Numerous stories have been circulated of all manner of sexual
|
||
activities, indecent exposure, polygamous marriages, marital
|
||
intercourse, etc., taking place as part of the Temple rituals.
|
||
We want to unequivically and emphatically state that none of
|
||
these are true. There is no overt sexual activity, immoral or
|
||
otherwise, contained within the rituals or otherwise conducted
|
||
within the Mormon Temples, although there are numerous
|
||
similarities between ancient pagan fertility rites and Mormon
|
||
Temple rituals. We do not believe that polygamous marriages are
|
||
knowingly being performed within the Temples today. Since
|
||
polygamy is still an essential element of Mormon doctrine, and
|
||
still very much alive in Utah, we realize that some Mormon
|
||
dishonestly obtain polygamous marriage through Mormon Temples by
|
||
concealing the truth of their intentions.
|
||
|
||
THE GARMENT OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
|
||
|
||
4 MARKS -
|
||
|
||
Every Mormon who "receives his Endowments" (including all Mormon
|
||
Missionaries) is dressed by a temple worker in the "garment of
|
||
the holy priesthood" which he is required to wear 24 hours a day,
|
||
365 days a year, until he is buried in it. It is removed only to
|
||
bathe and change them, and for certain "public appearance"
|
||
exceptions. Most of these have the appearance of old-fashioned
|
||
"long johns".
|
||
|
||
Closer examination reveals a pair of botton-holes over the right
|
||
breast sewn in the form of a square, reminding the Mormon of
|
||
exactness and honor in living up to his temple vows. Over the
|
||
left breast a pair of botton-holes in the form of a compass,
|
||
remind the Mormon that all truth may be circumscribed into one
|
||
great whole, and that all appetites must be kept within certain
|
||
bounds. One button-type hole over the navel, recalls the need
|
||
of nourishment for body and soul, and an identical hole over the
|
||
right knee, signifies that every knee shall bow, and every tongue
|
||
confess that Jesus is the Christ. In the early Mormon Temple
|
||
ceremonies some of the marks were cut into the garment with a
|
||
small knife while on the patron's body, thus knicking his flesh
|
||
and shedding his blood into the garment. See Leviticus 19:28,
|
||
21:5, Deuteronomy14:1, and Jeremiah 16:6. The same four marks
|
||
are on the veil of the temple in much larger dimensions. The
|
||
Temple Worker tells the patron, as he or she is being dressed in
|
||
this garment, that "it will be a shield and a protection to you
|
||
from the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work
|
||
on the earth, so long as you are true and faithful to the
|
||
covenants you make in the temple this day."
|
||
|
||
The garment has thus become a magic talisman to the Temple
|
||
patron, and is to be his source of protection from the power of
|
||
Satan throughout his lifetime. The patron is instructed that,
|
||
when the garment is worn out, he must cut the priesthood markings
|
||
off of it and burn them. The garment then can be used for rags
|
||
or any other purpose. Thus we see that the magical "power" in in
|
||
the Priesthood markings. The Christian is taught that his
|
||
protection from Satan comes in a much different form from this
|
||
Priestcraft occultic talisman magic. Christians, in overcoming
|
||
Satan's attacks, are to put on something more substantial than
|
||
magic underwear with Masonic markings. It is fully explained in
|
||
Ephesians 6:12-18, and we highly recommend this form of
|
||
protection to all readers.
|
||
|
||
MASONIC SYMBOLS AND RITES USED IN THE MORMON TEMPLE
|
||
|
||
In spite of vehement denials to the contrary, there is a direct
|
||
link between the rites, symbols, signs, handclasps and penalties
|
||
of the Masonic Lodge (Free and Accepted Masons or Free Masons)
|
||
and those of the temple Endowments of Mormonism. Joseph Smith
|
||
received his first degree in Masonry on March 15, 1842 and the
|
||
very next day was elevated to 32nd degree sublime Master of the
|
||
Royal Secret. (See History of the Church (H.C.), Volume 4, page
|
||
550, 552). Six weeks later, on May 2, 1842, Smith was teaching
|
||
these Masonic secrets as his own "revelations" to Mormon leaders
|
||
as the Temple Endowment (see H.C., Volume 15, Page 2). It was
|
||
from his association with the Masons that Joseph Smith derived
|
||
the basic ceremonies and symbols now known as the "Endowment".
|
||
Into the fabric of Free Masonry he wove his own peculiar brand of
|
||
occultism, claiming it to be "Revelation" from on high.
|
||
|
||
We do not intend to do an exhaustive comparison between Masonry
|
||
and the Mormon Temple Endowment, but we would like to draw your
|
||
attention to a few of the more obvious similarities. Please keep
|
||
in mind as you look over the following list, that the Masonic
|
||
rituals and symbols pre-date the Mormon Church by several hundred
|
||
years:
|
||
|
||
All Seeing Eye
|
||
Anointing with oil
|
||
Apron
|
||
Beehive
|
||
Square and Compass
|
||
Earth Symbol
|
||
Emblem of the clasped hands
|
||
Solemn Assembly in the Temple
|
||
Five points of Fellowship
|
||
Special Garments applied to initiates
|
||
Garment Markings
|
||
Grips (Special handshakes)
|
||
The phrase: "Holiness to the Lord"
|
||
Moon symbol
|
||
New Name given
|
||
Special Prayer circle
|
||
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods
|
||
Blood/death oaths of secrecy with morbid gestures and words
|
||
describing penalties agreed to if secrets are revealed.
|
||
Location (possession of) Throne of the "Holy of Holies"
|
||
Star symbols
|
||
Sun symbols
|
||
Tabernacles
|
||
Temples
|
||
|
||
THE TEMPLE CEREMONIES
|
||
|
||
Throughout the following account of the Temple ceremonies certain
|
||
explanatory notes have been added to help you understand the
|
||
flow of events. These sections are clearly distinguished by the
|
||
bold face type used. The temple ceremonies are set forth with no
|
||
editorial commentary on our part, for we feel that the words
|
||
spoken and doctrines revealed truly "Speak for themselves," and
|
||
demonstrate that Mormonism is not in any way Christian.
|
||
|
||
The rituals, called "ordinances" or "temple work", which are
|
||
performed inside the temple are of two classes, work for the
|
||
living and work for the dead.
|
||
|
||
Please refer to the introduction for an explanation of these.
|
||
Over 95% of the temple rituals are performed for the dead by a
|
||
patron acting as proxy for the dead person.
|
||
|
||
PRE-INITIATORY" RITUAL
|
||
|
||
The first ceremony for the dead in the Temple is that of Baptism.
|
||
This is performed in the beautiful baptismal font mounted on the
|
||
backs of 12 full sized oxen, located in the Temple basement. The
|
||
officiator and the patron are dressed in heavy white jump-suits.
|
||
There are two or more witnesses observing the procedure. Usually
|
||
a closed circuit T.V. is used to project the names of the
|
||
deceased persons on a large T.V. screen. Typically 200-300
|
||
baptisms are performed per hour. The baptismal pronouncement is
|
||
recited in full for each baptism, and the patron is completely
|
||
immersed.
|
||
|
||
BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD
|
||
|
||
Brother (or Sister) ________, having authority, I baptize you,
|
||
for and in behalf of________, who is dead, in the name of the
|
||
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
|
||
|
||
Next comes the Confirmation for the Dead. This is usually
|
||
performed at or near the baptismal font, by the same persons who
|
||
performed the baptism ritual.
|
||
|
||
CONFIRMATION FOR THE DEAD
|
||
|
||
Brother (or Sister) ________, in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay
|
||
our hands upon your head for and in behalf of ________, who is
|
||
dead, and confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
|
||
Latter-day Saints, and say unto you: Receive the Holy Ghost.
|
||
Amen.
|
||
|
||
After the Baptism and Confirmation for the Dead are done, the
|
||
person who is doing work for the dead is ready to be washed with
|
||
water, anointed with oil and clothed in the garment of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood. This is the beginning of the Endowment Ceremony.
|
||
|
||
The ordination of the dead males to the Mormon "Holy Melchizedek
|
||
Priesthood" is usually (but not always) performed in the same area
|
||
of the Temple by the same proxy. Other temple workers perform
|
||
this ordinance following the baptism and confirmation. Two
|
||
workers lay their hands upon the patron's head and one of them
|
||
pronounces the ordination.
|
||
|
||
ORDINATION FOR THE DEAD
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority we lay our hands upon your
|
||
head and confer upon you the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordain
|
||
you an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
|
||
for and in behalf of ________, who is dead, and seal upon you
|
||
every grace, gift and authority appertaining to his office in the
|
||
Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, for and in his behalf, in the name
|
||
of Jesus Christ. Amen.
|
||
|
||
INITIATORY ORDINANCE
|
||
|
||
Following the pre-initiatory ordinances of baptism and
|
||
confirmation and ordination, other proxies will perform the next
|
||
group of rituals for these deceased parsons. These are called
|
||
the "initiatory ordinances" or rituals and are performed on the
|
||
main floor level of the Temple, adjacent to the men's and women's
|
||
locker rooms. These include washing with water, anointing with
|
||
oil, and clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood.
|
||
|
||
PREPARATION FOR PARTICIPATION
|
||
|
||
As patrons enter the Temple, they present their "Temple
|
||
Recommend" to a doorkeeper immediately inside. They then proceed
|
||
to a room with two typists at counters, one for men and the other
|
||
for women. Each patron presents his recommend to the typist, she
|
||
types his name, then tears off a strip of the page approximately
|
||
1/2 inch wide by 2 1/2 inches long. This contains the name and
|
||
birthdate of the deceased person, and the proxy's name. The
|
||
patrons proceed to a room where Temple clothing may be rented.
|
||
Many patrons do not own their own Temple clothing but prefer to
|
||
rent it as a nominal charge. Each Temple has a large and busy
|
||
laundry and sewing facility to provide this service. The patrons
|
||
separate at this point to the men's and women's locker rooms,
|
||
where each patron is assigned a locker.
|
||
|
||
The typical locker rooms are identical for men and women with one
|
||
exception, the bride's rooms. The locker rooms are composed of
|
||
rows of dressing booths with chest high partitions. The booth
|
||
contains three tall lockers with locks and keys. There is a
|
||
space on top of the lockers for suitcases in which most patrons
|
||
carry their own white temple clothing. Most patrons will remove
|
||
their street clothing and place it in the locker, leave their
|
||
temple garment on, and put on the white temple clothing - white
|
||
dress, slip, stockings and slippers, or white pants shirt, tie,
|
||
belt, socks and slippers which they either bought or rented.
|
||
|
||
They will then lock their locker and proceed to receive the "New
|
||
Name" in a special booth, and then go to the theatre like
|
||
endowment room to receive the Endowment. These patrons who are
|
||
receiving the Washing, Anointing, and Clothing in the Garment of
|
||
the Holy Priesthood, either for themselves or for a dead person
|
||
for whom they are proxy, will proceed as follows
|
||
|
||
WASHING AND ANOINTING ROOM FOR MEN
|
||
|
||
The patron prepares for these rituals, called the initiatory
|
||
ordinances, by removing all clothing and placing it in the
|
||
locker. The patron puts on a devise called a shield. This strip
|
||
of white sheeting approximately three feet wide by 8 feet long
|
||
with a head sized whole in the center. It hangs open at the
|
||
sides and covers the body front and back. The patron then
|
||
proceeds to the washing and anointing room, taking with him his
|
||
temple garment, name slip and locker key. Usually he joins
|
||
group of similarly attired patrons on a bench waiting their turn
|
||
to enter. As each patron enters, the temple worker takes the
|
||
garment from the patron and the patron enters the first section
|
||
of the room to be washed with water.
|
||
|
||
The temple worker wets his right hand in running water and
|
||
proceeds to ceremonially wash the patron's body. As he recites
|
||
the words of the ceremony, the temple worker lightly touches each
|
||
part of the patron's body mentioned with his fingers or hand.
|
||
|
||
WASHING - OF MEN
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority, I wash you preparatory to
|
||
your receiving your anointings (for and in behalf of ________,
|
||
who is dead), that you may become clean from the blood and sins
|
||
of this generation. I wash your head, that your brain and your
|
||
intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear
|
||
the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and
|
||
discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell;
|
||
your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may
|
||
bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear
|
||
the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there
|
||
may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it
|
||
may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your
|
||
vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and
|
||
perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they
|
||
may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth
|
||
and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and
|
||
replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your
|
||
posterity; your legs and feet, that you may run and not be weary,
|
||
and walk and not faint.
|
||
|
||
The washing is then sealed by two temple workers placing their
|
||
hands upon the patron's head. One of them pronounces the
|
||
|
||
CONFIRMATION OF WASHING - OF MEN
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority, we lay our hands upon your
|
||
head (for and in behalf of ________, who is dead), and seal upon
|
||
you this washing, that you may become clean from the blood and
|
||
sins of this generation through your faithfulness, in the name of
|
||
Jesus Christ. Amen.
|
||
|
||
Next, the patron enters the second part of the room where he is
|
||
seated upon a sort of a tile covered throne chair. Another
|
||
temple worker pours some drops of oil from a large horn into his
|
||
hand and proceeds to anoint the patron's body, by dipping his
|
||
fingers in the oil and touching each part in turn.
|
||
|
||
ANOINTING - OF MEN
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority, I pour this holy anointing
|
||
oil upon your head (for and in behalf of ________, who is dead),
|
||
and anoint you preparatory to your becoming a King and a Priest
|
||
unto the Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House
|
||
of Israel forever. I anoint your head, that your brain and your
|
||
intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear
|
||
the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and
|
||
discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell;
|
||
your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may
|
||
bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear
|
||
the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there
|
||
may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it
|
||
may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your
|
||
vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and
|
||
perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they
|
||
may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth
|
||
and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and
|
||
replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your
|
||
posterity; your legs and feet, that you may run and not be weary,
|
||
and walk and not faint.
|
||
|
||
The anointing is then sealed by two of the temple workers laying
|
||
their hands upon the patron's head and one of them pronouncing
|
||
the sealing.
|
||
|
||
CONFIRMATION OF ANOINTING - OF MEN
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority we lay hands upon your head
|
||
(for and in behalf of ________, who is dead), and confirm upon
|
||
you this anointing, wherewith you have been anointed in the
|
||
Temple of our God preparatory to becoming a king and a priest
|
||
unto the Most High God hereafter to rule and reign in the House
|
||
of Israel forever; and seal upon you all the blessings hereunto
|
||
appertaining, through your faithfulness, in the name of Jesus
|
||
Christ. Amen.
|
||
|
||
The patron now enters the third section of the room to be clothed
|
||
in the garment that he brought with him to the washing and
|
||
anointing room. A temple worker holds the garment open for the
|
||
patron, who is still wearing the shield, to step into. He then
|
||
helps the patron pull the garment up and put his arms in as the
|
||
worker is giving instructions and "New Name".
|
||
|
||
RECEIVING THE "GARMENT OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD"
|
||
AND THE "NEW NAME"
|
||
|
||
Brother ________, having authority, I place this garment upon you
|
||
(for and in behalf of ________, who is dead), which you must wear
|
||
throughout your life. It represents the garment given to Adam
|
||
when he was found naked in the Garden of Eden, and is called the
|
||
Garment of the Holy Priesthood. Inasmuch as you do not defile
|
||
it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a
|
||
shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer
|
||
until you have finished your work here on earth. With this
|
||
garment I give you a new name, which you should always remember,
|
||
and which you must keep sacred, and never reveal except at a
|
||
certain place that will be shown you hereafter. The name is
|
||
"________".
|
||
|
||
Each of the men and each of the women participating in the
|
||
Endowment (on a particular day) receive the same "New Name"..
|
||
The "New Name" is usually Biblical, such as Abraham, Joseph,
|
||
Moses, etc. or Martha, Mary, or Naomi. An alternate New Name is
|
||
provided to those patrons who are representing a dead person
|
||
whose first name sounds like the New Name in use.
|
||
|
||
The patron then goes back to his locker, removes his shield, and
|
||
puts on his white clothing, which he either rented or brought
|
||
with him. This includes white shirt, trousers, belt, socks, tie
|
||
and mocassins. This is put over the garment. He then carries in
|
||
his hand the Temple Clothing which he will put on later in the
|
||
ceremony.
|
||
|
||
The women patrons have been going through similar rituals in
|
||
their identical area of the Temple. Over the Temple garment they
|
||
now dress in white slip, long dress, hose and mocassins.
|
||
|
||
Today it is common practice for the Washing, Anointing and
|
||
Clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood to be performed
|
||
separately from the Endowment by other proxies. Those who come
|
||
to the Temple to perform only the Endowment dress in their white
|
||
Temple clothing and pass through a special booth where they
|
||
receive the "New Name" on their way to the Endowment rooms. The
|
||
name slip containing the name of the dead person is green or gold
|
||
for these persons.
|
||
|
||
The patrons will usually pass through a beautiful foyer and climb
|
||
an impressive flight of stairs to reach the Endowment room where
|
||
they will be segregated by a temple worker, women to the left and
|
||
men to the right (entering always from the rear) and be seated on
|
||
richly upholstered theatre type seats. In the older Temples,
|
||
patrons often still move from room to room through the various
|
||
stages of presentation of the Endowment. In modern Temples,
|
||
patrons remain in one room throughout the first one and one half
|
||
hours of the Endowment, which is presented in motion picture form
|
||
except for the secret tokens, names, signs, penalties, prayer
|
||
circle and veil explanation portion, which are on tape recording.
|
||
The Officiator, who is "in charge" of the presentation pantomimes
|
||
much of the taped portion, and rarely speaks.
|
||
|
||
CREATION ROOM
|
||
|
||
LECTURER #1 (tape recording 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 for your
|
||
own Endowments and those who have yellow or white family name
|
||
slips should have been washed, anointed, and clothed in the
|
||
garment of the Holy Priesthood. The brethren with the yellow
|
||
name slips should also have been ordained. The ordinances of
|
||
washing, anointing, and clothing in the garment of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood, together with the ordaining on behalf of deceased
|
||
brethren, were performed previously by other proxies for those
|
||
whose names are on the green or gold nameslips.
|
||
|
||
Each of you should have received a "New Name" in connection with
|
||
this company. If any of you have forgotten the "New Name", or
|
||
have not received these ordinances as explained, please stand.
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
LECTURER #2 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 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 when he was found naked in
|
||
the garden of Eden, and which is called the Garment of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood. This you were instructed to wear throughout your
|
||
life. You were informed that it will be a shield and a
|
||
protection to you if you are true and faithful to your covenants.
|
||
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
The Endowment is to prepare you for exaltation in the Celestial
|
||
Kingdom.
|
||
|
||
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 your own free will and choice,
|
||
you may now make it known by raising your hand. PAUSE)
|
||
|
||
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 organize man in their own likeness and image, male and
|
||
female. This however is simply figurative so far as the man and
|
||
woman are concerned. PAUSE)
|
||
|
||
Here begins a motion picture presentation which constitutes the
|
||
major portion of the Endowment. Originally it was done on stage
|
||
with live actors, but most all Temples are now using the filmed
|
||
versions of the Endowment ceremony. During the creation sequence
|
||
a series of scenes and animation or still art work are shown
|
||
portraying the creation activities. Only the voices of the
|
||
characters are heard.
|
||
|
||
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 heretofore 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 the matter unorganized. We will
|
||
organize it into a world like unto the 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 of the First Day,
|
||
Jehovah.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH Elohim, we have been down as thou hast commanded and
|
||
have organized a world like unto the worlds that we have
|
||
heretofore formed and we have called our labors the First Day.
|
||
|
||
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 and 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 of the Second Day,
|
||
Jehovah.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH Elohim, we have been down as thou hast commanded, and
|
||
have gathered the waters together and have caused the dry land to
|
||
appear. The great waters we have called seas and the dry land we
|
||
have called earth. We have formed mountains and hills, great
|
||
rivers and small streams to beautify and give variety to the
|
||
face of the earth. And we have called our labors the Second Day.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM It is well.
|
||
|
||
THIRD DAY
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth you have
|
||
formed. Divide the light from the darkness. Call the light day
|
||
and the darkness night. Cause the lights in 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, to give light
|
||
to the earth, the same as with the worlds we have heretofore
|
||
formed. When you have done this, call your labors the Third Day,
|
||
and return and report.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.
|
||
|
||
MICHAEL We will go down, Jehovah.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH Michael, we will divide the light from the darkness.
|
||
We will call the light day, and the darkness night. We will
|
||
cause the lights in the firmaments to appear, the greater light
|
||
to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. We will
|
||
cause the stars also to appear, to give light to the earth, the
|
||
same as with the worlds we have heretofore formed. We will call
|
||
our labors the Third Day, and return and report.
|
||
|
||
MICHAEL We will return and report our labors of the Third Day,
|
||
Jehovah.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH We have been down as thou hast commanded, and divided
|
||
the light from the darkness. The light we have called day, and
|
||
the darkness we have called night. We have caused the firmament
|
||
to appear. We have set the greater light to rule the day, and
|
||
the lesser light to rule the night. We have caused the stars to
|
||
appear to give light to the earth, and have called our labors the
|
||
Third Day.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM It is well.
|
||
|
||
FOURTH DAY
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth you have
|
||
formed. Plant seeds of all kinds in the earth ...
|
||
|
||
NOTE: Elohim continues the instructions for filling the earth
|
||
with vegetation, various forms of flora are specified. Jehovah
|
||
and Michael accept the instructions and the process is repeated
|
||
as in the first three days, with the instructions being put into
|
||
action upon the earth. Jehovah and Michael return and repeat the
|
||
same instructions in the form of a report, which Elohim accepts
|
||
with, "It is well".
|
||
|
||
FIFTH DAY
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, Michael, go down again to the earth you have
|
||
formed, and place beasts and all forms of animal life thereon:
|
||
the Elephant, the Lion, the Tiger, the Bear, the Horse, Cattle in
|
||
the fields and other kinds of animals; fouls 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. Command the
|
||
beasts, the fouls, 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 fulfill the
|
||
measure of its creation and have joy therein. Call your labors
|
||
the Fifth Day, and return and bring me word.
|
||
|
||
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 there on, we will place
|
||
beasts upon the land: the Elephant, the Lion, the Tiger, the
|
||
Bear, the Horse, and all other kinds of animals; fouls 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 fouls, 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 We will return and report our labors of the Fifth Day,
|
||
Jehovah.
|
||
|
||
Jehovah and Michael then return and repeat the dialogue again to
|
||
Elohim in the form of a report.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM It is well.
|
||
|
||
SIXTH DAY
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, is man found upon the earth?
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH No, man is not found upon 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 him his spirit, and let us give him dominion over the
|
||
beasts, the fishes, and the birds, and make him Lord over the
|
||
earth and over all things on the face of the earth. We will
|
||
plant for him a garden, eastward in Eden, and place him in it to
|
||
tend and cultivate it, that he may be happy and have joy therein.
|
||
We will command him to multiply and replenish the earth, that he
|
||
may have joy in his posterity. We will place before him the Tree
|
||
of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and we will allow Lucifer, our
|
||
common enemy, whom we have thrust out, to tempt him and to try
|
||
him, that he may know by his own experience the good from the
|
||
evil. If he yields to temptation, we will give unto him the Law
|
||
of Sacrifice, and we will provide a Savior for him, as we
|
||
counselled in the beginning, that man may be brought forth by the
|
||
power of the redemption and the resurrection, and come again into
|
||
our presence, and with us partake of eternal life and exaltation.
|
||
We will call this the sixth day and we will rest from our labors
|
||
for a season. Come, let us go down.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH We will go down, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, man is now organized and we will put into him
|
||
his spirit, the breath of life, that he may become a living soul.
|
||
|
||
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 a helpmeet for him.
|
||
|
||
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 become like a little child.
|
||
Brethren, close your eyes as if you were asleep.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Adam, awake and arise.
|
||
|
||
NARRATOR All the brethren will please arise.
|
||
|
||
(Men all stand up
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Adam, here is a woman whom we have formed and whom we
|
||
give unto you to be a companion and an helpmeet for you. What
|
||
will you call her?
|
||
|
||
ADAM Eve.
|
||
|
||
Elohim and Jehovah are shown suspended in air against the garden
|
||
backdrop, as identical, brilliant, white, radiant personages with
|
||
long white beards, white hair, and long white robes. Adam and Eve
|
||
are shown shoulders and up behind garden foliage.)
|
||
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
Adam, we have organized for you this earth, and have planted a
|
||
garden eastward in Eden. We will place you in the garden and
|
||
will there command you and Eve to multiply and replenish the
|
||
earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity.
|
||
Jehovah, introduce Adam into the Garden which we have prepared
|
||
for him.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
Narrator We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden. The
|
||
Brethren will please be seated.
|
||
|
||
THE GARDEN OF EDEN
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Adam, we have created for you this earth, and have
|
||
placed upon it all kinds of vegetation and animal life. We have
|
||
commanded all these to multiply in their own sphere and element.
|
||
We give you dominion over all these things, and make you Lord
|
||
over the whole earth, and all things on the face thereof. We
|
||
now command you and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth, that
|
||
you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity. We have also
|
||
planted for you this garden, wherein we have placed all manner of
|
||
fruits, flowers and vegetation. Of every tree of the garden thou
|
||
mayest freely eat, but of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
|
||
thou shalt not eat, nevertheless thou mayest choose for thyself,
|
||
for it is given unto thee. But remember that I forbid it, for in
|
||
the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
|
||
|
||
Adam, remember this commandment which we have given unto you.
|
||
Now go to, dress this garden, take good care of it, be happy and
|
||
have joy therein. We shall go away, but we shall visit you again
|
||
and give you further instructions.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER: (Wearing crimson velvet flowing robe with tunic and
|
||
apron underneath)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 this
|
||
tree (walks to Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and picks 2
|
||
ripe fruit, usually having a appearance of an apple, then walks
|
||
over to Adam and holds fruit out to him. Adam, here is some of
|
||
the fruit of that tree. It will make you wise.
|
||
|
||
ADAM I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me that in
|
||
the day that 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 ?(looks at Eve and expresses a wise
|
||
grin Well, we shall see. (walks over to where Eve is admiring
|
||
the flowers Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree (hold
|
||
fruit out to Eve. It will make you wise. It is delicious to
|
||
the taste and very desirable.
|
||
|
||
EVE (surprised Who are you?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (tenderly I am your brother.
|
||
|
||
EVE (Inquisitively You, my brother, and have come here to
|
||
persuade me to disobey Father?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (expounding LDS doctrine 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; and thus your eyes will be opened and you will
|
||
have -- knowledge.
|
||
|
||
EVE (plaintively Is there no other way?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (confidently There is no other way.
|
||
|
||
EVE (resignedly Then I will partake.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER: (Expresses a smug, wise grin) There, now go and get
|
||
Adam to partake (places another fruit in Eve's hand, closes it,
|
||
and pats her hand.
|
||
|
||
EVE: (Walks over to where Adam is - Sweetly and persuasively)
|
||
Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious to
|
||
the taste and very desirable.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (surprised Eve, do you know what fruit that is?
|
||
|
||
EVE Yes, it is the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and
|
||
Evil.
|
||
|
||
ADAM I can not partake of it. Do you not know that Father
|
||
commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that tree?
|
||
|
||
EVE (searchingly Do you intend to obey all of Father's
|
||
commandments?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (resolutely Yes, all of them.
|
||
|
||
EVE (pathetically Do you not recollect that Father commanded us
|
||
to multiply and replenish the earth? I have partaken of this
|
||
fruit and by so doing shall be cast out, and you will be left a
|
||
lone man in the Garden of Eden.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (resignedly Eve, I see that this must be so. I will
|
||
partake that man may be.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (walks into the scene That is right.
|
||
|
||
EVE (philosophically It is better for us to pass through sorrow
|
||
that we may know the good from the evil. (Eve turns to Lucifer -
|
||
contemptuously. I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was
|
||
cast out of Father's presence for rebellion.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER: (wisely) Yes, you are beginning to see already.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (inquisitively What is that apron you have on?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (arrogantly) It is an emblem of my power and
|
||
Priesthoods.
|
||
|
||
ADAM Priesthoods?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Yes, 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?
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (voices from a distance Jehovah, we promised Adam that
|
||
we would visit him and give him further instructions. Come, let
|
||
us go down.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH We will go down, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (excitedly I hear their voices, they are coming.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (excitedly and slyly See, you are naked. Take some
|
||
fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness.
|
||
Quick! Hide!*
|
||
|
||
ADAM (alarmed Come, let us hide.
|
||
|
||
NARRATOR Brethren and Sisters, put on your aprons (the movie
|
||
stops while the patrons in the audience remove th green fig-leaf
|
||
apron from their package of Temple clothing and tie it around
|
||
their waist.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Adam (pause, Adam! (pause, Adam! Where art thou?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (cowering I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was
|
||
naked.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (searchingly Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast
|
||
thou partaken of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good
|
||
and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (ashamedly 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 (sternly Eve, what is this thou hast done?
|
||
|
||
EVE (ashamedly The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (angrily Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (arrogantly I have been doing that which has been
|
||
done in other worlds.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM What is that?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (arrogantly I have been giving some of the fruit of
|
||
the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (judgementally Lucifer, because thou hast done this,
|
||
thou shalt be cursed above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy
|
||
belly shalt thou go and dust thou shalt eat all the days of thy
|
||
life.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (defiantly If thou curseth 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 heel, but he shall
|
||
have power to crush thy head.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (vehemently Then with that enmity I will take the
|
||
treasures of the earth, and with gold and silver I will buy up
|
||
armies and navies, Popes and Priests, and reign with blood and
|
||
horror on this earth.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (authoritatively Depart!
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (turning to Jehovah Jehovah, let cherubim and 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.
|
||
|
||
* Note how often Lucifer voices instructions and teaches
|
||
doctrine
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim. (Turns away and gives
|
||
command Let cherubim an 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. (turns back
|
||
to Elohim It is done, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (judgementally Eve, because thou hast hearkened to the
|
||
voice of Satan and hast partaken of the forbidden fruit, and
|
||
given unto Adam, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
|
||
conception; in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children. Neverthe
|
||
less thou mayest be preserved in child-bearing. Thy desire shall
|
||
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee in righteousness.
|
||
|
||
Adam, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife and
|
||
hast partaken of the forbidden fruit, the earth shall be cursed
|
||
for thy sake. Instead of producing fruits and flowers
|
||
spontaneously, it shall bring forth thorns, thistles, briars and
|
||
noxious weeds to afflict and torment man. And by the sweat of
|
||
thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life. For
|
||
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
|
||
|
||
THE LAW OF OBEDIENCE
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (condescendingly Inasmuch as Eve was the first to eat
|
||
of the forbidden fruit, if she will covenant that from this time
|
||
forth she will obey your law in the Lord, and will harken unto
|
||
your council as you harken unto mine, and if you will covenant
|
||
that from this time forth you will obey the law of Elohim, we
|
||
will give unto you the law of obedience and sacrifice, and we
|
||
will provide a Savior for you whereby you may come back into our
|
||
presence, and with us partake of eternal life and exaltation.
|
||
|
||
EVE (humbly Adam, I now covenant to obey your law as you obey
|
||
our Father.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (humbly Elohim, I now covenant with you that from this
|
||
time forth I will obey your law and keep your commandments.
|
||
ELOHIM It is well, Adam. Jehovah, inasmuch as Adam and Eve have
|
||
discovered their nakedness, make coats of skins as a covering for
|
||
them.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
NARRATOR Brethren and Sisters, the garment that was placed upon
|
||
you in the washing room is to cover your nakedness and
|
||
represents the coat of skins spoken of. Anciently it was made of
|
||
skins. You have received the garment, also your New Name. The
|
||
Officiator will represent Elohim at the altar. A couple will now
|
||
come to the altar (a pre-selected "witness couple"* seated front
|
||
row center aisle come forward and kneel at the altar facing
|
||
forward.
|
||
|
||
It is considered a very special experience to be selected to be
|
||
the "witness couple". As they represent all the patrons at the
|
||
altar, the Endowment takes on a very 'realistic' atmosphere for
|
||
his couple as they move back and forth to the altar to receive
|
||
the tokens and actually take part in the ceremony. Dolly and I
|
||
were selected twice in approximately 150 Endowment ceremonies in
|
||
nine years, and I remember the experience clearly.
|
||
|
||
Brethren and Sisters, this couple at the altar represent all of
|
||
you as if at the altar. You must consider yourselves as if you
|
||
were respectively Adam and Eve.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM We will put the sisters under covenant to obey the law
|
||
of their husbands. Sisters, arise (sisters all stand up. 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 your husband, and abide by his council in righteousness.
|
||
Each of you bow your head and say yes.
|
||
|
||
SISTERS Yes.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM That will do. (sisters sit down Brethren, arise
|
||
(bretheren all stand up. 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 obey the
|
||
law of God and keep His commandments. Each of you bow your head
|
||
and say yes.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN Yes.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM That will do. (Bretheren all sit down
|
||
|
||
LAW OF SACRIFICE
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM You are now about to be put under covenant to obey and
|
||
keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and the New
|
||
Testament. This Law of Sacrifice was given to Adam in the Garden
|
||
of Eden, who, when he was driven out of the Garden, built an
|
||
altar on which he offered sacrifices. And after many days, an
|
||
angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam saying: "Why dost thou offer
|
||
sacrifice unto the Lord?" And Adam said unto him: "I know not,
|
||
save the Lord commanded me." And then the angel spake saying:
|
||
"This thing is a similitude of the Sacrifice of the Only Begotten
|
||
of the Father, who is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou
|
||
shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou
|
||
shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forever-
|
||
more." The posterity of Adam down to Moses and from Moses to
|
||
Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field and
|
||
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 (the Mormon Church is the Kingdom of God.
|
||
|
||
All arise (patrons all stand up. 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 observe and keep the law of sacrifice as contained
|
||
in the Old and the New Testaments, as it has been explained to
|
||
you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN AND SISTERS (all bow their head Yes.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM That will do (patrons all sit down.
|
||
|
||
FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM We now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Before
|
||
doing this, however, we desire to impress upon your minds the
|
||
sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood,
|
||
with its accompanying name, sign and penalty, as well as that of
|
||
all the other Tokens of the Holy Priesthood, with their names,
|
||
signs and penalties, which you will receive in the temple this
|
||
day. They are most sacred and are guarded by solemn covenants
|
||
and obligations of secrecy to the effect that under no condition,
|
||
even at the peril of your life, will you ever divulge them,
|
||
except at a certain place that will be shown you hereafter. The
|
||
representation of the execution of the penalties indicates
|
||
different ways in which life may be taken.
|
||
|
||
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
|
||
takes the Brother kneeling at the altar by the right hand and
|
||
demonstrates the token to the audience.
|
||
|
||
We give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We
|
||
desire all to receive it....
|
||
|
||
All arise (The patrons all stand in place. The witness couple
|
||
return to their seats. Several temple workers circulate through
|
||
the rows of patrons giving each one the token. The patrons sit
|
||
down after each receives it.
|
||
|
||
If any of you did not receive this token you will please raise
|
||
your hands.
|
||
|
||
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. (pause* 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 demonstrates
|
||
the sign to the audience This is the sign.
|
||
|
||
(The Officiator continues to demonstrate the instructions
|
||
|
||
If a patron stands up, indicating he has forgotten the New Name,
|
||
he is taken by a Temple Worker to the rear of the room where the
|
||
New Name is whispered in his ear. He then returns to his seat,
|
||
and the ceremony then resumes. This gives the false impression
|
||
that there is more than one New Name in use. Many patrons have
|
||
attended the Temple for years before the realized that everyone
|
||
has the same New Name.
|
||
|
||
The execution of the penalty is represented by placing the thumb
|
||
under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the
|
||
thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping
|
||
the hand to the side.
|
||
|
||
I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which
|
||
are associated with this token, its name, sign and penalty and
|
||
which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were
|
||
receiving my own Endowment today and had been given the name of
|
||
John as my New Name, I would repeat in my mind these words, after
|
||
making the sign (he makes the sign, at the same time
|
||
representing the execution of the penalty.
|
||
|
||
I, John, covenant that I will never reveal the first token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign, and
|
||
penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer (pause, places right
|
||
thumb under left ear my life (pause, draws thumb quickly across
|
||
throat to right ear to be taken (drops hands to side.
|
||
|
||
All arise (patrons all stand up.
|
||
|
||
Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood by bringing your right arm to the squares, the palm of
|
||
the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb
|
||
extended.
|
||
|
||
(Patrons all make the sign.
|
||
|
||
This is the sign.
|
||
|
||
Now, repeat in your minds after me the words of the covenant, at
|
||
the same time representing the execution of the penalty.
|
||
|
||
I, think of the New Name, covenant that I will never reveal the
|
||
First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying
|
||
name, sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer
|
||
(patrons all place right thumb under left ear as described above
|
||
my life (patrons all draw thumb across their throat to the right
|
||
ear to be taken (Patrons all drop the hand to their side.
|
||
|
||
That will do (patrons all sit down.
|
||
|
||
(If any of the brethren or sisters make a mistake in the
|
||
execution of the penalty, the execution of the penalty is
|
||
repeated by all of the patrons together as instructed.
|
||
|
||
It is necessary to repeat the sign of the execution of the
|
||
penalty. The sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood
|
||
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. This is the sign (patrons all make sign. It is not
|
||
necessary to repeat again the words of the covenant in
|
||
representing the execution of the penalty, but let the name of
|
||
the token pass through your mind. Now represent the execution of
|
||
the penalty (patrons all execute the penalty.
|
||
|
||
That will do (patrons all sit down.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM Jehovah, see that Adam is driven out of this beautiful
|
||
garden into the lone and dreary world, where he may learn from
|
||
his own experience to distinguish good from evil.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim.
|
||
|
||
THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD
|
||
|
||
NARRATOR We will now go with Adam and Eve to the lone and
|
||
dreary world. Brethren and Sisters, this represents the
|
||
Telestial Kingdom, or the world in which we now live. Adam, upon
|
||
finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and
|
||
offered prayer, and these are the words he uttered:
|
||
|
||
ADAM (hands raised up and looking toward heaven
|
||
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
|
||
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
|
||
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (arrogant voice from off scene I hear you. (Camera
|
||
pans left to show towering, arrogant, colorful Lucifer poised
|
||
near Adam, Lucifer walks over to Adam. What is it you want?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (surprised Who are you?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (arrogantly I am the God of this world.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (unsure, questioning You, the God of this world?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Yes, what do you want?
|
||
|
||
ADAM I am looking for messengers.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (expresses a smug, wise grin Oh, you want someone to
|
||
preach to you. You want religion do you. I will have preachers
|
||
here presently. (Lucifer turns and looks left. Camera pans to
|
||
approaching figure dressed in dark blue ministerial robe and
|
||
priest's collar until he walks up to Lucifer. Good Morning Sir.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (wisely Good morning! (looking into the audience A
|
||
fine congregation.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Yes, they are very good people. They are concerned
|
||
about religion. Are you a preacher?
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (proudly with emphasis I am.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (searchingly Have you been to college and received
|
||
training for the ministry?
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (proudly with emphasis Certainly! A man cannot
|
||
preach unless he has been trained for the ministry!
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Do you preach the orthodox religion?
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (proudly with emphasis Yes, that is what I preach.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER If you will preach your orthodox religion to these
|
||
people and convert them, I will pay you well.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER I will do my best.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (looks and gestures toward Adam and Eve Here is a man
|
||
who desires religion. He is very much exercised, and seems to be
|
||
sincere (Lucifer steps back as Preacher approaches Adam and Eve.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (authoritatively I understand you are inquiring after
|
||
religion.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (sincerely I was calling upon Father.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (dramatically, with gestures I am glad to know that
|
||
you were calling upon Father. Do you believe in a God who is
|
||
without body, parts and passions, who sits on the top of a
|
||
topless throne, whose center is everywhere and whose
|
||
circumference is nowhere; who fills the universe, and yet is so
|
||
small that he can dwell in your heart. Who is surrounded by
|
||
miriads of beings who have been saved by Grace, not by any act of
|
||
theirs, but by His good pleasure. Do you believe in this great
|
||
Being?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (emphatically I do not. I cannot comprehend such a
|
||
Being.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (wistfully That is the beauty of it. (reproachful
|
||
ly Perhaps you do not believe in the devil and in that great
|
||
hell, the bottomless pit, where there is a lake of fire and
|
||
brimstone, into which the wicked are cast, and where they are
|
||
continually burning but are never consumed?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (emphatically I do not believe in any such place.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (reproachfully My dear friend, I am sorry for you.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (disgustedly I am sorry! very, very sorry!
|
||
(searchingly What is it you want?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (sincerely I am looking for messengers from my Father.
|
||
|
||
ELOHIM (Scene fades to etheral view of magnificent, huge throne
|
||
set - with semi circle of towering Greecian columns, broad steps,
|
||
Celestial splendor. Elohim majestically towering above Jehovah,
|
||
both appearing as in Garden scene. 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 (reverently and submissively It shall be done, Elohim.
|
||
(Jehovah turns and walk from the presence of Elohim to the edge
|
||
of the great columned set, there Peter, James and John reverently
|
||
enter amid rolling clouds [stage smoke] in an etherial view.
|
||
Peter, James and John are wearing long, full, shepherd type robes
|
||
with colorful sashes.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH Peter, James and John, go down and visit the man Adam
|
||
in the Telestial World, without disclosing your identity.
|
||
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. Then return and bring us word.
|
||
|
||
PETER (reverently and submissively It shall be done, Jehovah.
|
||
Come James and John, let us go down.
|
||
|
||
JAMES (reverently and submissively We will go down.
|
||
|
||
JOHN (reverently and submissively We will go down.
|
||
|
||
(All turn and exit scene in single file, Peter leading. Scene
|
||
fades back to Lone and Dreary World. Peter, James and John file
|
||
into scene, Peter leading, approaches Lucifer, who turns toward
|
||
him.
|
||
|
||
PETER Good morning.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Good morning.
|
||
|
||
PETER (intently What are you doing here?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Teaching religion.
|
||
|
||
PETER (searchingly What religion do you teach?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (proudly with emphasis We teach a religion made of
|
||
the philosophies of men, mingled with Scripture.
|
||
|
||
PETER How is your religion received by this community?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER Very well -- excepting this man. He does not seem to
|
||
believe anything we preach. (Peter, James & John turn from
|
||
Lucifer and walk over to Adam and Eve
|
||
|
||
PETER (intently Good morning. What do you think of the
|
||
preaching of these gentlemen?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (intently I cannot comprehend it.
|
||
|
||
PETER (searchingly Can you give us some idea concerning it?
|
||
|
||
ADAM (expresses wonderment They preach of a God who is
|
||
without body, parts or passions, who is so large he fills the
|
||
universe and yet so small that he can dwell in my heart, and of a
|
||
hell without a bottom where the wicked are continually burning
|
||
but are never consumed. To me it is a mass of confusion.
|
||
|
||
PETER (sympathetically We do not wonder that you cannot
|
||
comprehend such doctrine. Have you any tokens or signs? (Lucifer
|
||
enters the scene and interrupts the conversation.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (dramatically, with gestures Do you have any money?
|
||
|
||
PETER We have sufficient for our needs.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (dramatically, with gestures You can buy anything in
|
||
this world for money.
|
||
|
||
PETER (turns back to Adam, searchingly Do you sell your
|
||
tokens or signs for money? You have them, I presume.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (sincerely 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. (Peter, James and John turn and exit, single file, Peter
|
||
leading, stop at the edge of the set. We shall probably visit
|
||
you again. (Peter, James and John exit set. Camera pans to
|
||
Lucifer who approaches camera ominously and threateningly. Looks
|
||
intently into the audience.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (vehemently 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 afraid.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (curiously Shall we ever have any apostles or
|
||
prophets?
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (proudly No. However there may be some who will
|
||
profess revelation or apostleship. If so, just test them by
|
||
asking them to perform a great miracle, such as cutting off an
|
||
arm or some other member of the body, and restoring it, so that
|
||
the people may know that they come with power. (scene fades to
|
||
Elohim's columned throne set. Peter, James and John enter single
|
||
file, Peter leading [amid stage smoke] and approach Jehovah who
|
||
has been awaiting their return.
|
||
|
||
PETER Jehovah, we have been to the man Adam in the Telestial
|
||
World as thou didst command. We found Satan there, with his
|
||
ministers, preaching all manner of false doctrine, and striving
|
||
to lead the posterity of Adam astray. But Adam has been true and
|
||
faithful to the token and sign given to him in the Garden of
|
||
Eden, and is waiting for the further light and knowledge you
|
||
promised to send him. This is our report.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It is well, Peter, James and John. (Jehovah turns and
|
||
ascends the set width stairs to approach Elohim, standing
|
||
majestically at the top. Elohim, Peter, James and John have
|
||
been down to the man Adam in the Telestial World. They found
|
||
Satan there with his ministers preaching all manner of false
|
||
doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray. But
|
||
Adam has been true and faithful to the token and sign given him
|
||
in the Garden of Eden, and he is waiting for the further light
|
||
and knowledge you promised to send him. This is their report.
|
||
|
||
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 the man Adam and his posterity in the Telestial World,
|
||
and to cast Satan out of their midst. Instruct them to give unto
|
||
Adam and his posterity the Law of the Gospel as contained in the
|
||
Book of Mormon and the Bible. Also a charge to avoid all light
|
||
mindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed,
|
||
the taking of the name of the God in vain, and every other unholy
|
||
and impure practice, and cause these to be received by covenant.
|
||
|
||
Instruct Peter, James and John further to clothe Adam and his
|
||
posterity in the robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on
|
||
the left shoulder, and to give unto them the second token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty.
|
||
Then have them return and bring me word.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, descends
|
||
stairs, approaches Peter, James and John Peter, James and John,
|
||
go down in your true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus
|
||
Christ to the man Adam and his posterity in the Telestial World.
|
||
Cast Satan out of their midst. Give unto them the Law of the
|
||
Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Also a
|
||
charge to avoid all light mindedness, loud laughter, evil
|
||
speaking of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in
|
||
vain, and even other unholy and impure practice. Cause them to
|
||
receive these by covenant. Clothe them in the robes of the Holy
|
||
Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and give unto
|
||
them the second token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its
|
||
accompanying name, sign and penalty. Then return and bring us
|
||
word.
|
||
|
||
PETER It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us
|
||
go down.
|
||
|
||
JAMES We will go down.
|
||
|
||
JOHN We will go down.
|
||
|
||
(Peter, James and John turn and exit scene as before. Scene
|
||
fades to Lone and Dreary World set. Everyone is idle as Peter,
|
||
James and John file into set, and approaches Lucifer as before.
|
||
|
||
PETER I am Peter.
|
||
|
||
JAMES I am James.
|
||
|
||
JOHN I am John.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (reproachfully Yes, I thought I knew you. (turns to
|
||
preacher, who is listening, dramatically Do you know who these
|
||
men are? They claim to be apostles. Try them!
|
||
|
||
(Lucifer backs away and Preacher steps up to Peter
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (searchingly Do you profess to be apostles of the
|
||
Lord Jesus Christ?
|
||
|
||
PETER (confidently We do.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (with sophistication This man told me that we should
|
||
never have any revelation or apostles, but if any should come
|
||
professing to be apostles, I was to ask them to cut off an arm or
|
||
some other member of the body and then restore it, so that the
|
||
people might know that they came with power.
|
||
|
||
PETER (reproachfully We do not satisfy man's curiosity in
|
||
that manner. It is a wicked and an adulterous generation that
|
||
seeks for a sign. Do you know who that man is? He is Satan!
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (surprised What! The Devil?
|
||
|
||
PETER That is one of his names.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (sincerely He is quite a different person from what
|
||
he told me the Devil is. He said the Devil has claws like a
|
||
bear's on his hands, horns on his head, and a cloven hoof, and
|
||
that when he speaks he has the roar of a lion!
|
||
|
||
PETER (confidently He has said this to deceive you, and I
|
||
would advise you to get out of his employ.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (doubtfully Your advice is good. But, if I leave his
|
||
employ, what will become of me?
|
||
|
||
PETER (wisely We will preach the gospel unto you with the
|
||
rest of Adam's posterity.
|
||
|
||
PREACHER (with satisfaction That is good. (turns to Lucifer
|
||
who is watching nearby (deliberately I would like to have a
|
||
settlement. I want you to pay me for preaching.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (Proudly with emphasis) I am ready to keep my word and
|
||
fulfill my part of the agreement. (reproachfully I promised to
|
||
pay you, if you would convert these people, and they have nearly
|
||
converted you. You can get out of my kingdom. I want no such
|
||
men in it. (Preacher backs out of scene as Lucifer approaches
|
||
Peter - arrogantly Now, what are you going to do?
|
||
|
||
PETER (reproachfully We will dismiss you without further
|
||
argument.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (dramatically, with gestures 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, approaches
|
||
the camera, eyes on, ominously, speaks sinisterly - with
|
||
vehemence [high drama] 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 (voice from off camera, commandingly. Camera pans and
|
||
zooms back to include Peter, James and John Satan, we command
|
||
you to depart.
|
||
|
||
LUCIFER (turns toward Peter, James and John - arrogantly By
|
||
what authority?
|
||
|
||
PETER (Right arm to the square - judgementally In the name of
|
||
Jesus Christ, our Master. (Satan very emotionally turns and
|
||
departs scene, Peter turns and approaches Adam and Eve Adam, we
|
||
are true messengers from the father, and have come down to give
|
||
unto you the further light and knowledge he promised to send you.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (searchingly How shall I know that you are true
|
||
messengers?
|
||
|
||
PETER (confidently By our giving unto you the token and sign
|
||
you received in the Garden of Eden.
|
||
|
||
ADAM (taking Peter by the right hand, but out of view 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, but this is the sign
|
||
(right arm elevated to the square. And this represents the
|
||
execution of the penalty (Thumb of right hand across throat.
|
||
|
||
Lucifer still giving forth doctrine
|
||
|
||
ADAM Now I know that you are true messengers sent down from
|
||
Father. (turns to audience These are true messengers. I exhort
|
||
you to give strict heed to their counsel and teachings, and they
|
||
will lead you in the way of life and salvation.
|
||
|
||
NARRATOR The Officiator will represent Peter at the altar.
|
||
|
||
At this point the motion picture presentation is concluded. The
|
||
remainder of the presentation is from tape recording.
|
||
|
||
THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
|
||
|
||
PETER A couple will now come to the altar (the witness couple
|
||
comes forward and kneels at the altar. 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 that they will be. We
|
||
are required to give unto you the Law of the Gospel as contained
|
||
in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. To give unto you also a
|
||
charge to avoid all light mindedness, loud laughter, evil
|
||
speaking of the Lord's Anointed, the taking of the name of God in
|
||
vain, and every other unholy and impure practice, and to cause
|
||
you to receive these by covenant.
|
||
|
||
All arise (patrons all stand up. Each of you bring your right
|
||
arm to the square (patrons all raise right arm to the square.
|
||
|
||
You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels and
|
||
these witnesses at this altar, that you will observe and keep the
|
||
Law of the Gospel and this charge as it has been explained to
|
||
you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN AND SISTERS (all bow their head Yes.
|
||
|
||
PETER That will do (patrons all 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 the 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 on again as part of the
|
||
Temple Clothing. You may now proceed to clothe.
|
||
|
||
The patrons all stand, and turn around to use their seat as a
|
||
dressing table. The remove the green fig-leaf apron and the
|
||
slippers from their feet, open their package of Temple clothing,
|
||
and commence dressing by placing the long white robe on their
|
||
left shoulder and tie it in at the waist on the right side. Next
|
||
they put on the hat* (or veil for women) with the bow over the
|
||
|
||
*The hat looks like a baker's hat without the wide band. It has
|
||
a bow on one side and a string on the opposite side.
|
||
|
||
right ear, and then tie the string from the hat to the shoulder
|
||
loop of the rope. Next they replace the green apron at the
|
||
waist, and then tie the long six inch wide sash in a large bow at
|
||
the right side of the waist. They then sit down and replace the
|
||
slippers on their feet
|
||
|
||
SECOND TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
|
||
|
||
PETER A couple will now come to the altar (the witness couple
|
||
comes forward and kneel at the altar. 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, sign and
|
||
penalty. This token is given by clasping the right hands and
|
||
placing the joint of the thumb between the first and second
|
||
knuckles of the hand, in this manner (Officiator takes brother at
|
||
the altar in the grip and shows the audience.
|
||
|
||
We desire all to receive it. All arise. (The witness couple
|
||
stand up and return to their seats. All patrons stand up in
|
||
place and receive the token from one of the temple workers who
|
||
circulate through the rows. Then they sit down. If any of you
|
||
have not received this token, will you please raise your hand.
|
||
|
||
The name of this token is your own 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.
|
||
|
||
PETER (the Officiator demonstrates the sign as the instructions
|
||
are given 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, the left arm being raised to the square. This is the
|
||
sign. The execution of the penalty is represented by placing the
|
||
right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across
|
||
the body, and dropping the hand to the sides. I will now explain
|
||
the covenant and obligation to secrecy which are associated with
|
||
this token, its name, sign and penalty, and which you will be
|
||
required to take upon yourself.
|
||
|
||
If I were receiving my own Endowement today, and if my first
|
||
given name were David, I would repeat in my mind these words,
|
||
after making the sign, at the same time representing the
|
||
execution of the penalty (Officiator, still making the sign,
|
||
demonstrates the execution of the penalty. I, David, covenant
|
||
that I will never reveal the second token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Rather
|
||
than do so, I would suffer (pause, right hand to left breast my
|
||
life (pause, draws hand across chest to right breast to be taken
|
||
(drops hands to side.
|
||
|
||
All arise (patrons all stand up.
|
||
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
Patrons all make the sign
|
||
|
||
Now repeat in your minds after me the words of the covenant, at
|
||
the same time representing the execution of the penalty.
|
||
|
||
I, think of the first given name, covenant that I will never
|
||
reveal the second token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its
|
||
accompanying name, sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would
|
||
suffer (patrons all place left hand on right breast my life
|
||
(patrons all draw left hand quickly across the body to be taken
|
||
(patrons all drop both hands to the sides. That will do
|
||
(patrons all sit down.
|
||
|
||
(If any one of the brethren or sisters makes a mistake in the
|
||
execution of the penalty, the execution of the penalty is
|
||
repeated by all patrons together, as before.
|
||
|
||
The tape resumes
|
||
|
||
PETER Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and his
|
||
posterity in the Telestial world, and have cast Satan out of
|
||
their midst. We have given unto them the Law of the Gospel as
|
||
contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Also a charge to
|
||
avoid all light mindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the
|
||
Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every
|
||
other unholy and impure practice, and have caused them to receive
|
||
these by covenant. We have also clothed them in the robes of the
|
||
Holy Priesthood and have given unto them the Second Token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty.
|
||
This is our report.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH It is well, Peter, James and John. (Jehovah repeats the
|
||
same report to Elohim - who is pleased - and gives Jehovah
|
||
further instructions for Peter, James and John to return again to
|
||
Adam in the Telestial World and to give unto Adam instructions to
|
||
change his robe to the right shoulder preparatory to receiving
|
||
the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood and to administer to
|
||
Adam the Law of Chastity and introduce him into the Terrestial
|
||
World. Jehovah then instructs Peter, James and John. They
|
||
accept the instructions and depart)
|
||
|
||
PETER We are instructed to have you change your robe to the
|
||
right shoulder, preparatory to officiating in the ordinances of
|
||
the Melchizedek Priesthood, and to introduce you into the
|
||
Terrestial World. You may now make the change by removing the
|
||
robe (the room light level is increased to represent the change
|
||
to the Terrestial World.
|
||
|
||
The patrons all stand, turn around to use their seat as a clothes
|
||
stand, nd proceed to remove the hat, sash, apron, robe and
|
||
slippers. They put the robe on again, but on the right shoulder,
|
||
then put all of the other items on reversed, with the bow of the
|
||
hat on the right ear and the sash tied to the left side. They
|
||
sit down an put on the slippers
|
||
|
||
THE TERRESTIAL WORLD
|
||
Law of Chastity
|
||
|
||
PETER A couple will now come to the altar (the witness couple
|
||
come forward and kneel at the altar as before . We are
|
||
instructed to give unto you the Law of Chastity. This I will
|
||
explain to you. To the sisters, it is that no one of you will
|
||
have sexual intercourse except with your husband to whom you are
|
||
legally and lawfully wedded. To the brethren, it is that no one
|
||
of you will have sexual intercourse except with your wife to whom
|
||
you are legally and lawfully wedded.
|
||
|
||
Sisters, please arise (sisters all stand up. 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 will observe and keep the Law of Chastity, as it has been
|
||
explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.
|
||
|
||
SISTERS (all bow their head Yes.)
|
||
|
||
PETER That will do (sisters all sit down.)
|
||
|
||
Brethren, please arise (brethren all stand up. 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 will observe and keep the Law of Chastity as it has been
|
||
explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN (all bow their head Yes.)
|
||
|
||
PETER That will do (brethren all sit down.
|
||
|
||
FIRST TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
|
||
OR THE SIGN OF THE NAIL
|
||
|
||
PETER (the Officiator demonstrates the instructions before the
|
||
audience as the tape plays We will now give unto you the first
|
||
token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or sign of the nail, with its
|
||
accompanying name, sign and penalty. This token is received by
|
||
bringing the right hand into this position. The hand vertical,
|
||
the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. And the
|
||
person giving the token placing the tip of the forefinger of his
|
||
right hand in the center of the palm, and the thumb opposite on
|
||
the back of the hand of the one receiving it, in this manner. We
|
||
desire all to receive it. All arise.
|
||
|
||
The witness couple stand up and return to their seats as the
|
||
patrons all stand and receive the token from one of the temple
|
||
workers, then sit down.
|
||
|
||
PETER If any of you have not received this token, please you
|
||
will please raise your hand.
|
||
|
||
The 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 cupped shape, the left arm forming a square, the
|
||
right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers
|
||
close together, thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the
|
||
left hip (Officiator makes the sign facing the audience as
|
||
before. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is
|
||
represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and
|
||
dropping the hands to the side (Officiator demonstrates execution
|
||
of the penalty.
|
||
|
||
I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which
|
||
are associated with this token, its name, sign, and penalty, and
|
||
which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were
|
||
receiving the Endowment today, either for myself or for the dead,
|
||
I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign
|
||
(Officiator makes the sign, at the same time representing the
|
||
execution of the penalty. I 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, sign and
|
||
penalty. Rather that do so, I would suffer my life (pause, draws
|
||
right thumb across body to be taken (drops hands to his sides.
|
||
|
||
All arise (patrons all stand up.)
|
||
|
||
Each of you make the sign of the first token of the Melchizedek
|
||
Priesthood or sign of the nail 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 and the thumb extended and the thumb
|
||
is placed over the left hip. (Patrons all make the sign This is
|
||
the sign.
|
||
|
||
Now repeat in your minds after me the words of the covenant, at
|
||
the same time representing the execution of the penalty.
|
||
|
||
I 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, sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I
|
||
would suffer my life (patrons all draw their right thumb quickly
|
||
across their body to be taken (patrons all drop both hands to
|
||
their sides.
|
||
|
||
That will do (patrons all sit down.)
|
||
|
||
(If any of the bretheren or sisters makes a mistake in the
|
||
execution of the penalty, the execution of the penalty is
|
||
repeated by all the patrons as with previous penalties.)
|
||
|
||
PETER: We will return and report.
|
||
|
||
Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and his posterity,
|
||
have placed the robe on the right shoulder and have introduced
|
||
them into the Terrestial world. We have put them under covenant
|
||
to observe and keep the law of chastity. We have also given them
|
||
the first token of the Melchizidek Priesthood, or sign of the
|
||
nail, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. This is our
|
||
report.
|
||
|
||
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 Terrestial 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 the man Adam and his posterity in
|
||
the Terrestial World the law of consecration in connection with
|
||
the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and to cause them
|
||
to receive it by covenant. To give unto them the second token of
|
||
the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Pariarchial Grip or sure sign of
|
||
the nail, with its accompanying sign, and to teach them the order
|
||
of prayer, and to prepare them in all things to receive further
|
||
instructions at the veil. Then have them report at the veil.
|
||
|
||
JEHOVAH: It shall be done Elohim. Peter, James, and John, go
|
||
down to the man Adam and his posterity in the Terrestrial World,
|
||
and give unto them the Law of Consecration, in connection with
|
||
the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and cause them to
|
||
receive it by covenant. Give unto them the second Token of the
|
||
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or sure sign of the
|
||
nail, with its accompanying sign. Teach them the Order of Prayer
|
||
and prepare them in all things to receive further instruction at
|
||
the veil. Then report at the veil.
|
||
|
||
PETER: It shall be done Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go
|
||
down.
|
||
|
||
LAW OF CONSECRATION
|
||
|
||
PETER: A couple will now come to the altar (the witness couple
|
||
come forward and they kneel 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 (picks up Doctrine and
|
||
Covenants from the altar, 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 with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he
|
||
may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
|
||
Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth
|
||
and for the establishment of Zion.
|
||
|
||
All Arise (patrons all stand up. Each of you bring your right
|
||
arm to the square.
|
||
|
||
You and each of you covenant before God, angels and these
|
||
witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the Law of
|
||
Consecration as contained in this the book of Doctrine and
|
||
Covenants. It is that you do consecrate yourselves, your time,
|
||
talents and everything with which the Lord has blessed you or
|
||
with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of
|
||
Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on
|
||
the earth and for the establishment of Zion.
|
||
|
||
Each of you bow your heads and say yes.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN and SISTERS: (all bow their head Yes.)
|
||
|
||
PETER That will do (patrons all sit down)
|
||
|
||
SECOND TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
|
||
|
||
The Patriarchal Grip or Sure Sign of the Nail
|
||
|
||
PETER: (the Officiator demonstrates the token with the Brother
|
||
at the altar We will now give you the second token of the
|
||
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Sign of the
|
||
Nail, with its accompanying sign. This token is given by clasping
|
||
the right hands interlocking the little finger, and placing the
|
||
tip of the forefinger on the center of the wrist, in this manner
|
||
(shows the audience the token. We desire all to receive it. All
|
||
arise.
|
||
|
||
The witness couple stand up and return to their seats as the
|
||
patrons all stand and each one receives the secret grip from on
|
||
of the temple workers who circulate through the rows of patrons
|
||
|
||
If any of you have not received this token you will please raise
|
||
your hand.
|
||
|
||
This token has a name and a sign but no penalty is mentioned.
|
||
However, you will be under just as sacred obligation of secrecy
|
||
in connection with this token and sign as you are with the other
|
||
tokens and signs of the Holy Priesthood which you have received in
|
||
the Temple this day. The name of this token will not be given to
|
||
you at this stage of the Endowment, but it will be given later
|
||
on.
|
||
|
||
The Officiator demonstrates the sign.
|
||
|
||
The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head, and
|
||
while lowering the hands repeating aloud the words:
|
||
|
||
Pay lay ale
|
||
Pay lay ale
|
||
Pay lay ale
|
||
|
||
The Officiator raises and lowers his hands three times in
|
||
synchonysm with the words.
|
||
|
||
When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, he built an altar
|
||
and offered prayer, and these are the words he used, Which
|
||
interpreted are: "Oh God, hear the words of my mouth." repeated
|
||
three times.*
|
||
|
||
We desire all to receive it. All arise (patrons all stand up.
|
||
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 by lowering your
|
||
hands to your sides, while repeating the words of the prayer.
|
||
|
||
BRETHREN and SISTERS: (Patrons all make the sign by raising and
|
||
lowering their hands three times while reciting the words in
|
||
unison Pay lay ale, Pay lay ale, Pay lay ale.
|
||
|
||
PETER:That will do (patrons all sit down.)
|
||
|
||
A lecture will next be given, which summarizes the instructions,
|
||
ordinances and covenants, and also the tokens with their key
|
||
words, signs and penalties, pertaining to the endowment which you
|
||
have thus far received. You should try to remember and keep in
|
||
mind all that you have heard and seen and may yet hear and see in
|
||
this Temple this day. The purpose of this lecture is to assist
|
||
you to remember that which has been taught you this day. You must
|
||
keep in mind that you are under a solemn obligation never to
|
||
speak, outside of these walls, of the things you see and hear in
|
||
this sacred place.
|
||
|
||
LECTURE BEFORE THE VEIL
|
||
|
||
Lecturer: Brethren and sisters, these Endowments as herein
|
||
administered, long withheld from the children of men, pertain to
|
||
the dispensation of the fulness of times and have been revealed
|
||
to prepare the people for exaltation.
|
||
|
||
(The Lecturer explains to the patrons what they have gone
|
||
through, from the Washing and Anointing Room to the time they
|
||
receive this lecture. He mentions that they have received the
|
||
keys of the Priesthood contained in the Endowments.
|
||
|
||
These are what are termed the mysteries of Godliness and they
|
||
will enable you to understand the expression of Jesus made prior
|
||
to his betrayal - This is life eternal, that they might know
|
||
thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
|
||
May God bless you all. Amen.
|
||
|
||
Another translation of these words, from Biblical Hebrew, is
|
||
"Wonderful Lucifer" repeated three times. See Strong's
|
||
Concordance, Hebrew Dictionary section, words #6382 and #1966.
|
||
Note that on page 27 it is Lucifer who answers Adam's prayer
|
||
|
||
THE PRAYER CIRCLE
|
||
|
||
PETER: We will now teach you the "True Order of Prayer". The
|
||
witness couple will now come forward and stand at the head of the
|
||
altar. Six or seven other couples will come forward and form a
|
||
circle around the altar (the tape recording stops while the
|
||
witness couple and several other couples at random come forward
|
||
and arrange themselves in a circle of couples around the altar,
|
||
men on the right of their partners..
|
||
|
||
tape resumes
|
||
|
||
John will instruct and lead in the prayer circle (the Officiator
|
||
acts as John, pantomiming the tape recording.
|
||
|
||
John: If any of you have unkind feelings towards any member
|
||
of this circle, you are invited to withdraw, that the Spirit of
|
||
the Lord may be unrestrained. In this circle, we are required to
|
||
make all the signs and penalties of the Holy Priesthood.
|
||
|
||
(The Officiator and patrons in the prayer circle all make the
|
||
signs and penalties as instructed.
|
||
|
||
We will begin by making the sign of the first token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood, the sign is made by raising the right hand to
|
||
the square, the palm forward, the fingers close together, and the
|
||
thumb extended. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is
|
||
represented by placing the right thumb under the left ear,
|
||
drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and
|
||
dropping the hand to the side. The name of this token is the "New
|
||
Name".
|
||
|
||
We will now make the sign of the second token of the Aaronic
|
||
Priesthood by bringing the right hand forward, with the hand in
|
||
cupping shape, the right arm forming a square. The left arm being
|
||
raised to the square. This is the sign. The execution of the
|
||
penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left
|
||
breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping
|
||
the hand to the side. The name of this token is the first given
|
||
name of the person for whom you are officiating today.
|
||
|
||
We will now make the sign of the first token of the Melchizedek
|
||
Priesthood, or sign of the nail, by bringing the left hand in
|
||
front of you, 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, the thumb extended, and the thumb is
|
||
placed over the left hip. This is the sign. The execution of the
|
||
penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the
|
||
body and dropping the hands to the sides. The name of this token
|
||
is "The Son" meaning the son of God.
|
||
|
||
We will now 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 aloud the words, Pay lay ale; Pay lay ale; Pay
|
||
lay ale.
|
||
|
||
The sisters will please veil your faces. The brethren will each
|
||
take the sisters at your left by the right hand in the Patriarchial
|
||
Grip. Each of you will raise your left arm to the square and
|
||
place your left elbow on the shoulder or arm of the person on
|
||
your left. You will please repeat the words of the prayer.
|
||
|
||
(At this point the tape recording stops and the Officiator
|
||
actually speaks. He first carefully checks and adjusts the
|
||
position of all patrons in he prayer circle. Then he kneels at
|
||
the Altar inside the circle, facing forward and offers the
|
||
prayer. The Officiator pauses regularly to allow the patrons in
|
||
the circle to repeat his words.
|
||
|
||
A typical prayer would be as follows:
|
||
|
||
Our Eternal Heavenly Father:
|
||
|
||
We thank Thee for the privilege of coming to the Temple
|
||
this day and participating in these sacred ordinances
|
||
which are essential to these deceased individuals. We
|
||
ask you to bless our Prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, to
|
||
bless the Temple Presidency, and all those who serve
|
||
with them.... (Many other topics may be covered,
|
||
especially the missionaries, missionary programs and
|
||
work, geneological work... We ask Thee Heavenly Father
|
||
to look with favor upon all those whose names are
|
||
contained on this altar* this day. We ask Thy healing
|
||
blessing to manifest in all their various needs, to
|
||
restore health and strength to body,mind, and spirit.
|
||
We ask Thee to bless all those who are participating
|
||
here tonight and see them safely home to their
|
||
destination. We ask you to watch over their families and
|
||
loved ones until they arrive home, in the name of Jesus
|
||
Christ, Amen.
|
||
|
||
(Tape recorder resumes, with Officiator and his aide standing
|
||
front and center facing the patrons.
|
||
|
||
PETER The Sisters will unveil their faces and the Brethren and
|
||
Sisters in the circle will return to their seats (patrons return
|
||
to their seats.
|
||
|
||
We will now uncover the Veil.
|
||
|
||
The Officiator and aide take appropriate action to expose a veil
|
||
segment to the audience. The Officiator continues to pantomime
|
||
the tape, using a pointer to identify the marks.
|
||
|
||
Brethren and Sisters, This is the veil of the Temple. We will now
|
||
explain to you the significance of the marks on the Veil. These
|
||
four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and
|
||
corresponding marks are found on your individual garments. This
|
||
is the mark of the square. It is located on the garment over the
|
||
right breast, signifying exactness and honor in living up to all
|
||
of the covenants made in the Temple this day. This is the mark of
|
||
the compass. It is located in the garment over the breast,
|
||
signifying that desires, appetites and passions are to be kept
|
||
within the bounds the Lord has established, and that all truth
|
||
can be circumscribed into one great whole. This is the navel
|
||
mark. It is placed in the garment over the navel as a reminder of
|
||
the constant need of nourishment to body and spirit. This is the
|
||
knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the garment over the
|
||
knee, and indicates that every knee shall bow and every tongue
|
||
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 his
|
||
right hand to test our knowledge of the tokens of the Holy
|
||
priesthood; through this one, he asks us certain questions, and
|
||
through this one, we give our answers.
|
||
|
||
Since all of you will have to pass through the veil, we will show
|
||
you how this is done (the aide is now behind the veil to act as
|
||
the Lord. The Officiator, acting as both Peter and Adam, gives
|
||
three taps with the mallet against the doorjam, as the tape
|
||
recording continues.
|
||
|
||
LORD: What is wanted?
|
||
|
||
PETER: Adam, having been true and faithful, 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.
|
||
|
||
LORD: (Extends his right hand through the compass mark in the
|
||
veil and takes Peter by the right hand in the first token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood. What is that?
|
||
|
||
PETER: (Acting as Adam) 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. You will now give the New Name
|
||
to the Lord through the Veil.
|
||
|
||
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the
|
||
Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. 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. You will each give your own
|
||
first given name if you are going through the Temple for your own
|
||
Endowments, or the first given name of the deceased for whom you
|
||
are presiding today.
|
||
|
||
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 - the Son.
|
||
|
||
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the
|
||
Patriarchal grip 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 upon the five points of fellowship
|
||
through the veil.
|
||
|
||
PETER:The five points of fellowship are: inside of right boot by
|
||
the side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to
|
||
back and mouth to ear. (Peter demonstrates the five points with
|
||
the Lord. The Lord now gives you the name of the token, You will
|
||
then repeat it back to him through the veil, whereupon, the Lord
|
||
responds, "That is correct." The worker will then give three raps
|
||
with the mallet - like this (Officiator taps with the mallet,
|
||
and the Lord will ask:
|
||
|
||
LORD: What is wanted?
|
||
|
||
PETER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil,
|
||
desires now to enter his presence. The Lord then takes Adam by
|
||
the right hand through the opening in the veil and says:
|
||
|
||
LORD: Let him enter.
|
||
|
||
PETER: The Lord then admits Adam into the Celestial Kingdom. We
|
||
desire all to enter his presence.
|
||
|
||
(The Officiator, who until now has not spoken to the audience,
|
||
now gives instructions for orderly movement, row by row, of the
|
||
patrons into the Telestial Room, where the actual veil is
|
||
located. The patrons then proceed to move to the Telestial Room
|
||
and take up seats there. Still segregated, women on the left, men
|
||
on the right. The entire front of this room, plus extra space to
|
||
both sides is filled with approximately 50 veil segments [Los
|
||
Angels Temple]. Patrons are called from their seats in groups of
|
||
8-10 by the Officiator [still segregated by sex] to the veil
|
||
area, where they are assigned to a veil section in turn and then
|
||
introduced at the veil.
|
||
|
||
Three persons are involved at each veil ceremony: the VEIL
|
||
WORKER, who represents the Lord behind the veil; the PATRON, who
|
||
is going through the ceremony to obtain entrance into the
|
||
Celestial Room, representing the Celestial Kingdom, located
|
||
behind the veil; and the INTRODUCER who helps the patron and
|
||
introduces him to the Lord. All Veil Workers are men, but the
|
||
veil segments are divided between men and women patrons and women
|
||
INTRODUCERS help women Patrons.
|
||
|
||
CEREMONY AT THE VEIL
|
||
|
||
(As the Patron approaches the veil, the Introducer takes the
|
||
Patron's nameslip. The Introducer taps 3 times on the veil
|
||
framework with a small mallet.)
|
||
|
||
The Veil Worker parts the veil opening slightly with his right
|
||
hand.
|
||
|
||
LORD: What is Wanted?
|
||
|
||
(The Introducer holds up the Patron's nameslip for the Veil
|
||
Worker to read while he is stating the introductions.
|
||
|
||
INTRODUCER: 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).
|
||
|
||
(The Veil Worker reads the nameslip and notes if the alternate
|
||
New Name has been given [The name of the First Token of the
|
||
Aaronic Priesthood], and the first given name of the deceased
|
||
[the name of the 2nd Token of the Aaronic Priesthood].
|
||
No communication is permitted between the Veil Worker and the
|
||
Introducer or the Patron except the specified dialogue. If the
|
||
patron makes a mistake, the Introducer immediately corrects him,
|
||
and the patron restates the correction. If the Introducer misses
|
||
the mistake, the Veil Worker (Lord) stops, or breaks contact and
|
||
repeats the same question to indicate an error was made.
|
||
|
||
The Veil Worker extends his right hand through the compass mark
|
||
on the veil, takes the patron by the right hand in the first
|
||
token of the Aaronic Priesthood described above.
|
||
|
||
LORD: Present him at the Veil and his request shall be granted.
|
||
|
||
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. (Gives the new name)
|
||
|
||
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes patron's hand in the Second
|
||
Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.) 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. (Gives the first given name)
|
||
|
||
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes patron's right hand in the
|
||
First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood.) 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
|
||
|
||
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes the patron's hand in the
|
||
Patriarchal Grip 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 upon the five points of fellowship,
|
||
through the veil (Patron and Veil Worker embrace in the five
|
||
points of fellowship through the veil.
|
||
|
||
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 a name?
|
||
|
||
PATRON: It has.
|
||
|
||
LORD: Will you give it to me?
|
||
|
||
PATRON: I will, upon the five points of fellowship through the
|
||
veil - Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the
|
||
loins and in sinews, power in the priesthood be upon me and upon
|
||
my posterity through all generations of time and throughout all
|
||
eternity.
|
||
|
||
LORD: That is correct.
|
||
|
||
(The patron and the Veil Worker break their embrace and withdraw
|
||
their arms. The Introducer gives three taps with the mallet on
|
||
the framework.
|
||
|
||
LORD: What is wanted?
|
||
|
||
INTRODUCER: (parts the veil slightly with right hand Adam,
|
||
having conversed with the Lord through the veil, desires now to
|
||
enter his presence.
|
||
|
||
(The Veil Worker parts the Veil, takes the Patron by the right
|
||
hand with his right hand, and while guiding the Patron through
|
||
the Veil opening says:
|
||
|
||
LORD: (Solemnly Let him enter!
|
||
|
||
The Patron then passes by the Veil Worker, normally with a
|
||
momentary thank you - greeting, and moves on into the Celestial
|
||
Room* - which completes the Endowment Ceremony.
|
||
|
||
The Celestial Room is an elegantly furnished sitting room where
|
||
patrons may stand or sit for a few minutes to wait for spouses,
|
||
friends or associates to come through the veil. Conversation is
|
||
permitted only in quiet whispers. This is the only opportunity a
|
||
Mormon ever has to ask a question about the Temple ceremonies.
|
||
It is supposed to be a place to meditate, or seek answers to
|
||
problems or inspiration. In actual practice patrons are not
|
||
permitted to remain in the Celestial room for more than a few
|
||
minutes. Rarely is anyone available to answer questions or
|
||
discuss a problem. It is very business like an efficiently
|
||
operated, like a production line.
|
||
|
||
Patrons move from the Celestial room back downstairs to the
|
||
locker room, still wearing all the Temple clothing. There the
|
||
patron removes his temple clothing and puts on his normal
|
||
clothing and is free to leave at his leasure. There is a
|
||
comfortable waiting room near the entrance where he may await
|
||
spouse and friends.
|
||
|
||
TEMPLE MARRIAGE FOR TIME AND ETERNITY
|
||
|
||
A typical Temple contains from six to ten or more Sealing Rooms
|
||
where marriages and sealings are performed for the living and the
|
||
dead. Sealings are performed for couples already married, living
|
||
or dead, to extend their marriage to eternity. On a typical
|
||
Saturday in Los Angeles anywhere from 60 to 90 marriages and
|
||
sealings may be performed, mostly for young couples. The Sealing
|
||
Rooms are elegantly furnished and decorated. The walls are lined
|
||
with chairs and a beautiful altar is in the center. The
|
||
Officiator for this ceremony is a Temple Sealer, who is supposed
|
||
to be an especially spiritual person. The actual ritual or
|
||
"ordinance" takes approximately two or three minutes to recite.
|
||
When marriages or sealings for the living are performed they are
|
||
normally preceded by a discourse or instruction - especially for
|
||
the wedding couple, stressing the great significance of this
|
||
ceremony to the eternal destiny and earthly life of the family.
|
||
The room is often filled with up to 40 friends and family of the
|
||
wedding couple who must also have Temple Recommends, and who have
|
||
come to be with them - all of them dressed in white Temple
|
||
attire.
|
||
|
||
There were approximately 40 persons at the sealing of my wife and
|
||
children to myself (the order of the Priesthood is that wife and
|
||
children are sealed to the father). After the preliminary
|
||
message, two "witnesses" are seated in a special position of
|
||
honor and the bride and groom kneel on opposite sides of the
|
||
elegantly upholstered altar and join right hands in the
|
||
Patriarchal grip previously described.
|
||
|
||
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
|
||
|
||
(The Sealer stands at the head to the altar and pronounces the
|
||
ceremony.)
|
||
|
||
SEALER Brother _____ (acting as proxy for ____ who is dead), do
|
||
you take Sister ____ [maiden name (acting as proxy for ____ who
|
||
is dead) by the right hand and receive her unto yourself to be
|
||
your lawful and wedded wife for time and for all eternity, with a
|
||
covenant and promise that you will observe and keep all the laws,
|
||
rites and ordinances pertaining to this Holy Order of Matrimony
|
||
in the new and everlasting Covenant, and this you do in the
|
||
presence of God, angels and these witnesses of your own free
|
||
will and choice?
|
||
|
||
Brother:Yes.
|
||
|
||
SEALER Sister ____ [maiden name (acting as proxy for ____ who
|
||
is dead), do you take Brother _____ (acting as proxy for _____,
|
||
who is dead) by the right hand and give yourself to him to be his
|
||
lawful and wedded wife, and for him to be your lawful and wedded
|
||
husband, for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and
|
||
promise that you will observe and keep all the laws, rites and
|
||
ordinances pertaining to this Holy Order of Matrimony in the new
|
||
and everlasting Covenant: and this you do in the presence of God,
|
||
angels and these witnesses of your own free will and choice?
|
||
|
||
SEALER By virtue of the Holy Priesthood and the authority
|
||
vested in me, I pronounce you ______, and ______, legally and
|
||
lawfully husband and wife for time and for all eternity, and I
|
||
seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection with power
|
||
to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection clothed in
|
||
glory, immortality and eternal lives, and seal upon you the
|
||
blessings of kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers,
|
||
dominions, and exaltations, with all the blessings of Abraham,
|
||
Isaac and Jacob, and say unto you, be fruitful nd multiply an
|
||
replentish the earth, that you may have joy an rejoicing in the
|
||
day of the Lord Jesus Christ. All these blessings, together with
|
||
all the blessings appertaining unto new and everlasting
|
||
covenant, and I seal upon you by virtue of the Holy Priesthood,
|
||
through your faithfulness, in the name of the Father, and of the
|
||
son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
|
||
|
||
(The parties then kiss each other over the altar which ends the
|
||
ceremony. No exchange of rings is included in the ceremony, but
|
||
may be done after the ceremony. The couple is then congratulated
|
||
by their guests and the Sealer and the party leaves to change to
|
||
street clothing.
|
||
|
||
SEALING OF CHILDREN TO PARENTS CEREMONY
|
||
|
||
Married couples, usually converts, who are being sealed often
|
||
have minor children. These children are normally sealed to their
|
||
parents immediately following the Sealing ceremony of the parents
|
||
to each other. The children may not be present for the parent's
|
||
sealing, but are brought in, dressed in white, while the parents
|
||
are still kneeling at the altar. The parents are moved to the
|
||
ends of the rectangular altar and the children kneel along the
|
||
sides where the parents were. The parents join hands in the
|
||
Patriarchal grip and the Children place their right hand in the
|
||
top of the parents hands, starting with the oldest child. The
|
||
Officiator then stands behind the father and pronounces the
|
||
ceremony
|
||
|
||
SEALER By the authority of the Holy Priesthood, I seal you
|
||
_____ (acting as proxy for and in behalf of ______), to your
|
||
father _____ ant to your mother _____, for time and all eternity,
|
||
as an heir (or heirs) (with all the children) as though you were
|
||
born in the new and everlasting covenant, in the name of the
|
||
Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
|
||
|
||
Other family sealings are performed in a similar manner on
|
||
occasion. A member of the wedding couple could be sealed to his
|
||
or her parents at this time, or have their parents sealed and act
|
||
as proxy for the appropriate parent.
|
||
|
||
"Sealing Sessions" are conducted nearly every evening in the
|
||
Temple in which a group of four couples and an Officiator will
|
||
perform approximately 200 to 300 proxy sealings in about two
|
||
hours. These are very business like and efficiently conducted
|
||
working sessions, which produce over stressed knees and barks
|
||
among the participants.
|
||
|
||
CONCLUSION
|
||
|
||
The Mormon Temple ceremonies have been presented here almost in
|
||
their entirety and very nearly "word perfect" for the instruction
|
||
and information of honest investigators looking into the deepest
|
||
teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
||
(Mormons). Those readers who are offended of disturbed by this
|
||
objective and truthful presentation of this information are asked
|
||
to consider this: darkness flees from light, error flees from
|
||
truth, deceit and deception flees from honesty and integrity.
|
||
Perhaps you should re-evaluate your commitment to light, truth,
|
||
honesty and integrity as opposed to blind, mindless obedience to
|
||
the precepts of men. The Apostle Paul told the saints in
|
||
Ephesus, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in
|
||
the Lord, walk as children of light ...proving what is acceptable
|
||
unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
|
||
of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame to even
|
||
speak of those things which are done of them in secret, but all
|
||
things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
|
||
whatsoever doth make manifest is light." (Ephesians 5:8,10-13)
|
||
|
||
Brethren and Sisters, we invite you to come out of secret works
|
||
of darkness into the wonderful light of Jesus, the Light of the
|
||
World and Savior of every soul who will abandon man made
|
||
churchianity and come to Him for Salvation and Redemption.
|
||
Praise the Lord, He is faithful to His Word - to SAVE all who
|
||
will accept His matchless grace by faith in Him.
|
||
|
||
Chuck Sackett
|
||
|
||
For more information see below:
|
||
|
||
This file has been brought to you by the ministry of the;
|
||
|
||
Southern Maryland Christian Information Service BBS, (SMCIS)
|
||
(301) 862-3160 HST
|
||
|
||
P.O. Box 463
|
||
California, MD 20619
|
||
|
||
Sysop: Buggs Bugnon
|