THE HOLY MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD: THE ONLY AUTHORITY TO ACT FOR GOD

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 organizations. 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 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.

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 Endowment. 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 posthumously 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 prepared 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 organizations.

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 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, 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 description 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, thenrecognizes 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 occultictalisman 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 the 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. Never-the-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 (brethren 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. (Brethren 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 forevermore." 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, an