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FIRST
LECTURER: Brethren and sisters,
we welcome you to the temple, and hope you will find joy
in serving in the house of the Lord this day. Those of you
who are here to receive your own Endowments should have
been washed, anointed, and clothed in the Garment of the
Holy Priesthood. For those who
are representing deceased persons, the ordinances
of washing, anointing, and clothing in the Garment of the
Holy Priesthood, together with the ordaining in behalf of
the deceased brethren were preformed previously for
those deceased persons whom you are representing.
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. (pause)
Please
be alert, attentive and refrain from whispering during the
presentation of the Endowment. As you are asked to proceed
to the Veil, please do so in an orderly manner, row by row,
as directed. After passing through the Veil into the Celestial
Room, and in other areas in the Temple, if you need to communicate,
please whisper, thus helping us maintain the quiet reverence
that should prevail in the House of the Lord. We will now
proceed with the presentation of the Endowment.
SECOND
LECTURER: Brethren, you have been washed and pronounced
clean, or that through your faithfulness, you may become
clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have
been anointed to become hereafter Kings and Priests unto
the Most High God, to rule and reign in the House of Israel
forever.
Sisters,
you have been washed and anointed to become hereafter Queens and Priestesses to your husbands.
Brethren
and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will
come when you will be chosen, called up, and anointed Kings
and Queens, Priests and Priestesses, whereas you are now
anointed only to become such. The realization of these blessings
depends upon your faithfulness.
You
have had a Garment placed upon you, which you were informed
represents the garment given to Adam and
Eve when he was they were
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 inasmuch
as you do not defile it and 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
Your Endowment is to prepare you
for exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom.
receive all those ordiances in
the House if the Lord, wich are neccessary for you to enable
you to walk back to the prescence of the Father, passing
the angels who stand as sentinels, being able to givem them
the key words, the signs amd tokens, pertaining to the Holy
Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation.
If you
proceed and receive your full endowment, you will be required
to take upon yourselves sacred obligations, the violation
of which will bring upon you the judgment of God; for God
will not be mocked. If any of you desire to withdraw rather
than accept these obligations of yourown free will and choice,
you may now make it known by raising your hand.
Brethren
and sisters, as you sit here, you will hear the voices of
three persons who represent Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael.
Elohim will command Jehovah and Michael to go down and organize
a world. The work of the six creative periods will be represented.
They will also organize
man in their own likeness and image, male and female. This,
however, is simply figurative so far as the man and woman
are concerned.
THE
CREATION--FIRST DAY
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, Michael, see: yonder is matter unorganized, go
ye down and organize it into a world like unto the worlds
that we have hereunto formed. Call your labors the First
Day, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.
MICHAEL:
We will go down, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Michael, see: here is matter unorganized. We will organize
it into a world like unto worlds that we have heretofore
formed. We will call our labors the First Day, and return
and report.
MICHAEL:
We will return and report our labors on the First Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Elohim, we have been down
done as thou hast commanded, and have organized
a world like unto the worlds that we have heretofore formed,
and we have called out 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, 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 on of the
Second Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Elohim, we have been down
done as thou hast commanded,
and have gathered the waters together, and have caused the dry lands
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 that you have
organized. Divide the light from the darkness. Call the
light "day", and the darkness "night."
Cause the lights on the firmament to appear; the greater
light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the
night. Cause the stars also to appear and give light to
the earth, the same as with other
worlds heretofore created. Call your labors the Third Day,
and bring me word.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us return again
to the earth that we have organized.
MICHAEL:
We will return again,
Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Michael, we will divide the light from the darkness, and
we will call
the light "day," and the darkness "night".
We will cause the lights in the firmament to appear, the
greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night.
We will cause the stars also to appear and give light to
the earth; the same as with other
worlds heretofore created. 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:
Elohim, we have been down
done as thou hast commanded,
and have divided the light
from the darkness, and have called the light "day"
and the darkness "night". We have caused the lights
in the firmament to appear; the greater light to rule the
day, and the lesser light to rule the night. We have caused
the stars also to appear and give light to the earth, the
same as with worlds heretofore created. We have
called our labors the Third Day.
ELOHIM:
It is well.
FOURTH
DAY
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, Michael, return again. and
place seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring
forth as grass, flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner
of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself after its own
kind, as on the world we have heretofore created. Call
your labors the Fourth 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 place seeds of all kinds in the earth that
they may spring forth as grass flowers, shrubbery, trees,
and all manner of vegetation; each
bearing seed in itself after its own kind, as on the worlds
we have heretofore created. We will call
our labors the Fourth Day, and return and report.
MICHAEL:
We will return and report our labors of the Fourth Day,
Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Elohim, we have been down as thou hast commanded, and have
placed seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring
forth as grass, flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner
of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself, after its own
kind, as on the worlds we have heretofore created; and we
have called our labors the Fourth Day.
ELOHIM:
It is well.
FIFTH
DAY
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided
and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon,
return and place beasts upon the land: the elephant, the
lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds
of animals; fowls in the air in all their varieties, fishes
of all kinds in the waters, and insects and
all manner of animal life upon the earth. Command the beasts,
the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping things,
and other forms of animal life to multiply in their respective
elements, each after its kind, and every kind of vegetation
to multiply it its sphere, that every form of life may fill
the measure of its creation, and have joy therein. Call
your labors the Fifth 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, now that the earth is formed, divided and beautified,
and vegetation is growing thereon, we will place all beasts
upon the land: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear,
the horse, and all other kinds of animals; fowls in the
air in all their varieties, fishes of all kinds in the waters,
and insects and all manner of animal life upon the earth.
We will command the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects,
all creeping things, and other forms of animal life to multiply
in their respective elements, each after its kind, and every
kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every
form of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have
joy therein. We will call our labors the Fifth Day, and
return and report.
MICHAEL:
It is well, Jehovah. Now that the earth is formed, divided an beautified with vegetation growing
thereon, and provided with animal
all manner of life, it is glorious and beautiful.
JEHOVAH:
It is, Michael.
MICHAEL:
Let us return and report our labors of the Fifth Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH:
Elohim, we have been down
done
as thou hast commanded; we have placed beasts upon the land:
the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse,
and all other kinds of animals; in the waters, and insects,
and all manner of animal life upon the earth. We have commanded
the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping
things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in their
respective elements, each after its kind, and every kind
of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every form
of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have joy
therein. We and have called our labors the Fifth Day.
ELOHIM:
It is well.
SIXTH
DAY
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, Michael, is man found upon the earth?
JEHOVAH:
Man is not found on the earth, Elohim.
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, Michael, then let us go down and form man in our
own likeness and in our own image, male and female, and
put into him his spirit, them
their spirits and let us give him
them 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
them a garden, eastward
in Eden, and place him them in
it to tend and cultivate it, that he
they may be happy, and have joy therein. We will command
him them to
multiply and replenish the earth, that he
they may have joy in his
their posterity. We
will place before him them the
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and we will allow Lucifer,
our common enemy, whom we have thrust out to tempt him
them, and to try him
them, that he
they may know by his their own experience the good from the evil. If he yields they yield
to temptation we will give unto him
them The Law of Sacrifice, and we will provide a savior
for him them,
as we counseled 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 exultation. 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.
(The
film now shows a scene of a lush, tropical area. A thick
mist rises from the earth.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, see the earth that we have formed. There is no
man to till and take care of it. We are here to form man
in our own likeness and in our own image.
JEHOVAH:
We will do so, Elohim.
(The
youthful body of Adam who lies in a comatose state, is shown
from the shoulders up.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, man is now organized, and we will put into himhis
spirit, the breath of life, that he may become a living
soul.
(Light
shines on Adam's face, and his chest expands as he begins
to breathe. He stirs, as if awakening.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, is it good for man to be alone?
JEHOVAH:
It is not good for man to be alone, Elohim.
ELOHIM:
We will cause a deep sleep to come upon this man whom we
have formed, and we will take from his side a rib from which
we will form a woman to be a companion and helpmeet for
him.
(Adam
lays his head upon the ground as he looses consciousness.)
NARRATOR:
Brethren and sisters, this is Michael, who helped form the
earth. When he awakens from the sleep which Elohim and Jehovah
have caused to come upon him, he will be known as Adam,
and having forgotten all, will have become a little child.
Brethren, close your eyes as if you were asleep.
(All
male patrons in the room close their eyes.)
ELOHIM:
Adam, awake and arise.
(Adam
obeys the command, and is shown with foliage in front of
him which conceals his body from view. The youthful Adam
appears to be in his 20's, is in good physical condition,
and is clean shaven.)
NARRATOR:
All the brethren will please arise.
(The
male patrons open their eyes and rise from their seats.
An attractive, youthful Eve enters the scene and stands
beside Adam. They are both shown from the shoulders up.)
ELOHIM:
Adam, here is a woman whom we have formed and whom we give
unto you to be a companion and helpmeet for you. What will
you call her?
ADAM::
Eve.
(For
the first time, the Gods, Elohim and Jehovah, are shown.
They are two bearded, luminescent, glorious personages,
clothed in flowing white robes. They appear standing in
mid air above and in front of Adam and Eve, and are surrounded
by a radiant aura of silvery-white light.)
ELOHIM:
Why will you call her Eve?
ADAM::
Because she is the mother of all living.
ELOHIM:
That is right, Adam; because she is the mother of all living.
Adam, we have
organized for you this earth, and have planted a garden,
eastward in Eden. We will place you in the garden and we 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 and Eve
into the garden which we have prepared for him
them.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim.
NARRATOR:
We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden. The brethren
will now be seated.
(As
the male patrons sit down Adam and Eve are shown turning
to follow Jehovah into the garden. The scene quickly changes
to the garden.)
ELOHIM:
Adam, Eve we have created
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, Adam,
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 these
comandments 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.
(The
scene changes, and it is understood that the Gods have again
ascended. The following scene occurs in the garden, and
no indication is given as to how much time has passed since
the Gods' departure. Lucifer, the devil, is shown standing
nonchalantly observing Adam, and is clad in black and red
robes; also wearing a square black apron tied to his waist.
Though youthful, Lucifer appears perhaps a few years older
than Adam, and wears a beard and mustache, His speach is
fluid, persuasive, and without hesitation.)
LUCIFER::
Well, Adam, you have a new world here.
ADAM::
A new world?
LUCIFER::
Yes, a new world, patterned after the old one where we used
to live.
ADAM::
I know nothing about any other world.
LUCIFER::
Oh, I see, your eyes are not yet opened. You have forgotten
everything. You must eat some of the fruit of this that tree.
(Lucifer
plucks two pieces of fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil, and presents it to Adam.)
LUCIFER::
Adam, here is some of the fruit of that this
tree. It will make you wise.
ADAM::
I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me that in
the day I should partake of it I should surely die.
LUCIFER::
You shall not surely die but shall be as the Gods, knowing
good and evil.
ADAM::
I will not partake of it.
LUCIFER::
Oh you will not? Well, we shall see.
(Adam
leaves, and Lucifer walks over to Eve, who is tending flowers.)
LUCIFER::
Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It will make
you wise. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.
EVE:
Who are you?
LUCIFER::
I am your brother.
EVE:
You, my brother, and come here to persuade me to disobey
Father?
LUCIFER::
I have said nothing about Father. I want you to eat of the
fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, that your
eyes may be opened, for that is the way Father gained his
knowledge. You must eat of this fruit so as to comprehend
that everything has its opposite: good and evil, virtue
and vice, light and darkness, health and sickness, pleasure
and pain; and thus
your eyes will be opened and you will have knowledge.
EVE:
Is there no other way?
LUCIFER::
There is no other way.
EVE:
Then I will partake.
(Eve
takes the fruit from Lucifer, and bites it. Lucifer approves
and places the other piece in her hand, which he closes
around it and pats gently.)
LUCIFER:;
There, now go and get Adam to partake.
(Eve
approaches Adam, fruit in hand, and presents it to him with
a persuasive tone of voice.)
EVE:
Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious
to the taste and very desirable.
ADAM::
Eve, do you know what fruit that is?
EVE:
Yes, it is the fruit if the tree of Knowledge of Good and
Evil.
ADAM::
I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that Father commanded
us not to partake of the fruit of that tree?
EVE:
Do you intend to obey all of Father's commandments?
ADAM::
Yes, all of them.
EVE:
Do you not recollect
remember 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::
Eve, I see that this must be so. I will partake that man may be.
(Adam
takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with a look
of approval.)
LUCIFER::
That is right.
EVE:
It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we may know
the good from the evil.
EVE:
I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast out of
Father's presence for rebellion.
LUCIFER::
Yes, you are beginning to see already.
ADAM::
What is that apron you have on?
LUCIFER::
It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.
ADAM::
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?
(The
Gods' voices are suddenly heard in the garden, reverberating
through the air.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve
that we would visit him
them and give him them further instructions. Come, let us
go down.
JEHOVAH:
We will go down, Elohim.
ADAM::
I hear their voices, they are coming.
LUCIFER::
See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons.
Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide!
ADAM::
Come, let us hide.
NARRATOR:
Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons.
(The
film pauses temporarily while the patrons remove their fig-leave
aprons from the bundles whch have been resting on their
laps. All patrons tie the aprons on around their waists.
When the film resumes, the Gods have once again descended,
represented as before.)
ELOHIM:
Adam ... Adam! ... Adam!! Where art thou?
ADAM::
I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was naked.
ELOHIM:
Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou partaken of
the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of
which we commanded thee not to partake?
ADAM::
The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she should
remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree, and
I did eat.
ELOHIM:
Eve, what is this that thou hast done?
EVE:
The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
ELOHIM:
Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?
LUCIFER::
I have been doing that which has been done in other worlds.
ELOHIM:
What is that?
LUCIFER::
I have been giving some of the fruit of the Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.
ELOHIM:
Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt be cursed
above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly thou shalt
go, and dust shalt thou thou shalt
eat all the days of thy life.
LUCIFER::
If thou cursest me for doing the same thing which has been
done in other worlds, I will take the spirits that follow
me, and they shall possess the bodies thou createst for
Adam and Eve!
ELOHIM:
I will place enmity between thee and the seed of the woman.
Thou mayest have power to bruise his heal, but he shall
have power to crush thy head.
LUCIFER::
Then with that enmity I will take the treasure of the earth,
and with gold and silver I will buy up armies and navies,
Popes and false priests who oppress, and tyrants who destroy, and reign with
blood and horror on the earth!
ELOHIM:
Depart!
(Lucifer
looks defiantly at Elohim; he then turns and walks away.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard
the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam and
Eve put forth his
their hand,
hands, and partake of the fruit thereof, and
live forever in his
their sins.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah
turns to the side, and stretches his arm toward the tree.)
JEHOVAH:
Let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard the
way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam put forth his hand and
partake of the fruit thereof, and live forever in his sins.
It is done, Elohim.
ELOHIM:
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. Nevertheless, 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. Any by the sweat of thy
face halt 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:
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 the
law in of the
Lord, and will hearken unto your counsel as you hearken
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:
Adam, I now covenant to obey your the law
of the Lord and to hearken to your
counsel as you obey our hearken unto
Father.
ADAM::
Elohim, I now covenant with thee that from this time forth
I will obey thy law and keep thy commandments.
ELOHIM:
It is well, 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.
(At
this point the film pauses and the lights come on.)
NARRATOR:
Brethren and sisters the garment which 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" now come forward
and kneel at the altar, resting their hands upon it as they
face the Officiator. The Officiator pantomimes all movements
and gestures as a model for the patrons to follow when directed.)
NARRATOR:
Brethren and sisters, this couple at the altar represents 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 each sister under covenant to obey the law of their husbands the Lord
and to hearken to the counsel of her husband, as her husband
hearkens unto the counsel of the Father. Sisters,
arise.
(Female
patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM:
Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and
each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels,
and these witnesses at this altar that you will each observe
and keep the law of your husbands,
the Lord and abide by his hearken
unto the counsel in
righteousness of your husband as he hearkens unto the counsel of the Father. Each
of you bow your head and say "Yes."
WOMEN:
Yes.
ELOHIM:
That will do.
(The
female patrons now resume their seats.)
ELOHIM:
Brethren, Arise.
(Male
patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM:
Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and
each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angles,
and these witnesses at this altar that you will obey the
law of God, and keep his commandants. Each of you bow your
head and say "yes".
MEN:
Yes.
ELOHIM:
That will do.
(Male
patrons resume their seats.)
THE
LAW OF SACRIFICE
ELOHIM:
Brethren and sisters, you
are about to be we
will now put you under covenant to obey and keep the Law of Sacrifice,
as contained in the Old and
New Testament. Holy Scriptures. This Law of Sacrifice was given to
Adam in the garden of Eden, who, when he was driven out
of the garden, built an alter on which he offered sacrifices;
and after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto
Adam, saying: "Why dost thou offer sacrifice
sacrifices 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, which is full of grace and
truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou dost 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 the
firstlings of the flock, which continued until the death
of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the shedding of
blood. And as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the
redemption of mankind, so we should covenant to sacrifice
all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary, in
sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God.
All
arise. Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You
and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God,
angels, and these witnesses at this alter that you will
observe and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the
Old and New Testament Holy
Scriptures, as it has been explained to you.
Each of you bow your head and say "yes."
PATRONS:
Yes.
ELOHIM:
That will do.
(patrons
resume their seats.)
THE
FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
ELOHIM:
We will now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty.
Before doing this, however, we desire to impress upon your minds
the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood,
with its accompanying name and sign, and penalty,
as well as that of all the other tokens of the Holy Priesthood,
with their names, and 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
made in the prescense
of God, Angels and these witnesses to hold them sacred and
under no condition, even at the peril of your
life, will you ever divulge them, except at a certain place
in the temple that will be shown you hereafter. The representation of the xecution 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, representing Elohim, takes the right hand of
the male witness, who represents Adam at the alter, and
demonstrates the token. The male witness, who remains kneeling,
is obliged to raise his hand above his head while receiving
the grip, thus enabling the patrons to view the manner in
which the token is to be given.)
ELOHIM:
Adam, we unto you the
First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to
receive it. All arise.
(As
the patrons stand, the Witness Couple returns to their seats.
The Officiator and several other temple workers circulate
around the room and administer the token to the patrons
as they stand at their seats. Male workers attend to the
male patrons, female workers to the females. The Witness
couple also receives the token at this time. Each patron
sits after receiving the token.)
ELOHIM:
If any of you have not received this token, you will please
raise your hand.
The
name of this token is the New Name that you received in
the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the New Name,
please stand.
The
sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the
palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together,
and the thumb extended.
(The
Officiator, again at the altar, demonstrates the sign and penalty as the descriptions are given.)
ELOHIM:
This is the sign. 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, and 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 at the same
time representing the execution of the penalty:
I, John,
covenant before God, angels and
these witnesses that I will never reveal the
First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying
name, and
sign, and penalty. Rather
than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.
(The
Officiator demonstrates the execution of the penalty.)
ELOHIM:
All arise.
(All
patrons stand.)
ELOHIM:
Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood, by bringing your right arm to the square, the
palm of the hand to the front, the fingers together, and
the thumb extended. This is the sign. Now, repeat in your
mind after me the words of the covenant, at
the same time representing the execution of the penalty.
I ________,
think of the new name, covenant before
God, angels and these witnesses that I will never
reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its
accompanying name and
sign, and penalty. Rather
than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.
That
will do. (Patrons sit down.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, see that Adam is
and Eve are driven out
of this beautiful garden into the lone and dreary world,
where he they may learn from his
their own experience
to distinguish good from evil.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim.
(As
the lights are turned down the film presentation continues.)
THE
LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM
(Adam
and Eve are shown full view for the first time. They are
clad in animal skins which cover their bodies to their knees.
The lone and dreary world is represented by desert scenery.
Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreads his hands to heaven,
and piously invokes the Lord.)
NARRATOR:
We now go with Adam and Eve into the lone and dreary world.
Brethren and sisters, this represents the Telestial kingdom,
or the world in which we now live. Adam, on finding himself
in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered
prayer, and these are the words he uttered:
ADAM::
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
(As
Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of the shadows.)
LUCIFER::
I hear you; what is it you want?
(Although
Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the Garden of Eden,
he fails to recognize him at this appearance.)
ADAM::
Who are you?
LUCIFER::
I am the God of this world.
ADAM::
You, the God of this world?
LUCIFER::
Yes, what do you want?
ADAM::
I am looking for messengers.
LUCIFER::
Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion,
do you? I will have preachers
here presently. There
will be many willing to preach to you the philosophies of
men mingled with scripture.
(Lucifer
turns his head as a sectarian minister approaches.)
LUCIFER::
Good Morning sir!
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: Good morning!
(The
preacher turns and looks into the camera.)
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: A fine congregation!
LUCIFER::
Yes, they are a very good people. They are concerned about
religion. Are you a preacher?
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: I am.
LUCIFER::
Have you been to college and received training for the ministry?
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: Certainly! A
man cannot preach unless has been trained for the ministry.
LUCIFER::
Do you preach the orthodox religion?
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: 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.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: I will do my
best.
(Lucifer
guides the preacher to Adam and Eve, who stand nearby.)
LUCIFER::
Here is a man who desires religion. He is very much exercised,
and seems to be sincere.
(As
Lucifer presents the preacher to Adam and Eve he steps back
and observes the ensuing conversation. The preacher is made
to sound sincere, although misguided and credulous. Adam
appears humble, faithful and immovable in his determination
to serve God. He is not swayed by the preacher, and is astounded
by the doctrines espoused by the preacher.)
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: I understand
that you are inquiring after religion.
ADAM::
I was calling upon Father.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: I am glad to
know that you were calling upon Father. Do you believe in
a God who is without body, parts, or 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 myriads of beings who have been saved by
grace, not for any act of theirs, but by His good pleasure.
Do you believe in such a great Being?
ADAM::
I do not. I cannot comprehend such a being.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: That is the
beauty of it. Perhaps you do not believe in a 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 none never consumed?
ADAM::
I do not believe in any such place.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: My dear friend,
I am sorry for you.
LUCIFER::
I am sorry, very very sorry! What is it you want?
ADAM::
But I am looking for
messengers from my Father.
(The
scene changes to a view of the Celestial Kingdom, where
Elohim reigns from a white throne afront tall white pillars.
He is radiant as before, and his voice resonates as he speaks
with Jehovah, who stands before him.)
ELOHIM:
Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John to visit the man
Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing their identity.
Have them observe conditions generally, see if Satan is
there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token
and sign given to him in the garden of Eden. Have them then
return and bring me word.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah
turns from Elohim and walks to the edge of the platform
upon which he stands. He there meets Peter, James and John,
who await His command. They are dressed as the Jews were
at the time of Christ.)
JEHOVAH:
Peter, James and John, go down and visit the man Adam in
the Telestial World, without disclosing your identity. Observe
conditions 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:
It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go
down.
JAMES:
We will go down.
JOHN:
We will go down.
(The
three turn and leave, and the scene turns to the lone and
dreary world. Peter steps out from behind a large rock,
followed by James and John; they approach Adam, Eve, et
al.)
PETER:
Good morning.
LUCIFER::
Good morning gentlemen.
PETER:
What are you doing here?
LUCIFER::
Teaching religion.
Observing the teachings of these
people.
PETER:
What religion do you teach?
is being taught?
LUCIFER::
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
except this man. He
does not seem to believe anything
we preach. what is being taught.
(Peter,
James and John approach Adam and Eve.)
PETER:
Good morning. What do you think of the preaching of these
gentlemen? what is being taught?
ADAM::
I cannot comprehend it.
PETER:
Can you give us some idea concerning
it?
ADAM::
They preach of a God who is without body, parts, or passions;
who is so large that he fills the universe, and yet is so
small that he can dwell in your heart; and of a hell, without
a bottom, where the wicked are continually burned but are
never consumed. To me, it is a mass of confusion.
ADAM:
I am looking for messengers from my Father to teach me.
PETER:
That is good.
PETER:
We do not wonder that you cannot comprehend such doctrine.
Have you any tokens or signs?
(Lucifer
steps up to the side of Peter and interjects his query.)
LUCIFER::
Do you have you any money?
PETER:
We have sufficient for our needs.
LUCIFER::
You can buy anything in this world for money.
PETER:
Do you sell your tokens or signs for money? You have them,
I presume.
ADAM::
I have them, but I do not sell them for money. I hold them
sacred. I am looking for the further light and knowledge
Father promised to send me.
PETER:
That is right. We commend you for your integrity. Good day.
We shall probably visit you again.
(Peter,
James and John exit; Lucifer stares into the camera.)
LUCIFER::
Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers
to the ends of the earth. There is none who dares to molest,
or make me afraid.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: Shall we ever
have any apostles or prophets?
LUCIFER::
No. However, there may be some who will profess revelation
or apostleship. If so, just test them by asking that they
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 have come with power.
(The
scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter, James, and
John approach Jehovah with their report.)
PETER:
Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the Telestial World
as thou didst command us. We found Satan
there, with his ministers, preaching all manner of false
doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity
of Adam astray with all manner
of false doctrine. But Adam has been true and
faithful to the token and sign given 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
approaches Elohim) 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 Eve
and his
their posterity in the Telestial World, and to
cast Satan out of their midst. Instruct them to give unto
Adam and Eve and his their
posterity the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book
of Mormon and the Bible Holly Scriptures
; also give unto them
a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, 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 cause these to be received by covenant. Instruct Peter,
James, and John further to clothe Adam
and Eve and his their
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, and sign, and penalty.
The have them return and bring me word.
JEHOVAH:
It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, and approaches
Peter, James and John.) Peter, James and John, go down
in your true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ
to the man
Adam and Eve and his their 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 Holy
Scriptures; also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness,
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. 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,
and sign, and penalty.
Then return and bring us word.
PETER:
It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go
down.
(The
scene changes again to the lone and dreary world. The three
Apostles boldly approach Lucifer.)
PETER:
I am Peter.
JAMES:
I am James.
JOHN:
I am John.
LUCIFER::
Yes, I thought I knew you. What
are you going to do now? (He
turns to the Preacher.) Do you know who these men are?
They claim to be apostles. Try them!
(The
Preacher approaches Peter.)
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: Do you profess
to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ?
PETER:
We do.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: 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 the restore it, so that the people might know that
they came with power.
PETER:
We do not satisfy men'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!
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: What? The Devil?
PETER:
That is one of his names.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: 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 foot, and that when he speaks
he has the roar of a lion!
PETER:
He has said this to deceive you,
and I would advise you to get out of his employ.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: Your advise
is good; but, if I leave his employ, what will become of
me?
PETER:
We will preach the gospel unto you,
with the rest of Adam's posterity.
SECTARIAN
MINISTER: That is good.
(He turns to Lucifer) I would like to have a settlement.
I want you to pay me for preaching.
LUCIFER::
I am ready to keep my word and fulfill my part of the agreement.
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! (As the preacher turns
sadly and leaves Lucifer approaches Peter) Now, what
are you going to do?
PETER:
We will dismiss you without further argument.
LUCIFER::
Aah! You have looked over my kingdom, and my greatness and
glory. Now you want to take possession of the whole of it.
(Lucifer turns, and stares into the camera). I have
a word to say concerning these people. If they do not walk
up to every covenant they make at these altars in this temple
this day, they will be in my power!
PETER:
Satan, we command you to depart!
LUCIFER::
By what authority?
PETER:
(With his right arm raised to the square.) In the
name of Jesus Christ, out Master. (Lucifer is visibly
shaken as he turns and leaves. Peter waits until he has
left, and then approaches Adam) Adam, we are true messengers
from the Father, and have come down
to give unto you
the further light and knowledge He promised to send you.
ADAM::
How shall I know that you are true messengers?
PETER:
By our giving unto you the token and sign you received in
the Garden of Eden.
ADAM::
(Grasps Peter by the right hand.) What is that?
PETER:
The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
ADAM::
Has it a name?
PETER:
It has.
ADAM::
Will you give it to me?
PETER:
I cannot, for it is the New Name, and I have made a covenant not to disclose it, but
this is the sign (The right arm to square);
and this represent the Execution of the Penalty (Thumb
of right hand drawn across the throat).
ADAM::
Now I know that you are true messengers sent down from Father.
(To audience) These are true messengers, I exhort
you to give strict heed to their counsels
counsil and teachings
teaching, 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 film is concluded. The remainder of the Endowment
is conducted from an audio recording.)
THE
LAW OF THE GOSPEL
PETER:
A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness couple
comes to altar as before.) Brethren and sisters, this
couple at the altar represent all of you as if at the altar,
and you will be under the same obligations as they will
be. We are required to give unto you the Law of the Gospel
as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holy
Scriptures; to give unto you also a charge to
avoid all lightmindedness, 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. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your
right arm to the square. (this is done.)
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."
PATRONS:
Yes.
PETER:
That will do. (All patrons sit down.)
THE
ROBES OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
PETER:
We are instructed to clothe you in the Robes of the Holy
Priesthood. Place the robe on your left shoulder. Place
the cap on your head with the bow over the right ear, replace
the apron, tie the girdle with the bow on the right side,
remove the slippers from your feet, and put them in again
as part of the temple clothing. You may now proceed to clothe.
(Patrons
open their clothing envelopes dress as instructed.)
SECOND
TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
PETER:
A couple will now come to the altar. (The witness couple
kneels at the altar as before.) With the robe on the
left shoulder, you are prepared to officiate in the ordinances
of the Aaronic Priesthood. We will now give unto you the
Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying
name, and sign, 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.
(The
Officiator and the male witness joins hands in the token,
and slightly raise their hands to demonstrate in to the
patrons.)
PETER:
We desire all to receive it. All arise.
(As
the Patrons stand, the witness couple returns to their seats,
and various temple workers circulate about the room administering
this token as they did the former.)
PETER:
If any of you have not received this token, you will 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.
The
sign is made by bringing the right hand in front of you,
with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a
square, and the left arm being raised to the square. This
is the sign. (The officiator demonstrates.) 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 hands to the sides.
I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token,
its name, and sign, and penalty,
and which you will be required to take upon
yourselves.
If I
were receiving my own endowment today, and if my first given
name were "David," I would repeat in my mind those
words, after making the sign, at
the same time representing the Execution of the Penalty:
I, David,
covenant before God, angels and
these witnesses , that I will never reveal the
Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying
name, and sign, and penalty. Rather
than do so I would suffer my life to be taken.
All
arise. (All Patrons stand.) Each of you make the
sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood by bringing
the right hand in front of you, with the hand in cupping
shape, the right arm forming a square, and the left arm
being raised to the square. This is the sign.
Now,
repeat
