AN OVERVIEW OF THE MORMON TEMPLE CEREMONIES
This information is new to most of the readers of this text 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.
(3) 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 teen-agers 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 teen-
agers 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 Confirmation. Two Temple Workers lay their hands upon
the patron's head and one of them pronounces the Ordination.
(3) 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
bypass the "Washing, Anointing, 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 en-masse.
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 villain, 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 repetitious 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 succumbs and
eats the forbidden fruit. Eve convinces Adam to partake also, then
recognizes who Lucifer really is. Lucifer instructs Adam and Eve to
make fig-leaf aprons to cover their nakedness when they hear Elohim
and Jehovah coming. All the patrons don bright green fig-leaf aprons
with Adam and Eve, which they continue to wear over all of Elohim's
Priesthood attire throughout the remainder of the rituals. Elohim is
outraged, and curses Lucifer, who according to LDS doctrine will never
have a body, to crawl on his belly and eat dust forever. Lucifer
defies 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, 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 is 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. 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, and 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 verbatim. 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 verbatim, calling these
spiritist powers down upon himself and his posterity for eternity, he
is ushered into the beautiful, ethereal 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 and 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. 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 teen-age 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 several
hours preceding 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
anointed, 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. (4)
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. (5)
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. (5)
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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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 unequivocally 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
Mormons 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 button-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 button-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 nicking 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" is in the Priesthood
markings.
The Christian is taught that his protection from Satan comes in a
much different form from this Priestcraft occultic talisman magic.
Christians, in overcoming Satan's attacks, are to put on something
more substantial than magic underwear with Masonic markings. It is
fully explained in Ephesians 6:12-18, and we highly recommend this
form of protection to all readers.
MASONIC SYMBOLS AND RITES USED IN THE MORMON TEMPLE
In spite of vehement denials to the contrary, there is a direct
link between the rites, symbols, signs, handclasps and penalties of
the Masonic Lodge (Free and Accepted Masons or Free Masons) and those
of the temple Endowments of Mormonism. Joseph Smith received his
first degree in Masonry on March 15, 1842 and the very next day was
elevated to 32nd degree sublime Master of the Royal Secret. (See
History of the Church (H.C.), Volume 4, page 550, 552). Six weeks
later, on May 2, 1842, Smith was teaching these Masonic secrets as his
own "revelations" to Mormon leaders as the Temple Endowment (see H.C.,
Volume 15, Page 2). It was from his association with the Masons that
Joseph Smith derived the basic ceremonies and symbols now known as the
"Endowment". Into the fabric of Free Masonry he wove his own peculiar
brand of occultism, claiming it to be "Revelation" from on high.
We do not intend to do an exhaustive comparison between Masonry
and the Mormon Temple Endowment, but we would like to draw your
attention to a few of the more obvious similarities. Please keep in
mind as you look over the following list, that the Masonic rituals and
symbols pre-date the Mormon Church by several hundred years:
All Seeing Eye
Anointing with oil
Apron
Beehive
Square and Compass
Earth Symbol
Emblem of the clasped hands
Solemn Assembly in the Temple
Five points of Fellowship
Special Garments applied to initiates
Garment Markings
Grips (Special handshakes)
The phrase: "Holiness to the Lord"
Moon symbol
New Name given
Special Prayer circle
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods
Location (possession of) Throne of the "Holy of Holies"
Star symbols
Sun symbols
Tabernacles
Temples
Blood/death oaths of secrecy with morbid gestures and words
describing penalties agreed to if secrets are revealed.
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