LDS Endowment

Note: This text represents a live endowment. The rubrics (or stage directions) that appear here are my own, as are the headings that divide the text into smaller, more reader-friendly units.

PETER: Brethren and sisters, this is the veil of the temple. I will now explain the marks on the veil.

These four marks are the marks of the holy priesthood, and corresponding marks are found in your individual garment.

On the right is the mark of the square. It is placed in the garment over the right breast, suggesting to the mind exactness and honor in keeping the covenants entered into this day.

On the left is the mark of the compass. It is placed in the garment over the left breast, suggesting to the mind an undeviating course leading to eternal life; a constant reminder that desires, appetites, and passions are to be kept within the bounds the Lord has set; and that all truth may be circumscribed unto one great whole.

This is the navel mark. It is placed in the garment over the navel, suggesting to the mind the need of constant nourishment to body and spirit.

This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the garment so as to be over the kneecap, suggesting that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ.

These other three marks are for convenience in working at the veil. Through this one, the person representing the Lord puts forth his right hand to test our knowledge of the tokens of the holy priesthood. Through the one on our right, he asks us certain questions; through the one on the left, we give our answers.

[Peter stands before the veil, in view of the initiates. A person representing the Lord stands concealed behind the veil.]

PETER: As all of you will have to pass through the veil, we will show you how this is to be done.

Presentation at the Veil

[Peter stands before a part in the veil, off to the side of the marks whose meaning he has just explained.]

PETER: The person is brought to this point, and the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet . . .

[Peter does so. The person representing the Lord puts his hand through the part in the veil, opening it slightly.]

. . . whereupon the Lord parts the veil, and asks:

LORD: What is wanted?

PETER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all things, desires further light and knowledge by conversing with the Lord through the veil.

LORD: Present him at the veil, and his request shall be granted.

[Peter stands in front of the marks on the veil. The person representing the Lord puts his hand through the mark which Peter has indicated for this purpose.]

First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood

PETER: The person is then brought to this point, whereupon the Lord puts forth his right hand, gives the first token of the Aaronic priesthood, and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The first token of the Aaronic priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I will, through the veil.

PETER: The person then gives, through the veil, the name of this token, which is the new name received in the temple today.

Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood

PETER: The Lord then gives the second token of the Aaronic priesthood and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The second token of the Aaronic priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I will, through the veil.

The person then gives the name of this token, which is _________.

First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood

PETER: The Lord then gives the first token of the Melchizedek priesthood, or Sign of the Nail, and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The first token of the Melchizedek priesthood, or Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I will, through the veil.

The person then gives the name of this token, which is _________.

Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood

PETER: The Lord then gives the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through the veil.

LORD: You shall receive it through the veil.

PETER: It is received as left arms are placed upon right shoulders through the veil.

The Lord then gives the name of this token and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I will, through the veil.

The person then repeats back to the Lord the name of this token, as he received it, whereupon the Lord says:

LORD: That is correct.

[The person representing the Lord withdraws his hand from view.]

Admission through the Veil

[Peter stands again before the part in the veil.]

PETER: The person is again brought to this point, and the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet.

[Peter does so.]

The Lord parts the veil and asks:

LORD: What is wanted?

PETER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil, desires now to enter his presence.

The Lord puts forth his right hand, takes the person by the right hand, and says:

LORD: Let him enter.

PETER: He is admitted into the presence of the Lord.

[The person representing the Lord pulls Peter partway through the veil to demonstrate.]

We will now report.

[Peter, James, and John pass behind the veil.]

[Elohim, Jehovah, and their messengers are heard speaking behind the veil.]

PETER: Jehovah, we have been down to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the terrestrial world, and have given unto them the law of consecration, and have caused them to receive it by covenant. We have given unto them the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign, and have taught them the order of prayer. They are now ready to converse with the Lord through the veil. This is our report.

JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John.

Elohim--Peter, James, and John have been down to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the terrestrial world and have done all that they were commanded to do.

ELOHIM: It is well.

Jehovah, instruct Peter, James, and John to introduce Adam and Eve and their posterity at the veil, where we will give unto them the name of the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to their entering into our presence.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

Peter, James, and John, you will introduce Adam and Eve and their posterity at the veil, where we will give unto them the name of the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to their entering into our presence.

PETER: It shall be done Jehovah. Come, James and John, we will introduce them at the veil.

[Peter, James, and John return from behind the veil.]

Brethren and sisters, we are instructed to introduce you at the veil, where you will receive the name of the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to your entering into the presence of the Lord.

Presentation at the Veil

[initiates are presented individually at the veil. The veil worker taps three times with the mallet.]

LORD: What is wanted?

WORKER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all things, desires further light and knowledge by conversing with the Lord through the veil [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead].

LORD: Present him at the veil, and his request shall be granted.

First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood

LORD: What is that?

INITIATE: The first token of the Aaronic priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

INITIATE: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

INITIATE: I will, through the veil.

[The initiate gives the token's name.]

Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood

LORD: What is that?

INITIATE: The second token of the Aaronic priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

INITIATE: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

INITIATE: I will, through the veil.

[The initiate gives the token's name.]

First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood

LORD: What is that?

INITIATE: The first token of the Melchizedek priesthood, or Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

INITIATE: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

INITIATE: I will, through the veil.

[The initiate gives the token's name.]

Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood

LORD: What is that?

INITIATE: The second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

INITIATE: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

INITIATE: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through the veil.

LORD: You shall receive it through the veil.

[Still holding the patriarchal grip, the initiate and the person embrace through the veil. The initiate's left arm passes through the mark of the compass, and the left arm of the person representing the Lord passes through the mark of the square. The person representing the Lord speaks into the initiate's ear the name of the token.]

LORD: What is that?

INITIATE: The second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

INITIATE: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

INITIATE: I will, through the veil.

[The initiate speaks back the name of the token.]

LORD: That is correct.

Admission through the Veil

[The initiate returns to the part in the veil; the worker taps three times with the mallet.]

LORD: What is wanted?

WORKER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil, desires now to enter his presence.

LORD: Let him enter.

[The initiate is brought through the veil into the Celestial Room.]

Back

All male initiates are referred to as "Adam," all female initiates as "Eve."