LDS Endowment

Note: The rubrics (or stage directions) that appear here are my own, as is the formatting of the text into small units for readability.

[Each initiate dons the garment and the shield before being presented individually to the washing rooms. Throughout the initiatory, women officiate for women, and men for men.]

PREFACE

Brother _________, the temple washing, anointing, and clothing ordinances were given anciently, as recorded in the book of Exodus: "And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him."

We likewise administer these ordinances in our day, but you are washed and anointed only symbolically, as follows.

[An officiator places water on the initiate's head while pronouncing the following words.]

Brother _________, having authority, I wash you preparatory to your receiving your anointings [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead], that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation.

[While pronouncing the blessings which follow, the officiator lays hands on the initiate's head.]

I wash your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active;

your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord;

your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error;

your nose, that you may smell;

your lips, that you may never speak guile;

your neck, that it may bear up your head properly;

your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon;

your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine;

your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles;

your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and perform their proper functions;

your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice
in defense of truth and virtue;

your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth,
that you might have joy in your posterity;

your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

[A second officiator enters. Both officiators place their hands on the initiate's head, and the second officiator seals the washing as follows.]

Brother _________, having authority, we lay our hands upon your head [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead] and seal upon you this washing, that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation through your faithfulness; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[An officiator places oil on the initiate's head while pronouncing the following words.]

Brother _________, having authority, I pour this holy anointing oil upon your head [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead] and anoint you preparatory to your becoming a king and a priest unto the most high God, hereafter to rule and reign in the house of Israel forever.

[While pronouncing the blessings which follow, the officiator lays hands on the initiate's head.]

I anoint your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active;

your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord;

your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error;

your nose, that you may smell;

your lips, that you may never speak guile;

your neck, that it may bear up your head properly;

your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon;

your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine;

your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles;

your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and perform their proper functions;

your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice
in defense of truth and virtue;

your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth,
that you might have joy in your posterity;

your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

[A second officiator enters. Both officiators place their hands on the initiate's head, and the second officiator confirms the anointing as follows.]

Brother _________, having authority, we lay our hands upon your head [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead] and confirm upon you this anointing, wherewith you have been anointed in the temple of our God preparatory to becoming a king and a priest unto the most high God, hereafter to rule and reign in the house of Israel forever, and seal upon you all the blessings hereunto appertaining, through your faithfulness; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[An officiator pronounces the following words.]

Brother _________, under proper authority, the garment placed upon you is now authorized [for and in behalf of _________, who is dead], and is to be worn throughout your life. It represents the garment given to Adam when he was found naked in the garden of Eden and is called the garment of the holy priesthood.

Inasmuch as you do not defile it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work on the earth.

[In the case of a living endowment, the officiator who authorized the initiate's garment continues as follows.]

With this garment, I give you a new name, which you should always remember and which you must keep sacred and never reveal, except at a certain place that will be shown you hereafter.

The name is _________.

[In the case of a person receiving the endowment on behalf of the dead, the person is presented to an officiator, who pronounces the following words.]

Brother _________, having authority, I give you a new name for and in behalf of _________, who is dead, which you should always remember and which you must keep sacred and never reveal, except at a certain place that will be shown you hereafter.

The name is _________.

The scriptural citation is Exodus 40:12-13.
Women are anointed to become queens and priestesses to their husbands.
In a woman's initiatory, reference is made to Eve, not Adam.