clasped hands LDS endowment


INTRODUCTION

Why this website?
Site contents
About the endowment


THE CEREMONY

The Initiatory
The Endowment Proper
 The Creation
 The Garden
 The Telestial World
 The Terrestrial World
 The Veil


OTHER TEMPLE RITES

Baptism for the dead
Sealings
Second anointing


FOR FURTHER STUDY

Timeline
Historical documents
Masonic parallels
The endowment on film
Garments & temple clothes
Suggested readings

Note: This text represents the endowment as it was performed prior to 1990; significant 1990 revisions are explained in footnotes.

On the Historical documents page, you can read the current ceremony or a side-by-side comparison of the pre- and post-1990 versions.

THE MARKS ON THE VEIL

PETER: Brethren and sisters, 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.

This one 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.

This one 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 into 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.


THE DIALOGUE AT THE VEIL

[Peter stands before the veil, in view of the temple 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.

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, upon the five points of fellowship, through the veil.

PETER: 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 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, upon the five points of fellowship, 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.]


THE MESSENGERS' FOURTH REPORT

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

PETER: Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and his 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 the man Adam and his 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 the man Adam and his 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 his 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.


THE LECTURE AT THE VEIL

PETER: A lecture will now be given which summarizes the instructions, ordinances, and covenants, and also the tokens, with their keywords, signs, and penalties, pertaining to the endowment, which you have thus far received.

You should try to remember and keep in mind all that you have heard and seen, and may yet hear and see, in this house. The purpose of this lecture is to assist you to remember that which has been taught you this day. You must keep in mind that you are under a solemn obligation never to speak outside of the temple of the Lord of the things you see and hear in this sacred place.


Introduction

LECTURER: Brethren and sisters, the ordinances of the endowment as here administered, long withheld from the children of men, pertain to the dispensation of the fullness of time and have been revealed to prepare the people for exaltation in the celestial kingdom, where God and Christ dwell.

The deep meaning of the eternal truths constituting the endowment has been set forth in brief instructions and by symbolic representation. If you give prayerful and earnest thought to the holy endowment, you will obtain the understanding and spirit of the work done in the temples of the Lord. The privilege of laboring here for the dead permits us to enter the temple frequently, and to refresh our memories, and to enlarge our understanding of the endowment.


The Initiatory

You were first washed and anointed, a garment was placed upon you, and a new name was given you. This name you should always remember; but you must never reveal it to any person, except at the veil.


The Creation

You then entered [the Creation Room]. [There] you heard the voices of persons representing a council of the Gods--Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael. Elohim said: "See, yonder is matter unorganized. Go ye down and organize it into a world, like unto the other worlds that we have heretofore formed." As the creation of the earth progressed, you heard the commands and the reports of the persons representing the Gods.

If we are faithful, we shall enter the celestial kingdom and there hear and know the Gods of heaven. They are perfect; we are imperfect. They are exalted; we may attain exaltation.

Our spirits at one time lived with the Gods; but each of us was given the privilege of coming upon this earth to take upon himself a body, so that the spirit might have a house in which to dwell.

Michael, one of the council of the Gods, became the man Adam, to whom was given the woman Eve. However, as Adam he did not remember his life and labors in the council. It is so with us all. We came into the world with no memory of our previous existence.


The Garden

We then followed Adam and Eve into the garden, where Elohim provided that they might eat freely of all kinds of fruit of the garden, except the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He forbade them to partake of this fruit, saying that in the day they did so, they should surely die.

When Adam and Eve were left alone in the garden, Satan appeared and tempted them. Eve yielded to the temptation, partook of the fruit, and offered it to Adam. Adam had resisted the temptation of Satan, but when Eve offered him the forbidden fruit, he partook of it that they might continue together and perpetuate the human race.

Adam and Eve now understood that it was Lucifer who had tempted them. They became self-conscious. Discovering their nakedness and hearing the voice of the Lord, they made aprons of fig leaves and hid themselves. They had learned that everything has its opposite, such as good and evil, light and darkness, pleasure and pain.

The Lord again entered the garden. Adam and Eve confessed their disobedience. The Lord cursed Satan and cast him out of the garden of Eden, and the Lord commanded: "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."

Before their departure, however, instructions were given them. Addressing Eve, the Lord said: "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 childbearing. Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee in righteousness."

To Adam, the Lord said: "Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife and hast partaken of the forbidden fruit, the earth shall be cursed for thy sake. Instead of producing fruits and flowers spontaneously, it shall bring forth thorns, thistles, briars, and noxious weeds to afflict and torment man; and by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Having been commanded, Jehovah provided Adam and Eve with coats of skins for a covering. The garment which was placed upon you after you had been washed and anointed represents the coat of skins, or covering, of Adam and Eve. They were also promised that further light and knowledge would be given them.


The Law of Obedience and Sacrifice

The law of obedience was then taught Adam and Eve and accepted by them. Eve covenanted with Adam that thenceforth she would obey the law of her husband and abide by his counsel in righteousness; and Adam covenanted with the Lord that he would obey the Lord and keep his commandments. You, likewise, covenanted to comply with the law of obedience.

The law of sacrifice accompanying the law of obedience, as contained in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, was next presented to Adam, and you were all placed under covenant to observe it.

The law of obedience and sacrifice includes the promise of the Savior, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is full of grace and truth and who by his sacrifice has become the Redeemer of mankind. All things should be done in the name of the Son. An angel of the Lord explained this to Adam, who was given the privilege of showing his obedience by offering sacrifices to the Lord in similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Later, the people of Israel lived under this law, which continued in force until the death of Jesus Christ.

The first token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty, was given you; and you were told that the name of this token is your new name, or the new name of the dead, if officiating for the dead. The sacred nature of the tokens of the priesthood was carefully explained at this time. You were placed under solemn covenant never to reveal these tokens, with their accompanying names, signs, and penalties, even at the peril of your life. You were told that the execution of the penalties indicate different ways in which life may be taken.


The Telestial World

Then Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden into the telestial kingdom, or the lone and dreary world, the world in which we are now living. There Adam offered a prayer saying, "Oh God, hear the words of my mouth," repeating it three times.

Satan entered and, claiming to be the god of this world, asked Adam what he desired. Adam replied that he was waiting for messengers from his Father. Satan declared that a preacher would soon arrive. A man representing a sectarian minister entered and preached doctrine, which Adam did not accept.

Peter, James, and John were sent down by the Lord to learn, without disclosing their identity, if the man Adam had been faithful to his covenants. They found that he had been faithful and so reported.

They were sent down again, this time in their true character as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, to visit and to instruct Adam and his posterity in the telestial world. Before so teaching the people, they cast Satan out.


The Law of the Gospel

The law of the gospel, as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible, was then given Adam and his posterity. You were placed under covenant to obey the law of the gospel, and to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, and taking the name of the Lord in vain.

The robe of the holy priesthood was placed upon your left shoulder, according to the order of the Aaronic priesthood.

The second token of the Aaronic priesthood was given you, with its name, sign, and penalty, and you were informed that the name of this token is _________.

The robe of the holy priesthood was then changed to the right shoulder, as was done anciently when officiating in the ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood. With the robe on the right shoulder, you have authority also, if called to the bishopric, to act in the Aaronic priesthood.


The Terrestrial World--
The Law of Chastity

You were then introduced, with the robe of the holy priesthood on the right shoulder, into the terrestrial kingdom. The law of chastity was there explained to you in plainness, and you were placed under covenant to obey this law.

The first token of the Melchizedek priesthood, or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty, was next given you. You were told that the name of the first token of the Melchizedek priesthood is _________.


The Law of Consecration

The book of Doctrine and Covenants, in connection with the Book of Mormon and the Bible, was presented to you; and the law of consecration, as contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, was explained to you; and you received this law by covenant.

The second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the patriarchal grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, or the Nail in the Sure Place, was given you, together with its sign. The name of this token will be given you at the veil.

This token has reference to the crucifixion of the Savior. When he was placed upon the cross, the crucifiers drove nails through the palms of his hands; then, fearing that the weight of his body would cause the nails to tear through the flesh of his hands, they drove nails through his wrists. Hence in the palm is the Sign of the Nail, and in the wrist is the Sure Sign of the Nail, or the Nail in the Sure Place.


The Veil

You have now progressed so far in the endowment that you are ready to receive the name of the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood and to pass through the veil into the celestial kingdom.

The sisters in this company who are to be married and sealed for time and eternity should be taken through the veil by their intended husband. Others will be taken through the veil by the regular temple workers.


Conclusion

Brethren and sisters, you will have received this day the sacred ordinances of the endowment. The eternal plan of salvation for man, as he journeys from his pre-existent state to his future high place in the celestial kingdom, has been presented to you. You have covenanted to obey all the laws of the gospel, including the laws of obedience, sacrifice, chastity, and consecration, which make possible an exaltation with the Gods; and you have received the first and second tokens of the Aaronic priesthood and the first and second tokens of the Melchizedek priesthood, with the names, signs, and penalties of these tokens, except the name of the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, which will be given you at the veil.

All this is done for the glory, honor, and endowment of the children of Zion.

Brethren and sisters, strive to comprehend the glorious things presented to you this day. No other people on earth have ever had this privilege, except as they have received the keys of the priesthood given in the endowment.

These are what are termed the mysteries of godliness--that which will enable you to understand the expression of the Savior, made just prior to his betrayal: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent."

May God bless you all. Amen.


THE INITIATES PASS THROUGH THE VEIL

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, upon the five points of fellowship, through the veil.

[Still holding the patriarchal grip, the initiate and the person representing the Lord embrace upon the five points of fellowship 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, upon the five points of fellowship, 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.]

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NOTES

  1. The following explanation of the symbolism of the marks on the veil (and on the garment) was added to the ceremony during the 1930s. This interpretation of the marks was developed by David O. McKay.

  2. The five points of fellowship were omitted in the 1990 revision. Instead, the initiate and the person representing the Lord place their left hands on each other's right shoulders, through flaps sewn into the marks of the compass and the square.

    The five points of fellowship are one of the most obviously Masonic elements of the endowment. It is significant, though, that where the rites of Freemasonry were traditionally administered only to men, the LDS endowment was administered, almost from its very beginning, to women as well as to men. In the nineteenth century, that must have seemed a boldly egalitarian move.

  3. Before 1990, an effort was made to streamline the ceremony by presenting the lecture at the veil only when first-time temple-goers were in attendance. In the 1990 revision, the lecture was omitted altogether.

    The first codified lecture at the veil was written by Brigham Young in 1877, for use in the St. George Temple. This version of the lecture included an explanation of Young's idiosyncratic Adam-God doctrine, which held that Adam was a mortal incarnation of the same exalted being who had fathered the spirits of mankind in the premortal world.

  4. This statement is no longer included in the endowment. Even before 1990, there was no point in the ceremony at which initiates were placed under such a sweeping obligation of silence as this statement assumes.

  5. The exposé from which this text of the lecture is derived was a tape recording of a filmed endowment. That exposé had the words "this room" and "here," since a filmed endowment occurs in a single room. I have enclosed in brackets the words that presumably would have been spoken during a live endowment, in which initiates moved from room to room.

  6. When the lecture was omitted from the 1990 revision, this paragraph, explaining the symbolism of the Sure Sign of the Nail, was incorporated into Peter's initial presentation of the token.

  7. Before a temple marriage, the groom must take the bride through the veil so that he can learn her new name. The bride, however, does not learn the groom's new name.

  8. The scriptural citation is John 17:3.

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

  10. The "name" of the final token is not what one would normally think of as a name. Rather, it is a blessing that initiates invoke upon themselves and their posterity. It perhaps refers to the blessings of the resurrection and exaltation; but as with much else in the ceremony, initiates are left to draw their own conclusions about the name's meaning.


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