Text of the Mormon Temple Ceremony
The entire temple ceremony lasts about 2 hours, in which the following transcript is spoken together with a video film. From time to time those present are asked to imitate various signs and marks.
transcript
Speaker: Brothers and sisters, we welcome you to the temple and hope that you will find joy in serving in the house of the Lord. Those of you who are receiving your own endowment today shall be washed, anointed, and clothed in the robe of the Holy Priesthood. For those who officiate on behalf of the dead, the washing, anointing, and vesting in the robe of the Holy Priesthood, along with the ordination for the departed brethren, have already been accomplished. Each of you should have received a New Name . If any of you have forgotten the New Name or have not received this ordinance, please stand up. (Break)
Please be awake, alert, and reverent during the presentation of the endowment. If you are asked to curtain, please do so in an orderly manner, row by row, as shown to you. After passing through the veil into the Celestial Room and other parts of the Temple, if you must speak, please whisper, this will help us maintain the quiet devotion that should reign in the house of the Lord. We now proceed with the presentation of the endowment.
(The light is dimmed.)
Narrator: Brethren, you have been washed and declared clean, or that by your faithfulness you may be cleansed from the blood and sins of this generation. They were anointed hereafter to become kings and priests of the Most High of God, and to reign and rule in the house of Israel forever.
Sisters, you were washed and anointed to become queens and priestesses to your husband hereafter.
Brothers and sisters, if you are faithful and steadfast, the day will come when you will be chosen, called and anointed to be kings and queens, priests and priestesses, whereas now you are only anointed to become such. The fulfillment of these blessings depends on your faithfulness.
They were clothed in a garment and were told that it represents the garment given to Adam and Eve when they were found naked in the Garden of Eden, and which is called the 'Clothing of the Holy Priesthood.' You were instructed to wear it your whole life. You have been told that if you do not defile it, and if you are faithful and steadfast in your covenants, it will be your shield and protection.
You have been given a New Name and told never to reveal or forget it. This New Name is a keyword that you must enter at a specific location in the Temple today.
Your endowment is to receive all the ordinances in the house of the Lord necessary for you to come back into the presence of the Father, past the angels standing guard to give you the key words, signs and marks of the Holy Priesthood, and gain eternal exaltation.
If you proceed and receive your full endowment, you will be required to undertake these sacred obligations, violation of which will bring upon you the judgment of God; for God is not mocked. If any of you wish to retire rather than make these commitments of your own free will, you may do so by raising your hand. (Break)
Brothers and sisters, you will now hear the voices of three persons representing Elohim, Jehovah and Michael. Elohim will command Jehovah and Michael to go down and form a world. The work of the six periods of creation is presented. They will also create man in their own image, male and female.
(The lights are now turned off completely and the screen is lowered or another projection screen is exposed or used. Various asteroids are shown in the dark space surrounded by stars in the film. Female and then male voices sing like in a choir of angels. When the gods speak their voices are piercing and resonant.)
The Creation - First Day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, behold: there is unformed matter below, going down and forming a world like the other worlds we have formed before. Call your work the first day and bring me report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Come on, Michael, let's go down.
Michael: We will go down, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Michael, behold: here is unformed matter. We will mold them into a world like the other worlds we have already molded. We will call our work the First Day and return and report.
Michael: We will return and report on the work of the First Day, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Elohim, we have done as you commanded us, calling our work the First Day.
Elohim: Good.
Second day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, go down again. Gather the waters and make the dry land appear. Call the great waters seas and the dry land earth. Shape the mountains and hills, the great rivers and small streams, to beautify and diversify the face of the earth. Call your work the second day and bring me report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Come on, Michael, let's go down.
Michael: We will go down, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Michael, we will gather the waters and make the dry land appear. We will call the great waters seas and the dry land earth. We shall form the mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams, to beautify and diversify the face of the earth. We will call our work Day Two and return and report.
Michael: We will return and report on the work of the Second Day, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Elohim, we have done as you commanded us, calling our work the Second Day.
Elohim: Good.
third day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth that you formed. Separates the light from the darkness. Call the light day and the darkness night. Let the lights appear in the firmament; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Let the stars also appear and give their light to the earth, as happened before in other worlds. Call your work the third day and bring me report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Come Michael, let's return once more to the earth we formed.
Michael: We will return, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Michael, we will separate the light from the darkness, and we call the light day and the darkness night. We will cause the lights to appear in the firmament; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. We will also make the stars appear and give their light to the earth, as has happened in other worlds before. We shall call our work the Third Day and return and report.
Michael: We will return and report on the work of the Third Day, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Elohim, we have done as you commanded us, calling our work the Third Day.
Elohim: Good.
fourth day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, return and plant seeds of every kind in the earth, that they may come forth as grasses, flowers, bushes, trees and all kinds of vegetation; each bear seed after its own kind. Call your work the Fourth Day and bring me a report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim. Come on, Michael, let's go down.
Michael: We will go down, Jehovah.
Jehovah: We will plant seeds of every kind in the earth, that they may come forth as grasses, flowers, bushes, trees and all kinds of vegetation; each bear seed after its own kind. We shall call our work the Fourth Day and return and report.
Michael: We will return and report on the work of the Fourth Day, Jehovah.
fifth day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided and beautified and vegetation is growing upon it, return and plant all kinds of life upon the earth. Commands the beasts, the birds, the fishes, the insects, all crawling creatures, and all other species of life, to multiply in their own element, each after its kind, and commands every kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every form of life can fulfill the measure of its creation, and delight in it. Call your work the Fifth Day and bring me report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Come on, Michael, let's go down.
Michael: We will go down, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided, beautified, and vegetation is growing upon it, we will put all kinds of life on the earth: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of animals; Birds in the air in all their varieties, fish of all kinds in the water, and insects and all kinds of animal life on the earth. We shall bid animals, birds, fishes, insects, every creeping creature, and every other species of life, to multiply in their own element, each after its kind, and bid every kind of vegetation in its sphere to increase that every form of life may fulfill the measure of its creation, and delight in it. We shall call our work the Fifth Day and return and report.
Michael: Good, Jehovah. Now that the earth is formed and vegetation grows on it and contains all kinds of life, it is glorious and beautiful.
Jehovah: That's her, Michael.
Michael: Let's go back and report on the work of the Fifth Day, Jehovah.
Jehovah: Elohim, we have done as you commanded us, calling our work the Fifth Day.
Elohim: Good.
sixth day
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, is man to be found on earth?
Jehovah: Man is not found on earth, Elohim.
Elohim: Jehovah, Michael, let us go down and form man in our own image, male and female, and put their spirit into them, and let us give him dominion over all things on earth. We will plant a garden for them, east of Eden, and put them there to tend and cultivate, to be happy and joyful in it. We shall bid them multiply and fill the earth, that they may delight in their offspring. We will place before them the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we will allow Lucifer, our common enemy, whom we cast out, to tempt them, that they may know good and evil from their own experience. If they give in to temptation, we will give them the law of sacrifice, and we will prepare a Savior for them as we counseled at the beginning, that they may be brought forth by the power of redemption and resurrection and come again into our presence and participate with us in eternal life and exaltation. We will call this the Sixth Day and we will rest from our work for a time. Come, let's go down.
Jehovah: We will go down, Jehovah.
(A lush, tropical area is now shown in the film.)
Elohim: Jehovah, see the earth we have formed. Man is not here to till them and take care of them. We are here to form the human being in our image.
Jehovah: We will do it, Elohim.
(The young body of Adam, which appears to be asleep, is seen from the shoulders up.)
Elohim: Jehovah, man is now formed and we will give him his spirit, the breath of life, that he may become a living soul.
(Adam opens his eyes and begins to sit up.)
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 fashioned, and we will take from his side a rib from which we will fashion a woman to be his companion and comrade-in-arms.
(Adam lays his head down and loses consciousness.)
Narrator: Brothers and sisters, this is Michael who helped form the earth. When he wakes up from the sleep that Elohim and Jehovah let fall on him, he will be known as Adam and he will have forgotten everything and be like a little child. Brethren, close your eyes as if you were sleeping.
(All the brothers in the room close their eyes.)
Elohim: Adam, awaken and arise.
(Adam obeys the command and is shown with foliage in front of his body that shields his body from view. Young Adam appears to be in good physical condition and is clean-shaven.)
Narrator: All brothers please rise.
(The brothers open their eyes and rise from their seats. An attractive young Eve comes and stands next to Adam. Both are shown from the shoulders up.)
Elohim: Adam, here is the woman we have formed for you and give you as companion and comrade-in-arms. what will you name her
Adam: Eve.
(For the first time the gods Elohim and Jehovah are shown. They are two bearded, luminous and glorious persons, clothed in loose white robes. They seem to stand in the air before 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 life.
Elohim: That is correct, Adam; because she is the mother of all life. We formed this earth for you and planted a garden east of Eden. We will put you in the garden, and we will command you there to multiply and to fill the earth, that you may have joy and enjoy your offspring.
Jehovah, show Adam and Eve the garden we have prepared for them.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Narrator: We are now going into the garden with Adam and Eve. The brothers can now sit down.
(Adam and Eve hold hands and are led into the garden while the brothers sit down. The scene changes to the garden.)
Elohim: Adam, Eve, we created this earth and put all kinds of vegetation and animal life on it. We have commanded these all to multiply in their own sphere and in their own element. We give you dominion over all these things and make you, Adam, lord over the whole earth and all things on it. We command you now to multiply and to fill the earth, that you may have joy and rejoice in your offspring. We have also planted this garden for you in which you have all kinds of fruits, flowers and plants. You may eat freely from any tree in the garden, but you shall not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; yet you can choose for yourselves, for that is given to you. But remember I forbade it, for the day you eat of it you shall surely die.
Remember the commandments we gave you. Now go and tend the garden, take good care of it, be happy and have joy in it. We're leaving, but we'll visit you again and give you more teachings.
(Adam and Eve survey the garden, examining the flora and fauna. Adam looks over a hedge and smiles when he sees a lioness stretching lazily on the ground. In the following scene, when Lucifer introduces himself, he is standing in the shadows , as he begins to speak, and then steps forward into the light. Lucifer wears black and gray clothing with a cloak. He is also clean-shaven.)
Lucifer: Well, Adam, you have a new world here.
Adam: A new world?
Lucifer: Yes, a new world, like the old one where you lived before.
Adam: I don't know anything about another world.
Lucifer: Oh, I see your eyes are not open yet. you forgot everything You must eat of the fruit of this tree.
(Lucifer plucks fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and offers it to Adam.)
Lucifer: Adam, here is fruit from this tree. She will make you wise.
Adam: I will not eat of this fruit. Father said that the day I eat from it I shall surely die.
Lucifer: You shall not surely die, but be like the gods, knowing good and evil.
Adam: I won't eat from it.
Lucifer: Oh you won't? Well, we'll see.
(Lucifer goes in search of Eve with another fruit and hears a lamb bleating. He turns his head and sees Eve carrying a little lamb.)
Lucifer: Eve, here is fruit from this tree. She will make you wise. It tastes delicious and is very desirable.
Eva: Who are you?
Lucifer: I am your brother.
Eva: You, my brother, and you want me to break father's commandments?
Lucifer: I didn't say anything about father. I want you to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil so that your eyes will be opened, for that is how father got his knowledge. You must eat of the fruit in order to realize that everything has its opposite: good and evil, virtue and vice, light and darkness, health and sickness, joy and sorrow - in this way your eyes will be opened and you will recognize.
Eva: Is there no other way?
Lucifer: No, none.
Eva: Then I will eat.
(Eve takes the fruit from Lucifer and bites into it. Lucifer approves and puts the other fruit in her hand.)
Lucifer: Here, now go, give Adam to eat.
(Eve turns and looks for Adam, the fruit in her hand. She finds him kneeling by a stream, dipping his hand in the water. Fish are swimming in the water and white doves are flying about. When Eve speaks to him, he gets up and smiles at her.)
Eve: Adam, here is fruit from this tree. It tastes delicious and is very desirable.
Adam: Eve, do you know what kind of fruit this is?
Eve: Yes, it is the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Adam: I can't eat it. Don't you know that Father commanded us not to eat of the fruit of this tree?
Eva: Do you want to obey all of the Father's commandments?
Adam: Yes, everyone.
Eva: Don't you remember that Father commanded us to multiply and to populate the earth? I have eaten of this fruit and am therefore cast out, and you will remain a lonely man in the Garden of Eden.
Adam: Eve, I see it has to be. I eat so people can be.
(Adam takes a bite and Lucifer comes to her side with an approving look.)
Lucifer: That's right.
Eve: It is better for us to go through sorrows so that we can discern good from evil.
i know you now You are Lucifer cast out of Father's presence for his rebellion.
Lucifer: Yes, you are already beginning to see.
Adam: What does the apron you're wearing mean?
(Lucifer opens his cloak to reveal a black apron.)
Lucifer: It is a sign of my powers and priesthoods.
Adam: I'll wait for father to come and give us more teachings.
Lucifer: Oh, you expect father to come to you?
(The voices of the gods are suddenly heard in the garden.)
Elohim: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that we would visit them and give them further teachings. Come, let's go down.
Jehovah: We will go down, Elohim.
Adam: I hear their voices, they're coming.
Lucifer: Look, you are naked. Take fig leaves and make yourselves aprons. Father will see you naked. Fast. Hide.
Adam: Come on, let's hide.
Narrator: Brothers and sisters, put on your aprons.
(The film stops and the room lights up as those present remove the fig leaf aprons from their ceremonial bundle. They tie the aprons around their waists. The room darkens again and the film continues. The camera flashes the gods' point of view when come down. Adam hides behind foliage.)
Elohim: Adam... Adam! ...Adam!! Where are you?
Adam: I heard your voice and I hid because I was naked.
Elohim: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which I commanded you not to eat?
Adam: The woman you gave me to stay with gave me of the fruit of the tree and I ate.
Elohim: Eve, what were you doing?
Eve: The snake seduced me and I ate.
Elohim: Lucifer, what have you been doing here?
Lucifer: I did what happened in other worlds.
Elohim: What is this?
Lucifer: I have given these fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Elohim: Lucifer, because you have done this, I curse you more than any beast of the field. You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.
(As Lucifer speaks, he becomes angry, and a storm comes up and the wind blows.)
Lucifer: If you curse me for the same thing that happened on other worlds, I will take the spirits that follow me and let them possess the bodies you create for Adam and Eve.
Elohim: I put enmity between you and the woman's offspring. You may have power to crush their verses, but they shall have power to crush your head.
Lucifer: Because of this enmity I will take the treasures of the earth, and with gold and silver I will buy armies and navies, false priests who oppress and tyrants who destroy, and rule the earth with blood and terror.
Elohim: Away!
(Lightning flashes as Lucifer looks defiantly at Elohim; as he turns and walks away, the storm eases.)
Elohim: Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword guard the way to the tree of life, lest Adam and Eve stretch out their hands and eat of the fruit thereof and live in their sins forever.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Let cherubim and a flaming sword guard the way to the tree of life, lest Adam and Eve stretch out their hands and eat of the fruit thereof and live in their sins forever.
(Jehovah gestures and lights appear from behind the trees.)
Jehovah: It is done, Elohim.
Elohim: Because you ate the forbidden fruit, the earth shall be cursed because of you. Instead of bearing fruit and flowers in abundance, she shall bring forth thorns, thistles, wild shrubs, and weeds to plague people. And by the sweat of your brow you shall eat your bread all the days of your life, for you are dust and to dust you shall return.
The Law of Obedience
Elohim: Because Eve was the first to eat of the forbidden fruit, if she makes a covenant henceforth that she will obey the law of the Lord, and if you make a covenant henceforth that you will obey the law of Elohim , we will give you the law of obedience and sacrifice, and we will prepare a Savior for you whereby you may come back into our presence and partake with us in eternal life and exaltation.
Eve: Adam, I promise to obey the laws of the Lord and to listen to your counsel as you listen to the Father.
Adam: Elohim, I promise you that from now on I will obey your laws and keep your commandments.
Elohim: Good.
Jehovah, since Adam and Eve have recognized their nakedness, make them garments of animal skins.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
(The film will pause and the lights will turn on.)
Narrator: Brothers and sisters, the garments they received in the washing room are to cover their nakedness and represent the garments made of animal skins. The Officiator represents Elohim at the altar. A couple now comes to the altar.
(A designated couple now come forward and kneel at the altar, their hands are on the altar and they face the officiator. The officiator at the altar makes all movements and gestures as a model for those present to follow when prompted.)
Narrator: Brothers and sisters, this couple represents you all as if you were at the altar yourself. Imagine you are Adam or Eve respectively.
Elohim: We will take a vow from each sister to obey the law of the Lord and to listen to her husband's counsel as her husband listens to the father's counsel. Sisters, stand up.
(The sisters stand as instructed.)
Elohim: Each of you raise your right arm square. Each of you solemnly swear and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will keep and obey the law of the Lord, and listen to your husband's counsel as he listens to the father's counsel. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Sisters: Yes.
Elohim: That's right.
(The sisters sit down again.)
Elohim: Brethren, stand up.
(The brothers stand as instructed.)
Elohim: Each of you raise your right arm at right angles. Each of you solemnly vow and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will obey the law of the Lord and keep His commandments. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Brothers: Yes.
Elohim: That's right.
(The brothers take their seats again.)
The Law of Sacrifice
Elohim: Brothers and sisters, we will now take your vow to obey and keep the law of sacrifice as contained in the Scriptures. The law of sacrifice was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden, who, being cast out of the Garden, built an altar on which he offered sacrifices; and after many days an angel of the Lord appeared to Adam and asked: 'Why do you offer sacrifices to the Lord?' Adam said, 'I don't know, I only know that the Lord commanded me.' And the angel said: 'It is a parable for the sacrifice of the only begotten of the Father, who is full of grace and truth. Therefore you shall do everything in the name of the Son, and you shall repent and call on God in the name of the Son forever.'
The seed of Adam to Moses, and from Moses to Jesus Christ, sacrificed the first fruits of the field and the firstfruits of the flock, and it continued so until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended the sacrifice by shedding blood. And as Jesus Christ laid down His life for the redemption of mankind, so we are to pledge to sacrifice all we possess, even our own life if necessary, for the building up and protection of the kingdom of God.
Stand up everyone. Each of you raise your right arm perpendicularly. Each of you solemnly vow and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will live and keep the law of sacrifice as contained in the Scriptures and as explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Present: Yes.
Elohim: That's right.
(Those present take their seats again.)
The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood
Elohim: We now give you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, its name and mark. Before we do so, we urge you to understand the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, its name and mark, as well as all the other tokens of the Holy Priesthood, their names and marks, which you will receive in the temple today . They are most sacred and protected by the solemn covenant and commitment made in the presence of God, the angels, and these witnesses to keep them sacred and never to reveal them except at a specific place in the temple that will be shown to you.
The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by giving the right hand and placing the knuckle of the thumb on the first knuckle of the hand in this manner.
(The officiator, representing Elohim, takes the right hand of the witness representing Adam at the altar and demonstrates the mark. The male witness, still kneeling, must raise his hand above his head while receiving the grip; so may those present see the manner in which the mark is given.)
Elohim: Adam, we give you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We want all to receive it. Stand up everyone.
(As those present rise, the couple return to their places at the altar. The officiator and some other temple workers walk around the room and give the mark to all present as they stand in their places. Male workers tend to the brothers, female workers to the Sisters. The witness couple now also receive the mark. Those present, having received the mark, sit down.)
Elohim: Those who have not received the mark, please raise your hand. (Break)
The name of the tag is the New Name you received in the temple today. Anyone who has forgotten the new name, please stand up.
The sign is made by raising the right arm to a right angle, palm forward, fingers tightly closed and thumb extended. This is the sign.
(The Officiator, back at the altar, demonstrates the sign as described.)
Elohim: I will now explain the covenant and obligation associated with this mark, its name and mark, that you must take upon yourself. If I were to receive my own endowment today and be given the name 'John' as my New Name, I would think of these words after making the mark:
I, John, swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never forsake the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood, its name and mark.
(The officiator demonstrates the sign and lowers his hand after the words of covenant are finished.)
Elohim: Everyone stand up.
(All present stand up.)
Elohim: Each of you makes the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood by raising your right arm at a right angle, palm forward, fingers tightly closed, and thumb extended. This is the sign. Now repeat the words of the covenant in your mind:
I, ________, remember the New Name, swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never forsake the first mark of the Aaronic Priesthood, its name and mark.
That's the spirit.
(Those present sit down. The lights are switched off again and the film continues.)
Elohim: Jehovah, see that Adam and Eve are driven out of this beautiful garden into the desolate and lonely world where they can learn from their own experience to know good from evil.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Adam and Eve, both dressed in animal skins, are shown hurrying out of the garden in the midst of a storm. Various animals cross their path. The desolate and lonely world is represented by animals in their natural habitat, including the carnivorous species.)
The Barren and Lonely World: The Telestial Empire
Narrator: We now go with Adam and Eve into the desolate and lonely world. Brothers and sisters, this represents the Telestial Realm, or the world we live in now. Adam, when he found himself in the desolate and lonely world, built an altar and prayed, and these are his words:
(The scene changes to Adam and Eve kneeling facing each other at an altar. The altar is made of piled stones with two large flat stones for the top. Adam raises his hands above his head and prays.)
Adam: O God, hear the words of my mouth.
O God, hear the words of my mouth.
O God, hear the words of my mouth.
(As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind, out of the shadows.)
Lucifer: I hear you, what do you want?
(Although Adam met Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, he does not recognize him.)
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'm waiting for messengers.
Lucifer: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion. Many will be willing to preach to you men's philosophies interspersed with scriptures.
Adam: But I'm waiting for messengers from my father.
(Adam and Eve turn and walk past Lucifer following them. The scene switches to the Celestial Kingdom, where Elohim and Jehovah stand and converse surrounded by large pillars. They shine as before, and their voices reverberate as they speak. )
Elohim: Jehovah, send Peter, James and John to man Adam in the Telestial World without revealing their identities. They are to survey and see if Satan is with them and find out if Adam is faithful to the mark and mark given to him in the Garden of Eden. They shall return and report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah turns from Elohim and walks to the end of the platform where he meets Peter, James, and John awaiting his command. They are dressed like the Jews of Christ's day.)
Jehovah: Peter, James and John go to the man Adam in the Telestial World without revealing your identity. Get an overview and see if Satan is with them and find out if Adam is faithful to the mark and mark given to him in the Garden of Eden. Then come back and bring us a report.
Peter: It shall be done, Jehovah.
Come, James and John, let us go down.
(The three turn and leave. The scene changes to the desolate and lonely world. Adam and Eve walk through a wooded area, followed by Lucifer. Peter, followed by James and John walk towards Adam, Eve and Lucifer.)
Peter: Good morning.
Lucifer: Good morning, gentlemen.
Peter: What are you doing here?
Lucifer: I am watching the teaching of these people.
Peter: What is taught?
Lucifer: Human philosophies interspersed with scriptures.
Peter: How is that received?
Lucifer: Very good! Only this man does not seem to believe what is being taught.
(Peter turns to Adam and shakes his hand.)
Peter: Good morning. What do you think of these teachings?
Adam: I am waiting for messengers from my father for instruction.
Peter: That's good. Do they have license plates or signs?
(Lucifer steps in and interrupts the conversation.)
Lucifer: Do you have money?
Peter: We have enough for our need.
Lucifer: Money can buy anything in this world.
Peter: Do they sell their marks or signs for money? I assume they have.
Adam: I have them, but I'm not selling them for money. I hold them sacred. I await more light and knowledge that the Father has promised to send.
Peter: That's good. Your steadfastness is commendable. Good day. We will probably visit them again.
(Peter, James, and John leave. Lucifer steps aside and boasts loudly.)
Lucifer: Now the great day of my power has come. I rule from the rivers to the ends of the earth. Nobody dares bother me.
(The scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter, James, and John go to Jehovah with their account.)
Peter: Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the Telestial World as you commanded us. We found Satan there trying to deceive the seed of Adam. But Adam was faithful and steadfast to the mark and sign given him in the Garden of Eden, and awaits more light and knowledge that you promised to send him. This is our report.
Jehovah: Good, Peter, James and John.
(Jehovah turns and approaches Elohim.)
Jehovah: Elohim—Peter, James, and John were below with man Adam in the Telestial World. They found Satan there trying to mislead the descendants of Adam with all sorts of false teachings. But Adam was faithful and steadfast to the mark and sign given to him in the Garden of Eden, and he awaits more light and knowledge that you promised to send him. This is her report.
Elohim: Good. Jehovah, command Peter, James, and John, in their true capacity as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, to go down into the telestial world to Adam and Eve and their posterity to cast Satan out of their midst. Commission them to give Adam and Eve and their posterity the law of the gospel as contained in the Scriptures, and instruct them to avoid all frivolity, loud laughter, bad speech about the Lord's anointed, abuse of the name of God, and every other unholy and impure practice; and let them receive this by covenant. Commission Peter, James, and John to clothe Adam and Eve and their posterity in the robe of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and to give them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its name and mark. They shall return and report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah turns and goes to Peter, James, and John.)
Jehovah: Peter, James and John, in your true capacity as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, go down into the Telestial World to Adam and Eve and their posterity. Drive Satan out of their midst. Give them the law of the gospel as contained in the Scriptures, and instruct them to avoid all frivolity, loud laughter, bad speech about the Lord's anointed, abuse of the name of God, and every other unholy and unclean practice. Let them receive this by covenant. Put on them the garment of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and give them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its name and mark. Then come back and bring us a report.
Peter: It shall be done, Jehovah.
Come, James and John, let us go down.
(The scene changes again to the desolate and lonely world. The three apostles go straight to Lucifer.)
Peter: I am Peter.
James: I am James.
John: I'm John.
Lucifer: I thought I knew you guys. What are you going to do now?
Peter: We will send you away without much talking.
Lucifer: Aah! You have beheld my kingdom, and my greatness and glory. Now you want to own everything.
(Lucifer turns away and faces the camera.)
Lucifer: I have one more word to say about these people. If you don't keep every covenant you make today at these altars in this temple, you are in my power!
Peter: Satan, we command you: Away!
Lucifer: With what authority?
(Peter raises his arm to the right angle.)
Peter: In the name of Jesus Christ our Master.
(Lucifer is visibly shaken as he turns and descends into a dark cave. In a more recent film, he breaks off a branch and walks away with it. Peter waits until he is gone, then turns to Adam.)
Peter: Adam, we are true messengers from the Father and have come to give you more of the light and knowledge that he has promised to send.
Adam: How can I know that you are true messengers?
Peter: By giving you the mark and sign that you received in the Garden of Eden.
(Peter takes Adam's right hand.)
Adam: What is that?
Peter: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Adam: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Adam: Will you name it to me?
Peter: I can't, because it's the New Name and I've vowed not to reveal it, but that's the sign.
(Peter raises his right arm at a right angle.)
Adam: Now I know that you are true messengers from the Father.
(Adam turns and faces the camera while Eve stands by his side, smiling.)
Adam: These are true messengers, I urge you to heed their counsel and teachings, they will lead you on the path to life and salvation.
(The film ends here. The rest of the endowment follows as an audio recording.)
Speaker: The officiator will represent Peter at the altar.
The Law of the Gospel
Peter: A couple is now coming to the altar.
(The Witness couple again kneel at the altar.)
Peter: Brothers and sisters, this couple at the altar represents you as if you were at the altar yourself, and you have the same obligations as these. We have been commissioned to give you the law of the gospel as contained in the Scriptures; and directing you to avoid all frivolity, loud laughter, bad speech about the Lord's anointed, abuse of the name of God, and every other unholy and unclean practice, and to have you receive this by covenant.
(Those present follow the appropriate instructions.)
Peter: Everyone stand up. Each of you raise your right arm perpendicularly. Each of you solemnly vow and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses that you will live and keep the law of the gospel and this instruction as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Present: Yes.
Peter: That's right.
(Those present sit down.)
The Robe of the Holy Priesthood
Peter: We have been commissioned to clothe you with the robe of the Holy Priesthood. Put the robe on your left shoulder and the cap on your head with the bow over the right ear, put the apron back on, tie the sash around with the bow on the right side, remove your shoes from your feet and put them back on as part of the temple attire. You can now start dressing.
(Those present take out their ceremonial bundles and dress as described. The sisters don a very simple veil without covering their faces.)
The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood
Peter: A couple is now coming to the altar.
(The witness couple kneel at the altar as before.)
Peter: With the robe on your left shoulder, you are prepared to officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood. We now give you the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its name and mark. The mark is given by giving the right hand, with the joint of the thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand, in this way.
(The officiator shakes hands with the brother at the altar for demonstration to those present.)
Peter: We want all to receive it. Stand up everyone.
(As those present rise, the couple return to their places at the altar. The officiator and some other temple workers proceed through the room as before, giving the mark to all present.)
Peter: Whoever has not received the mark, please raise your hand. (Pause) The name of the mark is your own first name, if you are receiving your own endowment, or, if you are going through the temple on behalf of a deceased, it is the first name of the person you are officiating for.
The sign is made by bringing the right hand forward, making the hand scoop, bending the right arm to a right angle, and raising the left arm to a right angle. This is the sign.
(The officiator performs the sign.)
Peter: I am now going to explain the covenant and obligation that is attached to this mark, along with its name and mark, that you must take upon yourself.
If I were to receive my own endowment today and my first name was 'David', after making the sign I would repeat these words in my mind:
I, David, swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never forsake the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its name and mark.
Stand up everyone.
(All present stand up.)
Peter: Each of you makes the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood by bringing your right hand forward, making your hand scoop, bending your right arm to a right angle, and raising your left arm to a right angle. This is the sign. Now repeat the words of the covenant in your mind:
I, ________, remember the first name, swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never reveal the second mark of the Aaronic Priesthood, its name and mark.
That's the spirit.
(Those present lower their arms and sit down. The officiator remains at the altar.)
Peter: Jehovah, we have been down with Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Telestial World and have cast Satan out of their midst. We have given them the law of the gospel as contained in the Scriptures; we have also instructed them to avoid all frivolity, loud laughter, bad speech about the Lord's anointed, abuse of God's name, and every other unholy and unclean practice, and let them receive this by covenant. We have also clothed them in the robe of the Holy Priesthood and given them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its name and mark. This is our report.
Jehovah: Good, Peter, James and John.
Elohim — Peter, James and John were down with Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Telestial World and drove Satan from their midst and did all that We commanded them.
Elohim: Good. Jehovah, send Peter, James and John down again to the Telestial World. Let Adam and Eve and their posterity change robes to the right shoulder in preparation to officiate in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce them to the terrestrial world. Commission Peter, James, and John to give you the law of purity, and to put you under the covenant to obey that law, that is, the daughters of Eve and the sons of Adam shall have no sexual relations except with their lawful and lawfully wedded spouse. Give them the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, with its name and mark. Let them come back and report.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Peter, James and John descend again into the Telestial World. Let Adam and Eve and their posterity change robes to the right shoulder in preparation to officiate in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce them to the terrestrial world. Give them the law of purity, and put them under the covenant to obey that law, that is, the daughters of Eve and the sons of Adam shall have no sexual relations except with their lawful and lawful wedded spouse. Give them the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, with its name and mark. Return and bring us a report.
Peter: It shall be done, Jehovah.
Come, James and John, let us go down.
We are commissioned to have you removed your robe and placed on the right shoulder in preparation to officiate in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce you to the Terrestrial World. You can now remove your robe.
(Those present stand and change their robes from the left shoulder to the right. The brothers also turn their caps so that the bow is now over the left ear. The sash is tied over the apron with the knot on the left. Then those present sit down again.)
The Terrestrial World
Narrator: We are now entering the Terrestrial World.
(Additional lamps are switched on, mostly fluorescent tubes, so that the room is bathed in white light.)
The Law of Purity
Peter: A couple is now coming to the altar.
(The witness couple enter as before.)
Peter: We are commissioned to give you the law of purity, and to put you under the covenant to obey that law, which is that the daughters of Eve and the sons of Adam shall have no sexual relations except with theirs lawfully and lawfully wedded spouse. Stand up everyone.
(Those present rise.)
Peter: Each of you raise your right arm square. Each of you solemnly vow and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses that you will live and keep the law of purity as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Present: Yes.
Peter: That's right.
(Those present sit down.)
The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or the Mark of the Nail
Peter: We now give you the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, along with its name and mark. The mark is received by placing the right hand in this position: hand vertical, fingers tightly closed and thumb extended; the person giving the mark places the tip of the index finger of the right hand in the middle of the palm and the thumb on the back of the hand of the one receiving the mark in this way.
(The officiator shakes hands with the brother at the altar for demonstration to those present.)
Peter: We want all to receive it. Stand up everyone.
(As those present rise, the couple return to their places at the altar. The officiator and some other temple workers proceed through the room as before, giving the mark to all present.)
Peter: Whoever has not received the mark, please raise your hand. (Pause) The name of the tag is 'The Son', meaning the Son of God.
The sign is made by bringing the left hand forward, cupping the hand, bending the left arm at a right angle; bringing the right hand forward as well, palm down, fingers tightly closed and thumb spread. This is the sign.
(The officiator performs the sign.)
Peter: I am now going to explain the covenant and obligation that is attached to this mark, along with its name and mark, that you must take upon yourself. If I were to receive the endowment today, either for myself or for those who have died, I would repeat these words in my mind after making the sign:
I swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never forsake the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, with its name and mark.
Stand up everyone.
(All present stand up.)
Peter: Each of you makes the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the sign of the nail, bringing left hand forward, hand cupped, left arm bent at right angles; bringing the right hand forward as well, palm down, fingers tightly closed and thumb spread. This is the sign. Now repeat the words of the covenant in your mind:
I swear before God, the angels, and these witnesses that I will never forsake the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, with its name and mark.
That's the spirit.
(Those present lower their arms and sit down.)
Peter: Jehovah, we've been down with Adam and Eve and their posterity, we've had them change their robes to the right shoulder, and introduced them to the Terrestrial World. We have placed them under the covenant to live and keep the law of purity. We gave them the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail, along with its name and mark. This is our report.
Jehovah: Good, Peter, James and John.
Elohim—Peter, James, and John were below with Adam and Eve and their posterity, doing all that we commanded them.
Elohim: Good. Jehovah, send Peter, James and John and charge them to give the law of consecration in conjunction with the law of the gospel and the law of sacrifice to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial world; and let them receive this by covenant. Let them give them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail, with its name and mark, and teach the True Order of Prayer and prepare in all things to receive further teachings at the veil. Then let them report at the curtain.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Peter, James and John go down to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial world and give them the law of consecration in conjunction with the law of the gospel and the law of sacrifice; and let them receive this by covenant. Give them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail, with its name and mark. Teach them the True Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to receive further teachings at the veil. Then reported at the curtain.
Peter: It shall be done, Jehovah.
Come, James and John, let us go down.
The Law of Consecration
Peter: A couple is now coming to the altar.
(The couple enter as before. At the words that follow, the officiant takes the Doctrine and Covenants from the altar and holds it aloft in front of those present.)
Peter: We are commissioned to give you the law of consecration as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants in conjunction with the law of the gospel and the law of sacrifice that you have already received. It means that you dedicate yourself, your time, talents, and all that the Lord has blessed you with or will bless you with, to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the building up of the kingdom of God on earth and for the establishment of Zion. Stand up everyone.
(Those present rise.)
Peter: Each of you raise your right arm square. Each of you solemnly vow and promise before God, the angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will accept the law of consecration as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, by giving yourself, your time, talents, and all with which the Lord has blessed you has or will bless you with, to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for building up the kingdom of God on earth and for establishing Zion. Each of you bow your head and say 'yes'.
Present: Yes.
Peter: That's right.
(Those present sit down.)
The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail
Peter: We now give you the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Token of the Nail, along with its name and mark.
This mark refers to the Crucifixion of the Redeemer. Nails were driven into his palms when he was crucified, but fearing that the nails would tear the flesh of his hands with the weight of his body, they drove nails into his wrists. Therefore, in the palm is the Mark of the Nail, and in the wrist is the Sure Mark of the Nail, or the Nail in the Safe Place.
The mark is received by giving the right hand, crossing the little fingers and the tip of the index finger in the middle of the wrist, in this way.
(The officiator shakes hands with the brother at the altar for demonstration to those present.)
Peter: We want all to receive it. Stand up everyone.
(As those present rise, the couple at the altar return to their seats. The officiator and some other temple workers pass through the room as before and give the mark to all present. Then those present sit down.)
Peter: Whoever has not received the mark, please raise your hand. (Break.)
This license plate has a name and a sign. You are under the same sacred obligation regarding this mark and mark as you have for the other marks and marks of the Holy Priesthood you received in the temple today. The name of this license plate will not be given to you now, but will be given to you later.
The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands one says aloud the words: 'O God, hear the words of my mouth!' and repeats this three times.
(With these words, the officiant performs the sign once.)
Peter: When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, he built an altar and prayed, and these are his words: 'O God, hear the words of my mouth!' and repeated it three times.
Stand up everyone.
(All present stand up.)
Peter: Each of you make the sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, by raising both hands high above your head and while lowering your hands repeating the words three times aloud:
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
(Those present make the sign by repeating the words in time with the recording.)
Peter: That's right.
(Those present sit down.)
Peter: With the robe on your right shoulder, you are prepared to be taught the True Order of Prayer and to be presented at the curtain.
The Prayer Circle and the True Order of Prayer
Peter: Some of you, including married couples, please come forward and form a circle around the altar.
(The audio recording is paused and the officiator, in his own words, reproduces the meaning of the following statement.)
Officiator: We wish to invite the witness couple to the altar and an equal number of brothers and sisters to stand in the circle with us. We would like to extend a special invitation to our prayer circle for those who are receiving their own endowments and who are getting married here today.
(A number of those present move forward, taking turns in a circle of sexes around the altar. The tape recording continues.)
Narrator: Only the best feelings should reign in the circle. If anyone has uneasy feelings about anyone in the circle, they are allowed to withdraw so that the Spirit of the Lord can work unhindered.
In the circle we make the signs of all the marks of the Holy Priesthood.
(The members in the circle all make signs when mentioned.)
Narrator: We begin with the mark of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. To do this, we raise our right arm at a right angle, palm forward, fingers tightly closed and thumb spread. This is the sign. The name of this mark is the New Name received in the temple today.
We now make the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. This sign is made by bringing the right hand forward, making the hand scoop, bending the right arm to a right angle and raising the left arm to a right angle. This is the sign. The name of this mark is your own first name if you are receiving your own endowment, or if you are going through the temple on behalf of a departed, it is the first name of the person you are officiating on behalf of.
We are now making the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the sign of the nail. This is done by bringing the left hand forward, cupping the hand, bending the left arm at a right angle; bringing the right hand forward as well, palm down, fingers tightly closed and thumb spread. This is the sign. The name of the license plate is 'The Son', meaning the Son of God.
We are now making the sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Mark of the Nail. This is done by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands, repeating the words aloud three times:
O God, hear the words of my mouth
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
(The officiator now holds up a small white cloth bag and then places it on the altar.)
Narrator: We have here a list of names of people who are ill or otherwise distressed for us to include in our prayers. We place this list on the altar and ask those present to exercise their faith for these individuals.
The sisters in the room please veil your face. Each brother in the circle takes the right hand of the sister on his left in the Patriarchal Grip. Each of you raise your left arm perpendicularly and place it on the shoulder or arm of the person on your left. Those in the circle will repeat the words of prayer.
(The recording is stopped, the officiant kneels at the altar, and makes the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, bringing his right hand forward, palm cupped, and resting it on the altar. His left Raising his arm at right angles The prayer is said by the officiator, who says a few words at a time, which are repeated aloud and in unison by those present in the prayer circle very similar.)
Officer: Our Heavenly Father, we come to You in the True Order of prayer, thanking You for the blessings You have bestowed on us. We thank you that we may receive teachings in your house today. We have here a list of names of your children who particularly need your help. Please pour out your blessings abundantly on them. We ask you to bless the Prophet with strength and health and protect him in all his ways. Bless all other General Authorities as well so that they may rightly lead Your Church. We also ask your blessings on the missionaries around the world so that they can carry on your work, so that Zion with her stakes will be raised and strengthened. We say these things in humility and in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Those in the circle now release the grip and the officiator stands. The audio recording continues.)
Peter: The sisters now unveil their faces and the brothers and sisters in the circle return to their places.
(The prayer circle breaks up and everyone but the officiator sits.)
Peter: We will now show you the veil.
The Curtain of the Temple: Entrance to the Celestial Realm
(The curtain in front is drawn and the curtain is revealed. It is white and made up of several equal parts. The officiator approaches one with a pointer and prepares to call attention to the sign in the curtain that is being explained .)
Peter: Brothers and sisters, this is the veil of the temple. I will now explain the signs in the curtain. These four marks are the symbols of the Holy Priesthood, the same symbols are in your personal garment.
Right is the Right Angle icon. In the garment it is located above the right breast. It is meant to commemorate accuracy and honor in keeping the covenants you made today.
On the left is the circle symbol. In the garment it is located above the left breast. It evokes an unwavering quest for Eternal Life, a constant reminder that all desires, desires, and passions are to be kept within the limits set by the Lord, and that all truth can be described as one great whole.
This is the navel symbol. In the garment it is above the navel. It is intended as a reminder that the body and mind need constant nourishment.
This is the knee icon. In the garment it is in the right leg as if it were above the kneecap. It is a reminder that every knee should bow and every tongue should testify that Jesus is the Christ.
These other three marks make it easier to work on the curtain. Through these the person representing the Lord extends His right hand to test our knowledge of the marks 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.
(As the officiator, now representing Peter, steps in front of the curtain, another male temple worker, representing the Lord, stands behind the curtain. A clapper hangs from the metal frame that supports the curtain knocked the metal frame.)
Peter: Since you're all going to go through the veil, we're going to show you how that happens. The person is brought here and the worker knocks three times clearly with the clapper, whereupon the gentleman asks:
Lord: What is desired?
Peter: Adam, who was faithful and steadfast in all things, desires more light and knowledge by speaking to the Lord through the veil.
Lord: Take him to the curtain and his wish will be granted.
Peter: The person is brought here, whereupon the Lord stretches 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: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Peter: Yes, through the veil.
The person then calls through the veil the name of that mark, which is the New Name you received in the temple today.
The Lord then gives the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood and asks:
Lord: What is this?
Peter: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Peter: Yes, through the veil.
The person then pronounces through the curtain the name of that mark, which is your own first name if receiving your own endowment, or, if going through the temple on behalf of a deceased, it is the first name of the person you are officiating on behalf of .
The Lord then gives the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the sign of the nail, and asks:
Lord: What is that?
Peter: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or the Mark of the Nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Peter: Yes, through the veil.
The person then calls through the veil the name of that mark, 'The Son', meaning the Son of God.
The Lord then gives the second mark of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the patriarchal grasp or sure mark of the nail, and asks:
Lord: What is that?
Peter: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Peter: I can't. I haven't received him yet. That's why I came to talk to the Lord through the veil.
Lord: He shall receive him through the veil.
Peter: The name is received by placing the left arms on the right shoulders through the veil.
(The Officiator places his left arm through the Compass mark on the Lord's right shoulder and the Lord places his right arm through the Right Angle mark on the officiator's shoulder. Right hands remain in the Patriarchal Grip.)
Peter: The Lord then gives the name of the sign and asks:
Lord: What is this?
Peter: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Peter: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Peter: Yes, through the veil.
The person then repeats to the Lord the name of that mark as received, upon which the Lord says:
Lord: That is correct.
Peter: The person is brought back here and the worker knocks three times clearly with the clapper. The Lord parted the veil and asked:
Lord: What is desired?
Peter: Adam, after speaking to the Lord through the veil, desires to enter into his presence.
The Lord stretches out His right hand, takes the person by the right hand and says:
Lord let him in.
Peter: He is released into the presence of the Lord. We will now report.
Jehovah, we have been down with Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial world and have given them the law of consecration and made them receive it by covenant. We gave them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail, along with its name and mark, and taught them the True Order of Prayer. You are now ready to speak to the Lord through the curtain. This is our report.
Jehovah: Good, Peter, James and John.
Elohim—Peter, James, and John were down with Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial World, doing all that we commanded them.
Elohim: Good. Jehovah, commission Peter, James, and John to present Adam and Eve and their posterity at the curtain, where we will give them the name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, in preparation for their entry into our present.
Jehovah: It shall be done, Elohim.
Peter, James, and John introduce Adam and Eve and their posterity at the curtain where we will give them the name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, in preparation for their entrance into our present.
Peter: It shall be done, Jehovah.
Come, James and John, let us present them at the curtain.
Brothers and sisters, we are commissioned to present you at the curtain where you are to receive the name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, in preparation for your stepping into the presence of God.
The Curtain Ceremony
(At this point, more temple workers enter the room and stand at the front of the curtain. Female temple workers stand on the left, male temple workers on the right. They will assist the endowee in saying the right words at all times. One worker at a time directs the audience to free parts of the curtain. At each part of the curtain stands a worker who introduces the person to the Lord, who is represented by a male temple worker on the other side of the curtain. The worker knocks three times with the clapper.)
Lord: What is desired?
Worker: Adam/Eve, who was faithful and steadfast in all things, desires more light and knowledge by speaking with the Lord through the veil [for and in place of _________ who died].
(The person tells the worker the name of the deceased and then holds up the label with the name for the worker to read.)
Lord: Bring him/her to the curtain and his/her wish will be granted.
(The Lord gives the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood through the opening in the veil.)
Lord: What is that?
Person: The first mark of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Person: Yes.
Lord: Will you call him to me?
Person: Yes, through the curtain.
(Person gives the New Name. The Lord gives the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.)
Lord: What is that?
Person: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Person: Yes.
Lord: Will you call him to me?
Person: Yes, through the curtain.
(The individual gives the first name of the person for whom temple work is being done. The Lord gives the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood.)
Lord: What is that?
Person: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the mark of the nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Person: Yes.
Lord: Will you call him to me?
Person: Yes, through the curtain — The Son.
(The Lord gives the second mark of the Melchizedek Priesthood.)
Lord: What is that?
Person: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Person: Yes.
Lord: Will you call him to me?
Person: I can't. I haven't received him yet. That's why I came to talk to the Lord through the veil.
Lord: You shall receive him through the veil.
(The person places the left arm through the Compass mark on the Lord's right shoulder and the Lord places his right arm through the Right Angle mark on the person's shoulder. The right hands remain in the Patriarchal Grip.)
Lord: The name of the mark is: Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in loins and sinews, might in the priesthood be upon me and upon my seed through all generations of time and to all eternity.
(The gentleman releases his grip briefly to symbolize a renewed grip.)
Lord: What is that?
Person: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or Sure Mark of the Nail.
Lord: Does it have a name?
Person: Yes.
Lord: will you call him to me?
Person: Yes, through the curtain. 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 eternity.
Lord: That is correct.
(The Lord and person break ceremonial contact and the worker knocks the clapper three times.)
Lord: What is desired?
Worker: Adam/Eve, after speaking to the Lord through the veil, desires to enter His presence.
Lord: Let him/her in.
(The curtain is now parted and the Lord takes the person by the right hand and gently pulls them through the curtain. The person then proceeds into the Celestial Room. There they may linger for a time or leave the room immediately.)