Well said.

Amen. While I respect those who wish the practice to stop because of those who died for their faith in particular, if it's a meaningless ritual, why does it matter? The true way to unite with God, whichever it ends up being (and I do support a particular way) will prevail, and any untrue rituals that are fabricated will mean nothing. It's like if I insisted that anyone using voodoo dolls against my ancestors cease and desist. Since it's a phony ritual anyway, why would I care? Let them waste their time.

Faith over religion. One is intimate, one is going through the motions trying to conjure up that connection to God.

So true. What does it matter.

It's not like they are sending out bills asking for tithing from the dead.

It matters because many, many have tried to annihilate the Jews, millions of Jews have died because of their faith, and this is just one more sign of unending religious intolerance, arrogance and hatred directed at them. The test of tolerance is not whether YOU personally give a damn over whether anyone else is completely disrespected because of their religion....hopefully people of good will toward others will be able to set the bar higher than that.

Morlak- I wish more people think like you do.

I understand what you are saying, but I still get angry when I think about someone baptizing me against my will. It is presumptuous at best and an assault at worst.

Religious nutcases want to dictate our beliefs in life and in death. Why can't they just let others be????

Or... OR... perhaps your god resides in your head, it's all imaginary, and the entire kit and caboodle should be examined under the light of rationalism.

So, shaking my head, this is an attempt to attack Mitt Romney's church? Sorry, but no "attempt" need be made. It's pretty easy to call out Mormonism on that which is silly or offensive. If Roman Catholics attempted to posthumously baptize dead Mormons or convert them to Catholicism, you or others would be screaming like crazy. I have no problem with religion in general - it can do much good. But a church that insinuates itself into the political sphere so as to deny rights to citizens who are not in line with its religious teachings, or which "baptizes" deceased members of other faiths so as to "save" them, is arrogant, self righteous, self centered, silly and ridiculous beyond belief.

The fact is that Jews don't believe in the mormon god Elohim, or that God lives out there in the Kolob System, or the curse of Cain dark skin thing or the mormon revelator, Joseph Smith. They find this cultish baptism stuff very offensive and the LDS church has agreed to stop doing it. So, STOP DOING IT! Why is this so difficult?

How do the rest of us, who do not want to be baptized as Mormons request this? I want a way to opt out also.

Proxy baptism may be the most ridiculous religious practice I have ever heard of, and that's saying a lot.

If you all don't believe it...then why should you care that some "crazy church" performs baptisms by proxy? Baptisms by proxy were practiced in the ancient church (1 Cor 15:29) so relax everyone.

Morlack is clearly a sinner, the devil, and the composite of all evil in the world that defies the all powerful, all knowing God that only true christians worship!

Heresy to say that faith is only a relationship between one individual and God! Put the man to death quick. If such a sin were true, that would mean that the church is not required to intercede on the behalf of an individual to attain salvation. But that would mean that church is not required and not absolute and not the voice and instrument of God himself? Who could possibly think such evil sins like this? If such were true, then why is the pope the pope? Better yet, why is accepting Jesus as your lord required? Clearly there were relationships between man and God before and after Jesus. If such evil thoughts were true, then Allah or Buddah might also be viable alternatives to our imaginary beliefs, heresy I say!

For the true believers and real christians the following statement is required to avoid WWIII. That statement is: sarcasm.

Seriously...never even THOUGHT about Mitt Romney. Let that one go. It is like saying if MSNBC ran a story about pedophile prieists, they would be attaching the Catholic church. If I were going to vote for any of them, I can assure you, I would vote for Mitt Romney. He is the least horrible of the choices given.

Posthumous baptism? What do they do, pour water on the mass graves? Whose idea was that?

Assuming there is a GOD. Nowbody knows. Religion is mad up form people.

" and no religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace....

This is all such bunk, political gamesmanship, so sick of it!

Rather than "trying" not baptize deceased Jews how about completely stopping the cowardly practice of postmortem baptism? I find it completely offensive that the Mormons do this baptism by proxy. It humiliates the memory of the deceased.

AtomLockman, you have misapplied the scripture! Look at 20-28. He is talking about Jesus' resurrection and salvation. Basically he is saying why get baptised if you do not believe in the resurrection, because if you think the resurrection is not going to occur then you would not benefit from Jesus' death and his resurrection. That they missed the purpose of the Christ. Not that dead people should be baptised.

Zipporah,

It say why are they then "baptized for the dead" It is obviously talking about baptisms for the dead. I've only heard one argument that actually holds water against what we (Mormons) believe that scripture says and it is the argument that baptisms for the dead was a false principle. But whether or not it was a false principle, baptisms for the dead existed back then.

It was just a common practice. We don't hear much about going to the bathroom in the bible, but it did occur. It was just so commonplace that there is not much emphasis put on it. Just mentioned in passing.

I always wondered why Christians believed that all humans who died before Jesus did, were inelegible for salvation! Doesn't seem very Christlike to me! Of course this logic extends to any religion (like Mormonism) which believes that salvation is only available through them and therefore unavailable to anyone that existed before them.

And these are the kinds of philosophies we want our leaders to adhere to prior to becoming President? Geez, humans do deserve what they get, and who they elect.

We should do the same to them...here is a site that allows you to choose a Mormon and convert:

http://www.alldeadmormonsarenowgay.com

I have converted Mitts dad..George Romney. Good times!

Honestly people, I'm a Mormon, and this is VERY overblown! We do baptisms for the dead to give them the OPTION of accepting our church IF THEY SO CHOOSE! It is not mandatory. Fer cryin' out loud, do you honestly think we grab random people off the street and dunk them in our baptismal fonts? That's ridiculous, and the same concept applies to proxy baptism. However, because of the feelings of the Jewish community, we put out a call to stop baptisms for any identifiable Jew, not just Holocaust victims, unless the baptism is done by a direct descendant. The church can't stop rogue individuals, no more than the government can stop people from lying, stealing, etc. People are people and have freedom of choice, but now with this new firewall in place, HOPEFULLY the rogues will be discouraged. We do respect the choices of others, believe it or not, but we also believe we should at least make the effort to offer them the choice in the first place!

Proxy baptisms have been going on forever. The Apostle Peter talks about proxy baptisms in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 when he is talking about the resurrection he essentially asks the people "why are we baptizing for the dead if the dead won't be resurrected?" Some people did not have the opportunity to learn about the gospel and "Mormonism" had been restored for only a brief time so all or most of those individuals who died in the Holocaust never had a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ to choose to be baptized. Many of you are misinformed, misunderstand, or ignorant to the teachings in the Bible. That's why it is important to have a Prophet on the earth today that talks to God, and can direct the affairs of the gospel as God would if he was here. Honestly as a Mormon I wouldn't care if someone from another Church baptized me when I was deceased I still have the ability to choose if I want to accept that baptism that was performed in my behalf. God isn't going to force it on me. You still have choices people. Don't get crazy! :)

*Sigh*

This is the last time I'm going to post this. Hopefully, people will get the message within the first three threads...

To any and all who believe that 1 Corinthians 15:29 is a reference to baptizing a dead individual:

You are blatantly wrong. If you aren't considering the entire chapter, its context and its message, then I completely understand how you are coming to that conclusion. But that's not how it works. That's like me selecting a specific portion of any text, while neglecting the rest and making a conclusive determination; stupidest...thing...ever.

Consider the message that Apostle Paul is trying to get across. He is addressing the disbelief of the resurrection of the dead that some members of the church in Corinth have. He goes on to explain that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then surely Christ hasn't risen. And if Christ hasn't risen, then we, by baptism and faith, are not risen with him. If we are not risen with him, then we are yet in our sins.

Now, with this understanding, re-read the entire chapter again.

This verse (29) says: 'Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?'

It doesn't say what shall they do that 'are baptizing the dead', but rather which 'are baptized FOR the dead'. In other words...'what shall they (WE) do which are baptized for the dead (JESUS, who died for our sins), if the dead (JESUS) rise not at all (HASN'T RISEN)? Why then are they (WE) baptized for the dead (UNTO JESUS)?' It is so clear and simple: if there is no resurrection of the dead, then why are we baptized unto Jesus, if he hasn't risen?

THIS is the message of that portion of scripture, as THIS is the context of the chapter and the message that Apostle Paul is trying to convey. Anything else is wrong. Stop allowing yourself to be brain-washed by the Mormon Church.

Have a blessed day!

Catsclaw81, that's an interesting proposition - wait until people die and then offer them the choice of accepting baptism. That way the subject doesn't have the opportunity to tell you what you can do with your baptism.

I knew they bothered the living but I had no idea that they also bother the dead... wow how disrespectful.

I also am an EX-MORMON, who happens to be African-American. I joined the LDS church when my son was 12 years old. As part of his so called temple work. He was baptised multiple times in the names of people long dead and buried. I was rushed into joining the church even though I had expressed doubts about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and the churches teachings about Black People being the cursed seeds of Cain. I joined the church because I believed in the love and fellowship shown to us by other members and I had no idea as to what being a member entailed. I could not go out with the missionaries of the LDS Church and tell other people that their Religious beliefs were wrong and that the LDS church is the only "True Church on the Face of the Earth today" I believe that everybody has a right to their faith and should not be subjected to having their deceased loved oned re-baptised by anyone.

I think this is a big waste of time, effort and probably money.

While I am completely sympathetic to members of the Jewish faith on this issue, especially considering their millenniums long history of persecution I cannot help but be stuck by how funny it is to read all the different followers of various Christian denominations proclaim that their particular sect is the one true faith.

True, Morlack. I don't think anyone believes that post-mortem baptism can actually change a person's religion. It is, however, extremely rude (to say the very least).

How insecure is a religion when it has to hunt dead people to convert?

Exactly! Why anyone would be at all concerned with this silliness is beyond be. Both sides are just making themselves look ridiculous. The Mormons are idiots for doing this in the first place and the Jews are idiots for caring one way or the other. I’m no religious scholar but as I understand it, a baptism is a ritual one undergoes to symbolize his acceptance of Christianity – giving himself to God, so to speak. So it stands to reason that if you are no longer alive then you cannot accept anything and therefore are not really being baptized no matter what anyone says. Why would I care if a bunch of yahoos decide to perform a silly ceremony on my name after I’m gone? As long as they don’t try to change the history books to say that I accepted their beliefs when I in fact did not then why would I care, and why would my family care? For all I care some voodoo witch doctor can perform a ritual using my name after I’m gone if he wants to because even in death, as in life, I have free will so their ceremony has no effect on me or my beliefs.

I’m not a religious person myself but I do know that if one were truly secure in his religious beliefs that he would not be concerned in the least about this sort of thing. The Jews are granting way too much power to that Mormons by letting this bother them at all. They need to be a little more secure in their religious beliefs.

As for baptisms in general they are all absurd because they are often performed on babies who are not old enough to accept any kind of religion. After all whats the point of being part of any religion if it is thrust upon you or you are indoctrinated into it. If I were a God I would only consider those to be my followers who had come to a decision to believe of their own volition. Anything other than that is just a bunch of silly meaningless rituals.

Anybody who still believes in god in this day and age doesn't have their head on straight. There is NO proof or evidence that such a being created the earth, while everything in science based on proof and evidence. But, people continue to follow religion no matter what kind of silly stories fill their religious books, nor what science can and has already proven. However, I don't begrudge them of their faith, because for many it gives them hope, reason, or comfort in their lives. In ancient times, before our knowledge and reason allowed us to look at our surroundings and understand what really happened or how things work, humans created religion and stories to explain their surroundings. Now, these stories seem completely ridiculous to anyone with a rational thought process, yet many still believe them. It is astounding when you read the bible how many ridiculous stories you'll find, yet that doesn't discourage believers. Maybe you are capable of believing such a story as reality, however I prefer to believe in something that uses scientific process, reason, and evidence to support its arguments.

Let's face reality.

With Romney the apparent Republican nominee, we can expect a series of articles intended to ridicule and demonize the Mormon faith over the next 10 months, not only from msnbc but much of the liberal media in general.

Anyone that does not think that this will be a part of the Democratic strategy to re-elect Obama is not very discerning.

magicman~

You clearly don't understand the very definition of the what 'faith' is if you're asking for evidence.

How can you believe in something which you have evidence for? No faith is needed for me to 'believe' (or, more correctly, KNOW) that I am currently sitting on a chair. I see it, feel it, hear it squeak, etc. Using your five senses and the scientific method to come a certain conclusion on the premise of evidence and proof is NOT faith nor is it belief.

Now, you can ridicule people for following something that has no evidence, but don't be so stupid as to ridicule people for believing in something that has no evidence: that is the very substance of faith in the first place and you turn out the fool.

Cheers.

Catsclaw81

Thank you for the clarification of the practice. You can look forward to a lot more attempts by the liberal media to demonize Mormons, and by extension - Romney.

It's part of the Democratic strategy for Obama's reelection - to discourage turnout by Christian evangelicals and 'scare' others to vote against Romney.

It was part of a political strategy against Kennedy in 1960, but then it was Catholics that were the 'demons', claiming Kennedy would take his orders from the Pope. It didn't work then, and probably won't work this time either.

Forewarned is Forearmed.

You clearly don't understand the very definition of the what 'faith' is if you're asking for evidence.

How can you believe in something which you have evidence for? No faith is needed for me to 'believe' (or, more correctly, KNOW) that I am currently sitting on a chair. I see it, feel it, hear it squeak, etc. Using your five senses and the scientific method to come a certain conclusion on the premise of evidence and proof is NOT faith nor is it belief.

Now, you can ridicule people for following something that has no evidence, but don't be so stupid as to ridicule people for believing in something that has no evidence: that is the very substance of faith in the first place and you turn out the fool.

One second, "Shadow", I believe you are misunderstanding my post. You say, "How can you believe in something which you have evidence for? No faith is needed for me to 'believe' (or, more correctly, KNOW) that I am currently sitting on a chair." Was I saying that you need faith to believe in something? No, I wasn't. You also say, "Using your five senses and the scientific method to come a certain conclusion on the premise of evidence and proof is NOT faith nor is it belief." That is precisely what I said in my post, but you seem to think I was saying the opposite. Religion, magic, god, Santa Clause and all those fairytails require "faith" to believe in because they have NO evidence or proof to support them. So, you need absolute faith to believe them. However, one does not use faith to follow science. One simply needs a rational brain and a thought process that requires reason, evidence, and scenarios that can be proven in order to understand the world.

shaking your head and roy-

It's not anything new that the mor(m)on church is fairly bizarre in practice, glad to see they finally quit with the bigamy.

that being said, nbc is only reporting- they didn't make this crazy @!$%# up and they also aren't the ones making mor(m)ons act this way. so put all the political slant on it you want. the truth is, these people are out of touch with reality, and romney is one of them.

I for one would like a normal, rational human being for a president, not some self-absorbed, nut-job multi-millionaire who thinks he's gonna rule his own planet when he dies...

good thing romney doesn't have a chance in hell of winning...

I understood precisely what you were saying, but phrases like this:

'Maybe you are capable of believing such a story as reality, however I prefer to believe in something that uses scientific process, reason, and evidence to support its arguments.'

...seem to imply your failure to properly understand the meaning of faith. If I've misjudged that, then I apologize. But I would suggest that you phrase your statements more appropriately.

Also, just as a side-thought, I suggest you determine what it is you DO believe. Science does not, cannot and will never have all the answers to some of our unexplained questions. Incidentally, modern science (quantum mechanics, origins of the universe, evolution, etc.) is not only a framework of assumptions and imaginings, it requires a level of 'faith' to believe! It is THAT outlandish! Before we get into it...the odds that you are better versed in the areas of science than me are incredibly slim. To 'believe' some of the garbage that modern-day, untestable science spouts, in fact, requires a current, standing law of physics to be broken.

Ugh..I'm done ranting. This type of conversation is far too long, detailed and intensive to hold on a thread.

Believe what you will, but do your own research. Don't blindly accept anything...which, ironically, you currently claim you don't do...in the name of science...lol.

Cheers.

No, perhaps science is unable to explain ALL of our questions, but that is beside the point. Science uses our current knowledge and understanding of our surroundings to explain and deduce the most likely answer, as far as our current knowledge allows. We don't understand or possess enough knowledge about anything to explain Everything. Only a fool would believe that science can answer all of our questions at the moment, however given enough time and enough knowledge it is possible to understand many things. That is far better than believing on blind faith alone that a magical being created the world in a couple days, just 6000 years ago. Yes, certain things that science can not definitely prove and explain at the moment do require some faith to believe. But, science provides the best explanation possible given our current pool of knowledge. Perhaps you do understand more about science than I at the moment, but then again, you are probably old enough to teach my chemistry class. Finally, I certainly will not do my own research in order to gather my own understanding of the world. I will leave that to those who are more qualified and knowledgeable than I. If their reasoning is sound, and they base their findings on what they can observe, than it is probably safe to accept their findings as the truth. Or the most likely truth that can be found with the understanding we currently possess.

Cheers

To those of you who say "what's the big deal ?":

May I remind you that Jewish history is replete with instances where they were given a choice to die or convert.

The Mormons KNOW this.

You would think that, once we're DEAD, the conversion attempts would cease.

Even JEWS have the right to rest in peace.

magicman~

You're missing the point, I believe. If you leave those who are 'more qualified' to do the thinking for you, then you're no better off than those that believe in a deity: you are choosing to believe the testimony of another person. Do you not see this? You may claim that it is more believable to believe in what scientists offer you, but in the same sentence, you profess yourself to be unqualified to do the research or at least review the results for yourself.

Ultimately, science hits a block where the very definition of the way our universe works has to be restructured (which would be contrary to our observation) or something metaphysical must be employed in our understanding. There is currently no alternative and, frankly, never will be.

To do the former would be counter-productive to scientific advancement (and at odds with the scientific method, where observation and experimentation reign supreme) and the latter would be heretical to the majority of scientists who are atheist/agnostic.

A conclusion will never be reached because the truth is opposite to what people want to believe. Sorry, that's just the way things have been, are and always will be.

Cheers.

All Religions are Mythology.

"Theday will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as His father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter." -Thomas Jefferson. Letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823

"If we as a species live long enough, people in the future (I hope) will be smart enough to call the religions of today Mythology because like the Greeks/Romans that is what they truly are."

All religions begin the same way. Some fellow human being says this is what God is and here's what He wants you to do.

To spend your life worrying about your death and it's aftermath defeats the purpose of having a life.

True morality does not come from fear of eternal punishment, but from empathy for the struggle all living things endure to survive and flourish.

The only truth I believe is if there is a Master of the Universe, It must have an awesome sense of humor to abide the folly of humanity.

Lol fishing for a debate, much, ex-religious? You won't find one by presenting the thoughts and opinions of another man, no matter who he may be.

After all, we all have our own opinions, thoughts and beliefs. Because a man is more distinguished than I, he is instantly more qualified to come to a conclusion about a spiritual matter? Lol.

You must be one of those kids that listens to Lady Gaga when she makes a political statement. She's distinguished! Her opinions must count for more!

I say we all sneak in the Local Mormon homes tonight and steal their 'Temple Garmets" (Long Johns that won't keep you warm)

Thats it! Panty Raid in the Mens dorm at BYU tonight!

What? Does this sound disrespectful of their religion?

My Point Exactly

Stay the hell away from my grave, Do not desecrate it with your beliefs. Keep your hate-filled 'religion' away from me. I chose to be an Episcopalian (Was not raised as one) Respect my decision for eternity.

No, one must decide which sources are credible, and which are not. Nobody can hope to understand everything about science for themselves. That would be preposterous. So, you are saying that I should do my own research on gravity, and not place my trust in Newton's research until I do my own research? Are you suggesting that I should not believe in the atom until I have discovered and proven the atom's existence for myself? If so, then your argument is quite weak. I can not hope to understand all the proofs and evidence that goes into making the conclusions about gravity, yet I deem Newton as a credible source, and his theories have not yet been challenged by a new understanding or knowledge. "Believing" in science is completely different from believing or having faith in religion. So, it is absurd to even compare the two.

I disagree with you. Nothing is definite, and understanding never comes to a halt. It is merely "blocked" by our current abilities and knowledge of our the universe and its laws. As technology, knowledge, and our techniques advance and evolve there will always be new ways of understanding what we can not solve currently. Modern science has changed from when science was first practiced. Our current understanding of science can change in a matter of days. One thing that we accept as the truth as far as can be currently proven, may be challenged by a new theory or scientific technique. Science constantly evolves. When one theory that is accepted becomes challenged or dis-proven, then it evolves to the next theory that is the best explanation with our current level of sophistication.

Cheers

There is no faith involved with thinking and no thinking involved with faith. To state otherwise is dishonest, at best.

..."My feeling is that any attempt to get me to heaven faster is welcomed"...

So "heaven" has a VIP list....

Great. Does it have VIP section, too? Great.

I avoid those clubs on Earth.

Thanks for the heads up.

Stop the world and let me off! Just when you think you've seen or heard it all...! Jesus,Mohammed,Buddha and countless other men (and women) of peace must be busting a gut with laughter at the morons of all faiths who have twisted their teachings of tolerance and forgiveness into something that tries to pass as organized religions. If you want to see god, look in the mirror.Look deep into your soul and you'll see good and evil staring back. God is just Good with a letter missing caused by an old translation error. Choose the Good path and you'll be on track to whatever Heaven you choose to believe in.If you're not a person of faith just try to be Good anyway,it makes for a nicer place to spend our very short lives.

@ YourShadow: Did you see my response above?

I say we perform marriage ceremonies on all dead Mormon males to each other.

Anyone familiar with baptism knows that according to the bible, the person to be baptized must consent to it. Performing these so-called baptisms is nothing but a sham. The only thing they do is offend people of other faiths.

Shut Yer Yap...take your own advice and shut your yap you vile POS. Obviously you have a male fettish to be thinking in that direction. Go call Barney Frank. Bottoms UP!!

magicman~

Just got home from work and I'm just about to take off for the night. I'll post my response later on tonight, if I have the chance.

Although, in all honesty, I'm not sure you'll follow. It seems that so far you haven't been.

Cheers.

Good luck.

I assure you, I understand your view completely. However, I disagree with some of your ideas. I invite you to explain your ideas a bit more if you feel your comments so far have been insufficient. I am steadfast in my conviction that placing trust in science and scientists holds any relationship with the religious placing faith in their beliefs. Enjoy your evening.

Cheers, Mate

I seems as though your are pulling the old argument, "Religious people have faith in religion, but atheists must have faith in science". This type of argument may sound good to some uneducated and/or religious people but it is, in fact, quite weak. There is absolutely no comparison, for religion is not a credible source and has no substance or reason to trust in its explanation other than blind faith. Science is the Opposite of religion.

Ex-religious: Some interesting quotes. All religions are nearly the same, even the ones from the past. I find it quite comical and pathetic that all religions and religious people believe their faith is the "one true" faith, and all others are wrong. But, if people choose to accept religion on blind faith, then no amount of evidence, proof, or strong discussions will change their mind, because at this point the religious have blocked their minds to rational thought. Anyways, Religion is an idea.. It is a story, and you can't erase an idea especially if there are people who want to believe it.

Cheers

Let me get this straight. The Mormons are now saying they will not post-baptize the dead from different religions, but they are also building an even better firewall so no one can go in and see what they are actually doing. Ahhh I see, this is a: you can have your cake and eat it too move on their part...

LMFAO...now I see where Romney learned his flip-flop rhetoric!

How does a dead person accept anything, let alone a proxy baptism?

I believe that tampering with the soul after the passing of a human life is Sacrilege.

Lori-1138396

...."Shut Yer Yap...take your own advice and shut your yap you vile POS. Obviously you have a male fettish to be thinking in that direction. Go call Barney Frank. Bottoms UP!!".....

Married. Two adorable children. I do support gay rights, though. Nope. No male fetish (one T in fetish) except my own.

That said, YOU, apparently, are loathesome enough, intolerant enough and ignorant enough to call Me a "vile POS" because I am appalled at the thought of cowardly, homophobic, male-supremacy based religious zealots trying to f%&k with other people's belief systems after they have passed away.

Here's my advice to you Lori: Don't ever dare to challenge me with small minded, bigoted and shallow brain farts - lest you're comfortable with the stench of your own foulness wafting back at you.

In addition.. The idea of being called "vile" by someone like you is amusing to me. It's as amusing as being called racist by some like you. Or Classist. Or any OTHER of the things people like YOU are, but try to position yourselfs as being on the front lines against. I'm laughing at you. Can you hear it?

You have yourself a nice day, Lori. Hear?

I restate - I vote to marry dead Mormons of the same sex to one another.

Newsvine: Collaspse away. I know that coddling the likes of hateful people like Lori is more important than fighting against supremacist, bigots and homophobes to you.

You have a nice day, too.

The Holocaust occured because a megalomaniac - Hitler- wanted to rid the world of every single Jewish person from newborn to old one. These people died for no reason other than they were Jewish - The Mormon Church has NO RIGHT to desecrate the memory of those more than 6 million innocent people. This practice MUST STOP immdiately! How ego maniacal to think that one has the right to try and change the religion of people murdered enmasse simply for their religious beliefs. The Jewish Religion gave us every momotheistic religion in the world. Jesus was born, lived, died, and was buried as a Jew. Have the Mormons coverted him? Judaism gave us ALL of the Catholic Church, ALL of the religions that fall under the umbrella of the Protestant Religions, Even Mormonism would not exist without the Jewish People - WHO do They think they are?

What a waste of time! Why not use that time to collect shoes and winter coats for the children in THIS country with no shoes or warm clothing. There are children in this country with no indoor plumbing - who do not get a decent meal every day- why not use all of those resources of people and computers and fundraising to help the children of The United States of America regardless of their religion. This country was founded on religious freedom so why do the Mormons only believe in helping their own and that the whole word should be mormon - even if that means changing their religions after death. This is a sick and abnormal practice and an end MUST be brought to this evil thing!

If Moses, Smith, Young, Jesus, and the founding Fathers of our country could see what was happening in their names they would scream - " NO! THAT IS NOT WHAT WE MEANT. YOU HAVE INTERPRETED IT ALL WRONG!"

NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DESECRATE THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST - NO ONE!!!

http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm

Just for the record... Judaism was not the origination of modern monotheistic religion. But otherwise we're sort of in agreement.

Good point. Indeed, early Judaism was not monotheistic; it was henotheistic until about 700 BCE. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." In other words, the Jewish God was put forward as the supreme god, worthy of exclusivity of worship.

Mormons believe they're doing a service for other people when they do baptisms for the dead. And you're right ... if they're wrong, it's pretty much a harmless and meaningless practice, right? Why bother getting offended by people who think they're doing this out of love?

It smacks of revisionism to me. Why are the Mormons doing it at all if they aren't trying to make it appear that their church has more followers than it really does?

A more legitimate reason to be angry is that if you're using their genealogical records, you expect accuracy. Posthumously converting someone strikes me as dishonest and possibly fraudulent.

Not correct lolfat- in your statement about number of Church followers being counted. If that was the case the Church would list membership into the billions. Please get informed. thanks !

Jesus Himself, though without sin, was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and to show the way for all mankind (see Matthew 3:13-17; 2 Nephi 31:5-12). Thus, baptism is essential for salvation in the kingdom of God. We learn in the New Testament that baptisms for the dead were done during the Apostle Paul’s time (see 1 Corinthians 15:29). This practice has been restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Prophet Joseph Smith first taught about the ordinance of baptism for the dead during a funeral sermon in August 1840. He read much of 1 Corinthians 15, including verse 29, and announced that the Lord would permit Church members to be baptized in behalf of their friends and relatives who had departed this life. He told them “the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God” (Journal History of the Church, 15 Aug. 1840).

Because all who have lived on the earth have not had the opportunity to be baptized by proper authority during life on earth, baptisms may be performed by proxy, meaning a living person may be baptized in behalf of a deceased person. Baptisms for the dead are performed by Church members in temples throughout the world. People have occasionally wondered if the mortal remains of the deceased are somehow disturbed in this process; they are not. The person acting as a proxy uses only the name of the deceased. To prevent duplication the Church keeps a record of the deceased persons who have been baptized. Some have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed the names of deceased persons are being added to the membership records of the Church. This is not the case.

Because all who have lived on the earth have not had the opportunity to be baptized by proper authority during life on earth, baptisms may be performed by proxy, meaning a living person may be baptized in behalf of a deceased person. Baptisms for the dead are performed by Church members in temples throughout the world. People have occasionally wondered if the mortal remains of the deceased are somehow disturbed in this process; they are not. The person acting as a proxy uses only the name of the deceased. To prevent duplication the Church keeps a record of the deceased persons who have been baptized. Some have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed the names of deceased persons are being added to the membership records of the Church. This is not the case.

What if they didn't want to be baptized? Taking it on yourselves to "fix" that seems rather arrogant. Don't the Mormons have better things to do with their time than baptize dead people?

You can't enjoy Shakespeare until you've heard it in the original klingon!

Shakepeare is probably a mormon now.

I don't think the Mormon church includes every member it's ever had in its membership count - just living ones currently on record. If you include dead people, I think the Catholic church could claim more followers than there are humans currently on earth. That would make no sense.

So how would them doing posthumous baptisms make it look like the Mormon church has more followers than it really does? They believe doing these baptisms just means a person gets the opportunity to choose whether or not they accept it. So someone could technically be baptized posthumously in a Mormon temple and choose not to accept it and be on their merry way.

The church does not count the number of non living members in their tally of worldwide membership. Only living members are counted when they come out at say we currently have 14 million members in the world. A posthumous baptism does not mean automatic conversion however. The baptism is performed as a means of offering the person an opportunity to accept it who may not have had the opportunity while living.

In several countries there are churches who receive state funds based on membership of individual congregations, but this is not the case with the LDS church. There is no monetary benefit to the church for posthumous baptism and it doesn't embellish membership numbers.

I wonder, did they posthumously baptize Jesus?

Why are the Mormons doing it at all if they aren't trying to make it appear that their church has more followers than it really does?...Posthumously converting someone strikes me as dishonest and possibly fraudulent.

When a person is baptized as a proxy for (in behalf of) someone who is deceased in a Mormon temple, the person's genealogical record is updated to show the date and time that the ceremony took place. That's it. The person is not listed as being a member of the LDS church, they are not counted as followers/members, they are not considered at all to be converted.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe that everyone has been given agency, the freedom to make his/her own choices. We believe it's an eternal principle, meaning that your freedom to choose goes with you when you die. To enter the kingdom of God, one must accept Christ as your Savior and Redeemer, have faith in him and be baptized. Baptism is an ordinance that must occur while we're alive and which must be performed with proper authority. The proxy baptism allows people who are deceased an opportunity to accept the baptism that was performed on their behalf. They are free to choose not to accept it. In essence, they have been given an invitation, nothing more.

Why be offended? Because it goes against their beliefs and faiths. What if you believed that being cremated meant you could not go to Heaven but your husband decided to cremate you anyway. Do you think your family would have the right to be offended? It really doesn't matter what the Mormons who are doing this believe, it goes against the beliefs of those they are baptizing post-humously.

As a general rule, I believe that you don't have to agree with the beleifs of everyone else, but you should at the very least respect those beliefs for them. Whether you believe in one diety, many deities or no deity, it is not anyone else's place to tell you your beliefs are wrong.

Weird and creepy.

natedom said:

As a general rule, I believe that you don't have to agree with the beleifs of everyone else, but you should at the very least respect those beliefs for them.

This is exactly why so many find the idea of posthumous baptism offensive and chilling... their own chosen beliefs are NOT being respected.

This is not about benign love and caring, it just won't wash, even if superficial justification makes that sound plausible. The heart of the process most likely has roots in things more dark and controlling, imo.

Mormons base their belief on baptism for the dead partly on a bible passage found in the new testament from the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians...verse 29..."Else what should they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead not rise at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" They take this to mean that there were baptisms for the dead done anciently during new testament times. Whether right or wrong they do base that belief in something found biblically.

That's because Mormons are required to leave a certain percentage of their paychecks to the church.. It's not a request it's a mandatory "donation"

You'd pretty much have to expect this kind of insanity from a church started by a man who was known for running financial scams and ripping people off (a practice called "money digging"). He also made polygamy into a doctrine of the church after he had a "vision" that he should have sex with his teenage serving girl, subsequently his legitimate wife denied his affair and although he went on to "marry" over 30 young girls and women she never recognized them, and despite pressure, denied his extramarital relations as ever being legitimate marriages. Polygamy was only outlawed by the LDS church after they were told that Utah couldn't receive statehood while polygamy was lawful (i.e. political and financial gain). They also have held belief that any biblical or secular law or principle would be null and void if one if their leaders had a "revelation" that said otherwise, thereby justifying some pretty reprehensible behavior.

So yeah, although I think their idea of baptizing dead people is really meaningless to anyone outside the church, I would be pretty damn upset if any of my loved ones ended up on their roster of the baptized dead. I would in no way want my name or my family's name associated with this so called "church".

This is just downright disrespectful of Judaism and the Jewish people. For those of you who don't quite get the fuss and think that the Mormons are being "nice," consider this: waht if a religious group that was far removed from your base ideologies and theologies decided to baptise, confirm, convert, whatever, you or members of your religion, dead or alive, so that you could get into heaven. Do you think that you might at least begin to understand why Jews are troubled by this? Really, what do you think a Jew thinks when Christians decide to baptise us in death? Or attempt to convert us? "Adopt" our holidays and ceremonies and then pervert them by adding Christian overlays and elements so that they "fit." (I knew of a church that celebrated Yom Kippur, the most sacred holiday in the Jewish calendar as a Halloween celebration. Insulting as hell.) Tell us that the only way to get into heaven is by adopting their Jesus and past that, we are bound for hell on the first train going there. (That was intended, btw.) Pray for us, as if we need praying for. What do you think we think when we see Christains wearing the Star of David as bling? What would you think if Jews wore crosses around their necks as costume jewlery. Do you get the problem? Christians have been disrespecting Jews on various levels and to varying degrees forever, this is just one more example. The best thing that the Christian world could do for Jews is learn some tolerance and respect. The baptism practice itself is obscene and that too many Christains don't understand why Jews don't like this is even worse.

#1 church and state should never be one... churches have no business running this country. As far as the the Mormon's go with their Baptism of the dead, completely disrespectful. They do not recognize other religions other than their own, so what gives them the right to baptize people who died for their religion, which by the way was Jewish, not Mormon. They would keep the records public if the loss of life was Mormon's. I come from a Mormon family, I choose a different path for a reason.

I think the LDS should look for some short cuts since things are heating up in the kitchen. They should just go back and baptise Jacob/Israel and that will cover all of his descendants or Abraham, that will cover Moslems , Jews, and Christians. Or they could just go for the jackpot and baptise Adam and Eve and have the whole world.

There's a lot of missunderstandings about what the LDS church believes. If you want to know about someones religion you may want to just find out from them since they would know the answer. As such go to the link to see what they believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HSlbuli7HM

There are also a lot of UNDERSTANDINGS about what Mormons believe, and unfortunately for Mormons, there is little in their professed doctrine that appeals to 'thinking men.' It is, I'm sure, very difficult for someone who has been raised in the LDS church to see how, without malicious intent, many non-Mormons find their tenets to be not only counter to common sense, but, in fact, downright hilarious...

Now, I suppose if you want to know more about the practices of a given faith (BTW, the contents of the book of Mormon are within the public domain, hardly a guarded secret of initiates like Scientology, an entirely OTHER can of worms), you may very well speak with it's practitioners to find out more; benign enough.

However, it is probably relevant that Mormons have a wildly distorted and unrealistic view of not only the early history, but also the founders, of their faith. The fact is that Joseph Smith was a convicted con-man who himself espoused bigamy as part of the path to salvation in the afterlife. The FLDS did NOT "break away" from LDS, but the OTHER WAY AROUND (LDS had to outlaw plural marriage in order to gain statehood for Utah, no more, no less). Plural marriages, and the procreation to be had thereof, were a central tenet of the Mormon religion from it's founding (not to mention the implications of the practice in the afterlife). Brigham Young, so now revered by Mormons, conspired with a group of usurpers along the trail to Utah, and, dressed up as marauding 'savages', murdered Joseph Smith and many of his followers. Before the devout Mormons call foul, please note that the "Mountain Meadows Massacre" is taught about sometimes in advanced history classes and in the State history of Wyoming, the border of which had just, or hadn't just been crossed...

Think about it this way, you don't go and ask the Jesuits about the abuse of Native North Americans in their missions and boarding schools, why? They aren't going to tell you the whole truth.

There is much that is UNflattering about Mormonism. For instance, Jesus appeared to the Native Americans, but they turned away from his word and so they were marked by being turned brown, but if they come back to "The Way" as set forth in the BOM, they can again be turned white as snow. Sorry, but you don't get to go back after the fact and say, "Gosh, we're sorry. We didn't mean it; brown people (including African Americans, here) can play too. Honest." Just so ya know, there aren't a whole lot of brown people around who have any interest in becoming white to symbolize their good favor with god... It says a lot that in spite of tons of missionary work around the globe, most Mormons were born into it, or married into it. Converts are more rare.

Then there is the issue of the finite number of souls (getting back to the earlier bit about plural marriages and having copious numbers of children-the faithful only will produce the soul-having variety, you know)... so some people are born without them. Really...? Bit of a stretch, but whatever makes you feel superior, or makes it easier to rationalize the inhumanity (at times) of humans.

Zookers.

That's because Mormons are required to leave a certain percentage of their paychecks to the church.. It's not a request it's a mandatory "donation"....

You mean Mormons are TAXED and TOLD HOW TO LIVE by the church government?

None of this matters unless you believe in it. And If you believed in it...you would be mormon...right? So, who the **** cares if someone posthumously "baptizes" you if you truly feel it has no impact? By complaining and getting upset, you are legitimizing their practice. I am sure that when you are dead...it will be the last thing you care about...why? Because YOU ARE DEAD! Imagine an alien species watching us...and imagine what they are thinking. So petty. I am embarrassed by my species.

None of this is true whether you believe it or not, but why argue.

we have a severe water shortage here in the south west so if the baptisms require using this precious resource may i suggest using an old mostly unknown irish custom of baptizing the consecrated grave with whiskey-it is customary to ''past it thru your kidneys first.''

There is no such thing as posthumous control over the soul. Proxy baptism is the act of being baptized in behalf of a person who's body is dead. The soul of the person continues to live and is free to accept/reject any act performed on their behalf.

No control over the will or agency of the soul can be assumend by another. Doing so would destroy the very nature and identity of God.

and yet the state continues to let such people keep their children!

One of the core tenants of the Mormon faith is agency. Baptism for the dead does not change that.

Here is there logic behind why they do baptisms for the dead:

The Mormons believe that baptism is an ordinance that is required in order to progress after this life. The reason for this is because the Mormons believe that baptism gives the person the right to have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit (what they usually term as the Holy Ghost) which will continue after this life and is needed to continue to progress.

They believe that baptism is not required to be moved or touched or inspired by the Holy Ghost, but it is required to have its constant companionship. They also believe that even if you get baptized, it is not a guarantee that the Holy Ghost will always be with you, as it is also conditional on your faith and righteousness.

They also believe that baptism must be done on a physical body, in order to reflect the burial and resurrection of Christ. You cannot submerge a person who does not have a body, which they believe you do not have after death. They believe that you are left with only your spiritual body after this life, this means that baptism must be preformed by the living.

Because they believe that all men should have the same opportunities to be judged and progress, and not just those who were living at the right time and place, they perform baptisms for the dead.

A baptism for the dead does not change the individuals religion. They do not become Mormon, and they are not counted into the membership of the church. There are no rights changed. If the person was supposed to be represented in their faith for the next 1000 years after their death, they still get to be. Most constitutional rights were removed at death. Unless there is a zombie apocalypse, they probably wont be need the right to bear arms. And if they did, Mormon zombies would still have that right too.

A just God, as the Bible claims, would not kick you out of Heaven because some group had some practice that involved your name that you had no control over.

None of this matters unless you believe in it. And If you believed in it...you would be mormon...right? So, who the **** cares if someone posthumously "baptizes" you if you truly feel it has no impact? By complaining and getting upset, you are legitimizing their practice. I am sure that when you are dead...it will be the last thing you care about...why? Because YOU ARE DEAD! Imagine an alien species watching us...and imagine what they are thinking. So petty. I am embarrassed by my species.

It's a simple matter of respect. The Mormons wouldn't appreciate it if I went around and pissed on their dead relative's graves, and I'd prefer it if they tried to show the same courtesy. Maybe we can start posthumously condemning their dead relatives to hell for not practicing Catholicism? I'll bet they'd love that.

Just thought i'd put this here so people can actually find out straight from the church in arguement.

Amen! The complete ignorance & mis-information about the Church in these posts just floors me!

We do not require ANY $$$ from our paychecks, we do not count dead "members" to beef up our numbers, & we only do these baptisms to fulfill an ordinance that only WE believe in!

If you don't agree with or care for this action, taken VOLUNTARILY by members who sacrifice their own free time for complete strangers...then fine. The Internet & the world are full of plenty of other issues for you to go off on...so rant away!

If you don't agree with or care for this action, taken VOLUNTARILY by members who sacrifice their own free time for complete strangers...then fine. The Internet & the world are full of plenty of other issues for you to go off on...so rant away!

In other words you're going to keep forcing your beliefs on others whether they like it or not?

Nothing is being forced on anyone...we do a baptism for a person & in the hereafter, that person , if they so choose, can accept that ordinance...or completely reject it. It's still THEIR choice...

Nothing is being forced on anyone...we do a baptism for a person & in the hereafter, that person , if they so choose, can accept that ordinance...or completely reject it. It's still THEIR choice...

I think the real reason is because you'd know you'd get the piss sued out of you if you tried doing it on people that were still alive. But apparently one rejection isn't good enough.

...and I'd deserve to get the piss sued out of me, if there were any way possible that I could even FORCE a living person to be baptized against their will. That isn't the point of it; it's supposed to be being done for deceased relatives who hadn't had the chance to have the opportunity presented to them while they were alive, so why do you assume they would reject it the first time? If they reject it after death, so be it, IT'S THEIR CHOICE!!!

You seem hell-bent on believing that this is done out of some sinister purpose, or out of animosity, or pride, or arrogance...it's exactly the opposite,

You seem hell-bent on believing that this is done out of some sinister purpose, or out of animosity, or pride, or arrogance...it's exactly the opposite,

Well you know what they say about the road to hell and good intentions.

Lori.

You seem to have a problem with making dead Mormons honorary gay people.

Why?

Are you upset? A little miffed, dahlin?

Are you offended?

Why, oh why, can't we make Mormons something that they aren't?

Pray tell, Lori.

Lets hear your pearls of wisdom...

More Hokus Pokus from the religious fanatics who have brought us nothing but death and destruction since religion was first devised as a great way for crowd control ! Show me someone who has been to hell and or heaven, and I'll show you the Biggest Liar since the Imposter in the Whitehouse ! Like George Carlin once said, If there is a God he needs to Send a Bolt of lightning right now and get it over with ! .......I'm Waiting !I'm still waiting................Oh well, lets see whats on the Jews for Jesus Channel, maybe they have an answer ! Hokus Pokus ! What a bunch of Morons the Human race has become to believe in such B.S. !

Ehrrr ... Mormons haven't practiced polygamy for over 100 years and there's nothing in their religion about caffeine. It is rather awkward, though, that they baptize random dead strangers, and I'm glad they're trying to put a stop to it.

This is the first hate filled reply. Hate. Hate.

Its not supposed to be random dead strangers. That's being done by overzealous little old ladies who don't have anything better to do than other family's genealogy and turn it into the Church. As was stressed, its supposed to be for the ancestors of Mormon members. As a former member, I looked into my own family and found that my father's family was all done. Every record is listed as "submitted by family member" because I have a distant cousin who joined the church before me. If you submit a name to the temple for work, there is a box you check that says you are a family member and are requesting work be done. If someone is submitting names outside their own family, then they are lying on that screen. That's a problem of a whole different sort.

This is the first hate filled reply. Hate. Hate.

Whine whine whine. I don't think you know what genuine hate is.

Jodeman - Beyond not letting non-members into its church buildings, how are LDS secretive? Neither the Catholic nor Mormon faiths make any attempt to hide their doctrine. If the doctrines were secret, how would you be able to make the judgment that Catholics and Mormons are brainwashed? There are definitely secret societies out there, but it always kills me that no one seems to give much of a crap about those and attack religions who freely publicize their doctrines.

Smug much?

how are LDS secretive?

mmm...where do you want to start? with the restricted temples? the secret handshake? grown men communicating through a curtain? "earning" their way into secret rooms? Even their own members cannot tell you about certain aspects of their cult, because they haven't been accepted into the secret society yet.

......... and yes, having been raised Catholic, they are VERY brainwashed too.

Well my grandfather was one of the Mormon pioneers; I come from a long line of mormons. I do not ever want to be insulted by a posthomous "baptism" since by the time they get around to it, I'll already be there with my Creators. I'm making provisions in my will that no member of my family, extended or immediate, may make that choice for me and submit my name. I consciously and of my own (God-given) free will reject the dogma of the church. Now how do I go about forcing the church to honor my stated choice if some distant cousin of mine tries to usurp my decision? I don't want it happening to my name. Period.

JmB66 - Restricted temples and handshakes have nothing to do with doctrine. I'm not familiar with the talking through the curtain thing. I watched the entire Frontline/American Experience series on the Mormons and I don't recall that. At any rate, I don't think either of those religions are esoteric in nature. In fact, gnosticism is considered a heresy by the Catholic Church. So technically, yes, there are some secrets in the Mormon faith, but hardly anything to get worked up about (in my opinion).

and yes, having been raised Catholic, they are VERY brainwashed.

You overlooked the subordinate clause of "If the doctrines were secret." It was actually a challenge to the claim that these faiths are secretive. You've managed to reduce it down to a mere insult. Please focus.

Elizabeth - when you are given your posthumous choice, posthumously slap your posthumous 3rd cousin.

@MadTown: Thanks for the giggle!

Even were it sanctioned, there would be no disturbing of gravesites involved. Simply stated the proxy ordinance does nothing unless the deceased person receiving the ordinance chooses to accept. Yes we believe there is life after the spirit and the body part ways.

You know, one thing I've learned through the years, is to not comment on something I know nothing about, even if I heard it from people I respect or love. I've done that before and ended up sounding pretty stupid when I learned THEY didn't know anything about the subject either. Just a friendly advise that has saved me from embarassing moments.

Mormons don't disturb any gravesites and the dead have freedom. They chose to except it or not. Even if you are alive and get baptized, it will do nothing for you (if you ever believed in it) if you don't follow the religion.

The jewish people have asked the church to not baptize their dead and the church has completely agreed and tried to have that not happen anymore. Even though the church worldwide should refrain from doing it, SOME other members from other countries, because of their economical situation, are less informed that the Jews ever had a problem with it. They are simply well intentioned members trying to do what they think is right. Besides the fact that there are jewish people who have converted to the LDS Church and they have requested that their families be baptized. I have a cousin who is married to a man who, his whole family have converted from their jewish religion.

The church has nothing to hide. But these geneological websites are for church members only, like any other members only websites all over the web. If Helen Radkey was using the website "illegally", then I can't understand how she can complain about being blocked.

This is the most ridiculous crap I have ever heard of. Totally disrespectful to the Jewish faith. Thank goodness we have the Constitution protecting us. If they can't even respect people faiths of other people, just think what they would do if we didn't have the protection of the Constitution.

My ex and I studied with the Mormons when he was stationed in Texas, years ago. When we got to the part about African Americans being the children of Satan, I was done. White people were the original people, and blacks were the Devil's seed. Egyptians were half original and half Devils' seed. Ridiculous. It wasn't until 1979-1980 that African Americans were allowed to join the Mormon Chuch (although I can't think of a reason why any person of color would want anything to do with this bunch). Jimmy Carter threatened to remove their "tax-free" status from them because, according to them, no one of color was allowed in heaven, therefore, not allowed to join the Mormon church. Suddenly, the head of the Mormon Church had a vison, in which he saw people of color in heaven! So therefore, they was no longer any need to bar them from joinin the church!

Amazing what the threat of losing your tax-free status will do, aint it?

I read "Pearl of Great Price" before they made a new edition, just to see what was in it -- if you think what they said about African Americans was bad, you should read what they had to say about Native Americans. They have since removed the offensive language starting in the 1980's but we have the old edition and it is an eye-opener! I guess they realized that "colored" money spends just as good as "white" money!

I don't care what religion a person follows -- it's a free country -- and we have the Protestants and the Church of England to thank for that!

The Pearl of Great Price was last updated in 1976, which added two pieces of previous works which are believed by the church to be revelations. One was from Joseph Smith, and the other originated from Joseph Fielding Smith.

Prior to this, the last major addition to it was in 1878. Other additions include the 1902 printing in which it was reformatted and when references were added to the document. In 1921 additional references were added as well as an index.

It contains what the LDS members believe are revelations about Moses and Abraham. Native Americans have nothing to do with it.

I also have a copy of the 1830 Book of Mormon too if you want to check that.

The Book of Mormon does not state anything directly about the Native Americans. It talks about a group of people who left Jerusalem and ended up in the Americas. It states that the decedents of these people will be brought to a remembrance of Christ through the Book of Mormon, so it is inferred that Native Americans at least partially descended from this group.

It also does not state anything about African Americans. It says that the Lamanites were cursed with darker skin, but connecting those to those who's descendants originated in Africa is an incredibly inaccurate representation. The Book also says this: "For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33)

Egyptian seed is not mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

The majority of members are Hispanic.

On June 3rd, 1977 president Carter said this of the LDS church, "I have a very warm regard and great respect for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its leaders." The only connections that say anything of a tax exempt status threat are from antagonists who are assuming that these events must coincide. There is no credible resource for this that I have found.

I really prefer to use real facts and not those from those who have their own agenda.

I believe I'll posthumously anoit all Christians and Mormons as homosexuals.

What? What'd I say?

I’ve heard people claim that the Book of Mormon teaches racism. People who make these claims have either never read the Book of Mormon or don’t understand it. One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is when the prophet Jacob (circa 544-421 BC) tells his congregation that racism is a sin. Some members of his congregation believed darker skin was a “curse” implying spiritual “filthiness,” but they were corrected,

Asking his congregation about racism: “Do you not suppose that such things are abominable unto Him who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in His sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust and for the selfsame end hath He created them, that they should keep his commandments and glorify Him forever” Jacob 2:21. This teaches that God created all flesh; there is no such thing as “devil seed” or “half-devil seed.” It also teaches that racism is “abominable” to God, because He created all races.

“A commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that you revile no more against them for the darkness of their skin” (Jacob 3:9) This EXPLICIT commandment teaches that racism offends God, or in other words, racism is a sin.

Jacob concluded that real filthiness comes from sin, not from skin color. He also told his congregation that he knew people of darker skin that were more righteous than his congregation, because they were devoted spouses and parents (Jacob 3:5-7):

“Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children… wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great
Creator?”

I’m thankful for the Book of Mormon – for teaching me correct doctrine, for bringing more love into my life, for strengthening my faith in Christ, and for making me a better person. I love the Bible for the same reason. They’re both the word of God. I pray before I read the Bible or Book of Mormon that I may understand His word as He intended.

In response to kat-1015719:

The church has always allowed black members. Jane Elizabeth James and her whole family were black members and they got baptized as far back as 1847 – not 1979 (Henry J. Wolfinger, “A Test of Faith: Jane Elizabeth James and the Origins of the Utah Black Community,” Social Accomodations in Utah, American
West Center occasional papers, University of Utah, 1975).

PS To research Jacob’s sermon, visit mormon.org and/or get a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

LOL. LSDgal is upset bc crimson arrow has done more research into her "religion" than she has. LOL.

Is that why crimson doesn't know how old Joseph Smith was when he saw Moroni? Just curious.

Also, how many other "Christian" churches at the time allowed blacks? As far as I know, racism was prevalent in most churches up until the whole civil rights era. The LDS church was probably one of the few that did allow blacks to join.

But then again, I thought this was an article on baptism for the dead, not whether or not the LDS church was true, but don't let anything get in the way of a good anti-Mormon diatribe.

THE MORMON TEMPLE ENDOWMENT CEREMONY

Comparison between the pre and post 1990 versions

The following is the 1984 transcript of the endowment with the appropriate changes marked to indicate where differences between this version and the current endowment. Strikethroughs are used to indicate deleted passages, bold typewriter font is used to indicate added text. In passages where the wording was changed, the old text is marked as deleted and the new text is marked as added. Original version of this can be found here.

FIRST LECTURER: Brethren and sisters, we welcome you to the temple, and hope you will find joy in serving in the house of the Lord this day. Those of you who are here to receive your own Endowments should have been washed, anointed, and clothed in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. For those who are representing deceased persons, the ordinances of washing, anointing, and clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, together with the ordaining in behalf of the deceased brethren were preformed previously for those deceased persons whom you are representing. Each of you should have received a New Name in connection with this company. If any of you have forgotten the New Name, or have not received these ordinances as explained, please stand. (pause)

Please be alert, attentive and refrain from whispering during the presentation of the Endowment. As you are asked to proceed to the Veil, please do so in an orderly manner, row by row, as directed. After passing through the Veil into the Celestial Room, and in other areas in the Temple, if you need to communicate, please whisper, thus helping us maintain the quiet reverence that should prevail in the House of the Lord. We will now proceed with the presentation of the Endowment.

SECOND LECTURER: Brethren, you have been washed and pronounced clean, or that through your faithfulness, you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have been anointed to become hereafter Kings and Priests unto the Most High God, to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever.

Sisters, you have been washed and anointed to become hereafter Queens and Priestesses to your husbands.

Brethren and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will come when you will be chosen, called up, and anointed Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses, whereas you are now anointed only to become such. The realization of these blessings depends upon your faithfulness.

You have had a Garment placed upon you, which you were informed represents the garment given to Adam and Eve when he was they were found naked in the garden of Eden, and which is called the "Garment of the Holy Priesthood." This you were instructed to wear throughout your life. You were informed that it will be a shield and a protection to you inasmuch as you do not defile it and if you are true and faithful to your covenants.

You have had a New Name given unto you, which you were told never to divulge, nor forget. This New Name is a keyword which you will be required to give at a certain place in the temple today. The Your Endowment is to prepare you for exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom. receive all those ordiances in the House if the Lord, wich are neccessary for you to enable you to walk back to the prescence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being able to givem them the key words, the signs amd tokens, pertaining to the Holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation.

If you proceed and receive your full endowment, you will be required to take upon yourselves sacred obligations, the violation of which will bring upon you the judgment of God; for God will not be mocked. If any of you desire to withdraw rather than accept these obligations of yourown free will and choice, you may now make it known by raising your hand.

Brethren and sisters, as you sit here, you will hear the voices of three persons who represent Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael. Elohim will command Jehovah and Michael to go down and organize a world. The work of the six creative periods will be represented. They will also organize man in their own likeness and image, male and female. This, however, is simply figurative so far as the man and woman are concerned.

THE CREATION--FIRST DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, see: yonder is matter unorganized, go ye down and organize it into a world like unto the worlds that we have hereunto formed. Call your labors the First Day, and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.

MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Michael, see: here is matter unorganized. We will organize it into a world like unto worlds that we have heretofore formed. We will call our labors the First Day, and return and report.

MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors on the First Day, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down done as thou hast commanded, and have organized a world like unto the worlds that we have heretofore formed, and we have called out labors the First Day.

ELOHIM: It is well.

SECOND DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, go down again. Gather the waters together and cause the dry land to appear. The great waters call ye seas, and the dry land call ye earth. Form mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams, to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth. When you have done this, call your labors the Second Day, bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.

MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Michael, we will gather the waters together and cause the dry land to appear. The great waters we will call seas, and the dry land we will call earth. We will form mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth. We will call our labors the Second Day, and return and report.

MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors on of the Second Day, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down done as thou hast commanded, and have gathered the waters together, and have caused the dry lands to appear. The great waters we have called seas, and the dry land we have called earth. We have formed mountains and hills, great rivers, and small streams, to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth; and we have called our labors the Second Day.

ELOHIM: It is well.

THIRD DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth that you have organized. Divide the light from the darkness. Call the light "day", and the darkness "night." Cause the lights on the firmament to appear; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Cause the stars also to appear and give light to the earth, the same as with other worlds heretofore created. Call your labors the Third Day, and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us return again to the earth that we have organized.

MICHAEL: We will return again, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Michael, we will divide the light from the darkness, and we will call the light "day," and the darkness "night". We will cause the lights in the firmament to appear, the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night. We will cause the stars also to appear and give light to the earth; the same as with other worlds heretofore created. We will call our labors the Third Day, and return and report.

MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the Third Day, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down done as thou hast commanded, and have divided the light from the darkness, and have called the light "day" and the darkness "night". We have caused the lights in the firmament to appear; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. We have caused the stars also to appear and give light to the earth, the same as with worlds heretofore created. We have called our labors the Third Day.

ELOHIM: It is well.

FOURTH DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return again. and place seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring forth as grass, flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself after its own kind, as on the world we have heretofore created. Call your labors the Fourth day, and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.

MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Michael, we will place seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring forth as grass flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself after its own kind, as on the worlds we have heretofore created. We will call our labors the Fourth Day, and return and report.

MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the Fourth Day, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down as thou hast commanded, and have placed seeds of all kinds in the earth that they may spring forth as grass, flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation; each bearing seed in itself, after its own kind, as on the worlds we have heretofore created; and we have called our labors the Fourth Day.

ELOHIM: It is well.

FIFTH DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon, return and place beasts upon the land: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of animals; fowls in the air in all their varieties, fishes of all kinds in the waters, and insects and all manner of animal life upon the earth. Command the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in their respective elements, each after its kind, and every kind of vegetation to multiply it its sphere, that every form of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have joy therein. Call your labors the Fifth Day, and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us go down.

MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon, we will place all beasts upon the land: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of animals; fowls in the air in all their varieties, fishes of all kinds in the waters, and insects and all manner of animal life upon the earth. We will command the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in their respective elements, each after its kind, and every kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every form of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have joy therein. We will call our labors the Fifth Day, and return and report.

MICHAEL: It is well, Jehovah. Now that the earth is formed, divided an beautified with vegetation growing thereon, and provided with animal all manner of life, it is glorious and beautiful.

JEHOVAH: It is, Michael.

MICHAEL: Let us return and report our labors of the Fifth Day, Jehovah.

JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have been down done as thou hast commanded; we have placed beasts upon the land: the elephant, the lion, the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of animals; in the waters, and insects, and all manner of animal life upon the earth. We have commanded the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in their respective elements, each after its kind, and every kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that every form of life may fill the measure of its creation, and have joy therein. We and have called our labors the Fifth Day.

ELOHIM: It is well.

SIXTH DAY

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, is man found upon the earth?

JEHOVAH: Man is not found on the earth, Elohim.

ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, then let us go down and form man in our own likeness and in our own image, male and female, and put into him his spirit, them their spirits and let us give him them dominion over the beasts, the fishes, and the birds, and make him lord over the earth, and over all things on the face of the earth. We will plant for him them a garden, eastward in Eden, and place him them in it to tend and cultivate it, that he they may be happy, and have joy therein. We will command him them to multiply and replenish the earth, that he they may have joy in his their posterity. We will place before him them the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and we will allow Lucifer, our common enemy, whom we have thrust out to tempt him them, and to try him them, that he they may know by his their own experience the good from the evil. If he yields they yield to temptation we will give unto him them The Law of Sacrifice, and we will provide a savior for him them, as we counseled in the beginning, that man may be brought forth by the power of the redemption and the resurrection, and come again into our presence, and with us partake of Eternal Life and exultation. We will call this the sixth day, and we will rest from our labors for a season. Come, let us go down.

JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.

(The film now shows a scene of a lush, tropical area. A thick mist rises from the earth.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, see the earth that we have formed. There is no man to till and take care of it. We are here to form man in our own likeness and in our own image.

JEHOVAH: We will do so, Elohim.

(The youthful body of Adam who lies in a comatose state, is shown from the shoulders up.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, man is now organized, and we will put into him his spirit, the breath of life, that he may become a living soul.

(Light shines on Adam's face, and his chest expands as he begins to breathe. He stirs, as if awakening.)

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 formed, and we will take from his side a rib from which we will form a woman to be a companion and helpmeet for him.

(Adam lays his head upon the ground as he looses consciousness.)

NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this is Michael, who helped form the earth. When he awakens from the sleep which Elohim and Jehovah have caused to come upon him, he will be known as Adam, and having forgotten all, will have become a little child. Brethren, close your eyes as if you were asleep.

(All male patrons in the room close their eyes.)

ELOHIM: Adam, awake and arise.

(Adam obeys the command, and is shown with foliage in front of him which conceals his body from view. The youthful Adam appears to be in his 20's, is in good physical condition, and is clean shaven.)

NARRATOR: All the brethren will please arise.

(The male patrons open their eyes and rise from their seats. An attractive, youthful Eve enters the scene and stands beside Adam. They are both shown from the shoulders up.)

ELOHIM: Adam, here is a woman whom we have formed and whom we give unto you to be a companion and helpmeet for you. What will you call her?

ADAM:: Eve.

(For the first time, the Gods, Elohim and Jehovah, are shown. They are two bearded, luminescent, glorious personages, clothed in flowing white robes. They appear standing in mid air above and in front of 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 living.

ELOHIM: That is right, Adam; because she is the mother of all living. Adam, we have organized for you this earth, and have planted a garden, eastward in Eden. We will place you in the garden and we will there command you and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity. Jehovah, introduce Adam and Eve into the garden which we have prepared for him them.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

Part two is next.

Part two:

NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden. The brethren will now be seated.

(As the male patrons sit down Adam and Eve are shown turning to follow Jehovah into the garden. The scene quickly changes to the garden.)

ELOHIM: Adam, Eve we have created for you this earth, and have placed upon it all kinds of vegetation and animal life. We have commanded all these to multiply in their own sphere and element. We give you dominion over all these things, and make you, Adam, Lord over the whole earth, and all things on the face thereof. We now command you and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity. We have also planted for you this garden, wherein we have placed all manner of fruits, flowers, and vegetation. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat; nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee. But, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Adam, remember this commandment these comandments which we have given unto you. Now go to, dress this garden, take good care of it, be happy and have joy therein. We shall go away, but we shall visit you again and give you further instructions.

(The scene changes, and it is understood that the Gods have again ascended. The following scene occurs in the garden, and no indication is given as to how much time has passed since the Gods' departure. Lucifer, the devil, is shown standing nonchalantly observing Adam, and is clad in black and red robes; also wearing a square black apron tied to his waist. Though youthful, Lucifer appears perhaps a few years older than Adam, and wears a beard and mustache, His speach is fluid, persuasive, and without hesitation.)

LUCIFER:: Well, Adam, you have a new world here.

ADAM:: A new world?

LUCIFER:: Yes, a new world, patterned after the old one where we used to live.

ADAM:: I know nothing about any other world.

LUCIFER:: Oh, I see, your eyes are not yet opened. You have forgotten everything. You must eat some of the fruit of this that tree.

(Lucifer plucks two pieces of fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and presents it to Adam.)

LUCIFER:: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that this tree. It will make you wise.

ADAM:: I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me that in the day I should partake of it I should surely die.

LUCIFER:: You shall not surely die but shall be as the Gods, knowing good and evil.

ADAM:: I will not partake of it.

LUCIFER:: Oh you will not? Well, we shall see.

(Adam leaves, and Lucifer walks over to Eve, who is tending flowers.)

LUCIFER:: Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It will make you wise. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.

EVE: Who are you?

LUCIFER:: I am your brother.

EVE: You, my brother, and come here to persuade me to disobey Father?

LUCIFER:: I have said nothing about Father. I want you to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, that your eyes may be opened, for that is the way Father gained his knowledge. You must eat of this fruit so as to comprehend that everything has its opposite: good and evil, virtue and vice, light and darkness, health and sickness, pleasure and pain; and thus your eyes will be opened and you will have knowledge.

EVE: Is there no other way?

LUCIFER:: There is no other way.

EVE: Then I will partake.

(Eve takes the fruit from Lucifer, and bites it. Lucifer approves and places the other piece in her hand, which he closes around it and pats gently.)

LUCIFER:; There, now go and get Adam to partake.

(Eve approaches Adam, fruit in hand, and presents it to him with a persuasive tone of voice.)

EVE: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.

ADAM:: Eve, do you know what fruit that is?

EVE: Yes, it is the fruit if the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

ADAM:: I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that Father commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that tree?

EVE: Do you intend to obey all of Father's commandments?

ADAM:: Yes, all of them.

EVE: Do you not recollect remember that Father commanded us to multiply and replenish the earth? I have partaken of this fruit and by so doing shall be cast out, and you will be left a lone man in the garden of Eden.

ADAM:: Eve, I see that this must be so. I will partake that man may be.

(Adam takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with a look of approval.)

LUCIFER:: That is right.

EVE: It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we may know the good from the evil.

EVE: I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast out of Father's presence for rebellion.

LUCIFER:: Yes, you are beginning to see already.

ADAM:: What is that apron you have on?

LUCIFER:: It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.

ADAM:: Priesthoods?

LUCIFER:: Yes, Priesthoods.

ADAM:: I am looking for Father to come down to give us further instructions.

LUCIFER:: Oh, you are looking for Father to come down, are you?

(The Gods' voices are suddenly heard in the garden, reverberating through the air.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that we would visit him them and give him them further instructions. Come, let us go down.

JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.

ADAM:: I hear their voices, they are coming.

LUCIFER:: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide!

ADAM:: Come, let us hide.

NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons.

(The film pauses temporarily while the patrons remove their fig-leave aprons from the bundles whch have been resting on their laps. All patrons tie the aprons on around their waists. When the film resumes, the Gods have once again descended, represented as before.)

ELOHIM: Adam ... Adam! ... Adam!! Where art thou?

ADAM:: I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was naked.

ELOHIM: Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake?

ADAM:: The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree, and I did eat.

ELOHIM: Eve, what is this that thou hast done?

EVE: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

ELOHIM: Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?

LUCIFER:: I have been doing that which has been done in other worlds.

ELOHIM: What is that?

LUCIFER:: I have been giving some of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.

ELOHIM: Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt be cursed above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly thou shalt go, and dust shalt thou thou shalt eat all the days of thy life.

LUCIFER:: If thou cursest me for doing the same thing which has been done in other worlds, I will take the spirits that follow me, and they shall possess the bodies thou createst for Adam and Eve!

ELOHIM: I will place enmity between thee and the seed of the woman. Thou mayest have power to bruise his heal, but he shall have power to crush thy head.

LUCIFER:: Then with that enmity I will take the treasure of the earth, and with gold and silver I will buy up armies and navies, Popes and false priests who oppress, and tyrants who destroy, and reign with blood and horror on the earth!

ELOHIM: Depart!

(Lucifer looks defiantly at Elohim; he then turns and walks away.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam and Eve put forth his their hand, hands, and partake of the fruit thereof, and live forever in his theirsins.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

(Jehovah turns to the side, and stretches his arm toward the tree.)

JEHOVAH: 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. It is done, Elohim.

ELOHIM: Eve, 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 child-bearing. Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee in righteousness.

Adam, because thou hast hearkened unto 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. Any by the sweat of thy face halt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

THE LAW OF OBEDIENCE

ELOHIM: Inasmuch as Eve was the first to eat of the forbidden fruit, if she will covenant that from this time forth she will obey your the law in of the Lord, and will hearken unto your counsel as you hearken unto mine, and if you will covenant that from this time forth you will obey the Law of Elohim, we will give unto you the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice, and we will provide a Savior for you, whereby you may come back into our presence, and with us partake of Eternal Life and exaltation.

EVE: Adam, I now covenant to obey your the law of the Lord and to hearken to your counsel as you obey our hearken unto Father.

ADAM:: Elohim, I now covenant with thee that from this time forth I will obey thy law and keep thy commandments.

ELOHIM: It is well, Adam. Jehovah, inasmuch as Adam and Eve have discovered their nakedness, make coats of skins as a covering for them.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

(At this point the film pauses and the lights come on.)

NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters the garment which that was placed upon you in the washing room is to cover your nakedness and represents the coat of skins spoken of. Anciently it was made of skins. You have received the garment, also your New Name. The officiator will represent Elohim at the Altar. A couple will now come to the altar.

(A pre-selected "Witness Couple" now come forward and kneel at the altar, resting their hands upon it as they face the Officiator. The Officiator pantomimes all movements and gestures as a model for the patrons to follow when directed.)

NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this couple at the altar represents all of you as if at the altar. You must consider yourselves as if you were respectively Adam and Eve.

ELOHIM: We will put the sisters each sister under covenant to obey the law of their husbands the Lord and to hearken to the counsel of her husband, as her husband hearkens unto the counsel of the Father.Sisters, arise.

(Female patrons stand as instructed.)

ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will each observe and keep the law of your husbands, the Lord and abide by his hearken unto the counsel in righteousness of your husband as he hearkens unto the counsel of the Father. Each of you bow your head and say "Yes."

WOMEN: Yes.

ELOHIM: That will do.

(The female patrons now resume their seats.)

ELOHIM: Brethren, Arise.

(Male patrons stand as instructed.)

ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angles, and these witnesses at this altar that you will obey the law of God, and keep his commandants. Each of you bow your head and say "yes".

MEN: Yes.

ELOHIM: That will do.

(Male patrons resume their seats.)

THE LAW OF SACRIFICE

ELOHIM: Brethren and sisters, you are about to be we will now put you under covenant to obey and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testament. Holy Scriptures. This Law of Sacrifice was given to Adam in the garden of Eden, who, when he was driven out of the garden, built an alter on which he offered sacrifices; and after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: "Why dost thou offer sacrifice sacrifices unto the Lord?" And Adam said unto him: "I know not, save the Lord commanded me." And then the angel spake saying: "This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou dost in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent, and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore."

The posterity of Adam down to Moses, and from Moses to Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field, and the firstlings of the flock, which continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood. And as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the redemption of mankind, so we should covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary, in sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God.

All arise. Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this alter that you will observe and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testament Holy Scriptures, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say "yes."

PATRONS: Yes.

ELOHIM: That will do.

(patrons resume their seats.)

THE FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

ELOHIM: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Before doing this, however, we desire to impress upon your minds the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and sign, and penalty, as well as that of all the other tokens of the Holy Priesthood, with their names, and signs, and penalties,which you will receive in the temple this day. They are most sacred, and are guarded by solemn covenants and obligations of secrecy to the effect that made in the prescense of God, Angels and these witnesses to hold them sacred and under no condition, even at the peril of your life, will you ever divulge them, except at a certain place in the temple that will be shown you hereafter. The representation of the execution of the penalties indicates different ways in which life may be taken.

The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand, in this manner.

(The Officiator, representing Elohim, takes the right hand of the male witness, who represents Adam at the alter, and demonstrates the token. The male witness, who remains kneeling, is obliged to raise his hand above his head while receiving the grip, thus enabling the patrons to view the manner in which the token is to be given.)

ELOHIM: Adam, we unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to receive it. All arise.

(As the patrons stand, the Witness Couple returns to their seats. The Officiator and several other temple workers circulate around the room and administer the token to the patrons as they stand at their seats. Male workers attend to the male patrons, female workers to the females. The Witness couple also receives the token at this time. Each patron sits after receiving the token.)

ELOHIM: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand.

The name of this token is the New Name that you received in the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the New Name, please stand.

The sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended.

(The Officiator, again at the altar, demonstrates the sign and penalty as the descriptions are given.)

ELOHIM: This is the sign. The execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side.

I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token, its name, and sign and penalty, and which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were receiving my own Endowment today, and had been given the name of "John" as my New Name, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign at the same time representing the execution of the penalty:

I, John, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.

(The Officiator demonstrates the execution of the penalty.)

ELOHIM: All arise.

(All patrons stand.)

ELOHIM: Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, by bringing your right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers together, and the thumb extended. This is the sign. Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, at the same time representing the execution of the penalty.

I ________, think of the new name, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.

That will do. (Patrons sit down.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, see that Adam is and Eve are driven out of this beautiful garden into the lone and dreary world, where he they may learn from his their own experience to distinguish good from evil.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

(As the lights are turned down the film presentation continues.)

THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM

(Adam and Eve are shown full view for the first time. They are clad in animal skins which cover their bodies to their knees. The lone and dreary world is represented by desert scenery. Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreads his hands to heaven, and piously invokes the Lord.)

NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the lone and dreary world. Brethren and sisters, this represents the Telestial kingdom, or the world in which we now live. Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words he uttered:

ADAM:: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.

(As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of the shadows.)

LUCIFER:: I hear you; what is it you want?

(Although Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, he fails to recognize him at this appearance.)

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 am looking for messengers.

LUCIFER:: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion, do you? I will have preachers here presently. There will be many willing to preach to you the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.

(Lucifer turns his head as a sectarian minister approaches.)

LUCIFER:: Good Morning sir!

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Good morning!

(The preacher turns and looks into the camera.)

SECTARIAN MINISTER: A fine congregation!

LUCIFER:: Yes, they are a very good people. They are concerned about religion. Are you a preacher?

SECTARIAN MINISTER: I am.

LUCIFER:: Have you been to college and received training for the ministry?

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Certainly! A man cannot preach unless has been trained for the ministry.

LUCIFER:: Do you preach the orthodox religion?

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Yes, that is what I preach.

LUCIFER:: If you will preach your orthodox religion to these people, and convert them, I will pay you well.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: I will do my best.

(Lucifer guides the preacher to Adam and Eve, who stand nearby.)

LUCIFER:: Here is a man who desires religion. He is very much exercised, and seems to be sincere.

(As Lucifer presents the preacher to Adam and Eve he steps back and observes the ensuing conversation. The preacher is made to sound sincere, although misguided and credulous. Adam appears humble, faithful and immovable in his determination to serve God. He is not swayed by the preacher, and is astounded by the doctrines espoused by the preacher.)

SECTARIAN MINISTER: I understand that you are inquiring after religion.

ADAM:: I was calling upon Father.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: I am glad to know that you were calling upon Father. Do you believe in a God who is without body, parts, or passions; who sits on the top of a topless throne; whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere; who fills the universe, and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart; who is surrounded by myriads of beings who have been saved by grace, not for any act of theirs, but by His good pleasure. Do you believe in such a great Being?

ADAM:: I do not. I cannot comprehend such a being.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: That is the beauty of it. Perhaps you do not believe in a devil, and in that great hell, the bottomless pit, where there is a lake of fire and brimstone into which the wicked are cast, and where they are continually burning, but none never consumed?

ADAM:: I do not believe in any such place.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: My dear friend, I am sorry for you.

LUCIFER:: I am sorry, very very sorry! What is it you want?

ADAM:: But I am looking for messengers from my Father.

(The scene changes to a view of the Celestial Kingdom, where Elohim reigns from a white throne afront tall white pillars. He is radiant as before, and his voice resonates as he speaks with Jehovah, who stands before him.)

ELOHIM: Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John to visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing their identity. Have them observe conditions generally, see if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in the garden of Eden. Have them then return and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.

(Jehovah turns from Elohim and walks to the edge of the platform upon which he stands. He there meets Peter, James and John, who await His command. They are dressed as the Jews were at the time of Christ.)

JEHOVAH: Peter, James and John, go down and visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing your identity. Observe conditions generally. See if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in the Garden of Eden. Then return and bring us word.

PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.

JAMES: We will go down.

JOHN: We will go down.

(The three turn and leave, and the scene turns to the lone and dreary world. Peter steps out from behind a large rock, followed by James and John; they approach Adam, Eve, et al.)

PETER: Good morning.

LUCIFER:: Good morning gentlemen.

PETER: What are you doing here?

LUCIFER:: Teaching religion. Observing the teachings of these people.

PETER: What religion do you teach? is being taught?

LUCIFER:: We teach a religion made of the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.

PETER: How is your religion received by this community?

LUCIFER:: Very well--excepting except this man. He does not seem to believe anything we preach. what is being taught.

(Peter, James and John approach Adam and Eve.)

PETER: Good morning. What do you think of the preaching of these gentlemen? what is being taught?

ADAM:: I cannot comprehend it.

PETER: Can you give us some idea concerning it?

ADAM:: They preach of a God who is without body, parts, or passions; who is so large that he fills the universe, and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart; and of a hell, without a bottom, where the wicked are continually burned but are never consumed. To me, it is a mass of confusion.

ADAM: I am looking for messengers from my Father to teach me.

PETER: That is good.

PETER: We do not wonder that you cannot comprehend such doctrine. Have you any tokens or signs?

(Lucifer steps up to the side of Peter and interjects his query.)

LUCIFER:: Do you have you any money?

PETER: We have sufficient for our needs.

LUCIFER:: You can buy anything in this world for money.

PETER: Do you sell your tokens or signs for money? You have them, I presume.

ADAM:: I have them, but I do not sell them for money. I hold them sacred. I am looking for the further light and knowledge Father promised to send me.

PETER: That is right. We commend you for your integrity. Good day. We shall probably visit you again.

(Peter, James and John exit; Lucifer stares into the camera.)

LUCIFER:: Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth. There is none who dares to molest, or make me afraid.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Shall we ever have any apostles or prophets?

LUCIFER:: No. However, there may be some who will profess revelation or apostleship. If so, just test them by asking that they perform a great miracle, such as cutting off an arm or some other member of the body, and restoring it, so that the people may know that they have come with power.

(The scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter, James, and John approach Jehovah with their report.)

PETER: Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the Telestial World as thou didst command us. We found Satan there, with his ministers, preaching all manner of false doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray with all manner of false doctrine. But Adam has been true and faithful to the token and sign given him in the Garden of Eden, and is waiting for the further light and knowledge you promised to send him. This is our report.

JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John (Jehovah turns and approaches Elohim) Elohim--Peter, James and John have been down to the man Adam in the Telestial World. They found Satan there, with his ministers preaching all manner of false doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray. But Adam has been true and faithful to the token and sign given him in the Garden of Eden, and he is waiting for the further light and knowledge you promised to send him. This is their report.

ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James and John to go down in their true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Telestial World, and to cast Satan out of their midst. Instruct them to give unto Adam and Eve and his their posterity the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holly Scriptures ; also give unto thema charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice; and cause these to be received by covenant. Instruct Peter, James, and John further to clothe Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and to give unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. The have them return and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, and approaches Peter, James and John.) Peter, James and John, go down in your true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ to the man Adam and Eve andhis their posterity in the Telestial World. Cast Satan out of their midst. Give unto them the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holy Scriptures; also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice. Cause them to receive these by covenant. Clothe them in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and give unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Then return and bring us word.

PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.

(The scene changes again to the lone and dreary world. The three Apostles boldly approach Lucifer.)

PETER: I am Peter.

JAMES: I am James.

JOHN: I am John.

LUCIFER:: Yes, I thought I knew you. What are you going to do now? (He turns to the Preacher.) Do you know who these men are? They claim to be apostles. Try them!

(The Preacher approaches Peter.)

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Do you profess to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ?

PETER: We do.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: This man told me that we should never have any revelation or apostles, but if any should come professing to be apostles, I was to ask them to cut off an arm or some other member of the body and the restore it, so that the people might know that they came with power.

PETER: We do not satisfy men's curiosity in that manner. It is a wicked and an adulterous generation that seeks for a sign. Do you know who that man is? He is Satan!

SECTARIAN MINISTER: What? The Devil?

PETER: That is one of his names.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: He is quite a different person from what he told me the devil is. He said the devil has claws like a bear's on his hands, horns on his head, and a cloven foot, and that when he speaks he has the roar of a lion!

PETER: He has said this to deceive you, and I would advise you to get out of his employ.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: Your advise is good; but, if I leave his employ, what will become of me?

PETER: We will preach the gospel unto you, with the rest of Adam's posterity.

SECTARIAN MINISTER: That is good. (He turns to Lucifer) I would like to have a settlement. I want you to pay me for preaching.

LUCIFER:: I am ready to keep my word and fulfill my part of the agreement. I promised to pay you if you would convert these people, and they have nearly converted you! You can get out of my kingdom, I want no such men in it! (As the preacher turns sadly and leaves Lucifer approaches Peter) Now, what are you going to do?

PETER: We will dismiss you without further argument.

LUCIFER:: Aah! You have looked over my kingdom, and my greatness and glory. Now you want to take possession of the whole of it. (Lucifer turns, and stares into the camera). I have a word to say concerning these people. If they do not walk up to every covenant they make at these altars in this temple this day, they will be in my power!

PETER: Satan, we command you to depart!

LUCIFER:: By what authority?

PETER: (With his right arm raised to the square.) In the name of Jesus Christ, our Master. (Lucifer is visibly shaken as he turns and leaves. Peter waits until he has left, and then approaches Adam) Adam, we are true messengers from the Father, and have come down to give unto you the further light and knowledge He promised to send you.

Part three is next.

Part three:

ADAM:: How shall I know that you are true messengers?

PETER: By our giving unto you the token and sign you received in the Garden of Eden.

ADAM:: (Grasps Peter by the right hand.) What is that?

PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.

ADAM:: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

ADAM:: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I cannot, for it is the New Name, and I have made a covenant not to disclose it, but this is the sign (The right arm to square); and this represent the Execution of the Penalty (Thumb of right hand drawn across the throat).

ADAM:: Now I know that you are true messengers sent down from Father. (To audience) These are true messengers, I exhort you to give strict heed to their counsels counsil and teachings teaching, and they will lead you in the way of life and salvation.

NARRATOR: The Officiator will represent Peter at the altar.

(At this point the film is concluded. The remainder of the Endowment is conducted from an audio recording.)

THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness couple comes to altar as before.) Brethren and sisters, this couple at the altar represent all of you as if at the altar, and you will be under the same obligations as they will be. We are required to give unto you the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holy Scriptures; to give unto you also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice, and to cause you to receive these by covenant.

All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. (this is done.)

You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you will observe and keep the Law of the Gospel and this charge as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say "yes."

PATRONS: Yes.

PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.)

THE ROBES OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD

PETER: We are instructed to clothe you in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood. Place the robe on your left shoulder. Place the cap on your head with the bow over the right ear, replace the apron, tie the girdle with the bow on the right side, remove the slippers from your feet, and put them in again as part of the temple clothing. You may now proceed to clothe.

(Patrons open their clothing envelopes dress as instructed.)

SECOND TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (The witness couple kneels at the altar as before.) With the robe on the left shoulder, you are prepared to officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood. We will now give unto you the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. This Token is given by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand, in this manner.

(The Officiator and the male witness joins hands in the token, and slightly raise their hands to demonstrate in to the patrons.)

PETER: We desire all to receive it. All arise.

(As the Patrons stand, the witness couple returns to their seats, and various temple workers circulate about the room administering this token as they did the former.)

PETER: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand. The name of this token is your own first given name if you are going through the temple for your own Endowment, or, if you are going through for the dead, it is the first given name of the person for whom you are officiating.

The sign is made by bringing the right hand in front of you, with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and the left arm being raised to the square. This is the sign. (The officiator demonstrates.) The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hands to the sides. I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token, its name, and sign, and penalty, and which you will be required to take upon yourselves.

If I were receiving my own endowment today, and if my first given name were "David," I would repeat in my mind those words, after making the sign, at the same time representing the Execution of the Penalty:

I, David, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses , that I will never reveal the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so I would suffer my life to be taken.

All arise. (All Patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood by bringing the right hand in front of you, with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and the left arm being raised to the square. This is the sign.

Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, at the same time representing the Executing of the Penalty.

I, _________, think of the first given name, solemnly covenant, before God, angels, and these witnesses that I will never reveal the second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken. That will do.

(All patrons sit down.)

PETER: We will return and report. Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Telestial World, and have cast Satan out of their midst. We have given unto them the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holy Scriptures; also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice, and have caused them to receive these by covenant. We have also clothed them in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood and have given unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. 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 Eve and his their posterity in the Telestial World, have cast Satan out of their midst, and have done all else that they were commanded to do.

ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John again to the Telestial World. Have Adam and Eve and his their posterity change their robes to their right shoulder, preparatory to officiating in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce them into the Terrestrial World. Instruct Peter, James and John further, to give unto Adam and his posterity them the Law of Chastity, and to put them under covenant to obey this law, which is, that the daughters of Eve, and the sons of Adam shall have no sexual intercourse relations except with their husbands or wives to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded, and to give unto them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Have them return, and bring me word.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James and John, go down again to the Telestial World; instruct Adam and Eve and their his posterity to change their robes to the right shoulder, preparatory to officiating in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce them into the Terrestrial World. Give to them unto Adam and his posterity the Law of Chastity, and put them under covenant to obey this law, which is, that the daughters of Eve, and the sons of Adam shall have no sexual intercourse relations except with their husbands or wives, to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded. Give unto them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty; and return and bring us word.

PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down. We are instructed to have you change remove the robe and change it to the right shoulder, preparatory to officiating in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and introduce you into the Terrestrial World. You may now make the change by removing remove the robe.

(The patrons stand, and remove their robes, replacing them on their right shoulders. The male patrons now turn their cap, so that the bow is now placed over the left ear, and the girdle is tied on the left side. The patrons then sit.)

THE TERRESTRIAL WORLD

NARRATOR: We now enter the Terrestrial World. (Additional lights are switched on.)

THE LAW OF CHASTITY

PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness Couple comes as before.) We are instructed to give unto you the law of Chastity; which this I will explain. To the sisters it is, that no one of you will shallhave no sexual intercourse relations except with your husband to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded. To the brethren it is that no one of you will have sexual intercourse except with your wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.

Sisters All please arise. (All women stand up.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the Law of Chastity, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say "yes."

SISTERS ALL:Yes.

PETER: That will Do. (All women sit down.) Brethren, please arise. (All men stand up.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the Law of Chastity, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say "yes."

BRETHREN: Yes.

PETER: That will do. (All men sit down.)

FIRST TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD OR SIGN OF THE NAIL

PETER: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. This token is received by bringing the right hand into this position: the hand vertical, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended; and the person giving the token placing the tip of the forefinger of his right hand in the center of the palm, and the thumb opposite on the back of the hand of the one receiving it, in this manner. We desire all to receive it. All arise.

(After Officiator and male witness demonstrate token at the altar, temple workers circulate around room to administer this token to the patrons.)

PETER: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand. Then name of this token is "the Son", meaning the Son of God.

The sign is made by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square; the right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together, with the thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the left hip. (The Officiator makes the sign.) This is the sign. The penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to the sides. (Officiator completes the action.)

I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token, its name, and sign and penalty, and which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were receiving the Endowment today, either for myself or for the dead, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign, at the same time representing the execution of the Penalty:

I solemnly covenant before God, angels and these witnesses in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.

All arise (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail by brining the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square; also by bringing the right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together, the thumb extended, and by placing the thumb over the left hip. This is the sign.

Now repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, at the same time representing the Execution of the Penalty:

I solemnly covenant in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name,and sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.

(Patrons perform the action as the Officiator guides them.)

That will do. (All patrons sit down.)

PETER: We will return and report. Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity, and have done all that they were commanded to do have placed the robe on the right shoulder and have introduced them into the Terrestrial World. We have put them under covenant to observe and keep the Law of Chastity. We have also given them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. 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, have placed the robe on the right shoulder, and have introduced them into the Terrestrial World. They have also put them under covenant to observe and keep the Law of Chastity. They have given unto them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. This is their report.

ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John and instruct them to give to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Terrestrial world the Law of Consecration in connection with the law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and to cause them to receive it by covenant; to give unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign, and to teach them the Order of Prayer, and prepare them in all things to receive further instructions at the Veil. Then have them report at the Veil.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James and John, go down to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Terrestrial World, and give unto them the Law of Consecration, in connection with the Law of the Gospel, and the Law of Sacrifice, and cause them to receive it by covenant. Give unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sing of the Nail, with its accompanying sign. Teach them the Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to receive further instructions at the Veil. Then report at the Veil.

PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come, James and John, let us go down.

THE LAW OF CONSECRATION.

PETER: A couple will now come to the alter. (The Witness couple comes forward, and kneels at the altar as before.) We are instructed to give unto you the Law of Consecration as contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants (The Officiator picks up a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants from the altar, and holds it up in view of all patrons.), in connection with the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice which you have already received. It is that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents and everything which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.

All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square.

You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as contained in this, (The Officiator holds up a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants again.), the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.

Each of you bow your head and say "yes."

PATRONS: Yes.

PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.)

SECOND TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, THE PATRIARCHAL GRIP, OR SURE SIGN OF THE NAIL

PETER: We will now give unto you the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign. This token has reference to the crucifixtion of the Savior. When he was placed upon the cross, the crucifiers drove nails through the palms of his handsm then feering that the weight of his body would cause the nails to tear through the flesh of the 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. This token is given by clasping the right hands, interlocking the little fingers, and placing the tip of the forefinger upon the center of the wrist, in this manner (The Officiator demonstrates this token with male witness.). We desire all to receive it. All arise.

(As the witness couple returns to their seats various temple workers administer the token as before, and each patron sits after receiving it.)

If any of you have not received this token, You will please raise your hand.

This token has a name and a sign, but no penalty is mentioned. However, you will be under just as the same sacred obligation of secrecy in connection with this token and sign as you are with the other tokens and signs of the Holy Priesthood which you have received in the temple this day. The name of this token will not be given unto to you at this stage in the Endowment, but it will be given later on.

The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head (The officiator demonstrates.), and while lowering the hands repeating aloud the words:

Pay Lay Ale
Pay Lay Ale
Pay Lay Ale

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 hands are lowered in three distinct movements, one move for each word. [1] Pay--hands above head, [2] Lay--both arms dropped to the square, [3] Ale--both hands lowered to the height of chest.)

PETER: When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, he built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words that he uttered used, which interpreted are: "Oh God, Hear the words of my mouth!", repeated three times.

All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail, by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating aloud three times the words:

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 the patrons make the sign they repeat words with recording as described before.)

PETER: That will do (All patrons sit down.) Brethren and sisters, with the robe on the right shoulder you are prepared to be taught the True Order of Prayer; and to be introduced at the Veil.

THE PRAYER CIRCLE AND THE TRUE ORDER OF PRAYER

PETER: A few of you, including couples, will please come forward and form a circle around the altar.

(The audio recording stops and the Officiator says in his own words a statement to the following effect.)

OFFICIATOR: We would like to invite the witness couple, to take their place at the head of the altar, and an equal number of Brothers and Sisters to join us in the circle. any receiving their own personal Endowment, and any who are about to be married are especially invited to join us in the Prayer Circle at this time.

(The tape recording again resumes.)

NARRATOR: Only the best of feelings should exist in the Circle. If any of you have unkind feelings toward any member of this Circle, you are invited to withdraw so that the Spirit of the Lord may be unrestrained.

In the Circle we make the signs of all the tokens of the Holy Priesthood.

(Patrons make each sign as they are mentioned by the Narrator.)

We will begin by making the Sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. This is done by brining the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. This is the sign. The name of this token is the New Name received in the temple today. The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side.

We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. This sign is done by bringing the right hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the right hand forming a square, and the left arm being raised to the square. This is the sign. The name of this token is your first given name if you are going through the temple for your own Endowment, or if you are going through for the dead, it is the first given name of the person for whom you are officiating. The Execution of the penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hands to the sides.

We will now make the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail. This is done by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together, with the thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the left hip. This is the sign. The name of this Token is "the Son", meaning the Son of God. The Execution of the penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body, and dropping the hands to the sides.

We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail. This is done by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating aloud three times the words:

O God, hear the words of my mouth!
O God, hear the words of my mouth!
O God, hear the words of my mouth!

signifying, "Oh God, Hear the words of my mouth!"

We have here a list of names of persons who are sick, or otherwise afflicted, whom we are requested to remember in our prayer. We will place the this list upon the altar, and request the faith of those present in behalf of these persons.

The sisters in the room will please veil their faces. Each brother in the circle will take the sister at his left, by the right hand in the Patriarchal Grip. Each of you bring your left arm to the square, and rest it upon the shoulder or arm of the person at your left. The brethren and sisters Those in the Circle will repeat the words of the prayer.

OFFICIATOR: (the officiator kneels at the altar, and makes the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood by bringing his right hand forward, with the hand in cupping shape, resting it upon the altar. His left arm is raised to the square. The prayer is spoken by the Officiator, who decides its form and content. He speaks a few sentences at a time, which are repeated in unison by the patrons in the circle. After the prayer, the patrons in the circle release the grip, the Officiator rises, and the audio tape resumes.)

PETER: The sisters will unveil their faces, and the brethren and sisters in the circle will return to their seats. (All patrons sit.) We will now uncover the Veil.

THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE

(A Veil segment is now displayed from behind the curtain which is in the front of the Endowment room. The Officiator takes a pointer in and, prepares to draw attention to the marks on the Veil as they are explained.)

PETER: Brethren and sisters, this is the Veil of the Temple. I will now explain the marks on the Veil. These four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and corresponding marks are found in your individual Garment.

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 the 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 the body and spirit.

This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the garment, so as to be over the knee cap, 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.

(As the Officiator, who now represents Peter, steps to the front of the Veil another male worker steps behind it to represent the Lord. A small mallet hangs on the metal frame which supports the Veil.)

PETER: As all of you will have to pass through the Veil, we will show you how this is to be done. The person is brought to this point, and the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet. (The officiator raps the mallet three times.) 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: The person is then brought to this point, whereupon the Lord puts forth his right hand, gives the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, and asks:

LORD: What is that?

PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

PETER: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PETER: I will, through the Veil.

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

PETER: The person then gives the name of this token, which is his first given name, if he is going through the temple for his own Endowment, or if he is going through for the dead, it is the first given name of the person for whom he is officiating. 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.

PETER: The person then gives the name of this token, which is "the Son," meaning, the Son of God. The Lord then gives the Second Token of he 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: It is received as left arms are placed upon right shoulders through the veil.

(The officiator demonstrates the Five Points of Fellowship through the Veil with the temple worker who represents the Lord, as each point is mentioned.)

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.

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

LORD: That is correct.

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

PETER: 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. We will now report. Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Terrestrial World, and have given unto them the Law of Consecration, and have caused them to receive it by covenant. We have given unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign, and have taught them the Order of Prayer. They are now ready to converse with the Lord through the Veil. This is our report.

JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John. Elohim--Peter, James and John have been down to 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 the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity at the Veil, where we will give unto them, the name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to their entering into our presence.

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

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 the Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory to your entering into the presence of the Lord.

LECTURE AT THE VEIL

(The following lecture is only given when there are patrons present who are receiving their own Endowments, or when the Endowment room is full, and additional time is needed to present the patron at the Veil.)

PETER: A lecture will now be given which summarizes the instructions, ordinances and covenants, and also the tokens, with their key words, 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.

NARRATOR: 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.

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. You then enter entered this room. Here you heard 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, The 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.

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, the 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 was then taught Adam and Eve, and accepted by them. Eve covenanted with Adam that thence forth 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, an 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; 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, 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 your first given name, or the first given name of the person for whom you are officiating. 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. 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 Son'" meaning the Son of God.

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 drive 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. 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.

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-existenant 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, wit 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 Saviour, made just prior to his betrayal: "This is life Eternal, that they might know the Only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." May God bless you all, amen.

CEREMONY AT THE VEIL.

(At this point, a temple worker motions to the patrons, row by row, directing them to the various Veil segments. A worker stands at each segment to introduce the patron to "the Lord" who is on the other side of the Veil. The worker gives three distinct taps 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.

(The Lord gives the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood through the opening in the Veil.)

LORD: What is that?

PATRON: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

PATRON: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PATRON: I will, through the Veil. (The patron gives the New Name).

(The Lord gives the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.)

LORD: What is that?

PATRON: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.

LORD: Has it a name?

PATRON: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PATRON: I will, through the Veil (The patron gives the first given name of the person for whom the temple work is being done).

(The Lord gives the First Token of the Melchizedeck Priesthood.)

LORD: What is that?

PATRON: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

PATRON: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PATRON: I will, through the Veil--the Son.

(The Lord gives the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood.)

LORD: What is that?

PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it a name?

PATRON: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PATRON: 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.

(The Lord and the patron, still holding the grip, embrace upon the Five points of Fellowship by placing their left arms through the marks of the compass and square, which are cut through the Veil. The patron's left arm goes through the mark of the compass, and the Lord's left arm goes through the mark of the square.)

LORD: This is the name of the Token--"Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews, power in the Priesthood be upon me, and upon my posterity through all generations of time, and throughout all eternity."

LORD: What is that?

PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.

LORD: Has it an name?

PATRON: It has.

LORD: Will you give it to me?

PATRON: I will, upon the Five Points of Fellowship through the Veil.- Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews, power in the Priesthood be upon me, and upon my posterity through all generations of time, and throughout all eternity.

LORD: That is correct.

(The Lord and patron break the ceremonial embrace, and the temple worker gives three taps 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 Veil is now parted and the Lord takes the patron by the right hand, and pulls him gently through the Veil into the Celestial Room.)

What part of M A S O N R Y don't you understand???????????????????????

Religion is like a di ck. It's nice to have one. It's great to be proud of it. But don't shove it down my throat.

That is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. I laughed til I cried. Hahahahahahahahahaha

OMG!!! my coworkers are looking at me really strangely now. That was HILARIOUS!!!! Too bad I can only give ya one thumbs up....

The LDS use the King's James Version of the Bible-you learned something new today spiceman.

There is a book of Mormon, but only Smith could read it. It was written ion a language that god enabled only him to read.

No less nonsense than talking snakes and virgin births.

You need to look up the South Park episode with Mormons. The complete history of this religion is there.

Ferro, I think you need to do your research. You are a little off on the history of the Book of Mormon. If you want to know more about the LDS church, why not just go to the source? It is usually where you will find the most accurate information. Here is a link to some of people's most frequently asked questions. www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101

Why not go to the source? Because "the source" is where you hear what any group WANTS you to hear, which frequently is about as far from the truth as one can possibly get and remain in the same universe. If you don't believe that, pick up an American history book!

I'm sitting here laughing, because I got this old without realizing that the Mormon church is solidly composed of Democrats. They must be to pull this out of their bag so close to the election.

My thanks to the LDS for clinching the election for the Democratic party!

Retired,

Would you ask a Republican what a Democrat believes in? Would you ask a Ford dealer what the Corvette costs? Yes the "source" is what the group wants you to hear, but the "source" is probably less biased than the competition. If I were really curious about baptisms for the dead (which I'm not since I am Mormon) I would ask one of my Mormon friends. They would be more than willing to talk to you about it. Then you can go to the anti-Mormon websites and go back to your Mormon friends and ask them more questions. If you are genuinely interested in finding out and not in attacking their faith, they would more than likely talk to you.

jackson, I have no idea myself, but if it's true that the Mormons use the King James version of the Bible, it might be interesting for people to know that translation is only 400 years old and was requisitioned by a King who didn't think that the existing versions conveyed enough obedience to royal authority. Worship without question and be obedient subjects to the King!

Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dummmmb!

...and brown people are brown because they turned away from the lord.

Where do I sign up?

Will I still be able to fly without a hassle at the airport?

So post the link, give info on how to sign up on that list....

DO not baptize list? (lol)
What next, a DO NOT PRAY for me list?
Hey, how about a DO NOT THINK BAD THINGS ABOUT ME list?

All punishable by governmental fines or imprisonment if defied!