Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” —1 Peter 2:5
On May 4, 1842, Joseph Smith Jr. introduced on the second floor of his Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois what some call the “Nauvoo Endowment” to nine Brethren: James Adams, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Bishops Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, and Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards. According to the Prophet, these Brethren were instructed “in the principles and Order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of Melchizedek Priesthood” (Joseph Smith, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, p. 1328).
Originally, the rite consisted of washing, anointing, clothing in the garment, the new name, and instruction in the signs, tokens, and keywords of the holy priesthood. We know these were not meant to be kept secret, as Joseph stated that these Sacraments would “be made known to all Saints of the last days” (Joseph Smith, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, p. 1328).
The First Endowment of the Ministry they were given was the Endowment of the Deacon. Every Deacon and Teacher in the Fellowship of Christ should receive this Endowment. This Sacrament was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the Book of Remembrance, Chapter 14.
The Endowment of the Deacon
Before receiving this Endowment, two witnesses should come forth and testify that the individual has been washed, anointed, and clothed in the garment of the Holy Priesthood. The individual will then verify that they did in fact receive a new name at the time they received their garments, and that they still remember that name. If they have forgotten the new name or have not received these ordinances as explained, the Endowment cannot continue. One may be reminded of their new name via the Fellowship’s records.
To begin, the individual being endowed approaches the altar, facing the east. The orator stands on the opposite side of the altar, fully dressed in the Robes of the Priesthood, facing the individual.
The following should be read by the orator:
The Endowment is to prepare you for service in the Church of Christ and exaltation in the Celestial kingdom and should not be seen as a requirement for salvation in the kingdoms of God. The Endowment is given as one dedicates themselves to a life of service to the Lord. The full Endowment is an invitation to join the Church of the Firstborn. This invitation is extended to all present, as (name) has invited to witness.
“Understand that if you proceed and receive your full endowment, you will be required to take upon yourself sacred obligations in your service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; the violation of which will bring upon you the judgments of God, for God will not be mocked. If you desire to withdraw rather than accept these obligations of your own free will and choice, you may now make it known.”
Pause to give the individual an opportunity to continue or end the endowment before it begins. This should only be read at the beginning of each separate Endowment. If multiple Endowments are to be received in the same day, this introduction need only be read once.
The Endowment
Once the introduction has been read at the altar, the new minister is presented with a green apron and a Gartel, a sash, if they were not already given one. They are then asked to put the apron on by first removing their shoes (and the Gartal if they already have one on with their garments), then they are to put the apron on over the Garment of the Priesthood. The Gartel should be tied about the waste, with the bow to the right. The shoes are returned to the feet last.
The following should be stated by the orator:
This apron represents the Holy Priesthood that you have been ordained to, and the oaths you have made at baptism. I will now read from the Scriptures.”
The following scriptures should then be read:
And thus I gave unto them that apron of cloth, spun from leaves, that they should remember to repent of their sins before me and the priesthood and oaths that I did impart unto them in the Garden. And behold, I did teach them by the means of the holy emblems I didst placed I upon them; and I made them garments of the skins, made holy unto me by the emblems placed I upon them: The square for the justice of Elohim, and the compass for my mercy; for behold in my atonement are both ends met; and the symbol of my Holy Spirit and also a sign unto them and to all generations that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that I, even Jesus, am the Christ: Son of the Living God. And this I shall give unto all that shall serve me that thy may remember that from the beginning they might be saved in me by my name if they are faithful… For behold, this I did give them that they might worship me and through me the Father in spirit and in truth, and that through me they might return to the presence of God.” —Book of Remembrance 14:26-31, 43
the orator next states the following:
You are to be give the token of the Law of Sacrifice with its accompanying name, and sign at the altar. I desire to impress upon your mind the sacred character of the token of the Law of Sacrifice, and its sign. Remember your covenants at baptism; to observe and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testaments. This is not a sacrifice of animals, but rather this Law of Sacrifice refers to the call as a Christian to pick up one’s cross and follow the Savior, thus giving our lives to Him, as you have chosen to do as a member of this Fellowship, and a Minister of Christ in this royal Priesthood.”
The orator then gives the token and the sign of the Law of Sacrifice across the altar.
Token of the Law of Sacrifice
To make this token, the individual will clasp their right hand with the right hand of the orator presenting the Endowment, placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of one another’s hand. The name of this token is the new name received with one’s garments. Each should share their names with the other as they give the token.
Sign of the Law of Sacrifice
This 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. This sign is also used when sustaining members in the Fellowship, in voting, and at other times as instructed.
At the Altar
The individual then gives the orator of the Endowment the token and the sign of the Law of Sacrifice at the altar. If it is acceptable, this Endowment is concluded. If desired and so moved by the Spirit, those present may be led in the Hosanna Shout.
Once completed, the individual should share the token of the Law of Sacrifice with their fellows (the other members of their priesthood group); first with the group leader, then with every brother or sister present in turn. At this point, they are now a fully fledged Deacon or Teacher.
All duties performed in the office of Deacon and Teacher should be done wearing the Garments of the Priesthood, the Gartel, and apron. They should give the token of the Law of Sacrifice to one another before every meeting, with its name. When praying as a quorum, they should use the sign of the Law of Sacrifice; when praying in a circle, they would place the elbows of their right arms on the left shoulder or arm of the brother to their left, resting the left hand at their sides.
If one enters the Order of the Priesthood and goes beyond their seven days of being ordained before receiving their Endowment, one should not be re-ordained before becoming endowed. They should be welcome in the meetings of their quorum. After the first three consecutive Sundays however, they should not be permitted to do their duties as a Deacon until after they have been endowed, and they may not move to a new office in the Priesthood until they have received their Endowment.
The Gift
In the Book of Remembrance, Chapter 15, God sends Raphael to Adam and Eve, teaching them the purpose of this Sacrament. Raphael begins by stating,
Blessed are the wise by the mysteries coming from the wisdom of that tree, given them of the Lord God; light is given to teach truth unto mankind; the power of the Lower and High Priesthoods is the foundation of the glory of Elohim. This secret word, for it is as yet unknown to the world, is as milk and honey upon the tongues of the righteous; for now, it be to you alone; for behold, these teachings are no longer foreign unto you” (Book of Remembrance 15:2-5).
While Adam and Eve partook of the tree without permission, when we are given the Sacraments of the Endowment, we are given the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil by God, or in other words, with permission.
In truth, this fruit was first given to us when we were born again. When we receive the baptism by fire, the gift of the Holy Ghost, we receive the first Endowment, the Endowment of Pentecost. This is the only Endowment we need to be saved and exalted to the Celestial Kingdom. Some are called to do more, and thus are given more, line upon line and precept upon precept. The second Endowment is the Kirtland Endowment, or the Initiatories. This Endowment washes us clean in preparation for our call to the ministry, anoints us, and gives us the gifts of the Holy Garments and our new names. The third Endowment then is the Endowment of the Deacon.
The Deacon
The word “deacon” comes from the Greek, diákonos (διάκονος), which means “minister,” or “messenger.” After receiving the Endowment of the Deacon, Raphael prepares Adam and Eve to be sent out as God’s messengers, commanding them, and thus us, to pray to God, that God will teach them (Book of Remembrance 15:6-7). This is a commandment to continue building their personal relationships with the Lord. He then instructs them to turn away from evil, onto the path of righteousness, telling them that by doing this, they will again see God (Book of Remembrance 15:8-9). He is telling them, and us, how we can re-enter the Garden of Eden. This is the path to the Celestial world that we teach as ministers of Christ.
We are not ordained for ourselves, or to make our way to Exaltation, as that already came with the first Endowment. This third Endowment is given to assist us in bringing others to Jesus Christ, to help us in the Deaconship or ministry God has called us to. And this counts for Teachers as well. Teachers are also ministers and messengers of God.
The Reverence
After this, Raphael tells Adam and Eve that there are three secrets they must learn, and to learn these they must know the first wisdom, which is Reverence of the Lord, and there are three reverences:
- Reverence to the Lord (YHVH/Jesus Christ)
- Reverence to the Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost)
- Reverence to Elohim (God the Father, and God the Mother)
(Book of Remembrance 15:21-22)
These are important to know because the purpose of the Low or Levitical Priesthood is to prepare the earth for the things of the heavens (Doctrines of the Saints 119:10). And this we do, he says, because “mankind only receives happiness when they revere the Lord YHVH (Jesus Christ), and it is reverence of Elohim to revere the Lord; and this shall ye do in love” (Book of Remembrance 15:24-25). This is why we call God’s plan “the plan of happiness” (Alma 19:98 RAV, 42:16 OPV; Mormon 3:29 RAV, 7:7 OPV).
The Secrets
Once we know and understand this first commandment we can learn the three types of secrets, which are:
- The secret of the journey
- The secret of origins
- The secret of the Laws of God
(Book of Remembrance 15:13-20)
This list gives us three ways we can find happiness and the plan of salvation. The first, the journey, allows us to learn and grow on our paths. We gain experience from life. The second is understanding who we are, and where we came from. The scriptures say that we are gods, and we are the children of God (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34; Acts17:19; Alma 19:43b RAV, 40:11c OPV). Understanding where we came from helps us to understand where we are going. All are Children of Elohim, but only those who have received the first Endowment are the Children of Christ (Mosiah 8:28-30 RAV, 15:1-3 OPV). And lastly, by obeying the Laws of God we discover that wickedness never was happiness (Alma 19:74 RAV, 41:10b OPV; Book of Remembrance 15:33-34).
These are the three truths all minsters teach when we preach teshuvah, or repentance, to all people. We are calling our brothers and sisters back home, to Israel.
The Love
Desire in thy hearts, yea even write these things upon your hearts, and ye shall keep the commandments; for this is the whole Law: love the Lord thy God in reverence to Elohim; yea revere Elohim, lest you come into the hands of temptation.” —Book of Remembrance 15:26-27
Raphael wraps up his teachings telling Adam and Eve not to serve God in temptation, or in other words not to focus on themselves. It is not about what we get but what we give. Why? Because God loves us so much that He gave His son, and Jesus loved us so much that He gave his life. If we are the children of God, and the children of Jesus Christ then we will emulate them. We will love and serve God’s creation, just as God loves and serves us (Mosiah 2:30-41 RAV, 4:17-25 OPV; Matthew 5:44-45; 3 Nephi 5:90-91a RAV, 12:44-45 OPV).
The love that was written upon our hearts when we were born again becomes the light shining froth from the darkness, healing the fallen creation (Book of Remembrance 15:40-41). By bathing in this light, we are both purified and act as the light of the world (Matthew 5:14, John 12:36). And we can only be that light because we are a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ, the true light (Alma 18:12a RAV, 38:9b OPV; John 8:12; Avahr 22:45). And that light is love, because ours is a God of love.
Ye that have gone forth from darkness into light, these have been divided from those led astray; and as the light shines down upon the waters of baptism, this is the reverence of Elohim who spoke unto thee in the Garden. From love, understanding was created by the love and reverence; and a thousand generations come after from that love.” —Book of Remembrance 15:40-42
Mudras and Mantras
One question many ask is, “What do I do with this new name, these signs, and these tokens?” The new name is given whenever the token of the Law of Sacrifice is given. It is not only your new name, but also the mantra of that token. A mantra is a sacred utterance with religious, magical, or spiritual powers. Abram was given the new name of Abraham, Jacob was called Israel, Simon became Peter, and so on. The idea of God giving Saints in His ministry new names is not new.
This name and token are given when we meet with other members of the Priesthood. It is given freely when we give the token to our brothers and sisters. When we share this token, we invite the Holy Spirit to be with us in our meetings and the work God has called us to perform.
The Sign of the Law of Sacrafice modeled after the square on our garments, is given when we vote as Saints and when we preform various ordinances in Jesus’ name. It may be used as a personal mudra. A mudra is a seal. By unlocking the seal of the sign of the Law of Sacrifice, we gain greater access to the Holy Spirit to assist us in our ministry. In the Priesthood 101 course, we went over meditation. Adding the signs, or seals, of the Endowments of the Ministry we grow closer to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in a special way that will assist us in our ministries.
Does this mean that those that do not receive these Endowments cannot access God? No. We all need to meet God in our own ways, and this is a way for those in the ministry to access God that is not needed by disciples. Yet all Saints have access to God, up to and including seeing God face to face. That is based on the depth of our relationship with God and not our callings or ministries.
Also, anyone that feels called to the Ministry may receive the Endowments, even if they are never called to any organized ministry. Those that feel called to the ministry of their families are welcome to partake in these Sacraments.
One cannot merely put their arm to the square and expect to unlock keys to the ministry. These Endowments are given to unlock the mudras and mantras. Only those that have been given these keys can unlock them in others. This is a gift (endowment means gift) given to mankind by God to share with one another. As Joseph Smith stated in his journal after giving the Endowments on May 4, 1842:
…there was nothing made known to these men but what will be made known to all Saints of the last days, so soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them, even to the weakest of the Saints; therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the Temple, and all houses which they have been, or shall hereafter be commanded of God to build; and wait their time with patience, in all meekness, faith and perseverance unto the end, knowing assuredly that all these things referred to, in this Counsel, are always governed by the principle of Revelation.” —Joseph Smith, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, p. 1328-1329
The key doctrine of Mormonism is the spirit of prophecy and revelation, this is the very Gospel of Jesus Christ that the Book of Mormon restored to the Earth. Without the spirit of prophecy and revelation, the Latter Day Saint movement is nothing more than another Christian sect. Let us work in the ministry to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that personal relationship everyone may have with God, throughout the world.