As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as befits good trustees of God’s many-sided grace.” —1 Peter 4:10, Amplified Bible

While the washing and anointing were done in the Kirtland temple, the Sacrament of the Nauvoo Endowments were revealed at least in part to Joseph Smith Jr. at an unknown point in Church history. We know they were taught to others in 1842, two months after his initiation into Freemasonry. Joseph Smith administered the first Endowments on the upper floor of his Nauvoo store, having first prepared it to become a temple of the Lord, even as we in the Fellowship do within portions of our own homes today.

Many of the various Latter Day Saint denominations have chosen not use Smith’s teachings on the Endowments. And, many that do have added to them. This does not make them false; it merely shows that they are not necessary for one to gain salvation or exaltation, and that the Lord allows variety.

It should be made clear that the Endowments are given to invite and prepare disciples of Christ for the Ministry. The Endowments prepare men and women to serve the Lord in the Fellowship of Christ (Mosiah 1:49 RAV, 2:17 OPV). Salvation is already given to those that remain faithful to the Son of God, Jesus Christ (Mosiah 2:9-23 RAV, 4:6-12 OPV).

The original rite was given after the brethren had received Initiatories: washing, anointing, clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. The washing and anointing were likely done earlier, in the Kirtland era of the young Church. The Endowment: instruction in the signs, tokens, and keywords of the Holy Priesthood; were given in their simplest form in Nauvoo. There were no theatrics, covenants of secrecy, or oaths or penalties. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with the additions seen in other branches of our faith, and we accept Endowments as currently performed by all Latter Day Saint sects. We have merely been prompted by the Holy Spirit to perform these rituals in a different manor.

In the Fellowship of Christ, the tradition of the Endowment continues in its rawest and most beautiful form of simplicity. We carry the tradition of the Endowment, as it empowers men and women to bring souls closer to Christ as we work together in His vineyard. These, we believe, were never meant to be secret. They were given as a Sacrament. Those that have received and those will be receiving their Endowments are servants of the Most High God; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: even Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As we receive our Endowments we are, in fact, covenanting to serve Christ and labor in His vineyard. The Endowment is to be kept sacred however as God is not to be mocked.

Endowed in Stages

Once ordained to the Priesthood, and after being Initiated, one should receive a portion of their Endowment. They will continue to be further Endowed as they are called to grow in the Priesthood. The first two Endowments of the Levitical Priesthood are given after being ordained a Deacon a Priest/Priestess, respectively. The two Endowments of the High Priesthood are given after one has been ordained an Elder or a High Priests/High Priestesses, respectively. If one enters the Fellowship and heeds the call to be a Priest or Priestess, they should receive both of the first two Endowments back-to-back. If one has already been Endowed and is retaking their Endowments, they may receive as many as they have received all at once (Book of Remembrance 21:17-20).

An Endowment may be given immediately after an ordination but should be given no more than seven days from the time one has been ordained. One may not be ordained to another office in Priesthood or Sisterhood without being properly Endowed.

Those receiving their endowments may invite as many to witnesses, in or out of the Fellowship of Christ, to be in attendance as they wish, and there is room for. However, reverence is to be expected during this sacred event. If someone gets out of line the Endowment should be paused so that they may be asked to leave.

Those receiving an Endowment should be wearing their garments, and dressed in the Robes of the Priesthood, as they have been given when they last received them, before each endowment begins (Book of Remembrance 21:21). For example; a Deacon or Teacher being endowed would begin by properly wearing the Garments of the Priesthood, while a Priest or Priestess would begin by wearing their apron and gartel in addition to the garments, and so on.

Wearing the Robes of the Priesthood

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat and girded him with the girdle and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.” —Leviticus 8:6-7 KJV

When performing ordinances that require the power of the Priesthood, the Lord has asked that ordained men and women of the Fellowship wear the Robes of the Priesthood. They are known within the Fellowship as Tzniut, Hebrew for privacy, sometimes translated as “modesty” in the scriptures. Tzniut are not mandatory as this is a nondenominational movement. The revelation asking us to do was sustained by the body of the Fellowship April 6, 2019. For those that accept the revelations, the Lord has explained that the Robes of the Priesthood signify the authority held by those using their priesthood keys; that they have been endowed. Those that have been through a Latter Day Saint/Mormon temple’s endowment session, regardless of denomination, will likely recognize variations of the attire.

It should be noted that one need not be endowed to worship at home. These instructions are merely for those that have been ordained, initiated, and received their Endowment(s).

Garments of the Priesthood

The Garments of the Priesthood, or more simply “garments,” are clothing with the four symbols of the priesthood upon them. These are the Square, the Compass, the Horizontal Line on the Navel, and the Horizontal Line on or about the Knee. If these are sewn onto one’s underwear they become Garments of the Priesthood.

One may also sew the symbols onto an ephod, vest, or tabard, provided they are or are close to knee length. Garments in the form of underwear should be worn under one’s clothing, where as garments in the form of an ephod, long vest, or tabard should be warm above the clothing.

Robes of the Levitical Priesthood

The Robes of the Lower Priesthood are as follows:

• A robe that covers one shoulder, leaving the other bare, tying at the waste; this should be made of white material
• A green or white apron
• A white sash called a gartel to one’s measure (as long as the wearer is tall)
• A cap or head wear; preferably white

For the Levitical Offices of Aaron and Miriam, Robes of the Lower Priesthood are worn when blessing or passing the Sacrament of Communion, for Baptisms, for the ordaining of others to the Levitical Priesthood, and in other duties.

For the first year after receiving their Endowment, a green apron may be worn to signify they are new; fresh from the Garden, as Adam and Eve were when wearing their leaves. This is to help guide those new in their respective units. After the first year, they may continue to wear green, or switch to white to signify Christ’s cleansing of sin (see color meanings on the attached PDF).

Deacons and Teachers

Deacons and Teachers wear the garments, gartel, and the apron. If wearing outer garments (symbols on their ephod, long vest, or tabard rather than their underwear), the apron should go over them. The gartel is then placed around the waist over both, tied to the right side. If the wearer is in a leadership position they should tie the sash in the middle. Shoes should be removed before putting on the apron and sash, and removed again before removing them.

Those ordained to the High Priesthood that are called as Deacons or Rabbis (the term for Elders and High Priests or High Priestesses called as Teachers) may wear the color of apron they feel moved by the Holy Spirit to wear. While all members of the Priesthood may wear the tallit, High Priests or High Priestesses called as Deacons or Rabbis are encouraged to do so.

Priests and Priestesses

To wear the robes of the Lower Priesthood as a Priest or Priestess, first remove shoes from the feet. Place the robe on the left shoulder with the cap placed on the head. If one is wearing a Latter-day Saint created cap, the bow should be worn over the right ear. Put on the apron, then tie the gartel with the bow on the right side. Finally, replace the shoes as part of the temple clothing. With the robe on the left shoulder, one is prepared to officiate in the ordinances of the Lower priesthood.

Shoes should be taken off the feet from the feet before removing the Robes of the Lower Priesthood.

And the Levitical Priesthood, the Priests and the Priestesses, these shall cover their heads with miznefet, which is to say a hat that does not cover the face or ears. And the Deacons and the Teachers shall neither cover their heads nor their faces, neither the males nor the females… And behold, these ye shall wear to show humility before me, and not of status, nor out of pride; for in the day one shall hold their calling from me in pride shall they hold that call in vain.” —Doctrines of the Saints 114:27-28, 33-34

Robes of the High Priesthood

The Robes of the High Priesthood are as follows:

• A robe that covers one shoulder, leaving the other bare, tying at the waste; this should be made of white material
• An apron (see color list)
• A white sash called a gartel to one’s measure (as long as the wearer is tall)
• A cap or head wear, preferably white, for the Elders
• A tallit for the High Priests and High Priestess

For the Melchizedek and Magdalene Offices of the Priesthood, Robes of the High Priesthood are worn. This would be to preside over meetings, give the gift of the Holy Ghost, preform the True Order of Prayer, for the ordaining of others to the Priesthood, and in other duties.

And of the High Priesthood, the Elders shall wear a miter upon their heads, both male and female; which is to say a loose hat, wrapped, tied, or bound to the head neither covering the face nor the ears. And the High Priests and High Priestesses, these shall wear a tallit, which is to say a prayer shawl with tzitzit, or fringe; and they shall cover their heads as moved by the Spirit, but they shall not make to cover the face, neither the High Priest nor the High Priestess; and the High Priests and the High Priestesses may wear a hat covering their heads as do the Priests and Elders in addition to this as they desire but know thee that it is not required of me. And behold, these ye shall wear to show humility before me, and not of status, nor out of pride; for in the day one shall hold their calling from me in pride shall they hold that call in vain.” —Doctrines of the Saints 114:29-34

Wearing the Robes of the High Priesthood

For the Brotherhood of Melchizedek and the Sisterhood of Magdalene Robes of the High Priesthood are worn, unless fulfilling duties of or a call to the Levitical Priesthood. This can include leading the congregation during services, giving the gift of the Holy Ghost, for ordaining of others to the Priesthood, among other duties.

To wear the robes of the High Priesthood, first remove shoes from the feet. Place the robe on the right shoulder with the cap or hood placed on the head. If wearing Latter-day Saint attire, do so with the bow over the right ear. If one is a High Priest or High Priestess wearing a hood, the robe should go over the garments, and thus the hood would come out of the robe. If the hood is separate, it should hand over the robe.

Put on the apron, then tie the gartel with the bow on the left side. If one is leading any form of service, the bow should be tied in front to make clear their authority. Finally, replace the shoes as part of the temple clothing. With the robe on the right shoulder, one is prepared to officiate in the ordinances of the High priesthood.

Shoes should be taken off the feet from the feet before removing the Robes of the High Priesthood.

Let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands; and let all things be done in cleanliness before me.” —Doctrines of the Saints 4a:51-52