What is the temple endowment ceremony? Is it a secret ritual?

Anonymous, 3/14/2009

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Introduction

Mormon Temple
The Mormon temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The endowment is a sacred ceremony that takes place in Mormon temples. Like Protestants, Mormons worship God through didactic teachings; we listen to sermons on Sundays, study the scriptures, and go to Sunday school. “Didactic worship” takes place in Mormon chapels, which are open to the public. In addition, Mormons also worship God through sacred ceremonies. Ceremonial worship is common in older Christian faiths like the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Mormons do most of their ceremonial worship in temples. These ceremonies are very sacred and personal, so they are practiced in private. The endowment is one of these sacred temple ceremonies.

Whenever learning about another culture, one must be non-judgmental and open-minded. What seems foreign or even strange to an outsider is natural and beautiful to a culturally savvy insider. Many outsiders judge Mormon practices and beliefs by their own cultural standards rather than recognizing that Mormons are an ethnic group unto themselves with unique beliefs and customs that must be evaluated on their own merits. When people judge the culture of others by their own personal cultural standards, bigotry often ensues. Obviously mocking or insulting the symbols of the endowment, or displaying them publically for entertainment a la “Big Love,” is extremely culturally insensitive.

Because the endowment is so sacred and private, I won't be discussing many of the details of the ceremony here. Much of the ceremony can be discussed, however; here I'll describe the portions of the endowment that have been explained publically by leaders of the church and in reputable Mormon publications.

What are some of the symbols of the endowment?

A symbol is an object, event, action, or teaching that represents a religious truth. Each of these kinds of symbols is used in the endowment. Participants draw closer to God as they ponder the meaning of each symbol. (References: 1 2)

Clothing

Like the robes and collars of Catholic and Protestant clergymen, the Jewish yarmulke (skull cap), the Muslim hijab, and the Sikh turban, Mormons also use religious clothing as a symbol. Mormons enter the temple in their Sunday best as a sign of respect for the sacred ordinances realized there. Once in the temple, street clothing is exchanged for white temple clothes in a locker room with private stalls. Temple clothing is completely white for two reasons:
  • First, in Mormon culture white symbolizes moral purity. This symbol is derived from the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah said that even the most scarlet of sins can be made white as snow through the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 1:18).
  • Second, all dress in the same color, white, to symbolize that in God's eyes we are all of equal importance. As Elder John A. Widtsoe once said, “The beggar and the banker, the learned and the unlearned, the prince and the pauper sit side by side in the temple and are of equal importance if they live righteously before the Lord God, the Father of their spirits.” (References: 1 2 3)
Part of this white temple clothing is called the temple garment. The garment is worn even outside of the temple to remind the wearer of sacred temple promises made to God. Mormons wear their garments underneath their regular clothing so as not to call attention to themselves; the garment represents a private commitment to God and so is worn privately. (References: 1 2 3)

Actions

Like the ceremonial worship of the Catholic and Orthodox-Christian traditions, the Mormon endowment also includes ceremonial actions. These actions include, among other things, raising ones hands as promises are made to God. Each of these ceremonial motions/symbols has great cultural and theological significance. (References: 1 2)

Architecture

Mormon Temple
The Recife Mormon temple in Recife, Brazil.
The architecture of the temple is itself very symbolic. In most temples, there are two primary rooms used in the endowment ceremony, the terrestrial room and the celestial room. A veil separates these two rooms; in Mormonism, veils often represent the separation between the physical and spiritual world. The celestial room symbolizes the highest degree of heaven, where men and women can one day live in God's presence. It is the holiest and most beautifully decorated place in the temple. In the celestial room, the barrier between the physical and spiritual worlds is very thin. The spirit of God can be felt with great power, and communication with God through prayer comes easily. Some of my most sacred personal experiences have taken place in temple celestial rooms. This notion of sacred space is one of the things that distinguish Mormonism from many other Christian denominations.

In older temples, there are additional rooms used in the endowment ceremony. These rooms represent the creation, the Garden of Eden, and the mortal world in which we currently reside. Pictures of these rooms can be found online. (References: 1 2 3 4 5)

What are the teachings of the endowment?

Jesus Christ
A statue of Jesus Christ at temple square in Salt Lake City.
One of the purposes of the endowment is to teach men and women about their true relationship with God. The ceremony describes the creation of the Earth, including Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It describes how Satan tempted Adam and Eve, how they transgressed, and how they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. It teaches that Adam and Eve made the same temple promises that modern temple worshipers make. The creation account given is very similar to the published account found in the Book of Moses, which Mormons consider to be scripture. (References: 1 2 3 4 5 6)

The endowment also teaches about God's plan of salvation. This plan revolves around Jesus Christ and is only possible because of His atoning sacrifice. The ceremony helps us understand our existence with God before our birth. It teaches us about our divine heritage and our Father's love. The ceremony also explains the purpose of this mortal life. Perhaps most importantly, the endowment describes our eternal opportunities and potential to return to live with God one day. As President David O. McKay once taught, “…the Temple endowment... [represents] the step-by-step ascent into the eternal Presence.” (References: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9)

How are the teachings of the endowment presented?

In older temples, the many rooms involved in the temple endowment include mural paintings that depict the creation, the Garden of Eden, this mortal world, and heaven. Against these backdrops, temple workers make figurative presentations in which scenes from the creation are acted out. Thus, the temple ceremony is presented through “art, drama, and symbols.” In newer temples (the vast majority), rather than act out the scenes, the scenes are depicted in a film presentation. Using a film allows the ceremony to be easily performed in many different languages, a necessity in what is now a global church. (References: 1 2 3 4)

What promises are made in the temple?

Mormon Temple
The Mormon temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
As part of the endowment, participants make sacred promises to God.
  • One of these promises is related to what has historically been called the “law of consecration.” Participants promise to dedicate their lives to God, to devote their time, talents, and means to helping others through Christ's church.
  • Another promise is to live the “law of chastity.” Participants promise to be physically intimate only with their husband or wife. Faithfulness in marriage and chastity outside of marriage is very important in Mormon culture; it's believed to be critical for the stability of the family.
  • Additionally, participants promise to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant, and pure. (References: 1 2 3 4 5)
I hope this introduction to the Mormon endowment ceremony was helpful. Temple worship is one of the things I love most about Mormonism. If you're considering joining the church, begin now to prepare yourself to receive these temple blessings. Baptism is only the first step on a wonderful journey of sacred worship and rich spiritual blessings.

There's a far better way to learn about Mormons! If you have questions, consider inviting Mormons that live in your area to visit with you in your home!

Anonymous from Provo:


I feel this question has been prompted by the HBO T.V. show showing its own depiction of something they know nothing about. The LDS church and God's living prophet have responded to the Big Love episode attempting to depict a sacred cerimony with a movie on you tube. I'll let the movie do the talking further.

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