After making minor corrections in the transcripts of both the 1984 and 1990 ceremonies, we marked the changes that would have to be made in the 1984 version to bring it into conformity with the 1990 revised version of the ritual. (As we explained in the Preface, the reader will also find the 1990 version of the endowment ceremony printed in its entirety without any markings in Appendix B.)

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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 patrons at the Veil.)

[The following is crossed out in the original]

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 thusfar 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 temples 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 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. They 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 come 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 the 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, they 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. Adam and Eve also were driven out of the garden, 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 child-bearing. 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 thenceforth 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 the 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 a 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 and 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 the 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 the hands, they drove nails through his wrists. Hence, in the palm is the 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-existant 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, with 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 Savior, made just prior to his betrayal: “This is life Eternal, that they might know thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” May God bless you all, Amen.