The Nauvoo, Illinois, temple. |
Account by Heber C. Kimball:
"The main room is divided into apartments for the
ceremonies of the endowment. Beginning from the door at the West
end is an all[e]y about 5 feet wide extending to about 3 feet beyond
the first partitioned off where the saints receive the first part
of the ceremony or where the man is created and a help mate given
to him. From these rooms to the third partition in the Arch is planted
the garden, which is nicely decorated and set off with shrubs and
trees in pots and Boxes to represent the Garden of Eden. In this
apartment is also an altar. Here the man and woman are placed and
commandments are given to them in addition to what is given in the
creation. Here also after the man and woman has eaten the forbidden
fruit is given to them a charge at the Alter and the first and second
tokens of the Aaronic Priesthood. They are then thrust out into
a room which is dark being the one on the North side between the
fourth and fifth division of the arch which represents the telestial
kingdom or the world. Opposite to this is another apartment of the
same size representing the terrestrial kingdom and between these
two is an alley about 4 feet wide. In the telestial kingdom, after
the man has proved himself faithful he receives the first signs
and tokens of the Melchizedek priesthood and an additional charge.
Here also he vouches for the conduct of his companion. They are
then left to prove themselves faithful, after which they are admitted
into the terrestrial kingdom, where at the alter they receive an
additional charge and the second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood
and also they key word on the five points of fellowship.
There are words given with every token and the new name is given
in the preparation room when they receive their washing and annointing.
After received all the tokens and words and signs they are led to
the vail where they give each to Eloheem through the vail and are
then admitted into the Celestial Room."
Source: Nauvoo Temple Journal, 11 December 1845,
George D. Smith, ed., An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of
William Clayton (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991), p.
205; "On the day temple ordinances begin, Heber C. Kimball asks
William Clayton to help him keep a record of Nauvoo temple-related
activities." Ibid. p. 199.
"Last evening an arrangement was made establishing
better order in conducting the endowment. Under this order it is
the province of Eloheem, Jehovah and Michael to create the world,
plant the Garden and create the man and give his help meet. Eloheem
gives the charge to Adam in the Garden and thrust them into the
telestial kingdom or the world. Then Peter assisted by James and
john conducts them through the Telestial and Terrestrial kingdom
administering the charges and tokens in each and conducts them to
the vail where they are received by the Eloheem and after taking
with him by words and tokens are admitted by him into the Celestial
Kingdom...."
Source: Nauvoo Temple Journal, 13 December 1845, Ibid., p. 210.
Account by "Emeline":
"Dear Sir:-I discover by your paper, in what you
have published in regard to the Mormon endowments, given of late
in the temple, that you have been wrongfully informed at least,
so far as an actual experience has taught me in the orgies of an
afternoon, in that (as I have been taught to believe) most holy
building. In revealing what I am about to do, I have no lashing
of conscience; notwithstanding I took upon myself, during the laughable
farce, several oaths and obligations of a serious character, not
to reveal the secrets of the priesthood.
I went into this pretended holy operation, in company with 14 others,
all sisters in the Mormon church, and with most of whom I was well
acquainted. They were, in the main, women of good character, and
appeared sincere in their respective devotions. We were first received
past the Guard into a private room on the north side of the Temple-this
was the room of preparation or purification.-We were divested of
all our apparel, and in a state of perfect nudity we were washed
from head to foot,-a blanket was then thrown about our persons,
and then commencing at the head we were anointed from head to foot
with sweet oil scented (I think) with lavender. We were then clothed
in white robes. All this was done by sisters in the church-none
others were present-it is false to say that men and women are admitted
together in an indecent manner. We were then conducted into a room
called the garden of Eden; here we found several of our brethren
robed in white also, and apparently in a soporific state. We were
presented before them and a voice from the Lord awake them from
sleep. After a considerable ceremony, which I do not recollect much
of, we were left by the Lord and soon a very dandy-like fellow appeared
with a black cape on, that had a long tail attached to it; he appeared
very familiar-and by his very insinuating and friendly manner induced
some of our sisters to eat of the 'forbidden fruit.' Soon after
the voice of the Lord appeared again in the garden; we a;; appeared
frightened, and both men and women huddled together into the corner
of the room, as if in the act of hiding. The fellow in the black
cap presents himself before the Lord and engages in a controversy,
boasting of what he had done. The Lord pronounces a curse upon him-he
gets down upon his belly and crawls off. At this period of the holy
ceremony, I could not suppress my visible passions; for this fellow
acted his part well-undoubtedly his part being the part of the Devil-was
the most natural. We were then presented with aprons, which we put
on about this time, a sword was shook at us through the partition
of the room, which was to guard the Tree of Life. After considerable
ceremony, which I do not recollect, we were passed into another
room, which was dark and dreary. This was called the Terrestrial
Kingdom; immediately the dandy in the black cap made his appearance;
at first he appeared very sly-peeping about, and when he found the
Lord was not present, he became very familiar and persuasive. Said
he, 'here we are, all together, and all good fellows well met. Some
Methodists, some Presbyterians, some Mormons, and some Strangites,
&c. &c. Come let us drink together.' In this way he tempted us,
and we partook with him. After a considerable parade and ceremony,
we passed into another room, or Celestial Kingdom. Here I saw some
of the twelve, and particularly Brigham Young, with a white crown
upon his head, and as I have since been told, representing God himself.
We passed this room without much ceremony into another. I have forgotten
what it represented; not so much of interest transpired here, &
we were conducted back and put in possession of our clothing..
In the different apartments of this singular farce, we took upon
ourselves paths and obligations not to reveal the secrets of the
priesthood. I do not consider them binding; as I have had ample
and repeated opportunity to prove the administrators of these obligations
as corrupt as the Devil in Hell. In one place I was presented with
a new name, which I was not to reveal to any living creature, save
the man to whom I should be sealed for eternity. By this name I
am to be called in eternity, or after the resurrection. This name
was --; and from what I can gather, all the females had the same
name given them, but we are not allowed to reveal it to each other,
under no less penalty than to have our throats cut from ear to ear,
our hearts torn out, &c., &c. I have forgotten a part of the penalties.
In one place something was spoken to me which I do not recollect-the
meaning was 'marrow in the bon;' the token was a firm hold of the
hand, pressing the finger nails firmly into the wrist of the right
hands. I have since been told by a brother, that there was a mystical
meaning in this, that will hereafter be revealed.
Now sir, this is the substance of the Mormon endowment.."
Source: "Mormon Endowment" by "Emeline" in Warsaw Signal,
April 18, 1846
Account by Catherine Lewis:
"On Monday, Mrs. K. and myself proceeded to the
Temple; we went up three or four flights of stairs to the upper
story, called the 'upper room of the Temple,' which is a large Hall
with six rooms on either side, for the Apostles; and the Hall for
the purposes of Initiation, or Endowment, is divided by canvass
into six rooms more, making eighteen rooms in the whole. Two of
these rooms, separated by canvass, are reserved for dressing-rooms,-one
for males, the other for females; and one of the Apostle's rooms
on the right of the entrance, another on the left, are used for
washing and anointing rooms. The right hand room for males, the
left for females, with a large entry separated by canvass, into
which Mrs. K. and I entered; she (Mrs. K.) knocked at a door, which
was opened by the Porter; we went in; she conducted me to the women's
dressing room; I was told to remain until I was called to be 'washed
and anointed.' While waiting, a company were going through the room
called the Garden of Eden.-This part of the ceremony any number
of persons can go in company, with or without wife or husband; but
at the second part, none are allowed to go without a companion.
I heard language from Scripture, and a noise apparently as if by
a man crawling on the floor; soon after I heard singing, what seemed
to me a romantic song; the sound was farther off than at first,
and I puzzled to know what it meant. I was called into the wash-room
to receive my washing, anointing and a new name; the females were
attended by females; one of whom came to me with a basin of water,
and began to wash my face, saying, "Beloved Sister, I wash you with
pure water in the name of the Lord, that you may be clean,' &c.
My companions and myself were required to go into a large bathing
tub, and wash; then each had a blanket wrapped around us, while
we were anointed. One of the ordained women, called Priestess, begins
to anoint, another stands by with a horn, containing consecrated
oil, which she gives to the Priestess from a wooden spoon, in such
quantity and at such times, she is directed; the priestess begins
at the head to anoint, and blesses by saying:-
'Sister, I anoint you in the name of the Lord, and bless you. I
anoint you to be a Queen; you shall do the same work in the Temple
which you now see me do. I anoint your ears, that you may hear,
your eyes, that they may see, your arms, that they may be strong,
&c.'
She then whispers in the ear a name, called a new name, adding-
'You must not tell any one your new name, until you get to the vail;
it must never be spoken above the sound of your breath; if you ever
mention it, the name will be taken away.'
Our names were then recorded; we then dressed and went into the
other room, and waited. When the men and women were ready, a voice
was heard saying, 'Michael Jehovah, there is space, go down, create
a world.' After a few minutes the second person said, 'I have done
as thou hast said.' The first person says, 'all is good,' and pretends
to send the second person until all the ceremony of creation is
gone through with; then man is found without an helpmeet, the first
person says, 'it is not good for man to be alone; I will cause a
deep sleep to fall on man, take a rib and make a helpmeet for him.'
Then a noise was heard in the men's room, but I know not what they
did; after a while, it was silent, the doors were opened to the
men's and women's rooms, and the women called for; who proceeded
to the men's rooms, selected their companion, each for herself,
except myself and two others; then the company marched into (what
they term) the Garden of Eden-which was adorned with flowers and
branches of trees, one of which represented the tree of life, and
another the tree of knowledge of good and evil. While walking around,
the guide told us the Garden was made for us to dress and keep,
of all the fruit we might eat, but of the fruit of the tree of knowledge,
we must not eat; for in the day we eat thereof, we shall surely
die.
I was behind the others, which the Guide observing, he came to me,
and said, 'walk along with the rest.' I looked on him contemptuously,
but obeyed orders. Soon a person appeared frightfully dressed; he
went to the tree of forbidden fruit, and plucked the same, then
came to the women and gave them to eat, saying, 'take, eat and give
to your husband,' &c. When he came to me, I refused, and looked
upon him with contempt, it seemed so foolish to me. I found there
was no time for words, so I took it. We were then told to hid amid
the trees in the Garden, for the Lord was coming, &c. Men and women
began to hide, but I stood gazing; the Guide came and said, 'Hide,
the Lord is coming.' I walked toward the trees by a door; he said,
'go amongst the trees, for the Lord will come in at that door.'
So I moved again. Presently a person representing the Lord came
in, who walked round and said 'Adam, where art thou;' the guide
answered, 'I heard thy voice in the garden, and was afraid, &c.'
The rest of the ceremonies are recorded in Genesis 3d chapter, with
some slight variations. This person then cursed the earth, also
the one who personified Satan, who goes on his hands and feet, and
crawls out of the garden. A man and woman were then called to the
Altar to receive the signs and tokens of the Priesthood; the one
who is styled God, says:-
'I knew you would transgress, &c. Before I created, and placed you
here, I in intended you should; but I have prepared a Saviour for
you, and in due time he will come. I will now give you the signs
and tokens of the priesthood. If any one comes without these signs,
you may know they are not sent by me; do not receive them; the first
sign or token is to take hold of the right hand, pacing the ball
of the thumb between the two upper joints of the fore-fingers. The
second sign is to place the thumb on the upper joint of the second
finger;-these tokens signify you have two names; one of which is
a new name. The third sign is called the patriarchal grip, and has
three names; the first, Patriarchal grip; second, the Son; the third,
you will receive at the Veil.'
Whilst theses ceremonies were enacted, I heard a noise, when looking
round I beheld a flaming sword come flourishing in at the door,
near the tree of life. It had a singular appearance, and looked
like fire. After another room, representing this world, the only
light we had came through the canvass, which separated one room
from the other. The Devil came in to tempt us with a vessel of wine;
(as it was called, I did not taste it.) He was singing a vulgar,
obscene song; he handed the wine all around, saying 'this is my
kingdom; here you may eat, drink, and be merry.' He strutted about,
singing; some one came in and tried to get the signs. Soon another
came with the Gospel, and began to preach; the Devil contending
with him for some time; a knocking was heard at the door, upon which
the teacher went to the door, and appeared to be listening; he returned
and said, 'Peter has given me the Keys of the Kingdom, which is
to be set up in the last days.' Then the Devil began to rage, and
was cast out, and he left the room hissing. Soon after this our
robes, caps and shoes were brought; the men wore shirts over a pair
of white pants or drawers, and had no other clothing until our robes,
&c. were brought-linen caps for men, and muslin caps for women.
We were then ordered into another room, which was called the terrestrial
kingdom, and there say after our Teacher what he said. So far as
my memory serves me, he began by saying 'I swear, I will sustain
the Bible and the Book of Mormon; the Book of doctrine and covenants.-I
will not disclose any thing here made known.-I will avenge my brother's
blood in every possible way.' To the men the Teacher said, 'I will
not touch a daughter of Adam unless she be given me of the Lord;'
then to the women, 'I will not have any other man but my husband.'
The men and women were told to hold up their hands. It seemed so
frivilous to me, I did not raise my hand; as I had no husband I
thought it altogether unnecessary. The teacher came to me apparently
frightened, and said 'Sister, you did not raise your hand.' I smiled
and raised by hand, but wondered at his appearance. I have since
been informed it would be death to resist. Our shoes and loose clothing
were carried to the upper part of the Hall; we could not obtain
them without going through; there was no way to escape; if any one
should attempt it, they would be met by Brigham's Holy Ghost, I
suppose, which one of the Elders told me 'was a man standing at
the door to knock them in the head with a mallet, if they attempted
to escape.'
We were to hold up the heads of the Church, and obey them in all
things, and at all times. Then we held up both hands above the head,
and placed out right hand under our left ear, drew it across the
throat, the left hand was placed to the right shoulder, then drawn
across the breast, and the right hand suddenly thrust down the right
side. We then raised our hands again, and were taught how to pray.
This ceremony concluded, we proceeded singly to the veil, (which
is a large sheet separating us from the upper part of the hall,
having five hole in it-two for the eyes, one for the mouth, and
two for the arms,) the person representing the Lord is on the other
side of the vail, to take the signs and converse with us. Our Instructor
tells us how to answer. Then the Lord asks for the signs; we give
them; our new name is whispered in his ear; he then whispers the
third name of the Patriarchal Grip in our ear, viz:-'Marrow in the
bones, Strength in the sinews, and virtue in the loins throughout
all generation.' This being over, our Instructor knocked at the
door, which was partly opened by this Lord, who asked, 'what is
wanting?' The Instructor answered 'a Candidate is ready to enter;'
he says, 'take off your robe and put it on the right shoulder; everything
appears wrong end foremost in the other world. Take off your shoes,
the place upon which you stand is Holy Ground.' A motion being made,
we enter the place representing 'the Celestial Kingdom;' we obtain
our clothes, and go out a different way to our homes."
Source: Catherine Lewis, Narrative of Some of
the Proceedings of the Mormons (Lynn: Published by the Author,
1848. According to Mormon Apostle Heber C. Kimball's Journal # 93,
p. 174, Catherine Lewis received her Temple Endowment in the Nauvoo,
Illinois, Temple on December 22, 1845.
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