Secret not Sacred
TempleExcerpt from the pre-1930 endowment ceremony:[footnote]Why the need for secret death oaths in the LDS Temple Endowment Ceremony? [/footnote]
ADAM : “We, and each of us, covenant and promise that we will not reveal any of the secrets of this, the first token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign or penalty. Should we do so, we agree that our throats be cut from ear to ear and our tongues torn out by their roots.”
ADAM: “All bow your heads and say Yes.”
TEMPLE PATRONS: “Yes.” (All patrons sit down.)
PETER: “The brethren and sisters will now stand, push back the seats, place the robe on the left shoulder, and receive the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the secrets of this, the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign, grip or penalty. Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies and given to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
“All bow your heads and say yes.”
TEMPLE PATRONS: “Yes.” (All patrons sit down.)
PETER: “We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal any of the secrets of this, the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign or penalty. Should we do so, we agree that our bodies be cut asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out.”
“All bow your heads and say yes.”
TEMPLE PATRONS: “Yes.” (All patrons sit down.)
Crash Course:
Why the need for secret death oaths in the LDS Temple Endowment Ceremony?
Temple Oaths – Mormon Think
Mormonism and Masonry (Podcast) – Mormon Expressions
The LDS Endowment – For Latter-day Saints, the endowment serves as a rite of adult initiation.
Masonic Symbols and the LDS Temple – Sandra Tanner
Masonry and Mormonism, an Interview with Greg Kearney (Podcast) – Mormon Stories
Occultic and Masonic Influence in Early Mormonism – Joel B. Groat
