Temple endowment

The dictionary defines an endowment as a gift given by a higher power. For instance, it is not unusual for a benefactor to donate a large sum of money, materials, or resources to a university. Such gifts are often referred to as endowments, and they are used for the benefit of the recipient (the university or its students).

Mention the word endowment to a faithful Mormon, and you'll find it has a similar meaning. Mormons refer to a particular temple ordinance (an ordinance is a religious ceremony) as "the endowment," and view it as a gift from an even higher power—God. The endowment is a gift of knowledge to help faithful Mormons understand their lives and their relationship to God. Specifically, the endowment helps Mormons understand who they are, where they came from, and where they are going. It helps members understand what they should do to prepare to meet God, and how Jesus Christ offers salvation to each of us. Information in the endowment is presented in a highly symbolic manner and it includes the acceptance of covenants by the individual receiving the endowment. Each of these areas (symbolism and covenants) are important to understand when considering the endowment.

The Mormon temple ceremony was introduced by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the 1840s. The Kirtland Temple, which was actually never referred to as a temple, but rather as a House of Prayer, was a preparatory temple. The Nauvoo Temple was the first Mormon Temple to have the full temple ceremonies (see History fo Mormon Temples).

Symbolic Instruction

We are surrounded by symbols, and we often take them for granted; we may not even recognize them. For example, consider the words you are reading right on this page. Words are nothing but symbols used to represent objects or ideas. If you use the word table, the word isn't actually a piece of furniture; it is a symbol. Indeed, it is a symbol of more than just the furniture, as those who use the symbol (the word table) can attach a wide variety of meanings to that symbol. For instance, to one person a table may mean a type of writing desk, while to another a table may invoke images of a dinner table. Everyone may understand what is meant by table, the specifics of that meaning will vary—sometimes significantly—from one person to another.

The temple endowment conveys information in a highly symbolic manner. Just as the word table has shades of meaning, so do the symbols used in the temple endowment. One reason that faithful Mormons are encouraged to return to the temple many times during their lives is so they can seek those different shades of meaning inherent in symbolic instruction. The meaning that someone derives from a symbol today may be different than the meaning previously derived, and it will definitely be different than what is derived in the future.

One prominent Mormon scholar commented on the power of symbolic instruction in this manner:

We live in a world of symbols. We know nothing, except by symbols. We make a few marks on a sheet of paper, and we say that they form a word, which stands for love, or hate, or charity, or God or eternity. The marks may not be very beautiful to the eye. No one finds fault with the symbols on the pages of a book because they are not as mighty in their own beauty as the things which they represent. We do not quarrel with the symbol G-O-D because it is not very beautiful, yet represents the majesty of God. We are glad to have symbols, if only the meaning of the symbols is brought home to us. I speak to you tonight; you have not quarreled very much with my manner of delivery, or my choice of words; in following the meaning of the thoughts I have tried to bring home to you, you have forgotten words and manner. There are men who object to Santa Claus, because he does not exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat was shoved into the room, carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goat of itself counted for nothing; but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for a tremendous lot.

We live in a world of symbols. No man or woman can come out of the temple endowed as he should be, unless he has seen, beyond the symbol, the mighty realities for which the symbols stand. (John A. Widtsoe, "Temple Worship," Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, April 1921, p. 62)

Symbols used in the temple endowment and the meanings of those symbols are sacred to Mormons. They view the meaning of the symbols as knowledge (an endowment) from God. For this reason, the only acceptable place for Mormons to discuss the symbols or their meaning is within the walls of a temple. This is why Mormons don't discuss details of what goes on in the temple—it is too sacred to be discussed, except in the most holy of places.

Covenants with God

When presenting the endowment, Church members are required to make very specific covenants with God. A covenant is a two-way promise. In religious terms, a covenant is a sacred promise made between an individual and the Lord. For instance, when a person is baptized, he or she makes a covenant with the Lord that they will strive to follow Jesus' example and repent of any sins they may commit. When the person keeps their part of the covenant, the Lord promises to forgive those sins based on true, sincere repentance.

The covenants presented in the endowment are, again, very sacred to Mormons. These covenants can only be described outside of the temple in general terms, as is done here by James E. Talmage:

The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,-the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions.

No jot, iota, or tittle of the temple rites is otherwise than uplifting and sanctifying. In every detail the endowment ceremony contributes to covenants of morality of life, consecration of person to high ideals, devotion to truth, patriotism to nation, and allegiance to God. (James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, p. 84)

A Gift from God

The temple endowment is viewed by Mormons as a gift from God. The endowment provides knowledge and the promise of blessings to come. Each of the blessings available through the endowment are available only through the salvation offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While faithful Mormons view the temple endowment as necessary and very beneficial, they recognize that it is only Jesus Christ who brings salvation. Only through faith in Him alone can we be saved, by following the example He set for us.

External Links

• Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
• Mormon Temples and Secrecy
• Mormon Temple Worship - BBC Religion & Ethics
• Mormon Temple Ordinances - ReligionFacts
• Early Christianity and Mormonism: The LDS Temple Endowment: An Introduction