Is this right DAVEH and Blaine?
Mormon Rituals
Hi David,
Although I was raised Catholic, I did join the
LDS (Mormon) church in the mid-70's but left it in the late 70's after looking
deeply into the religion, beyond the surface, outward hype. Before I left, I had
been initiated (endowment) in the temple and had gone through the ceremony
several times after that. I also graduated from Brigham Young University in 80,
although I had left the church by that time.
The temple ceremony includes
oaths and you're told several ways in which 'god' may "take your life" if you
reveal the secrets of the temple. Each member at these ceremonies repeats the
hand gestures of god's potential wrath. These include having your throat cut and
disembowelment. The participant extends his/her right arm with hand open and
thumb extended, then move the extended thumb to just below his/her left ear.
Next, in one motion, the extended thumb is drawn across the throat to the right
ear "demonstrating how 'god' may take your life if you reveal the first token of
the Aaronic priesthood". There are 2 more penalties, for the second token of the
Aaronic priesthood and the first token of the Melchizedek priesthood. No penalty
is given for the second token of the Melchizedek priesthood, but a warning of
it's 'sacredness' is given.
After the endowment ceremony, which includes
anointing with oil and the giving of a secret name (mine was Enoch, which I find
very interesting these days) when one goes through the first time, the initiate
wears a one piece underclothing called the garment. It has short sleeves, you
step in through the neck, and it goes down to the knees. There are symbols on
the garment, a compass and a square (one over each nipple of the chest), a small
(1/4") slit over the navel and another over the knee. This, you're told, is your
protection and all kinds of mythical rumors surround wearing these. This is worn
by both men and women.
In the Mormon temple wedding ceremony, the man and
the woman are joined "for time and eternity". The woman, during the ceremony,
must tell the man what her temple secret name is. He does not tell her his. It
is by this name, according to the Mormons, that the man will resurrect her IF
she's faithful. In Mormon heaven #1, men will have multiple wives and create
worlds. These wives will make spirit children and work in the heavenly kitchens
under their husband's direction (he is 'god' after all!). In the endowment
ceremony, the men sit on one side and the women sit on the other side (of the
room). The first oath is for the women to stand and take an oath to obey their
husbands. Next the men stand and take an oath to obey 'god'. You'd love the film
they show in the temple for this ceremony. It's of their version of the
creation, Adam & Eve who are visited by Satan and also by 3 apostles led by
Peter. I'll never forget Satan looking at the audience while the picture darkens
except around his eyes. Satan says, "If these people don't live up to the
promises made here today, they'll be in my power." Quite dramatic.
They
DO use the bee both in temples (I've been to several temples) and it is found at
Brigham Young University as well. Also the state police have the beehive on the
doors of all their cars. Beehives/bees are found on the doorknobs of temple
doors in Salt Lake.
Needless to say, Mormons will pale horrified if
they've been through the temple and you tell them what I told you in the second
paragraph above.
With warm regards, Enigma
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