Temple Endowments; Can They Change?

31 January

 

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 91;“The order of the house of God as [sic] been, and ever will be, the same, even after Christ comes; and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same; and we shall finally enter into the celestial kingdom of God, and enjoy it forever.”

 

Temple Endowment Ceremonies began going through major changes in the early twentieth century much to the chagrin of some and in contradiction to what Joseph Smith prophesied during his lifetime.

 

We thought it’d be interesting to give a few examples of what has changed over the years and ask the Mormon people a few questions. If nothing was to change then why did they? Would this have been okay with Joseph and what does God have to say in the Bible about these things?

 

Here’s a very short list of what’s happened over the years:

 

In summary the ceremony changed within a year of its inception in 1842.

 

1843 sealings and 2nd anointings were instituted.

 

1845 the endowment ceremony is performed as ritual dramas

 

1877 endowments for the dead begins

 

1919-1927 major revisions to endowments include elimination of vengeance oaths, omission of descriptions of penalties, reducing # of times robes are changed, discountenance of temple choirs.

 

1936 explanation of marks on veil is added

 

1950’s filmed version of endowments introduced

 

1970’s reference to Satan having black skin is omitted as well as Lucifer mentioning

 

how much a preacher is paid

 

1978 ban on blacks lifted

 

1990 following surveys taken of members’ feelings many revisions are implemented:

 

        Penalties, 5 points of fellowship

 

        Preacher segment

 

        Women covenant to obey law of husband is gone

 

        Blaming Eve for the Fall is gone

 

        Lecture at veil is gone

 

        Many references to Adam replaced w/ Adam & Eve

 

        Orders from Elohim shortened

 

2005 members clothe themselves, water and oil applied to head only instead of body parts

 

So much for what Joseph thought eh? To read more about these changes as well as gaining further insight into the temple ceremonies of the LDS Church visit our reference source here.

 

 Why do all of these things keep changing if they’re from God?

How do endowment ceremonies fit in with what Jesus said in John 18:20?

Use this scaled down list to witness to the Mormon in your life and let us know how we can pray for you!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

1 Cor. 1:18

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