Lesson 6

The Endowment, Covenants & Ordinances, The  Process

What is YOUR Endowment?

The capacity, power and ability to walk back into the presence of our Father in heaven, and there by inheriting ALL He has. 




Read the following excerpt:

" When Joseph Smith endowed the first people in Nauvoo in the 1840s, they became known as "the anointed quorum" or the "holy order." This holy order was full of faithful women, such as Emma Smith, Vilate Kimball, and Phoebe Woodruff, and men, including Orson Pratt, William Clayton, and W.W. Phelps, each of whom had been washed, anointed, instructed, and sealed in sacred ceremonies to becom high priestesses and priests. They were part pf a select group who had recieved "the communication of Keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood... setting forth the order pertaing to the Ancient of Days," as Joseph Smith explained, so that they could gain spiritual power and capacity, come into the presence of God, and recieve a fullness of His exhalted blessings."

"The Holy Covenants", Anthony Sweat, pg. 5

Read the following excerpt:

"When we participate in the temple endowment ceremony, we experience and reenact a symbolic, upward journey that takes each one of us, as a fallen person, to being taught about the great plan of redemtion, empowered by knowledge and covenants, and ultimately brought into the presence of God to become an heir of eternal life (what the celetial room represents). The ceremony suggests growth and progression from room to room, or glory to glory, as we increase in light and truth and make priesthood covenants to guide us in living a holy like. Following ancient patterns, the endowment presentation is a religios drama, or divine play, that reveals the hidden, sacred mysteries of God and His kingdom to the inimate covenant-initiated."  

"The Holy Covenants", Anthony Sweat, pg. 10-11

What is a covenant?

Definition: an agreement, contract. We make these in daily life all the time, whether it's a hanshake agreement with a co-worker, or a housing contract.

Religious Covenant definition: a formal alliance or agreement made by God with a religious community

A covenant usually has three components: A (1)ceremony/ordinance which outlines certain (2)obligations, which results in a (3)new relationship. 

 

Covenant = Ordinance + Obligation + New Relationship

5 covenants in the Endowment

You can find all this information, and more in the General Handbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. 

1. Live the law of obedience and strive to keep Heavenly Father’s commandments.

2. Obey the law of sacrifice, which means sacrificing to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

3. Obey the law of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.

4. Keep the law of chastity, which means having sexual relations only with those to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.

5. Keep the law of consecration, which means dedicating their time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed them to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.

In return, Heavenly Father promises that those who remain faithful to their temple covenants will be endowed “with power from on high” 

Which is immeasurable priesthood power from God.

 

 

Doctrine & Covenants 38:32, 38

32. Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high;

38. See that all things are preserved; and when men are endowed with power from on high and sent forth, all these things shall be gathered unto the bosom of the church.

Doctrine & Covenants 43:16

16. And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power,

that ye may give even as I have spoken.