PETER A couple will now come to the altar (the witness couple come forward and kneel at the altar as before.) We are instructed to give unto you the Law of Chastity. This I will explain to you. To the sisters, it is that no one of you will have sexual intercourse except with your husband to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded. To the brethren, it is that no one of you will have sexual intercourse except with your wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.

Sisters, please arise (sisters all stand up.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels and these witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the Law of Chastity, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.

SISTERS (all bow their head Yes.)

PETER That will do (sisters all sit down.)

Brethren, please arise (brethren all stand up.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels and these witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the Law of Chastity as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.

BRETHREN (all bow their head Yes.)

PETER That will do (brethren all sit down.)

FIRST TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD OR THE SIGN OF THE NAIL
PETER (the Officiator demonstrates the instructions before the audience as the tape plays) We will now give unto you the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or sign of the nail, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. This token is received by bringing the right hand into this position. The hand vertical, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. And the person giving the token placing the tip of the forefinger of his right hand in the center of the palm, and the thumb opposite on the back of the hand of the one receiving it, in this manner. We desire all to receive it. All arise.

The witness couple stand up and return to their seats as the patrons all stand and receive the token from one of the temple workers, then sit down.

PETER If any of you have not received this token, please you will please raise your hand.

The name of this token is "The Son", meaning the Son of God.

The sign is made by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupped shape, the left arm forming a square, the right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together, thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the left hip (Officiator makes the sign facing the audience as before.) This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to the side (Officiator demonstrates execution of the penalty.)

I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token, its name, sign, and penalty, and which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were receiving the Endowment today, either for myself or for the dead, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign (Officiator makes the sign, at the same time representing the execution of the penalty. I covenant in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or sign of the nail, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Rather that do so, I would suffer my life (pause, draws right thumb across body to be taken (drops hands to his sides.

All arise (patrons all stand up.)

Each of you make the sign of the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or sign of the nail by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together and the thumb extended and the thumb is placed over the left hip. (Patrons all make the sign This is the sign.)

Now repeat in your minds after me the words of the covenant, at the same time representing the execution of the penalty.

I covenant in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or sign of the nail, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life (patrons all draw their right thumb quickly across their body to be taken (patrons all drop both hands to their sides.)

That will do (patrons all sit down.)

(If any of the brethren or sisters makes a mistake in the execution of the penalty, the execution of the penalty is repeated by all the patrons as with previous penalties.

PETER: We will return and report.

Jehovah, we have been down to the man Adam and his posterity, have placed the robe on the right shoulder and have introduced them into the Terrestial world. We have put them under covenant to observe and keep the law of chastity. We have also given them the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or sign of the nail, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. This is our report.

JEHOVAH: It is well Peter, James and John.

Elohim, Peter, James and John have been down to the man Adam and his posterity, have placed the robe on the right shoulder, and have introduced them into the Terrestial world. They have also put them under covenant to observe and keep the law of chastity. They have given unto them, the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. This is their report.

ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James, and John and instruct them to give to the man Adam and his posterity in the Terrestial World the law of consecration in connection with the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and to cause them to receive it by covenant. To give unto them the second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or sure sign of the nail, with its accompanying sign, and to teach them the order of prayer, and to prepare them in all things to receive further instructions at the veil. Then have them report at the veil.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done Elohim. Peter, James, and John, go down to the man Adam and his posterity in the Terrestrial World, and give unto them the Law of Consecration, in connection with the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and cause them to receive it by covenant. Give unto them the second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or sure sign of the nail, with its accompanying sign. Teach them the Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to receive further instruction at the veil. Then report at the veil.

PETER: It shall be done Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.

Next: The Law of Consecration Ceremony
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