The Prayer Circle PETER: We will now teach you the "True Order of Prayer". The witness couple will now come forward and stand at the head of the altar. Six or seven other couples will come forward and form a circle around the altar (the tape recording stops while the witness couple and several other couples at random come forward and arrange themselves in a circle of couples around the altar, men on the right of their partners.)
tape resumes
John will instruct and lead in the prayer circle (the Officiator acts as John, pantomiming the tape recording.)
John: If any of you have unkind feelings towards any member of this circle, you are invited to withdraw, that the Spirit of the Lord may be unrestrained. In this circle, we are required to make all the signs and penalties of the Holy Priesthood.
(The Officiator and patrons in the prayer circle all make the signs and penalties as instructed.)
We will begin by making the sign of the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood, the sign is made by raising the right hand to the square, the palm forward, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is represented by placing the right thumb under the left ear, drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side. The name of this token is the "New Name".
We will now make the sign of the second token of the Aaronic Priesthood by bringing the right hand forward, with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square. The left arm being raised to the square. This is the sign. The execution of the penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hand to the side. The name of this token is the first given name of the person for whom you are officiating today.
We will now 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, 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, the thumb extended, and the thumb is placed over the left hip. 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 sides. The name of this token is "The Son" meaning the son of God.
We will now make the sign of the second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or sure sign of the Nail, by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating aloud the words, Pay lay ale; Pay lay ale; Pay lay ale.
The sisters will please veil your faces. The brethren will each take the sisters at your left by the right hand in the Patriarchal Grip. Each of you will raise your left arm to the square and place your left elbow on the shoulder or arm of the person on your left. You will please repeat the words of the prayer.
(At this point the tape recording stops and the Officiator actually speaks. He first carefully checks and adjusts the position of all patrons in he prayer circle. Then he kneels at the Altar inside the circle, facing forward and offers the prayer. The Officiator pauses regularly to allow the patrons in the circle to repeat his words.)
A typical prayer would be as follows:
Our Eternal Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for the privilege of coming to the Temple this day and participating in these sacred ordinances which are essential to these deceased individuals. We ask you to bless our Prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, to bless the Temple Presidency, and all those who serve with them.... (Many other topics may be covered, especially the missionaries, missionary programs and work, geneological work)... We ask Thee Heavenly Father to look with favor upon all those whose names are contained on this altar* this day. We ask Thy healing blessing to manifest in all their various needs, to restore health and strength to body,mind, and spirit. We ask Thee to bless all those who are participating here tonight and see them safely home to their destination. We ask you to watch over their families and loved ones until they arrive home, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.(Tape recorder resumes, with Officiator and his aide standing front and center facing the patrons.)
PETER The Sisters will unveil their faces and the Brethren and Sisters in the circle will return to their seats (patrons return to their seats.)
We will now uncover the Veil.
The Officiator and aide take appropriate action to expose a veil segment to the audience. The Officiator continues to pantomime the tape, using a pointer to identify the marks.
Brethren and Sisters, This is the veil of the Temple. We will now explain to you the significance of the marks on the Veil. These four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and corresponding marks are found on your individual garments. This is the mark of the square. It is located on the garment over the right breast, signifying exactness and honor in living up to all of the covenants made in the Temple this day. This is the mark of the compass. It is located in the garment over the breast, signifying that desires, appetites and passions are to be kept within the bounds the Lord has established, and that all truth can be circumscribed into one great whole. This is the navel mark. It is placed in the garment over the navel as a reminder of the constant need of nourishment to body and spirit. This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of the garment over the knee, and indicates that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.
These other three marks are for convenience in working at the veil. Through this one the person representing the Lord puts his right hand to test our knowledge of the tokens of the Holy priesthood; through this one, he asks us certain questions, and through this one, we give our answers.
Since all of you will have to pass through the veil, we will show you how this is done (the aide is now behind the veil to act as the Lord. The Officiator, acting as both Peter and Adam, gives three taps with the mallet against the doorjam, as the tape recording continues.)
LORD: What is wanted?
PETER: Adam, having been true and faithful, desires further light and knowledge by conversing with the Lord through the veil (for and in behalf of _____, who is dead.)
LORD: Present him at the veil and his request shall be granted.
LORD: (Extends his right hand through the compass mark in the veil and takes Peter by the right hand in the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood.) What is that?
PETER: (Acting as Adam The first token of the Aaronic Priesthood.)
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will through the veil. You will now give the New Name to the Lord through the Veil.
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.) What is that?
PETER: The Second token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will through the veil. You will each give your own first given name if you are going through the Temple for your own Endowments, or the first given name of the deceased for whom you are presiding today.
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will through the veil - the Son.
LORD: (breaks contact, then takes Peter by the right hand in the Patriarchal grip) What is that?
PETER: The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip or sure Sign of the nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through the veil.
LORD: You shall receive it upon the five points of fellowship through the veil.
PETER: The five points of fellowship are: inside of right boot by the side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back and mouth to ear. (Peter demonstrates the five points with the Lord. The Lord now gives you the name of the token, You will then repeat it back to him through the veil, whereupon, the Lord responds, "That is correct." The worker will then give three raps with the mallet - like this (Officiator taps with the mallet,) and the Lord will ask:
LORD: What is wanted?
PETER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil, desires now to enter his presence. The Lord then takes Adam by the right hand through the opening in the veil and says:
LORD: Let him enter.
PETER: The Lord then admits Adam into the Celestial Kingdom. We desire all to enter his presence.
(The Officiator, who until now has not spoken to the audience, now gives instructions for orderly movement, row by row, of the patrons into the Telestial Room, where the actual veil is located. The patrons then proceed to move to the Telestial Room and take up seats there. Still segregated, women on the left, men on the right. The entire front of this room, plus extra space to both sides is filled with approximately 50 veil segments [Los Angels Temple]. Patrons are called from their seats in groups of 8-10 by the Officiator ^still segregated by sex] to the veil area, where they are assigned to a veil section in turn and then introduced at the veil.)
Three persons are involved at each veil ceremony: the VEIL WORKER, who represents the Lord behind the veil; the PATRON, who is going through the ceremony to obtain entrance into the Celestial Room, representing the Celestial Kingdom, located behind the veil; and the INTRODUCER who helps the patron and introduces him to the Lord. All Veil Workers are men, but the veil segments are divided between men and women patrons and women INTRODUCERS help women Patrons
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