LAW OF SACRIFICE

 

ELOHIM You are now about to be put under covenant to obey and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and the New Testament. This Law of Sacrifice was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden, who, when he was driven out of the Garden, built an altar on which he offered sacrifices. And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam saying: “Why dost thou offer sacrifice unto the Lord?” And Adam said unto him: “I know not, save the Lord commanded me.” And then the angel spake saying: “This thing is a similitude of the Sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, who is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forever- more.” The posterity of Adam down to Moses and from Moses to Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field and firstlings of the flock, which continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood.

And as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the redemption of mankind so we should covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary, in sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God (the Mormon Church is the Kingdom of God.)

All arise (patrons all stand up.) Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will observe and keep the law of sacrifice as contained in the Old and the New Testaments, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say yes.

BRETHREN AND SISTERS (all bow their head Yes.)

ELOHIM That will do (patrons all sit down.)

FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
ELOHIM We now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Before doing this, however, we desire to impress upon your minds the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty, as well as that of all the other Tokens of the Holy Priesthood, with their names, signs and penalties, which you will receive in the temple this day. They are most sacred and are guarded by solemn covenants and obligations of secrecy to the effect that under no condition, even at the peril of your life, will you ever divulge them, except at a certain place that will be shown you hereafter. The representation of the execution of the penalties indicates different ways in which life may be taken.

The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand, in this manner (the Officiator takes the Brother kneeling at the altar by the right hand and demonstrates the token to the audience.

We give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to receive it....

All arise (The patrons all stand in place.) The witness couple return to their seats. Several temple workers circulate through the rows of patrons giving each one the token. The patrons sit down after each receives it.

If any of you did not receive this token you will please raise your hands.

The name of this token is the New Name that you received in the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the New Name, please stand. (pause) The sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square; the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. (The Officiator demonstrates the sign to the audience) This is the sign.

(The Officiator continues to demonstrate the instructions.)

If a patron stands up, indicating he has forgotten the New Name, he is taken by a Temple Worker to the rear of the room where the New Name is whispered in his ear. He then returns to his seat, and the ceremony then resumes. This gives the false impression that there is more than one New Name in use. Many patrons have attended the Temple for years before the realized that everyone has the same New Name.The execution of the penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side.

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 my own Endowment today and had been given the name of John as my New Name, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign (he makes the sign, at the same time representing the execution of the penalty.

I, John, covenant that I will never reveal the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer (pause, places right thumb under left ear) my life (pause, draws thumb quickly across throat to right ear) to be taken (drops hands to side.)

All arise (patrons all stand up.)

Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood by bringing your right arm to the squares, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended.

(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, think of the New Name, covenant that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer (patrons all place right thumb under left ear as described above) my life (patrons all draw thumb across their throat to the right ear) to be taken (Patrons all drop the hand to their side.)

That will do (patrons all sit down.)

(If any of the brethren or sisters make a mistake in the execution of the penalty, the execution of the penalty is repeated by all of the patrons together as instructed.)

It is necessary to repeat the sign of the execution of the penalty. The sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. This is the sign (patrons all make sign.) It is not necessary to repeat again the words of the covenant in representing the execution of the penalty, but let the name of the token pass through your mind. Now represent the execution of the penalty (patrons all execute the penalty.)

That will do (patrons all sit down.)

ELOHIM Jehovah, see that Adam is driven out of this beautiful garden into the lone and dreary world, where he may learn from his own experience to distinguish good from evil.

JEHOVAH It shall be done, Elohim.

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