What is the endowment?
Quick Thought: (<5 min):
Elder Bednar has taught that the power and blessings of heaven flow into our lives as we receive the ordinances of the temple and then keep our covenants. As I have observed both sisters and brothers come to the temple on a regular basis I have seen this happen – that indeed the power and blessings of heaven do come into their lives in a way that it could not in any other way.
Tom Olson, Discovery Park Ward (former Seattle Temple President)
Coloring Pages (click to download)
Take a Moment (5-15 min):
Quotes
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
2 Nephi 28:30
We all receive the same instruction, but our understanding of the meaning of the ordinances and covenants will increase as we return to the temple often with the attitude of learning and contemplating the eternal truths taught.
Silvia H. Allred, former First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, Nov. 2008
Brothers and sisters, I believe there are few, even temple workers, who comprehend the full meaning and power of the temple endowment. Seen for what it is, it is the step-by-step ascent into the eternal presence. If our young people could only glimpse it, it would be the most powerful spiritual motivation of their lives.
President David O. McKay (Taken from “The Temple—What It Means to You” by Elder J. Richard Clarke of the Presidency of the Seventy – April 1993)
As women we are given promises in the initiatory that are not given to men. They are very beautiful and show the Lord is aware of our roles as women, the sacrifices we make throughout our lives for his children, and he is aware of our deep love and dedication we have to be a blessing to his children. As you go to the temple, listen carefully to the initiatory blessings, and in the endowment listen to the promises made to Eve. They are specific to women. I work in the temple with a sister who tears up every time she gives the blessings in initiatory, because they show so much love for women.
Janet S.
“About the Temple Endowment”
The word endowment means “a gift.” In this context, the temple endowment is literally a gift from God whereby He bestows sacred blessings upon you. The endowment can only be received in His way and in His holy temple. Some of the gifts you receive through the temple endowment include:
1. Greater knowledge of the Lord’s purposes and teachings.
2. Power to do all that God wants us to do.
3. Divine direction and protection as we serve the Lord, our families, and others.
4. Increased hope, comfort, and peace.
5. Promised blessings now and forever.
The temple endowment is a necessary step toward salvation and returning to Heavenly Father, but it’s also an opportunity to come closer to Jesus Christ—to know Him better and follow His example… What you learn and feel will become clearer and more precious to you over time. As you visit, you will feel God’s love and be reminded of what matters most.
READ THE FULL TEXT: “About the Temple Endowment” from churchofjesuschrist.org
Deep Dive (45+ min):
Thoughts taken from a temple study course:
(from Steve Watson, Woodland Park Ward)
On Symbolism
“Symbols constitute the language of creation. All creation is eloquent at speaking truth to us through its symbols. But, it is important to remember that symbolism is a language, nothing more. It is by looking beyond language that we understand.”
(—Po Tai)
“I have long held the view that the universe is built on symbols whereby one thing bespeaks another; the lesser testifying of the greater, lifting our thoughts from man to God, from earth to heaven, from time to eternity…God teaches with symbols; it is His favorite way of teaching.” (Elder Orson F. Whitney; Improvement Era 30:85l)
“Symbols can be powerful devices. One symbol can represent many ideas or concepts, stir a multitude of emotions, remind us of lessons once learned, instruct on several different levels of understanding, and even motivate us to action…Gospel symbols are designed to be teaching devices, an understanding of their underlying doctrines is critical if they are to be interpreted with any degree of validity…one entire section of Doctrine and Covenants was given to us through a latter-day prophet in order to explain the meaning of a complex set of symbols used by an ancient Prophet.” (see D&C 77). (Matthew B. Brown & Paul Thomas Smith, Symbols in Stone.)
Elder Boyd K. Packer explains that much of the instruction in the temple is given in symbolic fashion. This should come as no surprise, since so much of the teaching in the scriptures is done symbolically as well. (Packer, The Holy Temple, 38.)
Examples of places where there is temple symbolism include architecture, layout, location, furnishings, rituals, clothing, decoration.
On Parables
The instruction in the temple (particularly the Endowment) is by parable and allegory where those who are diligent in seeking the deeper and inner (esoteric) meanings through the Holy Ghost will be greatly rewarded.
A parable, literally a comparison (Greek parabole), relates the essence of things rather than the ways things exist in fact. For that reason, parables transcend the limits of time and have meaning in an ever-changing world. The New Testament uses a loose definition of a parable when compared with the more restricted sense held by Greek thinkers. Instead, “parable” in the New Testament can describe an extended metaphor, an allegory, or a true narrative parable. The New Testament follows closely the tradition set forth in the Jewish scriptures (Hebrew or Old Testament) that a parable is anything that compares two objects to one another.
The predominance of parables in the New Testament reveals that the parable was a favorite teaching method of Jesus Christ. He preferred to speak of things as they could, and would be instead of directly instructing his disciples on how to handle an issue. Rarely did Jesus interpret his own parables (Matthew 13:36-43); He preferred that the task of interpretation be carried out by this disciples. For this reason, the parables offer an open invitation for interpretation to each generation who uses them. Without this continuing window of interpretation, the parables become historically confined and only explicable for a determined moment in history.
We should take care not to overreach our bounds in trying to “definitively” interpret the temple narrative (temple workers are prohibited from offering interpretations to patrons)… There is much more power in seeking the Holy Spirit to personally interpret the polysemy (multiple meanings) in the allegorical temple instruction. In this way, it can be both comforting and confronting exactly when it needs to be according to individual circumstance.
Reading Recommendations
The Holy Invitation; Understanding Your Sacred Temple Endowment – Antony Sweat
Born to Change: Your Part in Gathering Israel and the World by Brad Wilcox (Deseret Book) — This is a new book out this year from Deseret Book aimed at the youth. It’s written in a simple, straightforward, and funny way. While you might think the gathering of Israel warrants a study of ancient scripture and missionary work, this book is surprisingly temple focused. The beginning does teach the history of Israel, and their scattering, but towards the end of the book it becomes more temple focused. He explains the symbolism of the temple baptismal font, and explains why temples are the main object of the gathering of Israel. This inspirational read is uplifting and a good reminder of the unique role we all can play in temple work.
(Book review from Michelle Quinn, Elliott Bay Ward)
One by One 