Revisions

WARNING: The following article contains graphic and upsetting language. However, the truth is not always pleasant. As you read the following consider whether you feel the uplifting spirit of Jesus or an unsettling knot in your stomach. Any discomfort you experience is not Satan, but rather the feeling of betrayal.

“We agree that our throats be cut from ear to ear and our tongues torn out by their roots… to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies and given to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field… that our bodies be cut asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out. All bow your heads and say yes."

For the first 85 years these were the covenant penalties that endowed Mormons would promise to obey. For the next 63 years, until 1990, the graphic descriptions were eliminated, but the penalties were still referenced. Currently the death oaths are only suggested in a subtle revised version of gestures or signs.

Thanks to modern revelation, or “revision”, the Church has updated the ritual to be more appropriate and less blood-cult like. If God revealed the temple endowment to Joseph Smith, then why didn’t he get the right version the first time? Removing descriptions and motions of suicide were not the only revisions throughout its history.

The following ‘Law of Vengeance’ was include until 1927. “You and each of you do solemnly promise and vow that you will pray, and never cease to pray, and never cease to importune high heaven to avenge the blood of the prophets on this nation, and that you will teach this to your children and your children's children unto the third and fourth generation. All bow your heads and say yes." Perhaps by that time Joseph Smith had been avenged somehow. Or maybe they realized that revenge is futile and un-Christ-like.

Another useful change was to eliminate the reference to Satan having black skin. Fortunately, this timely revision came in 1970 which was only eight years before removing the priesthood ban for black members. I can only imagine how terribly awkward it would have been to be a black member and hear that you’re basically Satan. I will never fully understand how it took so long for the Church to realize that skin color is entirely irrelevant to character and personal righteousness. I would absolutely expect and hold accountable an “inspired prophet of God” to know that racism is bad. I’m a regular nobody and even I know better. There’s no excuse.

Before members receive the endowment they must participate in the initiatory which consists of a washing and anointing. This ritual includes special clothing which members change into beforehand. Currently they get naked in a private changing rooms, but that wasn’t always the case. Fortunately, when I went through the temple in 2007, I missed this embarrassing self exposure by only a couple years.

In response to the accusation that the endowment is a blatant plagiarism of the Freemasons Fraternity rituals, the Church claims the endowment is the truly restored and original ceremony dating back to Solomon's temple. Masonic rituals only date back to the early 18th century AD which comes more than two millennia after the Biblical temple record. Since Joseph Smith supposedly restored the original ceremony, I find it odd that he revealed his version in 1842, a couple months after being initiated into the Masonic fraternity. That’s not revelation, that’s inspired plagiarism.

Blood oaths, Revisions, Vengeance, Racism, Nudity, and Masonic Fraternity Plagiarism should be a troubling concern for members and for friends and family of participating members. All this aside, Mormons still believe you need to learn secret handshakes and passwords to get into heaven. The measure of a successful cult is the limits of ludicrous that members will still believe as truth. Please, don’t just take my word for it. Double check my research, ask Church leaders and Temple workers, and try praying to God for answers. Find out for yourself. Be skeptical of extraordinary truth claims with no supporting evidence. Discover Truth at all costs.