THE BOOK OF THE TEMPLE WRITINGS OF OUG

Principles of the Temple (the High Place) were taught before one entered the temple so that one understood the covenants that they would be making with the Lord in the temple.

1Behold, the temple of God is dedicated to His holy work and purpose. Wherefore, all you to whom the Lord brings these writings, see that you trifle not with them. For, God will not be mocked, and woe unto him that makes a mockery of the ordinances of God.

2The temple is a place of instruction. Wherefore, let all that would learn of God enter therein and receive of Him instruction into the eternal things. Behold, this is the word and will of God; that none shall prevent anyone who has desire to learn from entering into the temple. Wherefore, it is also not good that you compel any to go up unto the temple. Yea, you shall neither restrain nor compel, but unto the soul filled with good intent shall the temple be open.

3Yea, also let the principles of the temple be taught without it, that those who wish to enter therein may prepare their hearts and be worthy. But let no man or woman determine the worthiness of any other, for this is wickedness and compulsion. Behold, if any man or woman act in compulsion upon another, let them be brought before the council. For it is by compulsion that the Gadiantons do corrupt the ways of the Lord.

4Now, let all they who enter into the temple be purified in body and in heart. Yea, let them first purify themselves after the manner of the purification of the Ammonites. And if not by this purification, for it is not required of all and must not be compulsory, let them purify themselves through much prayer and much fasting. Let their bodies be pure and clean, and free of distraction. And let their minds and hearts be single to the glory and purpose of God. And let their spirits be not encumbered with the things of the world.

5For behold, we carry with us into the temple that which inhabits the temple of our spirit. Wherefore, if any man or woman carry bad intent in their hearts, behold, they carry it into the temple with them. In this is the Spirit grieved. Let not that person think they shall receive anything from the Lord.

6And when you enter the temple , you shall wear modest clothing befitting the ordinances carried out there. And you shall carry with you the ceremonial robe that is used in the prayer and other ordinances, for at a certain place and time in the temple you will be asked to place the robe on you. This for women, represents the power given them by the Mother, and for men, it represents the orders of the priesthood.

7Every person who enters the temple does so upon their own free will and none are compelled. Take then the person and give such instruction as will assist them in making the covenants which shall be asked of them. Instruct them in the Everlasting Covenant of First Man and First Woman. Tell them of the development of the Father’s plan of exaltation and the participation of the Son and the Holy Ghost in it. Relate to them of the councils in heaven and the creation of this Universe. Remind them of the history of our first father and mother and help them to walk in their footsteps back to the presence of God.

8It is important that each person make covenants in the temple corresponding to the point of understanding in which they find themselves. Let the woman who understands the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice place the robe on both shoulders, for she has received her authority and the power of creation from the Mother. This is the protection and shield, the enmity that the Mother gave our mother Eve. Because of this, the adversary may have power to bruise the heel of man, but man has power to crush his head. Wherefore, let all men know that the first to recognize the adversary was our mother Eve, and it is she unto whom the Creator has given the power of life. Yea, for when her eyes were opened, Eve straitly rejected Satan and he is forever powerless because of her.

9Now, let the man who understands the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice place the robe on his right shoulder. This signifies that his authority comes not all at once, nor in a perfect form, but is added unto him line upon line and precept on precept. Yea, and when he has obtained through the orders of the priesthood the measure and stature of Christ, then will he comprehend the sacrifice made by Him. Yea, he will take up that sacrifice also and by it give honor to his wife. Then shall all things be added unto him that are expedient to him for salvation’s sake.

10Let them proceed together to learn and to be instructed in a sacred manner, and let them enter into a covenant with the Creator to keep the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice.

11And when the man and the woman together understand the Law of the Gospel, let them also enter into a covenant to keep that law all the days of their lives.

12And when the man and the woman understand the Law of Chastity, let the man move his robe to the left shoulder, for he comprehends the true nature of the self and that he, alone, cannot serve God. Wherefore, let them enter into a covenant to keep the Law of Chastity all the days of their lives, and let the man wear the robe of the temple on the left shoulder.

13Then when they do understand the Law of Consecration, and when they have made a covenant with God to keep it forever, you shall take the robes of the man and the woman and you shall join them. Then shall they both wear the robes upon both shoulders, for they do forsake the world and together they take upon themselves the name of Christ.

14And behold, when they shall stand together with the robe on both shoulders, you shall leave them alone in the most holy place. In that place they shall lay hands on each other in a most holy manner and Christ shall lay hands on them and sanctify them.

15But behold, this is the manner in which they will betoken their covenants: whenever they shall enter into covenants of any kind, they shall purify themselves before God as a symbol of their dedication to the covenant. Yea, they shall strip themselves of all pride, as also the symbols of pride, and wash themselves in a sacred manner. And this shall be with water, either their own water as in the purification of the Ammonites, or with the clean water of the font. Yea, let the water be pure water of the living font and not that which doth stand and gather, and become rank. Yea, and they shall also anoint themselves with oil, either their own oil as in the purification of the Ammonites, or with pure oil of the vine by the hand of a healer.

16Yea, this shall all men and all women do in token of the covenants into which they enter. Behold, if they do this and the Holy Spirit of Promise testify of the validity of the ordinance, then shall that covenant stand and shall not be done away, but shall be eternal.

17Wherefore, let them not think to come up to the temple to be done with all at once, but let them strive to obtain the blessings of the temple. Yea, let them receive all instruction in the spirit of patience and through a sacred walk and a sacred talk. For, the covenants are only obtained after the understanding. Else, the covenant is a false witness and is vain.

18But even more than this, shall a man or a woman swear with an oath before God, Angels and witnesses in the vanity of their hearts? Or is one having but a hope of understanding capable of entering into a covenant with God? I say unto you, No. Wherefore, let every man and every woman receive all things in the due time thereof and make of the covenants of the temple not a thing of haste, but a thing of long and thorough contemplation, meditation, study and the confirmation of the Holy Ghost.

19For this cause does the Peli take the man or the woman out into the creation to teach of the creation. Indeed, it is easier to teach of the mountain of the Lord’s house upon the mountain. And when there has been instruction enough, then does he assist them in making covenants. Yea, and sometimes even it is expedient to take them up upon a high mountain, that they may the more completely understand the creation and the counsels of God. Be it so and let them bear it in patience. For these things are sacred beyond all other things, and they ought not to be rushed at.