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.

1The ordinances of the temple correspond to the covenants made there. They are: The baptism, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, washing and anointing, Instruction, endowment of power, and the second anointing. Marriages may be performed in the temple if the couple has made a covenant one with another that is eternal in nature and one which they wish to be confirmed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. This ordinance is performed by one having authority to speak and act in the name of Christ. However, as with all contracts, only the Holy Spirit of Promise, which is the Holy Ghost and the Second Comforter, may seal the marriage.

2The baptism is performed by the worker of the temple or the person’s own Peli, as a token of the blessings of life, death and resurrection. It also represents the renewal of that communion with God that is lost through sin. Wherefore, all people, when they have repented of a thing, may come up to the temple for baptism, or they may undertake to obtain this ordinance in any body of water near unto one who is commissioned of Christ to perform this ordinance. This is the manner of the ordinance:

3The worker or Peli takes the recipient into one of the private chambers in the temple provided and appointed by the Lord for this purpose. The worker, being a man if the recipient is a man and a woman if the recipient is a woman, gives the recipient a robe of clean linen and instructs them to remove all clothing and other things of the world and to wash with the water which is provided for that purpose. Then the worker leaves the individual alone in the chamber.

4The person removes all clothing and other articles of the world and washes thoroughly. Yea, they do wash from the top of the head and every hair thereof to the bottom of the feet. They do wash themselves completely leaving nothing of the world upon them. Then they attire themselves in the robe they received from the worker. When they have done this, they roll up their clothing and place the bundle outside the door.

5Then the worker or Peli escorts the person who wishes to be baptized to the baptistery and carefully guides them down into the water of the font. When they are standing in the water of the font, both of them raise their hands above their heads and clap them together three times, and speak the person’s name clearly.

6Then the worker or Peli clearly declares their right and authority to speak and act for and in behalf of the Christ. They then declare to all creation that they baptize the person in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

7When they have said these things, they submerge the person in the water so that every bit is under the water and no part is exposed to the air. Then they quickly raise the person up again and all present clap their hands.

8The laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost is performed by the worker of the temple or the person’s own Peli. This is the manner of the ordinance:

9Having received the ordinance of baptism , the worker places the hands upon the head of the recipient and prays unto the Father, clearly pronouncing the name of the recipient and saying:

10By the authority in me and by my commission of Jesus Christ, I lay my hands upon your head and bestow upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I say unto you – Receive the Holy Ghost.

11The worker then relies upon the promptings of the Spirit and utters any other words of blessing as the Spirit dictates. If the worker receives nothing from the Spirit, it is better to add no additional words and to close the blessing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

12The washing and anointing is performed by the worker of the temple or the person’s own Peli, as a token of the covenant already entered into by the recipient. Yea, this is done as a token that the person has received the Law of the Gospel and has entered into a covenant with the Lord to live it. And behold, if there is no token or earnest, then there is no covenant. For, the interest must be vested in the covenanter. This is the manner of the ordinance:

13The worker or Peli takes the recipient into one of the private chambers in the temple provided and appointed by the Lord for this purpose. The worker, being a man if the recipient is a man and a woman if the recipient is a woman, gives the recipient a robe of clean linen and instructs them to remove all clothing and other things of the world and to wash with the water which is provided for that purpose. Then the worker leaves the individual alone in the chamber.

14The person removes all clothing and other articles of the world and washes thoroughly. Yea, they do wash from the top of the head and every hair thereof to the bottom of the feet. They do wash themselves completely leaving nothing of the world upon them. Then they attire themselves in the robe they received from the worker. When they have done this, they roll up their clothing and place the bundle outside the door.

15The worker, seeing that the world has been put off and discarded, enters the chamber again, and bids the person to kneel in the chamber, and takes precious oil and pours out a quantity upon the head. This the worker rubs into the scalp of the head. Then, pouring a quantity of the oil into the hand, the worker anoints the forehead, the eyelids, the ears, and the mouth of the individual and prays to the Father, saying:

16O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the head of – say the name of the recipient – that the thoughts of the mind may be purified, and that the eyes may see what is real, and that the ears may hear what is real, and that the lips may speak what is real.

17Then the worker pours out a quantity of the oil into the hand and anoints across the breast at the collar bones and prays unto the Father, saying:

18O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the breast of – say the name of the recipient – that the heart may be filled with good and that the intent of the heart may always be right and true.

19Then the worker pours out a quantity of the oil into the hand and anoints across the back above the shoulder blades and prays unto the Father, saying:

20O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the back of – say the name of the recipient – that the yoke of Christ may be gratefully borne.

21Then the worker pours out a quantity of the oil into the hand and, reaching under the robe by the opening provided therein, anoints across the belly above the navel and prays unto the Father, saying:

22O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the belly of – say the name of the recipient – that health may be found in the navel, and marrow to the bones, and that strength may always be found in the flesh and in the sinews.

23Then the worker pours out a quantity of the oil into the hand and, reaching under the robe by the opining provided therein, anoints across the loin above the sacrum and prays unto the Father, saying:

24O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the loins of – say the name of the recipient – that charity and love may always be found there.

25Then the worker pours out a quantity of oil into the hand and, lifting the hem of the robe slightly, anoints the knees above the kneecap and prays unto the Father, saying:

26O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the knees of – say the name of the recipient – that they may bend continually in prayer unto Thee.

27Then the worker pours out a quantity of oil into the hand and anoints the bottom of the feet and prays unto the Father, saying:

28O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the feet of – say the name of the recipient – that the walk may be sacred.

29Then the worker pours out a quantity of oil into the hand and anoints the palms of the hands and prays unto the Father, saying:

30O God, the Eternal Father, I anoint the hands of – say the name of the recipient – that the work of the hands may be sacred.

31Behold how the ordinance is similar to the purification of the Ammonites! For, in it the body is symbolically washed with pure water and with sacred oil, even from the top of the head down to the bottom of the feet. This is the token of the Law of the Gospel, to make one a clean and holy vessel to the Lord. This is token sure of the broken heart and the contrite spirit, which is the only sacrifice that is acceptable to the Lord.

32Before the ordinance of the endowment of power may be received by any person, they must first be instructed in all things pertaining to the covenants into which they must enter in order to receive that endowment. The worker of the temple escorts the recipient into one of the private chambers and instructs them as for baptism or washing and anointing. When the recipient has placed the bundle outside the chamber, the worker escorts them to an instruction room where others also await instruction. When all are made ready, the recipient receives instruction in all things pertaining to the cosmos, the creation, and our first parents. The First Man, First Woman story is related and the key principles discussed. When all are satisfied that they understand the principles, they may apply to the workers of the temple or to the personal Peli to receive the ordinance of the endowment of power.