111-469: Washing and anointing is a Latter-day Saint practice of ritual purification. It is a key part of the temple endowment ceremony as well as the controversial Second Anointing ceremony practiced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and Mormon fundamentalists . It was also part of the female-only healing rituals among Latter-day Saints until at least the 1940s. In preparation for
222-452: A plan of salvation and centered around the atonement of Jesus Christ on behalf of humanity's sins. Parts of the doctrine of the plan of salvation explained include: The endowment is often thought of as a series of lectures where Latter-day Saints are taught about the creation of the world, the events in the Garden of Eden, what happened after Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden into
333-484: A temple must first complete the first endowment ceremony. The second part of the endowment, called the second anointing , is the pinnacle ordinance of the temple, jointly given to a husband and wife couple to ensure salvation , guarantee exaltation , and confer godhood . Participants are anointed kings, queens, priests, and priestesses, whereas in the first endowment they are only anointed to become those contingent to following specified covenants. The second anointing
444-535: A " Garment of the Holy Priesthood ", which is thereafter worn as an undergarment. The instructional and testing phase of the endowment consists of a scripted reenactment of Adam and Eve's experience in the Garden of Eden (performed by live actors—called officiators; in the mid-20th century certain portions were adapted to a film presentation). The instruction is punctuated with oaths, symbolic gestures, and
555-415: A "President's Book" with the revised ceremony ensuring uniformity throughout the church's temples. The first filmed versions of the endowment were introduced in the 1950s, by a committee headed by Gordon B. Hinckley . That change was initiated by church president David O. McKay as a way of providing the instruction simultaneously in different languages, an innovation made necessary by the construction of
666-452: A "message in tongues". Practitioners believe that this use of glossolalia requires an interpretation so that the gathered congregation can understand the message, which is accomplished by the interpretation of tongues . There are two schools of thought concerning the nature of a message in tongues: In addition to praying in the Spirit, many Pentecostal and charismatic churches practice what
777-555: A "priest and king" or a "priestess and queen", and are sealed to the highest degree of salvation in LDS theology. This is the most secretive ritual practiced by Latter-day Saints, and most LDS adherents are unaware of the ritual's existence. Ritual anointings were a prominent part of religious rites in the biblical world. Recipients of the anointing included temple officiants (e.g., Aaron ), prophets (e.g., Elisha ), and kings (e.g., Jehu , Solomon ). In addition, sacral objects associated with
888-428: A blessing before he would wash his father's feet. Smith Sr. placed his hands upon Joseph's head, "pronouncing upon his head that he should continue in his Priests office untill Christ come." Soon after the temple's dedication on 27 March 1836, about 300 Latter Day Saint men participated in a further ritual washing of feet and faces. Several years later, after Latter Day Saints moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, Smith revised
999-436: A blessing during this meeting. In the following Relief Society meeting, on April 28th, 1842, Joseph Smith said that anyone who has faith can give priesthood blessings to heal the sick. Smith said that God had sanctioned female healing by the laying on of hands and that anyone who disagreed should "hold their tongues." Brigham Young and Ezra Taft Benson encouraged women to perform these healing rituals at home. However, by
1110-427: A canvas curtain to enter a tub where they were washed from head to foot while words of blessing were recited. Then oil from a horn was poured over the head of the participant, usually by another officiator, while similar words were repeated. As part of the ceremony, participants were ordained to become kings and queens in eternity. Men performed the ritual for men, and women performed the ritual for women. Also, as part of
1221-466: A commandment to gather the saints and to build a house "to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings, and anointings", these ordinances were introduced in the Kirtland Temple on January 21, 1836. These modern rites are now only performed for LDS Church members in temples set apart and dedicated for sacred purposes, according to a January 19, 1841 revelation that Joseph Smith stated
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#17327660278631332-426: A distinction is made between "glossolalia" and "xenolalia" or " xenoglossy ", which specifically relates to the belief that the language being spoken is a natural language previously unknown to the speaker. Glossolalia is a borrowing of the γλωσσολαλία ( glossolalía ), which is a compound of the γλῶσσα ( glossa ) ' tongue, language ' and λαλέω ( laleō ) ' to speak, talk, chat, prattle, make
1443-404: A human language or a heavenly supernatural language in three ways: Many Pentecostals and charismatics quote Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 14 which established guidelines on the public use of glossolalia in the church at Corinth although the exegesis of this passage and the extent to which these instructions are followed is a matter of academic debate. The gift of tongues is often referred to as
1554-470: A letter to Belle S. Spafford saying these washings and anointings were discouraged. Historically, Latter-day Saint women performed special washings and anointings to heal the sick and afflicted. Joseph Smith officially sanctioned female healing in 1842. This practice continued in the LDS Church until at least the 1940's. A sick person was washed, anointed with oil, and given a priesthood blessing by
1665-656: A miraculous ability that marked their baptism in the Holy Spirit . Something similar (although perhaps not xenoglossia) took place on at least two subsequent occasions, in Caesarea and Ephesus. Glossolalists and cessationists generally agree that the primary purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues was to mark the Holy Spirit being poured out. At Pentecost the Apostle Peter declared that this gift, which
1776-551: A number of Pentecostal communities in the United States, the Caribbean, and Mexico; these included English-, Spanish- and Mayan-speaking groups. She compared what she found with recordings of non-Christian rituals from Africa, Borneo, Indonesia and Japan. She took into account both the segmental structure (such as sounds, syllables, phrases) and the supra-segmental elements (rhythm, accent, intonation) and concluded that there
1887-527: A person or object with sacred ointment represents sanctification and consecration, so that both become "most holy" unto the Lord. In this manner, profane persons and things are sanctified in similitude of the messiah ( Hebrew "anointed one"), who is Christ ( Greek "anointed one"). Endowment (Mormonism) In Mormonism , the endowment is a two-part ordinance ( ceremony ) designed for participants to become kings, queens, priests, and priestesses in
1998-603: A prayer around an altar, and at the end of instruction, the initiate's knowledge of symbolic gestures and key-words is tested at a "veil." On May 3, 1842, Joseph Smith prepared the second floor of his Red Brick Store , in Nauvoo, Illinois , to represent "the interior of a temple as circumstances would permit". The next day, May 4, he introduced the Nauvoo endowment ceremony to nine associates. Throughout 1843 and 1844 Smith continued to initiate other men, as well as women, into
2109-406: A ritual ceremony involving preparatory washings and anointings with oil, followed by a gathering in the temple in which many reported spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues and visions. The Nauvoo endowment consists of two phases: (1) an initiation, and (2) an instructional and testing phase. The initiation consists of a washing and anointing , culminating in the clothing of the patron in
2220-617: A sick person. Smith's claim that the foot-washing was part of Jewish "law" is not supported by historical sources. As the Latter Day Saints were completing their first temple in Kirtland, Ohio , founder Joseph Smith led many of the prominent male church members in a pre-endowment ritual patterned after similar washings and anointings described in the Bible. This ritual took place over several days, beginning on 21 January 1836 in
2331-548: A sound ' . The Greek expression (in various forms) appears in the New Testament in the books of Acts and First Corinthians . In Acts 2, the followers of Christ receive the Holy Spirit and speak in the languages of at least fifteen countries or ethnic groups. The exact phrase speaking in tongues has been used at least since the translation of the New Testament into Middle English in the Wycliffe Bible in
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#17327660278632442-565: Is an activity or practice in which people utter words or speech-like sounds, often thought by believers to be languages unknown to the speaker. One definition used by linguists is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables that lack any readily comprehensible meaning. In some cases, as part of religious practice, some believe it to be a divine language unknown to the speaker. Glossolalia is practiced in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity , as well as in other religions. Sometimes
2553-428: Is difficult to determine. However, estimates show that fewer than half of converts to the LDS Church ultimately undergo the first endowment ceremony, and young people preparing for missions account for about one-third of "live" endowments (as contrasted with proxy endowments for the deceased). The second endowment ceremony had been given 15,000 times by 1941, but has become less common today. The meaning and scope of
2664-471: Is known as singing in the Spirit . In Christian theology , the interpretation of tongues is one of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 . This gift is used in conjunction with that of the gift of tongues – the supernatural ability to speak in a language (tongue) unknown to the speaker. The gift of interpretation is the supernatural enablement to express in an intelligible language an utterance spoken in an unknown tongue. This
2775-565: Is no longer explicitly blamed for the Fall, and several references to Adam were replaced with references to Adam and Eve. The lecture at the veil was also cut, and some repetition was eliminated. In the temple endowment, women were previously urged to be a priestess "unto her husband," while men were promised they will be priests to God. In January 2019, that topic was removed from the endowment process, in accordance with other changes that included more lines for Eve in their ritual performance of
2886-437: Is not "a specimen of human language because it is neither internally organized nor systematically related to the world man perceives". On the basis of his linguistic analysis, Samarin defined Pentecostal glossolalia as "meaningless but phonologically structured human utterance , believed by the speaker to be a real language but bearing no systematic resemblance to any natural language, living or dead". Felicitas Goodman studied
2997-452: Is not learned but imparted by the Holy Spirit ; therefore, it should not be confused with the acquired skill of language interpretation . While cessationist Christians believe that this miraculous charism has ceased, Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians believe that this gift continues to operate within the church . Much of what is known about this gift was recorded by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 . In this passage, guidelines for
3108-547: Is only given to a select group, and its existence is not widely known among the general membership. The endowment as practiced today was instituted by founder Joseph Smith in the 1840s with further contributions by Brigham Young and his successors. The ceremony is performed in Latter Day Saint temples , which are dedicated specifically for the endowment and certain other ordinances sacred to Mormons, and are open only to Mormons who meet certain requirements. There
3219-411: Is referred to explicitly: Other verses by inference may be considered to refer to "speaking in tongues", such as Isaiah 28:11 , Romans 8:26 and Jude 20 . The biblical account of Pentecost in the second chapter of the book of Acts describes the sound of a mighty rushing wind and "divided tongues like fire" coming to rest on the apostles . The text further describes that "they were all filled with
3330-434: Is that performed by the LDS Church in its temples . This ceremony is open only to members of the church deemed worthy and given a " temple recommend " by their priesthood leaders after one or more personal interviews. It comprises four parts: The "initiatory" is a prelude to the endowment proper, similar to Chrismation , and consists of: Washing and anointing are perhaps the earliest practiced temple ordinances for
3441-644: Is the account in the Testament of Job , a non-canonical elaboration of the Book of Job , where the daughters of Job are described as being given sashes enabling them to speak and sing in angelic languages. According to Dale B. Martin, glossolalia was accorded high status in the ancient world due to its association with the divine. Alexander of Abonoteichus may have exhibited glossolalia during his episodes of prophetic ecstasy. Neoplatonist philosopher Iamblichus linked glossolalia to prophecy , writing that prophecy
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3552-551: The Bern Switzerland Temple , the church's first temple in Europe. As of 2005 , ceremonies in all but two ( Salt Lake Temple and Manti Temple ) of the church's 128 operating temples are presented using the filmed version. In 1990, further changes included the elimination of all blood oaths and penalties . These penalties, representing what the member would rather suffer than reveal the sacred signs given them in
3663-629: The Book of Genesis . Also in 2019, a letter from the church's First Presidency stated that "Veiling an endowed woman's face prior to burial is optional." It had previously been required. The letter went on to say that such veiling, "may be done if the sister expressed such a desire while she was living. In cases where the wishes of the deceased sister on this matter are not known, her family should be consulted." A 1996 estimate by Richard Cowan states that around 150 million endowments have been performed, most of which were in behalf of deceased persons . The most well-known Mormon endowment ceremony
3774-510: The Garden of Eden . Similar ordinances are performed for the living and the dead in LDS temples, where men are: Women receive the same ordinances, except for the ordination. As the final part of the initiatory, the patron is given a new name, which is a key word used during the ceremony. In general, this name is only known to the person to whom it is given; however, an endowed LDS woman reveals her name to her endowed husband (but not vice versa). The endowment focuses heavily on LDS belief in
3885-652: The Kirtland Temple in 1836, before revising the rituals in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1842. The modern LDS Church only performs these rites in temples set apart and dedicated for sacred purposes according to a January 19, 1841 revelation that Joseph Smith stated was from Jesus Christ . Washing and anointing also plays a key role in the Second Anointing ritual practiced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , in which participants are anointed as
3996-477: The Second Temple , later known as Herod's Temple . The washing symbolizes being "cleansed from the blood of this generation," and being anointed to become "clean from the blood and sins of this generation." After the washing and anointing , the patron is given the temple garment , formally called the "Garment of the Holy Priesthood". This garment represents the "coats of skins" given to Adam and Eve in
4107-432: The new birth ( first work of grace ) and entire sanctification ( second work of grace ). Holiness Pentecostals teach that this third work of grace is accompanied with glossolalia. Because Pentecostal and charismatic beliefs are not monolithic, there is not complete theological agreement on speaking in tongues. Generally, followers believe that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that can be manifested as either
4218-598: The "language of angels", rather than human languages. In the years following the Azusa Street revival Pentecostals who went to the mission field found that they were unable to speak in the language of the local inhabitants at will when they spoke in tongues in strange lands. The revival at Azusa Street lasted until around 1915. From it grew many new Pentecostal churches as people visited the services in Los Angeles and took their newfound beliefs to communities around
4329-555: The "laying on of hands". One of the first recorded female healings took place at the Relief Society meeting on April 19, 1842. Sisters Sarah Cleveland and Elizabeth Ann Whitney , who were councilors in the Relief Society Presidency, administered to Abigale Leonard "for the restoration of health." Minute notes also indicate that Sister Martha Sessions may have laid her hands on Eliza R. Snow to give her
4440-518: The "telestial world", and the progression of righteous individuals through "terrestrial" laws to one of the kingdoms of glory and exaltation. During the ceremony, Latter-day Saints are dressed in temple clothes or temple robes , are taught in ordinance rooms about various gospel laws (including obedience, chastity, sacrifice and consecration) and make covenants to obey these laws. The early Mormon leader Brigham Young taught that participants are given "signs and tokens" that "enable you to walk back to
4551-606: The 14th century. Frederic Farrar first used the word glossolalia in 1879. In 1972, William J. Samarin , a linguist from the University of Toronto , published a thorough assessment of Pentecostal glossolalia that became a classic work on its linguistic characteristics. His assessment was based on a large sample of glossolalia recorded in public and private Christian meetings in Italy, the Netherlands, Jamaica, Canada, and
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4662-558: The 1980s view of glossolaly with more sensitive measures of outcome, by using the more recent techniques of neuroimaging. Various Christian groups have criticized the Pentecostal and charismatic movement for paying too much attention to mystical manifestations, such as glossolalia. In certain evangelical and other Protestant Churches, this experience was understood as a gift to speak foreign languages without having learned them ( xenoglossy ) for evangelization, and cessationism
4773-435: The 19th century, Spiritism was developed by the work of Allan Kardec , and the practice was seen as one of the self-evident manifestations of spirits. Spiritists argued that some cases were actually cases of xenoglossia . In most cases tongues speakers have no underlying neuropsychiatric disorder precipitating the manifestations, although it rarely occurs in neurogenic conditions. Speakers report finding personal meaning in
4884-550: The April 1921 general conference the consensus was that healings should only be performed by Melchizedek Priesthood holders (who are exclusively male). In 1946, President Joseph Fielding Smith sent a letter to Belle S. Spafford , the General Relief Society President at the time, discouraged the practice of female healing, indicating that it was likely still happening at this time. In response to
4995-478: The Holy Spirit . In 1900, Parham opened Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas , America, where he taught initial evidence, a Charismatic belief about how to initiate the practice. During a service on 1 January 1901, a student named Agnes Ozman asked for prayer and the laying on of hands to specifically ask God to fill her with the Holy Spirit . She became the first of many students to experience glossolalia, in
5106-492: The Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages". It goes on to say in verses 5–11 that when the Apostles spoke, each person in attendance "heard their own language being spoken". Therefore, the gift of speaking in tongues refers to the Apostles' speaking languages that the people listening heard as "them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God". Glossolalists and cessationists both recognize this as xenoglossia ,
5217-669: The Israelite sanctuary were anointed. Of equal importance in the religion of the Israelites were ablutions (ceremonial washings). To ensure religious purity, Mosaic law required that designated individuals receive a ritual washing, sometimes in preparation for entering the temple. In the New Testament Jesus washes his disciples' feet prior to his crucifixion. Joseph Smith published his own version of these New Testament passages, adding new materials which said, "Now this
5328-532: The LDS Church. Official church publications have consistently stated that temple ceremonies are confidential and not to be discussed outside the temple, but the degree and breadth of information shared has shifted over time. The non-public nature of the endowment is implied early on by a reference in facsimile no. 2 in the Book of Abraham (part of the LDS Church standard works dated to 1835) when it states that there are things that "cannot be revealed unto
5439-439: The LDS church. In the modern endowment ceremony, recipients explicitly agree to a "covenant of non-disclosure" to keep some content such as the ceremony's signs and tokens (and formerly penalties) confidential. The remainder of the ceremony carries with it no covenants of secrecy. Most Latter-day Saints are generally unwilling to discuss specific details of the ceremony, and have been instructed by top church leaders that
5550-648: The Latter Day Saints believe is given at the Confirmation ceremony. In 1831, however, Smith began teaching that the elders of the church needed to be further "endowed with power from on high" in order to be effective proselytizers. He therefore gathered the elders together at a general conference in June 1831 and "endowed" them with this power by ordaining them to the High Priesthood . By
5661-423: The Nauvoo endowment ceremony. Adherents promised they would submit to execution in specific ways should they reveal certain contents of the ceremony. In the ceremony participants each symbolically enacted three of the methods of their execution. In 1990 the LDS Church removed the "penalty" portions of the ceremony. Aspects of the ceremony held confidential have been published in various sources, unauthorized by
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#17327660278635772-466: The United States and abroad. During the 20th century, glossolalia became an important part of the identity of these religious groups. During the 1960s, the charismatic movement within the mainline Protestant churches and among charismatic Roman Catholics adopted some Pentecostal beliefs, and the practice of glossolalia spread to other Christian denominations. The discussion regarding tongues has permeated many branches of Protestantism, particularly since
5883-575: The United States over the course of five years; his wide range of subjects included the Puerto Ricans of the Bronx, the snake handlers of the Appalachians and the spiritual Christians from Russia in Los Angeles ( Pryguny, Dukh-i-zhizniki ). Samarin found that glossolalic speech does resemble human language in some respects. The speaker uses accent, rhythm, intonation and pauses to break up
5994-601: The ability to interpret. Other religious groups have been observed to practice some form of theopneustic glossolalia. It is perhaps most commonly in Paganism , Shamanism , and other mediumistic religious practices. In Japan, the God Light Association believed that glossolalia could cause adherents to recall past lives. Glossolalia has been postulated as an explanation for the Voynich manuscript . In
6105-614: The afterlife. As part of the first ceremony, participants take part in a scripted reenactment of the Biblical creation and fall of Adam and Eve . The ceremony includes a symbolic washing and anointing , and receipt of a "new name" which they are not to reveal to others except at a certain part in the ceremony, and the receipt of the temple garment , which Mormons then are expected to wear under their clothing day and night throughout their life. Participants are taught symbolic gestures and passwords considered necessary to pass by angels guarding
6216-403: The attic of a printing office. These ritual meetings were opened by Joseph Smith praying, speaking, and even singing in tongues . Each participant washed their own hands, faces, and feet with water. After this, Joseph "girded himself with a towel" and personally washed the feet of each participant, wiping them with the towel. When he reached his father Joseph Smith Sr. , he asked his father for
6327-416: The ceremony into the 1880s also had the representative of the Lord cut the symbols in the garments with a knife through the veil, with one source suggesting an early version cut into the knee of the participant to create a scar. The committee also removed the violent language from the penalty portions of the ceremony. Prior to 1927, participants made an oath that if they ever revealed the secret gestures of
6438-406: The ceremony is that those who remain faithful will be endowed "with power from on high." At the end of the endowment ceremony the participant is tested at a physical veil by a man representing the Lord on the signs and tokens just learned. Before 1990 at the veil the participant also put their arm around and pressed their cheek, shoulders, knees and feet against the person through the veil in what
6549-406: The ceremony, participants were given a new name and a ritual undergarment in which symbolic marks were snipped into the fabric. After the Latter Day Saints left Nauvoo, women continued to administer washings and anointings in their homes as well as in temples. The in-home rituals were part of a practice of administering to the sick. These washings and anointings were encouraged by church leaders of
6660-437: The ceremony, they would be subject to the following: my throat [...] be cut from ear to ear, and my tongue torn out by its roots our breasts [...] be torn open, our hearts and vitals torn out and given to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field your body [...] be cut asunder and all your bowels gush out. [changed to] different ways in which life may be taken. Each temple president received
6771-539: The ceremony, were symbolized by gestures for having the throat cut, the breast cut open, and the bowels torn out. Changes also included the elimination of the five points of fellowship, the role of the preacher, and all reference to Lucifer 's "popes and priests" were dropped. The ceremony was also changed to lessen the differences in treatment between men and women. Women no longer are required to covenant to obey their husbands, but instead must covenant only to follow their husbands as their husbands follow God. Also, Eve
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#17327660278636882-736: The church were historically or are currently ineligible for the temple endowment. For about 130 years (between 1847 and 1978) all LDS endowment-related temple ordinances were denied to all Black women and men in a controversial temple racial restriction . As of 2023, all temple ordinances including the endowment continue to be denied for any lesbian , gay , or bisexual person who is in a same-sex marriage or homosexual sexual relationship. Transgender individuals who gender transition (even if just by changing their name, pronouns and gender presentation by clothing and hairstyle) are also barred from temple ordinances as of 2020. These restrictions have received criticism from both outside, and inside
6993-460: The church's temples and so directed the majority of the text of the endowment to be written down. This document became the standard for the ceremony thereafter. Also in 1877, the first endowments for the dead were performed in the St. George Temple. In 1893, minor alterations in the text were made in an attempt to bring uniformity to the ceremony as administered in the temples. Between 1904 and 1906,
7104-541: The endowment ceremony. By the time of his death on June 27, 1844, more than 50 persons had been admitted into the Anointed Quorum , the name by which this group called themselves. There are many similarities between Smith's endowment ceremony and certain rituals of Freemasonry , particularly the Royal Arch degree. These specific similarities included instruction in various signs, tokens, and passwords, and
7215-764: The existence of two basic types of glossolalia: a static form which tends to a somewhat coaction to repetitiveness and a more dynamic one which tends to free association of speech-like elements. A study done by the American Journal of Human Biology found that speaking in tongues is associated with both a reduction in circulatory cortisol, and enhancements in alpha-amylase enzyme activity – two common biomarkers of stress reduction that can be measured in saliva. Several sociological studies report various social benefits of engaging in Pentecostal glossolalia, such as an increase in self-confidence. As of April 2021, further studies are needed to corroborate
7326-477: The first hours of the 20th century. Parham followed within the next few days. Parham called his new movement the apostolic faith . In 1905, he moved to Houston and opened a Bible school there. One of his students was William Seymour, an African-American preacher. In 1906, Seymour traveled to Los Angeles where his preaching ignited the Azusa Street Revival . This revival is considered the birth of
7437-468: The global Pentecostal movement. According to the first issue of William Seymour's newsletter, The Apostolic Faith , from 1906: A Mohammedan , a Soudanese by birth, a man who is an interpreter and speaks sixteen languages, came into the meetings at Azusa Street and the Lord gave him messages which none but himself could understand. He identified, interpreted and wrote a number of the languages. Parham and his early followers believed that speaking in tongues
7548-482: The imposition of various forms of the penalties for revealing them. The original wording of the penalties, for example, closely followed the graphic wording of the Masonic penalties. According to the predominant view by historians, Smith used and adapted material from the Masonic rituals in creating the endowment ceremony. All of those first initiated by Smith on May 4, 1842, were longstanding or recent Masons: Adams
7659-669: The living since the organization of the LDS Church. There is evidence that these ordinances have been performed since 1832. They were first practiced in the Whitney Store as part of the School of the Prophets and were part of the Kirtland endowment. As part of the endowment ceremony, the ordinance of washing and anointing symbolizes the ritual cleansing of priests that took place at Israel's Tabernacle , Solomon's Temple , and
7770-420: The meaning of which no intelligent person could discover: for they are meaningless and nonsensical, and give a chance for any fool or sorcerer to take the words in whatever sense he likes". References to speaking in tongues by the Church fathers are rare. Except for Irenaeus' 2nd-century reference to many in the church speaking all kinds of languages "through the Spirit", and Tertullian's reference in 207 AD to
7881-400: The mid-1830s, Smith was teaching that a further endowment was necessary, this time requiring the completion of the Kirtland Temple as a house of God where God could pour out his Holy Spirit . Upon the completion of the Kirtland Temple after three years of construction (1833–1836), the elders of the church gathered for this second promised endowment in early 1836. The Kirtland endowment included
7992-408: The movement. Parham and Seymour taught that "baptism of the Holy Spirit was not the blessing of sanctification but rather a third work of grace that was accompanied by the experience of tongues". It was Parham who formulated the doctrine of "initial evidence". After studying the Bible, Parham came to the conclusion that speaking in tongues was the Bible evidence that one had received the baptism with
8103-581: The online versions of the General Handbook the specific covenants made during the endowment have been enumerated. This is the only new item that was not publicly discussed about the endowment that was added. Since that publication, the covenants made and their doctrinal implications have been discussed in more public forums including the publication of an article listing the covenants made and explaining their significance. Speaking in tongues Speaking in tongues , also known as glossolalia ,
8214-465: The only place where the temple ceremonies should be discussed, even amongst faithful members, is within the temple. Many Mormons hold the making of these covenants to be highly sacred, and believe that details of the ceremony should be kept from those who are not properly prepared. Prior to revisions in 1990, the LDS Church's version of the endowment included penalties which were specified punishment for breaking an oath of secrecy after receiving
8325-425: The person abuses family members; whether the person pays tithing and any applicable spousal or child support ; and whether the person has confessed to serious past sins. Prior to participating in the endowment, members of the LDS Church frequently participate in a six-part temple preparation class which discusses temple-related topics but does not directly discuss the details of the ceremony. Some members of
8436-462: The person has a basic belief in key church doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus and the restoration ; whether the person attends church meetings and supports the leadership of the LDS Church; whether the person affiliates with Mormon fundamentalists or other people considered by the church to be apostate ; whether the person is honest and lives the law of chastity and the Word of Wisdom ; whether
8547-475: The person receiving the recommend, a member of the person's bishopric and a member of the stake presidency, who each perform a personal, one-on-one "worthiness interview." Persons seeking a recommend to attend the temple for the first time and receive their endowment will generally meet with their bishop and stake president . These interviews cover what the church believes to be the most important factors of personal morality and worthiness, including whether
8658-515: The presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels" and gain eternal exaltation. At the end of the ceremony, the participant is "tested" on their knowledge of what they were taught and covenanted to do and then admitted into the celestial room, where they may meditate and pray. The LDS Church defines a covenant as a sacred promise one makes to God. The temple ceremony involves entering into five covenants: The promise given in
8769-433: The proper use of the gift of tongues were given. In order for the gift of tongues to be beneficial to the edification of the church, such supernatural utterances were to be interpreted into the language of the gathered Christians. If no one among the gathered Christians possessed the gift of interpretation, then the gift of tongues was not to be publicly exercised. Those possessing the gift of tongues were encouraged to pray for
8880-473: The real thing." After Smith officiated in Brigham Young's endowment in 1842 Smith told him, "Brother Brigham, this is not arranged perfectly; however we have done the best we could under the circumstances in which we are placed. I wish you to take this matter in hand: organize and systematize all these ceremonies". Young did as Smith directed, and under Young's direction the Nauvoo endowment ceremony
8991-448: The restoration impulse and was evidence of Smith's divine calling". The LDS Church has never commented officially on these similarities, although certain features of the two rituals have been called "analogous" by one official Church Historian and the apostle Jeffrey R. Holland stated in a BBC interview that endowment ordinance vows to secrecy are "similar to a Masonic relationship." The LDS Church apostle John A. Widtsoe downplayed
9102-577: The same ceremony in the Utah Territory in the 1850s, first in the Endowment House and then in the St. George Temple . During this period the ceremony had never been written down, but was passed orally from temple worker to worker. Shortly after the dedication of the St. George Temple, and before his death in 1877, Young became concerned about the possibility of variations in the ceremony within
9213-493: The similarities, arguing that they "do not deal with the basic matters [the endowment] but rather with the mechanism of the ritual." One LDS Church educator, however, was censured in the 1970s by the Church Educational System for arguing that the endowment ceremony had a dependent relationship with the rituals of freemasonry. Some within the LDS Church, particularly Smith's contemporaries, have expressed
9324-424: The speaker knows, put together more or less haphazardly but emerging nevertheless as word-like and sentence-like units because of realistic, language-like rhythm and melody. That the sounds are taken from the set of sounds already known to the speaker is confirmed by others. Felicitas Goodman , a psychological anthropologist and linguist, also found that the speech of glossolalists reflected the patterns of speech of
9435-562: The speaker's native language. These findings were confirmed by Kavan (2004). Samarin found that the resemblance to human language was merely on the surface and so concluded that glossolalia is "only a facade of language". He reached this conclusion because the syllable string did not form words, the stream of speech was not internally organized, and – most importantly of all – there was no systematic relationship between units of speech and concepts. Humans use language to communicate but glossolalia does not. Therefore, he concluded that glossolalia
9546-429: The speakers is devoid of semantic meaning, although the utterances appear to be derived from the language of the speaker. Studies have thus suggested this could be learned behaviour by the speakers. Neuroimaging of brain activity during glossolalia does not show activity in the language areas of the brain. In other words, it may be characterized by a specific brain activity. A 1973 experimental study highlighted
9657-550: The speech into distinct units. Each unit is itself made up of syllables, the syllables being formed from consonants and vowels found in a language known to the speaker: It is verbal behaviour that consists of using a certain number of consonants and vowels ... in a limited number of syllables that in turn are organized into larger units that are taken apart and rearranged pseudogrammatically ... with variations in pitch, volume, speed and intensity. [Glossolalia] consists of strings of syllables, made up of sounds taken from all those that
9768-504: The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues being encountered in his day, there are no other known first-hand accounts of glossolalia, and very few second-hand accounts among their writings. During the 20th century, glossolalia primarily became associated with Pentecostalism and the later charismatic movement . Preachers in the Holiness Movement preachers Charles Parham and William Seymour are credited as co-founders of
9879-509: The temple as "initiatory ordinances" since they precede the endowment and sealing ordinances. Like other temple ordinances, washings and anointings are also conducted on behalf of deceased individuals as a type of " vicarious ordinance". The LDS Church states the origins of these rituals can be traced back to the biblical period, where anointings were used to sanctify individuals and objects, while washings were used for ritual purification. The LDS Church introduced washings and anointings in
9990-443: The temple ceremony received very public scrutiny during the 1904 Senate investigation of LDS Apostle and U.S. Senator, Reed Smoot . Of particular concern to senators was the ceremony's " law of vengeance ", in which, during the hearings, it was revealed that participants took an oath of vengeance to pray that God would "avenge the blood of the prophets on this nation". The "prophets" were Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and "this nation"
10101-667: The temple endowment, a person, generally over the age of 18, is sprinkled with water, then anointed with perfume or oil as a cleansing before God. Once washed and anointed, the participant is dressed in the temple garment , a symbolic white undergarment. The ordinance performed by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood , and by an officiator of the same sex as the participant, is "mostly symbolic in nature, but promis[es] definite, immediate blessings as well as future blessings," contingent upon continued righteous living. These ordinances of washing and anointing are referred to often in
10212-490: The term endowment evolved during the early Latter Day Saint movement , of which Mormonism is a part. The term derives from the Authorized King James Version , referring to the spiritual gifts given the disciples of Jesus on the day of Pentecost , in which they were "endowed with power from on high," Christians generally understand this endowment to refer to the gift of the Holy Spirit , which
10323-510: The time including Brigham Young . In one instance Ezra T. Benson called on women who were ordained to wash and anoint to get rid of a disease affecting the Cache Valley . This practice of washing and anointing in the home was curtailed in the 1880s and by the April 1921 general conference , the consensus was that blessings performed by Melchizedek Priesthood holders should be sought whenever possible. In 1946, Joseph Fielding Smith sent
10434-403: The utterances, although they are unintelligible and have no linguistic structure. The link to psychopathology has been disproven - tongues speakers are not over-representend in those with depression or psychosis, nor other disorders and one study found tongues speaking negatively associated with neuroticism - emotional stability was greater amongst the speakers. Nevertheless the language spoken by
10545-474: The view that the endowment was given anciently by God in its original form at the Temple of Solomon , but that the form of the ritual degenerated into the form used by Freemasons. Heber C. Kimball clearly supported this position: "We have the true Masonry. The Masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have
10656-473: The washing and anointing rituals as part of the new Nauvoo endowment . On 4–5 May 1842, nine prominent male church members were inducted into this endowment ceremony in the upper story of Smith's store. The first woman (Smith's first wife, Emma ) was inducted into the endowment ceremony on 28 September 1843. As the washings and anointings were practiced in Nauvoo, men and women were taken to separate rooms, where they disrobed and, when called upon, passed through
10767-412: The way to heaven, and are instructed not to reveal them to others. As practiced today in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the endowment also consists of a series of covenants (promises to God) that participants make, such as a covenant of consecration to the LDS Church. All LDS Church members who choose to serve as missionaries or participate in a celestial marriage in
10878-478: The widespread charismatic movement in the 1960s. Many books have been published either defending or attacking the practice. In Christianity , a supernatural explanation for glossolalia is advocated by some and rejected by others. Proponents of each viewpoint use the biblical writings and historical arguments to support their positions. There are five places in the New Testament where speaking in tongues
10989-546: The world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God." In 1904, B. H. Roberts declared in testimony to the United States Senate that certain aspects of the endowment ceremony were intended to be "secret from the world". This information includes, in the initiation and instructional/testing phases of the endowment ceremony, certain names and symbolic gestures called tokens and signs. In 2021,
11100-489: Was a brief period during the construction of the Salt Lake Temple where a small building referred to as the Endowment House was used to administer the endowment ordinance. The endowment is currently practiced by the LDS Church, several denominations of Mormon fundamentalism , and a few other Mormon denominations. The LDS Church has simplified its ceremony from its 19th century form. A distinct endowment ceremony
11211-522: Was also performed in the 1830s in the Kirtland Temple , the first temple of the broader Latter Day Saint movement , which includes other smaller churches such as the Community of Christ . The term " endowment " thus has various meanings historically, and within the other branches of the Latter Day Saint movement. The prevalence of LDS Church members who participate in the endowment ceremony
11322-411: Was called "the five points of fellowship." The endowment is open only to Mormons who have a valid "temple recommend." To be eligible to receive a temple recommend, one must be deemed worthy by church leadership and have been a member of the LDS Church for at least one year. A male member of the church must hold the Melchizedek priesthood to participate in the endowment. A temple recommend is signed by
11433-731: Was divine spirit possession that "emits words which are not understood by those that utter them; for they pronounce them, as it is said, with an insane mouth ( mainomenό stomati ) and are wholly subservient, and entirely yield themselves to the energy of the predominating God". In his writings on early Christianity , the Greek philosopher Celsus includes an account of Christian glossolalia. Celsus describes prophecies made by several Christians in Palestine and Phoenicia of which he writes, "Having brandished these threats they then go on to add incomprehensible, incoherent, and utterly obscure utterances,
11544-423: Was from Jesus Christ. Many symbolic meanings of washings and anointings are traceable in the scriptures. Ritual washings (Heb. 9:10) symbolize the cleansing of the soul from sins and iniquities. They signify the washing-away of the pollutions of the Lord's people (Isa. 4:4). Psalm 51:2 expresses the human longing and divine promise: "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin". The anointing of
11655-514: Was introduced to the church at large in the Nauvoo Temple during the winter of 1845–1846. A spacious hall in the temple's attic was arranged into appropriate ordinance "rooms" using canvas partitions. Potted plants were used in areas representing the Garden of Eden, and other areas were furnished appropriately, including a room representing the celestial kingdom. Over 5,500 persons received their endowments in this temple. Young introduced
11766-500: Was making some in the audience ridicule the disciples as drunks, be the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel , which described that God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh ( Acts 2:17 ). Despite these commonalities, there are significant variations in interpretation. Christianity • Protestantism Baptism with the Holy Spirit is regarded by the Holiness Pentecostals as being the third work of grace, following
11877-620: Was no distinction between what was practised by the Pentecostal Protestants and the followers of other religions. It was a commonplace idea within the Ancient world that divine beings spoke languages different from human languages, and historians of religion have identified references to esoteric speech in Greco-Roman literature that resemble glossolalia, sometimes explained as angelic or divine language . An example
11988-783: Was the Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Illinois; Whitney, Miller and Kimball had previously been Lodge Masters; Smith's brother, Hyrum, had been a Mason since 1827; and the remaining five participants (Law, Marks, Young, Richards, and Smith himself) had been initiated as Freemasons just weeks before the meeting. However, none of these Masons ever charged Smith with breaking any of Masonry's oaths or revealing its secrets. In contrast to those that believe Smith simply copied these rituals to advance his own religion, one Mormon historian has noted that these Masonic parallels confirmed to these men "the breath of
12099-411: Was the United States. Beginning in 1919, church president Heber J. Grant appointed a committee charged with revising the ceremony, which was done under the direction of Apostle George F. Richards from 1921 to 1927. Richards received permission to write down the previously unwritten portions of the ceremony. Among his revisions was the elimination of the " law of vengeance ". Previous versions of
12210-509: Was the custom of the Jews under their law; wherefore, Jesus did this that the law might be fulfilled." Cleansing rituals such as tevilah and netilat yadayim have existed in Judaism for millenia. However, rabbinical scholars argue that these rituals served the purpose of removing impurity after activities that would make one "impure" such having contact with a corpse, or bodily discharge of
12321-489: Was xenoglossia, and some followers traveled to foreign countries and tried to use the gift to share the Gospel with non-English-speaking people. From the time of the Azusa Street revival and among early participants in the Pentecostal movement, there were many accounts of individuals hearing their own languages spoken 'in tongues'. The majority of Pentecostals and Charismatics consider speaking in tongues to primarily be divine, or
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