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Endowed from on High: Understanding the Symbols of the Endowment

John D. Charles (also known as, John-Charles Duffy), Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, 1997, 6x9" softbound, 112 pages.

The endowment is as re-enactment of scriptural images and symbols. It is literally a gift—a gift of GodÆs power. Church members who have been through the temple will be inspired as they read Endowed From On High. While carefully maintaining the sacred confidentiality of the temple ordinances, this book provides scriptural correlations which will open up rich new areas of understanding to them. Those who read it will be better informed about the scriptural authority and symbolism of the sacred ordinances, and they will be better prepared and motivated to apply those scriptural symbols in their lives as they strive to become more like Christ.

Endowed From on High teaches that revelation occurs during the endowment, that promises are required before blessings are granted, that covenants are the channels through which blessings flow, and that the Lord is voluntarily "bound" when we obey His commandments. It is a unique and reverential guide to growth in this, the most sacred of all areas of our relationship with the Savior and our Heavenly Father. Reading and pondering its message will be a choice experience for all Church members.

Contents:

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT

Maintaining the Sacred Nature of Temple Covenants
Many Sources of Information About the Temple Are Available
The Endowment Is a Re-enactment of Scriptural Imaes and Symbols

THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE ENDOWMENT

Learning Celestial Passwords
The Image of Passing Angelic Sentinels
The Use of Sacred "Key Words"
Revelation Occurs During the Endowment
Promises Are Required Before Blessings Are Granted
Covenants Are the Channels Through Which Blessings Flow
The Image of "Binding God"
Gospel Ordinances Take the Form of a Covenant

AN ANCIENT CEREMONY RESTORED THROUGH JOSEPH SMITH

The Restoration of an Ancient Ceremony
Unique Elements for Modern Times
God Adapts His Words to Particular Needs

ONGOING PREPARATIONS FOR THE BLESSINGS OF THE ENDOWMENT

Keep the Commandments and Endowment Covenants
Study the Endowment-related Portions of the Scriptures
Learn to Recognize Both "Signifiers" and "Signifieds"
Pray for Understanding of Specific Elements of the Endowment
Pray and Meditate While in the Temple

A SYMBOLIC INITIATION INTO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Initiatory
The Meaning of Initiatory Symbolism
An Endowment Is a Gift of God's Power
Endowment Means Power From God and Is Associated With Temples

BEING PRONOUNCED CLEAN BEFORE GOD

A Commandment to Cleanse Your Hands and Your Feet Before God
Being Pronounced Clean from the Blood of this Wicked Generation
The Washing Is Accompanied by Blessings to Empower Righteous Living
The Washing Recalls Ceremonial Washing from Old and New Testament Times

BEING CONSECRATED KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD

The Anointing Is a Symbol of Being Chosen and Consecrated by God to Be a Ruler
Becoming Kings and Priests Unto God
The Anointing Is a Symbol of Obligations and Promises

RECEIVING A PROTECTIVE SHIELD

Old Testament Priests Wore Special Clothing to Ensure Modesty
The Image of God Giving Special Clothing to the Faithful
The Images of Defiled Garment and White Clothing
Donning Temple Garments Is a Ceremonial Pre-enactment of God's Giving White Raiment to the Faithful
The Images of Nakedness and Wearing the Robe of Righteousness
The Image of Covering Over Guilt Through Christ's Atonement
God Provides Physical Reminders of Covenants Made
Symbols Remind Us of Commitments to Righteous Conduct
The Garment Is a Protective Shield

A SIGNIFICANT AND SACRED KEY

God-given Names Signify a New Relationship with Him
Zion Shall be Called by a New Name in the Last Days
A New Name Will Be Given to Those Allowed to Enter the Celestial Kingdom
The New Name is a Symbol of Meriting Eternal Life
The New Name Is a Keyword
The Sacred and Confidential Nature of the New Name

THE CEREMONIAL DRAMA

The Pedagogy of the Temple Service
Prophets Were Shown Ceremonial Dramas to Help Them Understand God's Plan
The Endowment Depicts Man's Progression From the Creation to Exaltation
Donning Ceremonial Clothing Resembling Old Testament Priests
Priestly Clothing Symbolizes Authorization to Enter into God's Presence

THE CREATION

God the Father Commanded His Spirit Children to Create the Earth
The Father Created the Earth by His Son Jehovah
The Father and Son Together Created Man and Then Woman

EVENTS IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Adam and Eve Were Given Agency and a Prohibition
Disregarding the Prohibition Set the Plan in Motion
Satan Sought to Tempt and Beguile Eve
Adam's Desire that They Obey the Command to Multiply and Replentish the Earth
Willingness to Hearken unto Each Other's Counsel
Adam and Eve Become Subject to Death and Are Cast Out of Eden
Satan is Cursed
Satan Vows to Tempt Mankind
God Makes Mortality a Probationary State
The Process of Teaching How to Return to God's Presence Begins

THE TELESTIAL WORLD

Telestial-world Inhabitants Cannot Come to Where the Father and Son Dwell
God Sent Messengers to Teach the Plan of Salvation
Satan Enticed Men to Be Carnal, Sensual, and Devilish
Those who Fail to Keep God's Laws Will be in Satan's Power

THE TERRESTIAL WORLD

Terrestrial-world Inhabitants Can be with Christ but Not the Father
Obedience to the Law of Chastity is Required
Willingness to Consecrate All for the Building of Zion is Required
To Build Up Zion is to Build Our Own Eternal Home

A SYMBOLIC ENTRY INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD

In the Old Testament Tabernacle, a Veil Separated the People from the Most Holy Place
In the Temple, a Veil Separates the People from the Celestial Room
The Rich Symbolism of Passing through the Veil

THE GLORY OF THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM

The Celestial Room Symbolizes the Glory of God's Presence
Quiet Joy and Peaceful Meditation in the Celestial Room

LIVING THE ENDOWMENT

Without Doing Temple Work for Our Dead, We Cannot Be Made Perfect [Complete]
The Purpose of the Endowment is to Make Us More Christlike

Review Excerpt:

"This is a fascinating book for several reasons. First of all, you might ask: who the heck is John D. Charles? He has an M.A. in English from BYU and teaches ESL in Latin America. HeÆs not a GA and not a BYU prof—heÆs just an "ordinary guy" like you or I. But he has obviously been paying attention during endowment sessions and has some insights which I personally found very useful. I donÆt know what the temple prep class curriculum is like, but IÆd recommend this book as a text. In fact, IÆve got 5 more on order as gifts—itÆs that kind of book, that makes a good stocking stuffer, especially for those who havenÆt gone through the temple yet, but even for old-timers who think they know the whole score. You certainly finish the book with a new, increased reverence for the temple. He stays away from "Nibleyesque" parallels to ancient times except where itÆs warranted, and then he says all he has to, very simply and succinctly.

Two areas he handles with aplomb especially impressed me: why is there a similarity between the endowment ceremony and certain Masonic ceremonies, and there a significance to that similarity? Also, the fact that the endowment is liturgical (or what he calls a drama) in nature. ItÆs not just symbolic in its components like the signs and tokens and clothing, but the whole experience itself is a symbol of both the restoration of the Gospel and the promise of future exaltation." --Marc Schlinder, Alberta, Canada

John-Charles Duffy (aka John D. Charles), received his M.A. from the University of Utah and is a William N. Reynolds Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is working toward a doctorate in religious studies. He has published articles in Dialogue as well as making presentations and/or writing for Affirmation and Sunstone.

Title: Endowed from on High: Understanding the Symbols of the Endowment

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