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TEMPLES, 1933.
1933: 10 Jan.: SLC scheduling changes.
“On 10 January 1933 Saturdays were reinstated as baptism days and each of the five weekdays became endowment days which gave temple patrons five full endowment days instead of four. The change increased the endowment potential by 56,000 per year without adding to temple costs.” (Mouritsen Diss., p. 209; also George F. Richards diary, 16 & 17 Nov., 1932; change was approved by 1st Presidency on 17 Nov., 1932)
Feb.: AP to be instructed in genealogy.
“Recently the general authorities of the Church decided that boys of the Lesser Priesthood should be given training in the fundamentals of genealogical and temple work, since it is primarily the work of the Priesthood.
In order that the boys may get actual experience in the many highly interesting activities of the work, each member of the Lesser Priesthood is asked to compile a sacred record of his own life and that of his parentage and ancestry which is known as his ‘Book of Remembrance,'” (“Aaronic Priesthood,” IE 36(4):235-236, Feb., 1933)
11 Mar.: Married woman may have endowments alone.
“Prest. D. K. Udall spoke as follows–The general authorities of the Church had concluded that women that are wholly worthy although married to an outsider, may go to the temple for her endowments providing she has the written approval of her husband.” (St. John’s stake historical record, G7379, p. 32, 11 Mar., 1933. Bergera notes)
17 Apr.: Married women may have endowments alone.
“At a recent meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve it was decided that women who are in good standing in the Church and have been faithful and devoted members, but whose husbands are not members of the Church or are not worthy of a temple recommend, may, with the written consent of their husbands, be granted the privilege of receiving their endowments and doing temple work for the dead.” (First Presidency Circular Letter, 11 Apr., 1933)
“PRESIDENTS OF STAKES
Dear Brethren:
At a recent meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve it was decided that women who are in good standing in the Church and have been faithful and devoted members, but whose husbands are not members of the Church or are not worthy of a temple recommend, may, with the written consent of their husbands, be granted the privilege of receiving their endowments and doing temple work for the dead.
The written statement of the husband should be presented at the temple together with the usual temple recommend from the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, and filed with the recommend.
We neither urge nor request women to take advantage of this ruling, and it is a privilege that should be given to those only who have proven themselves worthy and are desirous of receiving these blessings.
Sincerely your brethren,
Heber J. Grant
A. W. Ivins
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
First Presidency”
(17 Apr., 1933, First Presidency Circular Letters, LDS Archives, CR 1/1)
Jul.: The Temple Endowment–Lesson 34.
“History of the Endowment. There are certain sacred keys, authorities, rites and covenants pertaining to the Gospel and the fulness of the Priesthood, which are to be received in holy sanctuaries built for that purpose in the name of the Lord. Many of these covenants were revealed to the ancients according to decrees made before the world was. Of necessity the first sanctified temples were on the mountain top or in the secluded wildernessk, in places consecrated for the purpose when no regularly constructed temple was available.
Adam received the fulness of the Gospel and the keys of the Priesthood. ‘And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost. And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an ordinance.’ (Moses 5:58-59.)
‘The Priesthood was first given to Adam;’ taught the Prophet Joseph Smith, ‘he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. * * * [in printed version] The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority.’
From his time until the day of Moses the endowment for the living was probably given to those who proved faithful, for the authority to do so was among men. The covenant and promises of the Lord to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob indicate that they received a fulness of Priesthood. Says Brigham Young: ‘The few that followed Enoch enjoyed a fulness of the Gospel.’ ‘I will not say but what Enoch had temples and officiated therein, but we have no account of it.’ ‘If they had been sanctified and holy, the children of Israel would not have traveled one year with Moses before they would have received their endowments and the Melchizedek Priesthood.’ ‘It is true that Solomon built a temple for the purpose of giving endowments, but from what we can learn of the history of that time they gave very few if any endowments.’ (Discourses, pp. 161, 603, 162.)
Pres. George Q. Cannon indicates that all Gospel ordinances were administered in earlier ages, when he says, ‘It is our duty to be sealed to our parents, that our lineage may be preserved; that we may preserve our families in direct descent, and trace them back, asscending lineally until we reach, if it be possible, our ancestors who held the everlasting Priesthood, and who were either born in the covenant or who were sealed to their parents under the law of adoption when the Priesthood was upon the earth.’ (UGHM 13:154.)
With Moses the Lord took the Melchizedek Priesthood from Israel, because of the unpreparedness of the children of Israel to receive it. However, we are informed by the Prophet Joseph Smith that the prophets in Israel, such as Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah, held the Melchizedek Priesthood. In fact Elijah was the last of the prophets in Israel to hold the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood with its sealing powers.
When Christ came in his ministry he restored the fulness of Priesthood and called Twelve Apostles. Three of these apostles acted as a First Presidency, for the Lord gave to them the ‘keys of the kingdom.’ ‘The Savior, Moses and Elias gave the keys to Peter, James and John on the mount when they were transfigured before him,’ said Joseph Smith.
No Work for the Dead until After Christ’s Resurrection. There was no work done for the dead in the days of Elijah, nor in those of any of the other ancient prophets. In Solomon’s temple ordinance of salvation were admininstered only for the living. Work for the dead could not be performed until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who opened the door to those who were bound. The Savior first took the message of salvation to the dead, and after his resurrection the blessings of the Gospel were extended to the dead as well as to the living, for it was the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ which made this possible. When, therefore, the keys of the sealing power were delivered by Elijah to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, power was given to estend this authority to all who now live upon the earth, and to all who have lived in the past who will repent and receive the Gospel.
It is probable that the Saints of the primitive Church of Jesus Christ had no temple in their scattered condition and because of the persecutions they had to suffer. Such ordinances as they observed for the living and the dead, which properly belong to the house of the Lord, were doubtless performed in such places as the Lord designated in their inability to fully comply with his decree to build a house. It is unlikely that a great number of endowments for the dead were administered in that dispensation.
Preparation for Endowments in Modern Days. The Kirtland Temple was dedicated on March 27, 1836. Soon after the organization of the Church revelations had foretold that if the members of the Church continued faithful and humble, and built the house of the Lord in Ohio, the Lord would there give unto his people his law, and ‘endow them with power from on high,’ and pour forth upon their heads a ‘great blessing and endowment’ which he had ‘kept in store,’ ‘such as is not known among the children of men.’ On April 3, 1836, the Lord appeared and accepted of the house dedicated to him, and declared: ‘Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house * * * and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people.’ (D&C 38:32; 39:15; 43:16; 95:8-9; 105:11, 12, 18, 33; 110:9, 10.) Then Elijah came and restored the keys of the sealing powers of the Priesthood.
The Kirtland Temple was but a preparatory temple which was built before the nature of temple ordinances was revealed. The primary purpose of its erection was to provide a sanctuary where the Lord could send messengers to restore Priesthood and keys held in former dispensations. ‘And those first elders who helped to build it, received a portion of their first endowments, or we might say more clearly, some of the first, or introductory, or initiatory ordinances, preparatory to an endowment. The preparatory ordinances there administered, though accompanied by the ministrations of angels, and the presence of the Lord Jesus, were but a faint similitude of the ordinances of the house of the Lord in their fulness.’ (Brigham Young, Discourses, p. 637.) In the solemn assemblies there held, the ordinance of washing of feet was administered to those present and such other related ordinances as had been revealed to the people at that time. In the Kirtland Temple no provision was made for ordinances in behalf of the dead, although some endowment was given, in part, for the living. The endowment now received is greater than that given in Kirtland, for the Lord has revealed additional covenants and obligations for us to keep.
When the Nauvoo Temple was built it was perfected in all details according to the pattern given in vision to the Prophet Joseph Smith. When the commandment was given to build the temple in Nauvoo, the Lord said: ‘Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices, by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places, wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name. And verily I say unto you, Let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people; For I deign to reveal unto my church, things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times; And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the Priesthood thereof.’ (D&C 124:39-42.)
First Complete Modern Endowments. Under date of May 4, 1841 [sic], the Journal of the Prophet records the first record of the introduction of the endowment ceremonies. ‘I spent the day in the upper part of the store, that is in my private office (so called because in that room I keep my sacred writings, translate ancient records, and receive revelations) and in my general business office * * * in council with General James Adams, of Springfield, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Bishop Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, and President Brigham Young and Elders Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, instructing them in the principles and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of Days, and all those plans and principles by which any one is enabled to secure the fulness of those blessings which have been prepared for the Church of the First Born, and come up and abide in the presence of Elohim in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the ancient order of things for the first time in these last days. And the communications I made to this council were of things spiritual, and to be received only by the spiritual minded: and there was nothing made known to these men but what will be made known to all the Saints of the last days, as soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them, even to the weakest of the Saints; therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the Temple.’ (HC 5:1, 2.)
First Modern Endowments for the Dead. In the Nauvoo Temple endowments for the living were given to hundreds of faithful Saints, and also in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. As far as known, the first endowments for the dead in this dispensation were given in the St. George Temple, January 11, 1877. Of it President Young said, ‘Now we have a temple which will all be finished in a few days, and of which there is enough completed to commence work therein, which has not been done since the days of Adam, that we have any knowledge of.’ For they had the privilege ‘not only of performing these ordinances for ourselves, but of doing the necessary work for our parents and forefathers who have slept without the Gospel.’ (Discourses, pp. 642, 643.)” (“Lesson 34–The Temple Endowment,” in “Our Lineage–A First Year Course in Genealogy and Temple Work,” UGHM 24:128-131, Jul., 1933)
12 Aug.: Early morning meetings in SLC eliminated.
“In another scheduling change, approval was given in August 1933 to Elder Richard’s recommendation that the meeting held in the temple each morning before the start of the ordinance work be eliminated. Such meetings, he believed, were peripheral to the basic purposes of the temple.” (Mouritsen Diss., pp. 209-210; also George F. Richards diary, 12 Aug., 1933)
24 Aug.: Concerning garments.
“PRESIDENTS OF STAKES,
Dear Brethren:–
We refer to the letter of the First Presidency of June 14, 1923, regarding the pattern and wearing of garments. We wish to reaffirm here the directions, principles, counsel and admonitions contained in that letter.
The question has arisen regarding the labels appearing upon garments old as Temple garments by various mercantile establishments in this region. The Church discontinued the use of all Temple garment labels several years ago. Notwithstanding this fact garments are still sold to the public bearing labels reading in some such form as the following:
‘This Garment Approved 1st Presidency. No knitted garment approved which does not bear this label;’ or ‘This garment approved by the Presidency: Always look for this label on an approved garment;’ and similar formulae.
You will direct all Bishops in your Stakes to advise every person who applies for a recommend to enter the Temple, that the Church has no label of any sort for Temple garments; that it has not authorized, nor does it sanction, the placing of any label of any sort on Temple garments; and that the use of all such labels by any and all mercantile establishments is a misrepresentation of fact. The Church has not approved any particular design or pattern of garment otherwise than as set out in the letter of June 14, 1923, and in this letter.
You will direct all Bishops also to instruct every applicant for a Temple recommend, that Temple garments with shoulder straps instead of sleeves do not meet the requirements of a proper garment, nor do they meet the obligations assumed in the endowment ceremony by those endowed. Temple garments with straps are disapproved. In order to conform to the requirements already given in the letter mentioned above and to the obligations assumed in the endowment ceremonies, Temple garments must have a sleeve at the shoulder.
You will instruct Bishops also carefully to explain to all persons recommended to the Temple, that any one wearing Temple garments which do not conform to the required standards does so upon his own responsibility.
This letter is not to pass from your hands, nor are copies to be furnished to any other person.
For your convenient reference we enclose herewith a copy of the letter of the First Presidency of June 14, 1923.
Sincerely your brethren,
Heber J. Grant
A. W. Ivins
J. Reuben Clark Jr.
First Presidency”
(24 Aug., 1933, First Presidency Circular Letters, LDS Archives, CR 1/1)
5 Sep.: Endowments for married women w/o endowed husbands.
“PRESIDENTS OF MISSIONS,
Dear Brethren:
At a recent meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve it was decided that women who are in good standing in the Church and have been faithful and devoted members, but whose husbands are not members of the Church or are not worthy of a temple recommend, may, with the written consent of their husbands, be granted the privilege of receiving their endowments and doing temple work for the dead.
The written statement of the husband should be presented at the temple together with the usual temple recommend from the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, and filed with the recommend.
We neither urge nor request women to take advantage of this ruling, and it is a privilege that should be given to those only who have proven themselves worthy and are desirous of receiving these blessings.
Sincerely your brethren,
Heber J. Grant
A. W. Ivins
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
First Presidency”
(5 Sep., 1933, First Presidency Circular Letters, LDS Archives, CR 1/1)
[NOTE THAT THIS DIFFERS FROM THE 17 Apr., 1933 LETTER ONLY IN BEING ADDRESSED TO MISSION PRESIDENTS, RATHER THAN STAKE PRESIDENTS.]
1 Dec.: Reversal of policy on 2nd marriage outside.
“Answering your questions will say that the Church has no objection at all to a woman remarrying. In fact if she is a young woman we have rather urged her, if she has a good opportunity to do so, to remarry. If she does marry we advise that if she has been sealed to her husband or her first marriage performed in the Temple that it would be a nice thing for her to marry in the Temple again but that marriage would only be for time. If she cannot go to the Temple for her second marriage there is no objection nor does she violate her covenants under the new ruling if she marries one not of the Church providing she is married by a Bishop or President of a Stake. If she had children by a second marriage certainly it is with the understanding that the children and the wife belong to the man to whom she is sealed.” (Melvin J. Ballard to Lloyd J. Ririe, Calgary, Alberta, 1 Dec., 1933. Bergera notes)
1 Dec.: “Old Style” garments to be used in temples.
“The modification of the garments was approved by the Presidency and it is as equally acceptable to wear them as the old garments. There is no line drawn between the two except for uniformity sake and for that reason the old style is still used in the Temple. . . .
The modification of these garments had been made by President Smith and others. The fact is that we have not departed one particle from the all important and essential things pertaining to the garments, which are the marks. The length of the sleeve, leg, etc. has been the modification which the Presidency has permitted because there was no specification with reference to those from the beginning.” (Melvin J. Ballard to Lloyd J. Ririe, Calgary, Alberta, 1 Dec., 1933. Bergera notes)