APPENDIX 1
THE LDS PRIESTHOOD UNVEILED
Free Agency—the True Power and Authority
As explained throughout this authorized and official biography, one of Joseph
Smith’s final and most significant contributions to the religion that currently honors his
name was the LDS Temple Endowment.^1 This sacred endo0wment was meant to reveal to
his followers “the mysteries of God until [they knew] them in full.”^2 It is the highest of all
the “saving ordinances” embraced by the powerful LDS Church; 0and obtaining it is the
greatest and most coveted desire of every Latter-day Saint.
The endowment presentation is a symbolic, theatrical, and conversational exposition
given before a seated audience of “worthy,” full-tithe paying, LDS/Mormon Church
members. Dressed in white attire, the audience interacts with the movie media, which
replaced the live presentation some number of years ago (circa 1990). Those thus seated
come prepared with a robe, apron, sash, cap (males) or veil (females), with which those
present adorn themselves and change on cue during the endowment presentation. The
entire presentation—from the ostentatious entrance, to its delivery, and until one leaves the
lavishly adorned interior of the expensive LDS Temple—leaves the participant with a
feeling of peace and self-worth. The sense of pride felt in having received it overwhelms the
member with an inflated sense of self-value and accomplishment, believing they have
obtained something that the rest of the human race is not worthy to receive.
Under considerably more humble circumstances in Joseph’s initial presentation, the
endowment was created to deliver, symbolically, a full disclosure of what Joseph was not
allowed to tell the people in his day, including the truth concerning priesthood power and
authority.^3 Had he disclosed the real truth in plainness, his followers would have risen up
and killed him.^4 With intended purpose and divine foresight, Joseph used priesthood names
within the symbolism of the presentation to create the greatest stumbling block ever placed
before the LDS/Mormon people. (A full disclosure of what Joseph intended for the
endowment was published to the world in 2008.^5 )
The endowment presentation was finalized during the last few years of Joseph’s
mortal mission.^6 The “endowment from on high” that was promised to his followers,^7 if
they became worthy to receive it, was finally “delivered unto them [as] many things which they
[could not] understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God [commanded Joseph
to give it to them], that they may stumble.”^8
At the time of the endowment’s finalization in 1842, Joseph Smith’s life was in grave
danger. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being threatened with
destruction from within by many dissenters (some being Joseph’s close intimates) and also
from without by numerous enemies and critics. Joseph accurately blamed this persecution
on the LDS people because they “were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of
plainness.”^9 Consequently, many prominent LDS leaders were conspiring against Joseph
because they believed he was a fallen prophet. Others had already apostatized from