Endowment

As I have begun to prepare to take out my endowments I have come to more fully understand its purpose and the blessings it can bring when covenants made are kept.  I know that by returning to perform this ordinance for others I can more fully come to understand the symbolism that Heavenly Father has designed for us to ponder.  In particular I have found hope in knowing that as we humbly seek to understand Heavenly Father reveals to us those things that will be for our good.  I am prayerfully continuing to prepare to enter God’s holy temple to more fully covenant my obedience to Him.

"In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift.  In receiving this gift, we should understand its significance and the importance of keeping sacred covenants.  Each temple ordinance "is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising." The temple endowment was given by revelation.  Thus it is best understood be revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart.  President Brigham Young said, "Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, ...and gain your eternal exaltation."

Elder Russell M Nelson, April 2001 General Conference "Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/personal-preparation-for-temple-blessings?lang=eng&query=Endowment

"Those who have entered the waters of baptism and subsequently received their endowment in the house of the Lord are eligible for rich and wonderful blessings.  The endowment is literally a gift of power."

 Elder M Russell Ballard, August 20, 2013 BYU Campus Education Week Devotional "Let Us Thing Straight" http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=2133

"The endowment embodies sacred covenants.  It includes receiving instruction, power from on high, and the promise of blessings on condition of our faithfulness to the covenants we make."

Sister Silvia H Allred, October 2008 General Relief Society Meeting "Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants"https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/holy-temples-sacred-covenants?lang=eng&query=Endowment

"Elder James E Talmage has written this of the endowment: "The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receiver her King, - the Lord Jesus Christ.  With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions."

 Elder L Tom Perry, April 1982 General Conference "Let Us Go Up to the House of God" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1982/04/let-us-go-up-to-the-house-of-god?lang=eng&query=Endowment

"The supreme benefits of membership in the Church can only be realized only through the exalting ordinances of the temple. These blessings qualify us for "thrones, kingdoms principalities, and powers" in the celestial kingdom."

Elder Russell M Nelson, April 1997 General Conference "Endure and Be Lifted Up" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/04/endure-and-be-lifted-up 

"If you are now ready to receive the ordinances of the temple, prepare carefully for that crowning event. Before entering the temple, you will be interviewed by your bishop and stake president for your temple recommend. Be honest and candid with them. That interview is not a test to be passed but an important step to confirm that you have the maturity and spirituality to receive the supernal ordinances and make and keep the edifying covenants offered in the house of the Lord. Personal worthiness is an essential requirement to enjoy the blessings of the temple. Anyone foolish enough to enter the temple unworthily will receive condemnation."

Elder Richard G Scott, April 1999 General Conference "Receive the Temple Blessings"https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/receive-the-temple-blessings

"Since many aspects of the temple experience are significantly different than regular worship services, get the counsel of your bishop to help prepare you. He can arrange for a specially trained individual to discuss important aspects of the temple to help you understand and appreciate more fully that sacred experience.  The endowment and sealing ordinances of the temple are so gloriously rich in meaning that you will want to allow significant time to receive those ordinances and to ponder their meaning."

Elder Richard G Scott, April 1999 General Conference "Receive the Temple Blessings" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/receive-the-temple-blessings?lang=eng&query=

"In all the ordinances, especially those of the temple, we are endowed with power from on high."

D Todd Christofferson, April 2009 General Conference "The Power of Covenants" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/the-power-of-covenants  

"Our understanding of the significance of the endowment expands as we regularly participate in the holy ordinances in behalf of those deceased."

Elder David B Haight, April 1992 General Conference "Come to the House of the Lord"  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/come-to-the-house-of-the-lord?lang=eng&query=endowment

"Desire and effort are ... required if we would receive revelation to understand the ordinances of the endowment.  ..."Revelation ... is not imposed upon a person; it must be drawn to us by faith, seeking and working, ... To the man or woman who goes through the temple, with open eyes, heeding the symbols and the covenants, and making a steady, continuous effort to understand the full meaning, God speaks his word, and revelations come. ... The endowment which was given by revelation can best be understood by revelation; and to those who seek most vigorously, with pure hearts, will the revelation be greatest."

Elder David B Haight, April 1992 General Conference "Come to the House of the Lord"  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/come-to-the-house-of-the-lord?lang=eng&query=endowment