Scriptures You Should Read Before Receiving Your Temple Endowment

Symbolism behind the Provo Temple - Exodus 13:21

The following scriptures were collected by another Friend of mine, named Mike Batty. Each of these scriptures reference specific characteristics of the endowment given in God's Holy Temples anciently that, naturally, are a still used today. For anyone who is going through the temple for the first time, I recommend reading these scriptures:

1. Exodus 28:1-4
2. Exodus 28:40-43
3. Exodus 29: 1, 4-5, 7
4. Exodus 30:30-31
5. 1 Kings 1:39
6. Revelation 2:17
7. Revelation 3:12
8. Ezra 9:8
9. Isaiah 22:23
10. 1 Corinthians 11:2-3, 5, 10

Is it appropriate to post specific scriptures referenced in the Holy Temple in a public forum?

Initially, I felt fine about sharing scriptures referenced in the temple. Certainly Elder Packer has discussed the temple in much great depth and specificity in his book, The Holy Temple. But I still wanted more data from those in Authority.

I called ameritus General Authority and current Provo Temple President, Merrill J. Bateman to see if he would validate my sharing of these scriptures and perhaps offer some addition insight but he politely declined, informing me that it was a matter of policy that he doesn't read or contribute to any private blogs. He did however warn me not to offer any personal interpretations openly on my blog and the best way to find additional information is to simply search temple-like words referenced in the Bible dictionary.

So, while I have been asked not to share my interpretations of scriptures, this does not keep you from sharing your thoughts. Please feel free to share any additional scriptures that might be interesting for someone who is preparing to receive their own endowment.

Edit: I heard back from one scholar named Gregg and he offered this great advice from his blog:

"From the scriptural history of the endowment of this and past dispensations, may I conclude by suggesting seven prerequisite, continuous preparations required for those who seek these sacred blessings:

1. Experience, especially experience with the Spirit of the Lord.
2. Service, as shown by a willingness to serve as a witness of the Savior, not simply by the sacrifice of worldly, but also of other worthy yet less-important enjoyments.
3. Purity, in body, in mind, in spirit.
4. Prayer and study, particularly about the promises and previous outpourings of such blessings in this as well as in prior dispensations.
5. Obedience and repentance, specifically in forsaking your own sins and in forgiving others.
6. Humility, meekness, integrity through fasting, expressed foremost in a willingness to receive and remain true to God’s covenants and promises during succeeding trials of faith
7. Faith in coming unto Christ for new birth, by prayer, by a broken heart, by boldly petitioning only from him the power revealed through his ordinances.

As the Psalmist succinctly asked and answered the great questions of preparation, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? [Only] he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face” (Psalm 24:3-6). (Greg's Website.)

Taken by the Hubble Telescope, July 2008

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Listening to: Enigma - Mea Culpa