A danish genealogist enquired within our group about the technical meaning of ENDOWMENT

Google Search: genealogi endowed: "Re: Kan nogen hjælpe med meningen...."

can sombody help with the meaning of . . .

Google Search: dk.videnskab.historie.genealogi

which led me to some fascinating historical documents about the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.


1879 LDS Temple (Endowment) Ceremony:


"Before I go further I must tell how they believe the entrance into heaven is to be gained on the morning of the resurrection.

Peter will call up the men and women, (for it is not possible for a woman to be resurrected or exalted, or to be made a queen in heaven, unless some man takes pity on her and raises her).
If the marks on the garments are found to correspond with those on the vail, (the dead are buried in the whole paraphernalia), if you can give the grips and tokens, and your new name, and you are dressed properly in your robes, why, then, one has a sure permit to heaven, and will pass by the angels, (who they suppose are to be only ministering servants,) to a more exalted glory; the more wives they have, they think, the higher their glory will be. "


The LDS Temple Endowment Page:

"I origionally posted them to a couple usenet newsgroups at the end of June 1993 while I was in college.

The reaction of Mormons who saw this post was rather unpleasant. Several of them wrote the president of the college I was attending, and outright lied about the copyright status of the endowment, misrepesented themselves as authorized to speak for the church, and tried to get me kicked out of school."



Google Search: soc.religion.mormon


Google Search: priest LDS temple:

"The point is that some things should not be printed (even though they
can be) out of discretion and respect for others.
If one truly be in Christ and loves others, showing respect and compassion for their
religious beliefs of supreme consideration. "



and I try to show respect for all other human beings of any persusasion.

but my position is as much poilitical as anything


Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

even when they are married :-)


Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person

and even criminals

Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

NO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

and for the 25 more articles - try the URL above