Comparison between the LDS temple endowment versions – part 2
NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden. The brethren will now be seated.
(As the male patrons sit down Adam and Eve are shown turning to follow Jehovah into the garden. The scene quickly changes to the garden.)
ELOHIM: Adam, Eve we have created for you this earth, and have placed upon it all kinds of vegetation and animal life. We have commanded all these to multiply in their own sphere and element. We give you dominion over all these things, and make you, Adam, Lord over the whole earth, and all things on the face thereof. We now command you and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity. We have also planted for you this garden, wherein we have placed all manner of fruits, flowers, and vegetation. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat; nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee. But, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Adam, remember this commandment these comandments which we have given unto you. Now go to, dress this garden, take good care of it, be happy and have joy therein. We shall go away, but we shall visit you again and give you further instructions.
(The scene changes, and it is understood that the Gods have again ascended. The following scene occurs in the garden, and no indication is given as to how much time has passed since the Gods’ departure. Lucifer, the devil, is shown standing nonchalantly observing Adam, and is clad in black and red robes; also wearing a square black apron tied to his waist. Though youthful, Lucifer appears perhaps a few years older than Adam, and wears a beard and mustache, His speach is fluid, persuasive, and without hesitation.)
LUCIFER:: Well, Adam, you have a new world here.
ADAM:: A new world?
LUCIFER:: Yes, a new world, patterned after the old one where we used to live.
ADAM:: I know nothing about any other world.
LUCIFER:: Oh, I see, your eyes are not yet opened. You have forgotten everything. You must eat some of the fruit of thisthat tree.
(Lucifer plucks two pieces of fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and presents it to Adam.)
LUCIFER:: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that this tree. It will make you wise.
ADAM:: I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me that in the day I should partake of it I should surely die.
LUCIFER:: You shall not surely die but shall be as the Gods, knowing good and evil.
ADAM:: I will not partake of it.
LUCIFER:: Oh you will not? Well, we shall see.
(Adam leaves, and Lucifer walks over to Eve, who is tending flowers.)
LUCIFER:: Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It will make you wise. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.
EVE: Who are you?
LUCIFER:: I am your brother.
EVE: You, my brother, and come here to persuade me to disobey Father?
LUCIFER:: I have said nothing about Father. I want you to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, that your eyes may be opened, for that is the way Father gained his knowledge. You must eat of this fruit so as to comprehend that everything has its opposite: good and evil, virtue and vice, light and darkness, health and sickness, pleasure and pain; and thus your eyes will be opened and you will have knowledge.
EVE: Is there no other way?
LUCIFER:: There is no other way.
EVE: Then I will partake.
(Eve takes the fruit from Lucifer, and bites it. Lucifer approves and places the other piece in her hand, which he closes around it and pats gently.)
LUCIFER:; There, now go and get Adam to partake.
(Eve approaches Adam, fruit in hand, and presents it to him with a persuasive tone of voice.)
EVE: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.
ADAM:: Eve, do you know what fruit that is?
EVE: Yes, it is the fruit if the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
ADAM:: I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that Father commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that tree?
EVE: Do you intend to obey all of Father’s commandments?
ADAM:: Yes, all of them.
EVE: Do you not recollect remember that Father commanded us to multiply and replenish the earth? I have partaken of this fruit and by so doing shall be cast out, and you will be left a lone man in the garden of Eden.
ADAM:: Eve, I see that this must be so. I will partake that man may be.
(Adam takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with a look of approval.)
LUCIFER:: That is right.
EVE: It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we may know the good from the evil.
EVE: I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast out of Father’s presence for rebellion.
LUCIFER:: Yes, you are beginning to see already.
ADAM:: What is that apron you have on?
LUCIFER:: It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.
ADAM:: Priesthoods?
LUCIFER:: Yes, Priesthoods.
ADAM:: I am looking for Father to come down to give us further instructions.
LUCIFER:: Oh, you are looking for Father to come down, are you?
(The Gods’ voices are suddenly heard in the garden, reverberating through the air.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that we would visit him them and givehim them further instructions. Come, let us go down.
JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.
ADAM:: I hear their voices, they are coming.
LUCIFER:: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide!
ADAM:: Come, let us hide.
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons.
(The film pauses temporarily while the patrons remove their fig-leave aprons from the bundles whch have been resting on their laps. All patrons tie the aprons on around their waists. When the film resumes, the Gods have once again descended, represented as before.)
ELOHIM: Adam … Adam! … Adam!! Where art thou?
ADAM:: I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was naked.
ELOHIM: Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake?
ADAM:: The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Eve, what is this that thou hast done?
EVE: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?
LUCIFER:: I have been doing that which has been done in other worlds.
ELOHIM: What is that?
LUCIFER:: I have been giving some of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt be cursed above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly thou shalt go, and dust shalt thou thou shalt eat all the days of thy life.
LUCIFER:: If thou cursest me for doing the same thing which has been done in other worlds, I will take the spirits that follow me, and they shall possess the bodies thou createst for Adam and Eve!
ELOHIM: I will place enmity between thee and the seed of the woman. Thou mayest have power to bruise his heal, but he shall have power to crush thy head.
LUCIFER:: Then with that enmity I will take the treasure of the earth, and with gold and silver I will buy up armies and navies, Popes and false priests who oppress, and tyrants who destroy, and reign with blood and horror on the earth!
ELOHIM: Depart!
(Lucifer looks defiantly at Elohim; he then turns and walks away.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam and Eve put forth his their hand,hands, and partake of the fruit thereof, and live forever in his their sins.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah turns to the side, and stretches his arm toward the tree.)
JEHOVAH: Let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam put forth his hand and partake of the fruit thereof, and live forever in his sins. It is done, Elohim.
ELOHIM: Eve, because thou hast hearkened to the voice of Satan and hast partaken of the forbidden fruit, and given unto Adam, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children. Nevertheless, thou mayest be preserved in child-bearing. Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee in righteousness.
Adam, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife and hast partaken of the forbidden fruit, the earth shall be cursed for thy sake. Instead of producing fruits and flowers spontaneously, it shall bring forth thorns, thistles, briars, and noxious weeds to afflict and torment man. Any by the sweat of thy face halt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
THE LAW OF OBEDIENCE
ELOHIM: Inasmuch as Eve was the first to eat of the forbidden fruit, if she will covenant that from this time forth she will obeyyour the law in of the Lord, and will hearken unto your counsel as you hearken unto mine, and if you will covenant that from this time forth you will obey the Law of Elohim, we will give unto you the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice, and we will provide a Savior for you, whereby you may come back into our presence, and with us partake of Eternal Life and exaltation.
EVE: Adam, I now covenant to obey yourthe law of the Lord and to hearken to your counsel as you obey our hearken unto Father.
ADAM:: Elohim, I now covenant with thee that from this time forth I will obey thy law and keep thy commandments.
ELOHIM: It is well, Adam. Jehovah, inasmuch as Adam and Eve have discovered their nakedness, make coats of skins as a covering for them.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(At this point the film pauses and the lights come on.)
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters the garment which that was placed upon you in the washing room is to cover your nakedness and represents the coat of skins spoken of. Anciently it was made of skins. You have received the garment, also your New Name. The officiator will represent Elohim at the Altar. A couple will now come to the altar.
(A pre-selected “Witness Couple” now come forward and kneel at the altar, resting their hands upon it as they face the Officiator. The Officiator pantomimes all movements and gestures as a model for the patrons to follow when directed.)
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this couple at the altar represents all of you as if at the altar. You must consider yourselves as if you were respectively Adam and Eve.
ELOHIM: We will put the sisters each sister under covenant to obey the law of their husbandsthe Lord and to hearken to the counsel of her husband, as her husband hearkens unto the counsel of the Father. Sisters, arise.
(Female patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you will each observe and keep the law of your husbands, the Lord and abide by his hearken unto the counsel in righteousness of your husband as he hearkens unto the counsel of the Father. Each of you bow your head and say “Yes.”
WOMEN: Yes.
ELOHIM: That will do.
(The female patrons now resume their seats.)
ELOHIM: Brethren, Arise.
(Male patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angles, and these witnesses at this altar that you will obey the law of God, and keep his commandants. Each of you bow your head and say “yes”.
MEN: Yes.
ELOHIM: That will do.
(Male patrons resume their seats.)
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE
ELOHIM: Brethren and sisters, you are about to be we will now put you under covenant to obey and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testament. Holy Scriptures. This Law of Sacrifice was given to Adam in the garden of Eden, who, when he was driven out of the garden, built an alter on which he offered sacrifices; and after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: “Why dost thou offer sacrifice sacrifices unto the Lord?” And Adam said unto him: “I know not, save the Lord commanded me.” And then the angel spake saying: “This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou dost in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent, and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.”
The posterity of Adam down to Moses, and from Moses to Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field, and the firstlings of the flock, which continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood. And as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the redemption of mankind, so we should covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary, in sustaining and defending the Kingdom of God.
All arise. Each of you bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this alter that you will observe and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testament Holy Scriptures, as it has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and say “yes.”
PATRONS: Yes.
ELOHIM: That will do.
(patrons resume their seats.)
THE FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
ELOHIM: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Before doing this, however, we desire to impress upon your minds the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and sign, and penalty, as well as that of all the other tokens of the Holy Priesthood, with their names, and signs, and penalties, which you will receive in the temple this day. They are most sacred, and are guarded by solemn covenants and obligations of secrecy to the effect that made in the prescense of God, Angels and these witnesses to hold them sacred and under no condition, even at the peril of your life, will you ever divulge them, except at a certain place in the temple that will be shown you hereafter. The representation of the execution of the penalties indicates different ways in which life may be taken.
The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand, in this manner.
(The Officiator, representing Elohim, takes the right hand of the male witness, who represents Adam at the alter, and demonstrates the token. The male witness, who remains kneeling, is obliged to raise his hand above his head while receiving the grip, thus enabling the patrons to view the manner in which the token is to be given.)
ELOHIM: Adam, we unto you the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to receive it. All arise.
(As the patrons stand, the Witness Couple returns to their seats. The Officiator and several other temple workers circulate around the room and administer the token to the patrons as they stand at their seats. Male workers attend to the male patrons, female workers to the females. The Witness couple also receives the token at this time. Each patron sits after receiving the token.)
ELOHIM: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand.
The name of this token is the New Name that you received in the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the New Name, please stand.
The sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended.
(The Officiator, again at the altar, demonstrates the sign and penalty as the descriptions are given.)
ELOHIM: This is the sign. The execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side.
I will now explain the covenant and obligation of secrecy which are associated with this token, its name, and sign and penalty, and which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were receiving my own Endowment today, and had been given the name of “John” as my New Name, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign at the same time representing the execution of the penalty:
I, John, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.
(The Officiator demonstrates the execution of the penalty.)
ELOHIM: All arise.
(All patrons stand.)
ELOHIM: Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, by bringing your right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers together, and the thumb extended. This is the sign. Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant, at the same time representing the execution of the penalty.
I ________, think of the new name, covenant before God, angels and these witnesses that I will never reveal the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and sign, and penalty. Rather than do so, I would suffer my life to be taken.
That will do. (Patrons sit down.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, see that Adam is and Eve are driven out of this beautiful garden into the lone and dreary world, where he they may learn from his their own experience to distinguish good from evil.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(As the lights are turned down the film presentation continues.)
THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM
(Adam and Eve are shown full view for the first time. They are clad in animal skins which cover their bodies to their knees. The lone and dreary world is represented by desert scenery. Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreads his hands to heaven, and piously invokes the Lord.)
NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the lone and dreary world. Brethren and sisters, this represents the Telestial kingdom, or the world in which we now live. Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words he uttered:
ADAM:: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
(As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of the shadows.)
LUCIFER:: I hear you; what is it you want?
(Although Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, he fails to recognize him at this appearance.)
ADAM:: Who are you?
LUCIFER:: I am the God of this world.
ADAM:: You, the God of this world?
LUCIFER:: Yes, what do you want?
ADAM:: I am looking for messengers.
LUCIFER:: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion, do you? I will have preachers here presently. There will be many willing to preach to you the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.
(Lucifer turns his head as a sectarian minister approaches.)
LUCIFER:: Good Morning sir!
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Good morning!
(The preacher turns and looks into the camera.)
SECTARIAN MINISTER: A fine congregation!
LUCIFER:: Yes, they are a very good people. They are concerned about religion. Are you a preacher?
SECTARIAN MINISTER: I am.
LUCIFER:: Have you been to college and received training for the ministry?
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Certainly! A man cannot preach unless has been trained for the ministry.
LUCIFER:: Do you preach the orthodox religion?
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Yes, that is what I preach.
LUCIFER:: If you will preach your orthodox religion to these people, and convert them, I will pay you well.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: I will do my best.
(Lucifer guides the preacher to Adam and Eve, who stand nearby.)
LUCIFER:: Here is a man who desires religion. He is very much exercised, and seems to be sincere.
(As Lucifer presents the preacher to Adam and Eve he steps back and observes the ensuing conversation. The preacher is made to sound sincere, although misguided and credulous. Adam appears humble, faithful and immovable in his determination to serve God. He is not swayed by the preacher, and is astounded by the doctrines espoused by the preacher.)
SECTARIAN MINISTER: I understand that you are inquiring after religion.
ADAM:: I was calling upon Father.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: I am glad to know that you were calling upon Father. Do you believe in a God who is without body, parts, or passions; who sits on the top of a topless throne; whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere; who fills the universe, and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart; who is surrounded by myriads of beings who have been saved by grace, not for any act of theirs, but by His good pleasure. Do you believe in such a great Being?
ADAM:: I do not. I cannot comprehend such a being.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: That is the beauty of it. Perhaps you do not believe in a devil, and in that great hell, the bottomless pit, where there is a lake of fire and brimstone into which the wicked are cast, and where they are continually burning, but none never consumed?
ADAM:: I do not believe in any such place.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: My dear friend, I am sorry for you.
LUCIFER:: I am sorry, very very sorry! What is it you want?
ADAM:: But I am looking for messengers from my Father.
(The scene changes to a view of the Celestial Kingdom, where Elohim reigns from a white throne afront tall white pillars. He is radiant as before, and his voice resonates as he speaks with Jehovah, who stands before him.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John to visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing their identity. Have them observe conditions generally, see if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in the garden of Eden. Have them then return and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah turns from Elohim and walks to the edge of the platform upon which he stands. He there meets Peter, James and John, who await His command. They are dressed as the Jews were at the time of Christ.)
JEHOVAH: Peter, James and John, go down and visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing your identity. Observe conditions generally. See if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in the Garden of Eden. Then return and bring us word.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.
JAMES: We will go down.
JOHN: We will go down.
(The three turn and leave, and the scene turns to the lone and dreary world. Peter steps out from behind a large rock, followed by James and John; they approach Adam, Eve, et al.)
PETER: Good morning.
LUCIFER:: Good morning gentlemen.
PETER: What are you doing here?
LUCIFER:: Teaching religion. Observing the teachings of these people.
PETER: What religion do you teach? is being taught?
LUCIFER:: We teach a religion made of the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.
PETER: How is your religion received by this community?
LUCIFER:: Very well–excepting except this man. He does not seem to believe anything we preach. what is being taught.
(Peter, James and John approach Adam and Eve.)
PETER: Good morning. What do you think of the preaching of these gentlemen? what is being taught?
ADAM:: I cannot comprehend it.
PETER: Can you give us some idea concerning it?
ADAM:: They preach of a God who is without body, parts, or passions; who is so large that he fills the universe, and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart; and of a hell, without a bottom, where the wicked are continually burned but are never consumed. To me, it is a mass of confusion.
ADAM: I am looking for messengers from my Father to teach me.
PETER: That is good.
PETER: We do not wonder that you cannot comprehend such doctrine. Have you any tokens or signs?
(Lucifer steps up to the side of Peter and interjects his query.)
LUCIFER:: Do you have you any money?
PETER: We have sufficient for our needs.
LUCIFER:: You can buy anything in this world for money.
PETER: Do you sell your tokens or signs for money? You have them, I presume.
ADAM:: I have them, but I do not sell them for money. I hold them sacred. I am looking for the further light and knowledge Father promised to send me.
PETER: That is right. We commend you for your integrity. Good day. We shall probably visit you again.
(Peter, James and John exit; Lucifer stares into the camera.)
LUCIFER:: Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth. There is none who dares to molest, or make me afraid.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Shall we ever have any apostles or prophets?
LUCIFER:: No. However, there may be some who will profess revelation or apostleship. If so, just test them by asking that they perform a great miracle, such as cutting off an arm or some other member of the body, and restoring it, so that the people may know that they have come with power.
(The scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter, James, and John approach Jehovah with their report.)
PETER: Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the Telestial World as thou didst command us. We found Satan there, with his ministers, preaching all manner of false doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray with all manner of false doctrine. But Adam has been true and faithful to the token and sign given him in the Garden of Eden, and is waiting for the further light and knowledge you promised to send him. This is our report.
JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John (Jehovah turns and approaches Elohim) Elohim–Peter, James and John have been down to the man Adam in the Telestial World. They found Satan there, with his ministers preaching all manner of false doctrine, and striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray. But Adam has been true and faithful to the token and sign given him in the Garden of Eden, and he is waiting for the further light and knowledge you promised to send him. This is their report.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James and John to go down in their true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the man Adam and Eve and histheir posterity in the Telestial World, and to cast Satan out of their midst. Instruct them to give unto Adam and Eve and his their posterity the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holly Scriptures ; also give unto them a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice; and cause these to be received by covenant. Instruct Peter, James, and John further to clothe Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and to give unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. The have them return and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, and approaches Peter, James and John.) Peter, James and John, go down in your true character as Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ to the man Adam and Eve and his their posterity in the Telestial World. Cast Satan out of their midst. Give unto them the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible Holy Scriptures; also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other unholy and impure practice. Cause them to receive these by covenant. Clothe them in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and give unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, and sign, and penalty. Then return and bring us word.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John, let us go down.
(The scene changes again to the lone and dreary world. The three Apostles boldly approach Lucifer.)
PETER: I am Peter.
JAMES: I am James.
JOHN: I am John.
LUCIFER:: Yes, I thought I knew you. What are you going to do now? (He turns to the Preacher.) Do you know who these men are? They claim to be apostles. Try them!
(The Preacher approaches Peter.)
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Do you profess to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ?
PETER: We do.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: This man told me that we should never have any revelation or apostles, but if any should come professing to be apostles, I was to ask them to cut off an arm or some other member of the body and the restore it, so that the people might know that they came with power.
PETER: We do not satisfy men’s curiosity in that manner. It is a wicked and an adulterous generation that seeks for a sign. Do you know who that man is? He is Satan!
SECTARIAN MINISTER: What? The Devil?
PETER: That is one of his names.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: He is quite a different person from what he told me the devil is. He said the devil has claws like a bear’s on his hands, horns on his head, and a cloven foot, and that when he speaks he has the roar of a lion!
PETER: He has said this to deceive you, and I would advise you to get out of his employ.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: Your advise is good; but, if I leave his employ, what will become of me?
PETER: We will preach the gospel unto you, with the rest of Adam’s posterity.
SECTARIAN MINISTER: That is good. (He turns to Lucifer) I would like to have a settlement. I want you to pay me for preaching.
LUCIFER:: I am ready to keep my word and fulfill my part of the agreement. I promised to pay you if you would convert these people, and they have nearly converted you! You can get out of my kingdom, I want no such men in it! (As the preacher turns sadly and leaves Lucifer approaches Peter) Now, what are you going to do?
PETER: We will dismiss you without further argument.
LUCIFER:: Aah! You have looked over my kingdom, and my greatness and glory. Now you want to take possession of the whole of it. (Lucifer turns, and stares into the camera). I have a word to say concerning these people. If they do not walk up to every covenant they make at these altars in this temple this day, they will be in my power!
PETER: Satan, we command you to depart!
LUCIFER:: By what authority?
PETER: (With his right arm raised to the square.) In the name of Jesus Christ, our Master. (Lucifer is visibly shaken as he turns and leaves. Peter waits until he has left, and then approaches Adam) Adam, we are true messengers from the Father, and have come down to give unto you the further light and knowledge He promised to send you.