A veil of secrecy surrounds Mormon temple worship. While officially intended to preserve the sacredness of the experience, the silence leaves many Latter-day Saints mystified. What are the derivation and development of the holy endowment, and if these were known, would the experience be more meaningful? Modern parishioners lack context to interpret the arcane and syncretistic elements of the symbolism. For instance, David Buerger traces the evolution of the initiatory rites, including the New Testament-like foot washings, which originated in the Ohio period of Mormon history; the more elaborate Old Testament-like washings and anointings, which began in Illinois and were performed in large bathtubs, with oil poured over the initiate’s head; and the vestigial contemporary sprinkling and dabbing, which were begun in Utah. He shows why the dramatic portions of the ceremony blend anachronistic events—an innovation foreign to the original drama. Buerger addresses the abandonment of the adoption sealing, which once linked unrelated families, and the near-disappearance of the second anointing, which is the crowning ordinance of the temple. He notes other recent changes as well. Biblical models, Masonic prototypes, folk beliefs, and frontier resourcefulness all went into the creation of this highest form of Mormon Temple worship. Diary entries and other primary sources document its evolution.   "Buerger puts Joseph Smith's creative encounter with Freemasonry into an appropriate perspective" -- John L. Brooke, The Journal of American History "Examines the near disappearance of the second anointing, once considered the crowning ordinance of the temple." -- Religious Advance Buerger puts Joseph Smith's creative encounter with Freemasonry into an appropriate perspective ..." -- John L. Brooke, The Journal of American History Drawn from authentic sources, David Buerger's The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship is an insightful, comprehensive and scholarly history of LDS temple worship. Readers will learn of its humble beginnings in Ohio where members practiced Old Testament-like ceremonies to the adoption and transformation of Masonic ritual in Nauvoo, Illinois, to recent modifications which suggest an adaption to contemporary concerns for appearing relevant to today's political and social issues. The Mormon concept of "continuous revelation is reflected in the dynamics and continuing evolution of Mormon temple worship. Chapters cover the prelude to endowment, the Kirtland Ceremony, Joseph Smith's ritual, Brigham Young's revisions, developments in nineteenth century Utah, the twentieth century temple, and the authors conclusions form his research data. Appendix One features "The December 1845 Meetings of the Holy Order." Appendix Two features "Published Descriptions of the Temple Ceremony." A unique, accurate and insightful publication. --Midwest Book Review Providing a fascinating chronology of developments associated with Latter-day Saint temples and temple ordinances, this source book discusses the origins of the temple concept, comparative rituals, and changes in ceremonies. Buerger charts the abandonment of the adoption sealing which once linked unrelated families and examines the near disappearance of the second anointing, once considered the crowning ordinance of the temple. --Religious Advance Drawn from authentic sources, David Buerger's The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship is an insightful, comprehensive and scholarly history of LDS temple worship. Readers will learn of its humble beginnings in Ohio where members practiced Old Testament-like ceremonies to the adoption and transformation of Masonic ritual in Nauvoo, Illinois, to recent modifications which suggest an adaption to contemporary concerns for appearing relevant to today's political and social issues. The Mormon concept of "continuous revelation is reflected in the dynamics and continuing evolution of Mormon temple worship. Chapters cover the prelude to endowment, the Kirtland Ceremony, Joseph Smith's ritual, Brigham Young's revisions, developments in nineteenth century Utah, the twentieth century temple, and the authors conclusions form his research data. Appendix One features "The December 1845 Meetings of the Holy Order." Appendix Two features "Published Descriptions of the Temple Ceremony." A unique, accurate and insightful publication. --Midwest Book Review Providing a fascinating chronology of developments associated with Latter-day Saint temples and temple ordinances, this source book discusses the origins of the temple concept, comparative rituals, and changes in ceremonies. Buerger charts the abandonment of the adoption sealing which once linked unrelated families and examines the near disappearance of the second anointing, once considered the crowning ordinance of the temple. --Religious Advance A veil of secrecy surrounds Mormon temple worship. While officially intended to preser