Timeline of changes to temple ceremonies in the LDS Church

• 1831 – Smith "endowed" followers with power by ordaining them to the Melchizedek Priesthood. • 1836 – By the mid-1830s, Smith was teaching that a further endowment was necessary, this time requiring the completion of the Kirtland Temple as a house of God where God could pour out his Holy Spirit. The Kirtland endowment included a ritual ceremony involving preparatory nude washings and anointings in a tub, Black church member Elijah Abel was allowed to participate in the Kirtland ceremonies, but no Black members participated in the Nauvoo temple ordinances during Smith's lifetime (1805–1844) or after, until the ban was lifted in 1978. Scholars disagree concerning whether Smith or his successor Young who formed the LDS Church introduced the Black temple ban. where the first Nauvoo endowments were performed. • 1840 – Baptisms for the dead began to be performed for the first time. They were initially performed outdoors in the Mississippi River. • 1841 – The outdoor practice of baptisms for the dead was halted until a month later when they were first administered indoors in the Nauvoo Temple. The next day, May 4, he introduced the Nauvoo endowment ceremony to nine male associates. This close circle of adherents was expanded and later termed the Anointed Quorum. • 1843 – Women begin receiving the endowment. • 1843 – Sealings were performed for the first time. Possibly even in 1842. • 1843 – The second anointing was performed for the first time. The first recipients were Smith and one of his wives, Emma. • 1845 – The Nauvoo endowment ceremony was introduced to the church at large in the Nauvoo Temple. A spacious hall in the temple's attic was arranged into appropriate ordinance "rooms" using canvas partitions. Potted plants were used in areas representing the Garden of Eden, and other areas were furnished appropriately, including a room representing the celestial kingdom. Over 5,500 persons received their endowments in this temple. ==Late 1800s==

• 1852 – Between 1852 and 1978, most Black people were not permitted to participate in ordinances performed in the LDS Church temples, such as the endowment, celestial marriages, and family sealings. These ordinances are considered essential to enter the highest degree of heaven, so this meant that Black church members could not enjoy the full privileges enjoyed by other Latter-day Saints during the restriction. Non-Black spouses of Black people were also prohibited from entering temples. An exception to the temple ban for Black members was that (except for the complete temple ban period from the mid-1960s until the early 1970s under McKay) • 1870s – Second anointings began to be performed vicariously for deceased members of the church. • 1877 – Young began including the Adam–God doctrine (the belief that Adam is God) in a new "lecture at the veil" during the endowment ceremony. • 1877 – The first endowments for the dead were performed. • 1893 – Minor alterations are made to the endowment ceremony. ==Early 1900s==

• 1902 – The Adam–God doctrine was removed from the endowment ceremony. • 1927 – The oath of vengeance was removed from the endowment. • 1936 – An explanation of the garment symbols is added to the endowment. • 1945 – The endowment is administered in a language other than English for the first time. ==Late 1900s==

• 1953 – The first film versions of the endowment ceremony were used. • '''1960's''' – Live-action endowments are phased out in most temples in favor of film versions. • Early 1970s – The complete ban on Black people in temples ceremonies was partially lifted so they could once again participate in baptisms for the dead again. File:Garment.jpg|thumb|267px|In 1979, two-piece temple garments like those shown here began to be permitted for recipients of the washing and anointing ceremony. • 1990 – The penalties and their oaths were removed from the endowment. The administration of the five points of fellowship at the veil is also removed. Women no longer covenant to obey their husbands. The lecture at the veil is discontinued. Wording faulting Eve for the Fall and God telling Eve that Adam "shall rule over thee" is removed. ==2000s==

showing the veil positioning used at times in endowment ceremony before 2019. was altered, and more lines were added for Eve. Additionally, women were no longer required to cover their faces with the veil during certain portions of the ceremony. • 2020 – The temple clothing was modified by simplifying the design of the robe and veil, removing the tie for the cap and veil, removing the cap's plastic insert, and using a more durable fabric for the robe, cap, sash, and envelope. • 2023 – The parts where participants each gave the token (a form of handshake) was removed such that the only touching happened at the end of the ceremony. Additionally, the ceremony now opens with a list of the five covenants that individuals will be making in the temple during the ceremony before asking if participants want to leave or remain. A ritual performance was added depicting the War in Heaven in the premortal life. The ordinance was streamlined with less clothing changes and sitting and standing. There is no longer a live witness couple at the altar. The warning to participants to avoid loud laughter and light-mindedness was removed. == See also ==