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Sign Of The Nail The Patriarchal Grip

PETER: We will now give unto you the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or the Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign. This token is received by bringing the right hand into this position: the hand vertical, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended; and the person giving the token placing the tip of the forefinger of his right hand in the center of the palm, and the thumb opposite on the back of the hand of the one receiving it, in this manner.

We desire all to receive it. All arise.

PETER: If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand. The name of this token is "the Son", meaning the Son of God.

The sign is made by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square; the right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together with the thumb extended. This is the sign. I will now explain the covenant and obligation which are associated with this token, its name and sign and which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were receiving the Endowment today, either for myself or for the dead, I would repeat in my mind these words, after making the sign:

I solemnly covenant before God, angels, and these witnesses, in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign.

All arise. Each of you make the sign of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square; the right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the fingers close together with the thumb extended. This is the sign.

Now repeat in your mind after me the words of the covenant. I solemnly covenant before God, angels, and these witnesses, in the name of the Son that I will never reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign.

That will do.

PETER: Jehovah, we have been down to Adam and Eve and their posterity, have placed the robe on the right shoulder and have introduced them into the Terrestrial World. We have put them under covenant to observe and keep the Law of Chastity. We have also given them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign. This is our report.

JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John. Elohim--Peter, James, and John have been down to Adam and Eve and their posterity, and have done all that they were commanded to do.

ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John and instruct them to give to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial world the Law of Consecration in connection with the law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and to cause them to receive it by covenant; to give unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign, and to teach them the Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to receive further instructions at the Veil. Then have them report at the Veil.

JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James, and John, go down to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial World, and give unto them the Law of Consecration, in connection with the Law of the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice, and cause them to receive it by covenant. Give unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign. Teach them the Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to receive further instructions at the Veil. Then report at the Veil.

PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come, James and John, let us go down.

   

PETER: We will now give unto you the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign.

This token has reference to the crucifixion of the Savior. When he was placed upon the cross, the crucifiers drove nails through the palms of his hands, then fearing that the weight of his body would cause the nails to tear through the flesh of the hands, they drove nails through his wrists. Hence, in the palm is the Sign of the Nail, and in the wrist is the Sure Sign of the Nail, or the Nail in the Sure place.

This token is given by clasping the right hands, interlocking the little fingers, and placing the tip of the forefinger upon the center of the wrist, in this manner (The Officiator demonstrates this token with male witness.).

We desire all to receive it. All arise.

If any of you have not received this token, you will please raise your hand.

This token has a name and a sign. You will be under the same sacred obligation in connection with this token and sign as you are with the other tokens and signs of the Holy Priesthood which you have received in the temple this day. The name of this token will not be given to you at this stage in the Endowment, but it will be given later on.

The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating aloud the words: "Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!" repeated three times.

PETER: When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, he built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words that he uttered: "Oh God, Hear the words of my mouth!", repeated three times.

All arise. Each of you make the sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, by raising both hands high above the head, and while lowering the hands repeating three times the words:


Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!

PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.) With the robe on the right shoulder you are prepared to be taught the True Order of Prayer; and to be introduced at the Veil.