I would like only to say a word or two about the symbolic teaching that occurs in the house of the Lord. In doing so I will naturally be very careful, and scriptural. I think, however, that there are some items that are left unstudied, or rather not pondered over because they are taught in the temple. Since Pres. McKay said late in his life that he was just beginning to understand the endowment, and since Hugh Nibley, spoke of always learning something in the temple, and we aren’t at their level, we assume we probably can’t get much out of the great symbols. What a tragic lie Satan has told us. These things are to be had by those who ask. Remember, “Ask and ye shall receive.”
Clothing becomes a major theme in the temple in multiple ways. During the initiatory ordinances we are clothed in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, just as was Adam, and his posterity down to Joseph, who was left for dead, in part so that his coat of many colors, which we have been told were probably the garments with long sleeves rather than colors could be stolen by another jealous brother. (12 tribes) This is followed by the putting on of the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, or temple clothing, which we carry in those little bags. The idea of covering our nakedness before God is a major theme in the scriptures as well.
Isaiah says and Nephi recopies it into the Book of Mormon; “1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isa 52:1)
Moroni’s last counsel contains these four verses from the end; ”31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled. (Mni 10:31)
Christ says to Joseph; “ 14 For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.” (D&C 82:14)
All of these references come following at least one mention of the covenant people, notice Zion, Jerusalem, daughter of Zion, house of Israel, the hold city, even uncircumcised, and unclean, speak to the nature of the covenant of those who will dwell in those cities. These beautiful garments are associated with the covenants they have made. Also before entering certain rooms during the endowment ceremony the robes must be appropriately worn. We are instructed that having them on in a certain fashion also allows us to be instructed as to the proper order of some basic doctrines. This is not chance. Since the Hebrew word for atonement means to cover, it seems logical that sacred clothing made to cover our nakedness would be associated with making covenants to follow him. We should therefore, look upon our clothing as a symbol that more than His name has been taken upon us. We should have taken Him upon us in the form of the coat of skins, which was made from the animals that testify of him. There is nothing that means more to me than to cover my feebleness, and weakness with His grace and power, enabling me to be what I most desire, like Him.
