Chapter 51

The First Endowments

May 1842

Jesus promised Joseph Smith that He would give the Saints a special blessing. This blessing is called an endowment. The endowment is given in the temple. Only men and women who obey God’s commandments can receive the endowment.

Doctrine and Covenants 105:12, 18, 33; 110:9; 124:40–41

Later, Joseph Smith had a meeting with some of the men and their wives. He taught them the things they would do in the temple. Then endowments were given to all of them.

Church members who obey God’s commandments can go to the temple and receive the special blessing of the endowment. As part of the endowment, they make covenants with God, and He makes covenants with them.