ACT II. Scene I.
Reading edition
Room with an altar in the centre.
[Enter Apostles Peter, James, and John, with the candidates for endowment.
Peter. Dearly beloved, you are now in the way of salvation. Be faithful to each other, and all your brethren. Betray not the secret things of Zion to the ungodly gentiles. Think not with your own thoughts, but come to the priesthood. They are the mediators between God and man. Obey, without murmuring, whatever they command, though it may seem to you unjust or unreasonable. Your hearts are not so fully sanctified as to enable you to judge as to the merit of their acts. Be ever ready and willing to forsake father or mother, husband or wife, houses or lands, for the glory of Zion, and the upbuilding of God's kingdom on the Earth. And more especially, brethren, as you value your eternal salvation and temporal welfare, speak no evil of the Lord's anointed.
[An oath is now administered, with particulars the most disgusting and revolting. Another sign, key-word, and grip, are communicated, and the First Degree of the Melchisedec Priesthood is conferred.]