170 years ago today - Dec 28, 1845

[Brigham Young] ... The ordinances that you have received in the garden together with the performances of those things that has been presented are to represent the creation of the world. The name that was given to Adam was more ancient than he was. The name Adam was given him because he was the first man, but his new name pertained to the Holy Priesthood and, as I before stated, is more ancient than he was. There are 4 penal signs and 4 penal tokens and should I want to address the throne to enquire after ancient things which transpired on planets that rolled away before this planet came into existence I should use my new name which is ancient and referred to ancient things. Should I wish to enquire for present things I should use my own name which refers to present things. And should I want to enquire for future things I would use the 3rd name which refers to the first token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or is the 3rd token that is given and refers to the Son. The 2nd token of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to be given only in one place and nowhere else, but these signs and tokens that pertain to the Priesthood should never be given anywhere only in such places as belong to the P. H. and that too by none but such as belong to the order of the Priesthood. But there are not 6 persons that have gone through these ordinances that can offer them correctly, and some has had the presumption to approach this veil, which is the most sacred ordinances that is performed in this house, and have marked the garments wrong. And levity has been used here which is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord, therefore I have shut down the gate, and came to the conclusion that when we commence again we would make a selection of such persons as are worthy and will give them their endowments first, and when they get their endowments then the remainder may get their endowment. I don't know but what I shall displease some of you, but I don't care if you I do. There are about 2,00 persons that are dressed today and unless I lay an embargo on the brethren we will not find garments enough to take the company through tomorrow without changing them from one to another. The Seventies have had about 18 garments made and this morning there are not more than 5 or 6 to be found. Some have taken garments and carried them off. I call such conduct stealing and it must be stopped. ... Lay aside all party strife such as the Seventies and the H P striving to excel each other in power,this ought to be. I intend to put a stop to all such feelings. The H. P. commenced it in Kirtland; the Seventies commenced it in Quincey and to let it go we shall soon be split up and divided into parties. ...

[Source: Nauvoo Temple - Seventies Record, Book B pp 164-165, quoted in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]

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