_James._ My children, hearken now unto my voice. When in these last days God saw the lost condition of mankind, his heart was moved with pity, and He sent with me Peter and John, and commanded us, saying, "Go ye to Earth, and seek me a good man, of the lineage of Joseph, who was carried away into Egypt, and of the lineage of the prophets, even Joseph Smith. Restore to him the lost priesthood. Bestow upon him the keys of power; make him Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and let him reëstablish my church upon the Earth." Behold, this was done, and the same power and authority has now descended from Joseph to Brigham. Hear ye him, the representative of God on Earth. Him reverence and obey, and ye shall advance toward the kingdom of Heaven. [An oath, penalty, the heart to be plucked out, with agonizing details, is administered. The utmost secrecy is impressed, and the _Second Degree of the Aaronic Priesthood_ is conferred, with signs, grips, &c.] ACT II. SCENE I. _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.] SCENE II. _Another room with an altar in the centre; on it the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Book of Doctrine and Covenants. Jehovah in the room, and Eloheim in the next, looking on. The candidates are ranged round the altar. The Apostles are also present._ _Peter._ You are now in a saved condition, and acceptable in the sight of God. You are to enter on the work of the Lord, in truth and sincerity. "Behold now," saith the Lord, "the wicked and ungodly gentiles; they have slain the Prophet Joseph, persecuted the saints, and mocked at my priesthood. Therefore, O Israel, arise in thy strength, go forth and revenge the wrongs of my people on this perverse generation. They have spilled the blood of the saints, and wasted their substance. Therefore let their blood be spilled, and let their substance be wasted."