What Critics Say—and Why It Matters

When people hear about “blood oaths” or dramatic gestures in early LDS temple ceremonies, critics often seize on them as proof that Mormonism was dark, violent, or even cult-like. The infamous throat-slashing gesture, in particular, has been sensationalized in anti-Mormon literature, documentaries, and online forums.

Why does this matter? Because without context, these symbols can sound sinister and distort the meaning of temple worship, rooted in centuries of biblical tradition and in the lived experiences of early Latter-day Saints. These gestures were never meant to promote violence; they were symbolic reminders of the sacred seriousness of covenants.

Historical Context in LDS Temple Worship

In the early LDS endowment ceremony (1840s–1990), symbolic penalties were included as part of the ritual. One gesture mimicked slashing the throat—a dramatic way of underscoring the seriousness of keeping sacred promises. These gestures reflected ancient covenant traditions, where breaking an oath could call down judgment upon oneself.

By the time Joseph Smith introduced the endowment in Nauvoo (1842), the Latter-day Saints had already endured brutal persecution: the Missouri extermination order, mob burnings, the massacre at Haun’s Mill, and forced expulsions from their homes. Even after finding refuge in Utah, they still faced the threat of armies, militias, and violence.

For them, covenant-making carried an edge of mortal seriousness. Life on the frontier could be cut short in a moment. The stark gestures in the temple matched the stark realities outside of it—underscoring that covenants with God were worth life itself.

By 1990, the Church removed these penalties to emphasize the joy of covenant-keeping, the centrality of Christ, and the spiritual growth that temple worship represents.

Biblical Roots of Covenant Symbolism

The idea of invoking a curse upon oneself for breaking a covenant is deeply biblical:

• Genesis 15:9–18 –God instructs Abram to cut animals in half, a ritual act that symbolized the gravity of covenant-making. In the ancient Near East, both parties to an agreement would normally walk between the pieces, signifying, “May I become like these animals if I break this covenant.” In this account, however, Abram does not walk through; instead, symbols of God’s presence—a smoking firepot and a blazing torch—move between the pieces. This shows that the covenant rested on God’s own promise, not on Abram’s performance.
• Jeremiah 34:18–20 – Judah violated a covenant to free their slaves after cutting a calf in two and passing between the pieces. God declared they would face judgment, calling the self-imposed curse upon themselves.
• Hebrews 9:16–22 – Covenants were ratified “by blood,” underscoring their seriousness. The Mosaic covenant was inaugurated with blood, teaching that covenant obligations were matters of life and death. Verse 22 reminds us: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Connecting Ancient Practices to LDS Temple Oaths

Early LDS temple gestures weren’t about violence. Instead, they visually dramatized an ancient truth: “If I break these sacred covenants, may I forfeit my life before God.”

And for Saints who had faced mobs, militias, and massacres, the language of life and death was not abstract. It was part of their daily reality. The temple gestures resonated because they reflected a community bound together by sacred promises, willing to sacrifice everything for their faith.

The penalties were eventually removed to highlight Christ’s redeeming role and the blessings of covenant-keeping. But in their own time, they carried a sobering weight that matched both scripture and circumstance.

Conclusion: Seeing Beyond the Symbol

When understood in context, these gestures were never meant to frighten or glorify violence. They were a visual language—an ancient and biblical way of expressing the gravity of promises made with God—intensified by a people who knew firsthand the price of faith on the frontier.

Today, temple worship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focuses on the blessings of covenant-making, spiritual growth, and the joy of following Christ. The old symbolic penalties remain part of history, while the everlasting message of the temple continues: that sacred covenants bring us to Christ and secure eternal life.