A Host of Devils Will Be Needed
Brigham Young revealed that temple endowments are given to 'make devils of those who will deny the faith, for that is also necessary, as a host of devils will be needed.'
Audio coming soon
The Quote
“Do you query why we give endowments to A., B., and C.? It is to make devils of those who will deny the faith, for that is also necessary, as a host of devils will be needed. It is for the exaltation of some and the downfall of others.” — Brigham Young, JoD 8:181-182 (September 9, 1860)
Lyrics
[Intro - Organ and Accordion, Minor Key Waltz]
[Verse 1 - Quiet, Reverent]
They tell you in the temple prep class
About sacred covenants that'll help you pass
Through the veil to exaltation's door
Eternal families, celestial law
White clothes and promises of glory
But Brigham Young told another story
September 1860, he explained
The temple's darker purpose, plainly named
[Pre-Chorus - Building]
"Do you query why we give endowments
To A., B., and C.?"
Let the prophet tell you what they're really for
Listen carefully...
[Chorus - Explosive, Theatrical]
"It is to make devils of those who will deny the faith
For that is also necessary" (that's what Brigham says!)
"As a host of devils will be needed"
Sacred ordinances with a purpose dark and strange
A host of devils will be needed
And the temple will provide
For the exaltation of some
And the downfall of those who tried
[Verse 2]
Every active member knows someone
Who went through the temple, then was done
Walked away, left the faith behind
Did the endowment seal their bind?
Were those sacred ordinances given
Not just for the path to heaven
But to manufacture the enemy?
"A host of devils will be needed"
[Bridge - Spoken over sparse music]
Modern temple preparation teaches:
• Sacred covenants
• Eternal families
• Celestial glory
It does not mention:
• Making devils of the unfaithful
• Manufacturing the enemy
• "The downfall of others"
[Final Chorus - Darkly triumphant]
A host of devils will be needed
The prophet told us plain
The temple serves a double purpose
Exaltation and the stain
Of those who take the covenants
Then walk a different road
Were they always meant to fall?
Did Brigham Young forebode?
[Outro - Carnival organ, fading]
A host of devils... will be needed...
(Laughter fading into silence)
Historical Context
The Setting: September 9, 1860 — A regular Sunday sermon in Salt Lake City.
The Speaker: Brigham Young was explaining the purpose of temple endowments in characteristically blunt terms.
The Theological Claim: Temple endowments serve a dual purpose: exalting the faithful AND creating devils from those who will later “deny the faith.”
Modern Temple Preparation
Today’s temple preparation classes emphasize:
- Sacred covenants with God
- Eternal family sealings
- Preparation for celestial glory
No modern temple preparation material mentions:
- Creating devils from the unfaithful
- The “downfall of others” as a purpose
- Manufacturing opposition to God
The Question
Every active LDS member knows someone who received their temple endowment and later left the church. According to Brigham Young’s teaching, those endowments were given specifically to “make devils” of them.
Is this:
- Forgotten theology?
- Disavowed teaching?
- Still believed but not mentioned?
Addressing Apologetic Responses
“Speaking figuratively”
Brigham’s language is direct and explanatory. He’s answering a specific question about why endowments are given to those who will leave.
“Out of context”
The context is a discussion of temple purposes. This is his direct answer to “why do we give endowments?”
“Personal opinion”
Delivered from the pulpit about the most sacred LDS ordinances. Published in the Journal of Discourses.
The most sacred rites with the strangest theology.