The Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt is the only remaining member of what the Greeks called the seven wonders of the ancient world.  It stands in the geologic center of the earth and could rightly be considered the world's greatest wonder in this day.   Its mysteries have yet to be unraveled by mankind as a whole, although well understood by an unknown few.  The Pyramid stands as a witness to the glory of God as well as the ignorance of carnal man.  Its message is one that is timeless.   It is truly a wonder(ful message) to the modern (contemporary) world as well as the ancient world.   When fully unraveled, one will stand in wonder at its message and to the glory of God.

    The mysterious message of the Great Pyramid is one that lies at the foundation of nearly every religion.  In its essence, the message is one that is plain, although it remains hidden to many in this age as well as in ages past.  Its plain message can be titled by a simple phrase that is identical to the message underlying the LDS endowment ceremonies and repeated in many places throughout creation itself.   One can simply title its foundational message as:  "The Mystery of the Temple."   The profound statement that reveals the mystery is "Ye are the Temple (of God)" (ie. you are what these things are all about).

    But, there is much more (mystery) to it than the simple platitude that "Ye are the Temple".  This brief essay will attempt to uncover a fraction of the mystery.  There is a reason for this.  It is because one must first realize the existence of the mystery, then discover how to find the mystery (treasure) on ones own.   This essay will also include a warning.   This is that no amount of intellectualizing can unravel the mystery of the Temple.  To comprehend the real mystery, one must go beyond the intellect.  Ironically, that is part of the mystery itself.

    Again, this essay will not pretend to contain a complete analysis of the Great Pyramid or even a small fraction thereof.   Many volumes have already been written on the deep and extensive symbolism contained in the Pyramid.  Ironically, there is so much more symbolism yet undiscovered that even more volumes wait to be written by men who are truly ignorant of the real message.   We do not intend to add to the volumes of vain intellectualizations already manifest.   Rather, the purpose is to get at the real and plain meanings that are meant to be conveyed by the Great Pyramid and all Temples (buildings).

    Ironically, this by itself is one of the great paradoxes that the Pyramid is meant to unravel.   The mystery of the Temple is both complex and plain.  One may take a whole lifetime in an attempt to capture all of the complex symbolism and yet, in doing that, he would have learned nothing.   Men do this all of the time.   Such efforts result in endless intellectual works of little real value because it is the plain message which is the one of real importance.  One can get lost in studying the many complexities or, alternatively, one can find oneself in its plainness.   Thus, this essay need not be lengthy.   Its purpose is to point a direction rarely seen by carnal man.  This direction leads to the message of the Great Pyramid (Temple) in plainness.  And it is a message about you, the true Temple.

    The Purpose of the Great Pyramid (Temple).    Most are aware that there are many theories as to the origin of the Great Pyramid and its purpose.  We will only briefly mention a few of the more prominent theories because it is too unwieldy to consider them all.  One theory proposes that the Pyramid was meant as a tomb for a great pharaoh (earthly king).  Another proposes that it was to guard some great treasure (wealth) in gold and other precious things.   However, careful study reveals that neither of these can be true, at least not in the way proposed.   A careful study of the Pyramid and its empty sarcophagus in what is called the King's chamber reveals that it is not at all like the traditional methods of Egyptian burial chambers.  Although it is not the purpose of this essay to discuss these points at length, one might briefly mention the mystery of the missing lid to the King's sarcophagus.  Why is it that the lid to the King's sarcophagus, one that must have weighed many tons, is not found in the room?  Certainly, such a granite lid was not of sufficient value to carry off, nor could it have been physically removed though the narrow entrance passages to the Pyramid.   This by itself is enough to bring the tomb theory into serious question.

    In a likewise manner, it boggles the mind as to why anyone would construct such an edifice as the great Pyramid at such unprecedented labor and expense that would have cost many times more than any earthly treasure that it could have guarded.

    In careful retrospection (not fully discussed here), one finds that theories of why the Pyramid was built (like those stated above) cannot be correct in the way they are proposed.  Yet, there is a great irony in that these theories are indeed correct in their essence.   The real treasure that the Pyramid was meant to guard is a treasure that is still there.   But, it is not a treasure of gold, silver, or other precious things that carnal man values so highly.   It is not a treasure measured by bushels and weights, but rather one that cannot be measured.  Simply stated, the priceless treasure (of the Pyramid) is the mystery of the Temple (you).  If one prefers, one can call it an endowment (higher teachings that one is to receive).

    In a sense, the Pyramid is also a burial chamber of the pharaoh (earthly king).  But, it is carnal man who is the earthy king spoken of.   Ye are the earthy king that is to be entombed in the Pyramid (Temple).   To become holy,  carnal man (the earthly king) must die and a new man (Heavenly King) reborn.  The sarcophagus does not have a lid because the death, which is what the Kings chamber is about, has a new life in its realization.  The missing lid is to tell one that it is all about life and resurrection more than it is about death.   It has the same meaning as the stone rolled away from the door of the tomb of Jesus.

    Thus, the Great Pyramid at Giza is not a tomb for some Egyptian king of long ago, nor was it meant to hide precious metals and jewels.   Yet, it is indeed meant to do these things.   That is, these things are true if one considers the self to be the Egyptian (earthly) king and the endowment (teachings) as the treasure that is carefully guarded by the Great Pyramid (Temple).    In reality, the Great Pyramid at Giza was and is a Temple of instruction (endowment).   The endowment (teachings) contained within the Great Pyramid is the real treasure that is priceless.   Moreover, this priceless treasure can still be found by any who will search for it.

    Before proceeding, one might notice that it is the same principle with all Temples that are built with hands (buildings), including the LDS temple buildings.   Their value lies not in their costly exteriors or their beautiful furnishings, which is what carnal man often sees as the utmost value.   Rather, the real treasure is contained within the message (endowment) that is within.   And it is even much, much more than that.   Again, one ultimately finds that it is all about you, yourself, the true Temple of God, one that is made without hands.

    Noticing the Simple Things.    Most books on the Great Pyramid are filled with mathematical analyses of its structure, its passages and rooms, and analysis of related Egyptian hieroglyphs.  But, one need not travel far and wide, nor study ancient language or complex mathematics to unravel the mystery of the Great Pyramid.  One only needs to start noticing the simple things.   Again, these simple and plain messages are prone to be overlooked by those delving into the complex matters.

    As an example, one might take a look at the Great Pyramid today in the context of what has happened to it.   One might notice that the Pyramid today has lost all of its beautiful outer casing stones.  These casing stones were carried off into the cities by the local people for the purpose of adorning their own houses.  This by itself is deeply symbolic of the preoccupation of carnal man with the facade;  the outer tinsel which he seems to place so much importance and thus spends his entire earthly existence pursuing.  Carnal man is prone to place all of his emphasis on the outer shell and none on the inner structure.   After stripping the Great Pyramid of its casing stones, carnal man leaves the underlying stones where they are, thinking that these are of little value because they have no outer beauty which thing he values above all else.   But, he misses what has the greatest value because he has no eyes with which to see.  That which has the greatest value to (spiritual) man lies within the very thing he (carnal man) has left behind… the message of the Temple itself.    Even those who broke into the Temple searching for earthly treasure came away with nothing of real value because they did not have eyes to perceive the real treasure therein.

    Alas, carnal man lives in the midst of Egypt itself and is of it (Egypt).  Yet in the midst of Egypt, a symbol of carnal man himself, stands a Temple which guards a treasure which is overlooked by all those who are so focused on the outward facade that they cannot see (perceive) it.

    As a result of his profane mind, carnal man spends his life in acquiring that which does not give life and that which fails to bring him joy.   He lives fully in Egypt.  We who are of the modern world (of Egypt) spend much of our lives in the pursuit of beautiful homes, cars, boats, recreation, and the praise of men.   These things we consume on our vain lusts, yet one never finds joy that is lasting.   Although carnal man may find temporary satisfaction in what he acquires, he always finds that his hunger (dissatisfaction) returns and draws him in pursuit of even more of what failed to satisfy him in the first place.  Ironically, right in the midst of Egypt stands the Temple (Pyramid) and its priceless treasure that is unseen.

    Like the prodigal son, carnal man eventually "comes to himself" and realizes the futility of trying to find joy in attempting to satisfy the demands of the carnal (outer) senses.  Eventually, he realizes that he, himself, is the Temple that stands in the midst of Egypt.   In coming to himself, he discovers the true meaning of what the Great Pyramid symbolizes.

    Thus, in its essence, the message of the Great Pyramid is profoundly simple.   Yes, it is written in perfect symbolism in stone for anyone who desires to uncover its secrets.   Of course, these are only secrets (mysteries) because carnal man has blinded himself to understanding them.

    The Return of Those Who Were Lost.   Again, it is not our purpose to cover all of the complex symbolism in the Great Pyramid.  But perhaps it might be helpful to visit some of the more obvious things to give this essay some substance and direction.

    History tells us that in the year 820 AD, the door on the north face of the Great Pyramid at Giza was discovered by Calif Al Mamoun.  The original door (entrance) is today known to have been hidden from the outside when the Pyramid was built, but could be opened by anyone who knew (or discovered) its location.   Of course, in due time the door ceased to function (because of the pillaging of casing stones as well as the Pyramid being sealed up by the Egyptian priests) and became lost to all.  Thus entered the Calif Al Mamoun, who located the entrance in 820 AD by excavating the north face of the Pyramid with a large company of workers.   Of course, the purpose of the excavation by the Calif was to uncover a treasure of precious gold and jewels that the Pyramid supposedly guarded.  But, the Calif did not find such a treasure, rather he found the Pyramid to be empty.   Again, carnal man is prone to miss the true treasures in his vain quest for worldly riches.

    One might notice that the location of the entrance to the Great Pyramid (Temple) is on the north side.  Today, we know that this entrance and its accompanying passageway align exactly with the north (pole) star.    But, few have understood why this is so.  Perhaps we ought to look more carefully at what is right in front of us.

    One might first notice what one is doing when entering the Pyramid (Temple).  One enters from the direction of the north.  Most will recall that north is the direction from which the lost tribes (of Israel) return from their wanderings.   When an individual enters the Temple, this is what one is doing (returning from being lost).   One might even wonder whether all modern Temples (buildings) have their public entrances on the north side.

    There is also much, much more in this symbolism.   How much further shall one go in discovering it?   One will notice that the north star today is "Al Ruccaba" (called Polaris in modern English) which means "the turned on" or "ridden on".    Seven thousand years ago the polar star was the Dragon Star (Alpha Draconis).  One will notice that these pole stars are symbolic of Lucifer.   All stars in the heavens appear to revolve around this northern pole (Lucifer) star, which star by itself is of very low magnitude.    However, the stationary pole star is merely an illusion created by the turning of the earth on its axis.   It is all a false appearance;  this pole star is not really a central star in the heavens at all.

    There is more too.  The Egyptians were very familiar with the signs in the heavens, although they did not appear to comprehend them fully.  Abraham is known to have reasoned with the great Pharaoh in Egypt about the stars and their meanings.  In truth, what we call Astrology today is a (perverted) remnant of the teachings that came from Abraham through the Egyptians.  God taught Abraham (endowed him with) the story of all things by the symbolism (pictures) in the constellations (heavens).  In reality, the Zodiac tells the same story as the Great Pyramid, which is a story of the creation of the earth, the fall of man, and the Messianic plan of redemption.  But, this Zodiac topic is much larger than this essay so it will not be discussed.  Hopefully, one will begin to realize that the symbolism in creation is endless.

    The Plain and the Complex.    When one begins to look at the outer and inner structure of the Great Pyramid, one begins to be overwhelmed at the depth and complexity of its symbolic messages.   There are ascending and descending passages, crossroads, a grand gallery, low passages, dead ends, and chambers.  Pyramid scholars tell us that the entire past and future history of the earth is recorded in the mathematical measurements of it.  Again, volumes upon volumes of analyses have been written on it and there are more yet to be written.  Yet, a great irony is that one need not depend on knowing all of the symbolic meanings to discover the priceless treasure of the Temple.  In fact, a careful study of the complex symbolism of the Pyramid can be distractive to the true goal.   Perhaps this in itself is the most important message of the Great Pyramid.    This may even be the most elusive mystery of all to carnal men, yet most plain and precious to those who are spiritual.

    One's first impulse arising from the desire to discover the secret (treasure) of the Great Pyramid is to run to a scholarly book on the subject in order to peer at the symbolism unraveled.    Although these may indeed help, there is also a real and hidden danger.   It is this:    In searching for the deeper meanings, one stands at a crossroads.   There are two ways to go;  two roads to travel.   The difference between them is a very subtle one and which way one chooses will make all of the difference.    Dear reader, look carefully and see the way!

    One can spend eons pursuing the endless symbolic teachings and wear oneself out trying to know what one cannot understand or, alternatively, one can try to understand what is plain.   The many volumes of intellectual analyses of the Great Pyramid have done little to help in locating the priceless treasure, even though they have provided intellectual entertainment for many.   One must comprehend that which is plain and precious.   Rather than get lost in the ever deepening intellectual pursuits, one needs only to realize what it is about.  Again, the greatest mystery is that it is all about you.  Ye are the Temple of God, one that stands in the midst of Egypt (the world).     All of the symbolism in the many passages and rooms of the Great Pyramid apply not only to the history of the earth, but more importantly to you as an individual.  Ultimately, one will come to put off the outward exploration of the Great Pyramid and begin the inner exploring the true Temple (yourself).   Only then will one begin to unravel the "mystery of the Temple."   This is the greatest mystery and the greatest treasure.

    Not only does the Great Pyramid stand as a witness in Egypt for the glory of God, but it also stands as a monument to the ignorance of fallen (carnal) man.  One will notice that the Great Pyramid is incomplete.  It is missing its capstone.  This (missing) capstone represents the stone that the builders rejected (in the foundation) and yet is to become "head of the corner".  One will notice that the top of the Great Pyramid, at the capstone, is where the corners meet (the head of the corner).   The temple of carnal man is missing this same capstone (the Christ).   Carnal man is an incomplete  temple.

    But there is more.  What need is there of such a Great Pyramid (Temple) endowment if carnal man was already aware of his folly?   One realizes that the Great Pyramid and the myriad other Temples being built in our own time are to endow carnal man with what he does not already possess.    If man were pure and holy, then there would be no need of these Temple buildings (eg. Great Pyramid) because he would not need to enter to learn (be endowed with) what he already knows.   The ignorance of carnal man is why there are temples being built today.   But, the scriptures attest that (carnal) man will ultimately come to comprehend the true mystery of the Temple.  Then the temple will no longer be needed.  This is why John saw the New Jerusalem which had "… no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."  (Revelation 21:22)

    The Plain Message of the High Priest.    In the early half of this century, the Great Pyramid was still accepting initiates to discover the secret treasure of its endowment.  Dr. Paul Brunton spent a night alone in the Pyramid, laid his body dead on the floor and crossed the veil.  He was attended by a High Priest from the other side of the veil that spoke to him (as recoded by Brunton):
 

 " 'My son,' came a murmur from the High Priest, 'it matters not whether thou discoverest the door or not.  Find but the secret passage within the mind that will lead thee to the hidden chamber within thine own soul, and thou shalt have found something worthy indeed.  The mystery of the Great Pyramid is the mystery of thine own self.  The secret chambers and ancient records are all contained in thine own nature.  The lesson of the Pyramid is that man must turn inward, must venture to the unknown center of his being to find his soul, even as he must venture to the unknown depths of this fane (temple) to find its profoundest secret.'"  (1)

    The essence, indeed the very sum and substance, of all religions is that there is a hidden divinity in man which is waiting to be discovered.   That is the plain message that is the one out of many.  That was the very message of the man(ifestation of God) called Jesus.

    The plain message of the High Priest to Paul Brunton is that one need not travel to Egypt or to a building to be endowed.  The priceless treasure guarded by the Great Pyramid of Egypt (Temple) is even now present right where you are.  Anyone can seek it by shutting off the outward world and then begin discovering the hidden passageways in the true Temple of God.  The Temple is (to be) the abode of God.   Ye are that Temple spoken of.

    This is the mystery of the Temple.  But, this essay only scratches the surface because it cannot reveal that which is impossible to reveal through intellectualizations.  To discover the real mystery and to find the priceless treasure, one must venture into the Temple.  It is a narrow path that can be walked by only one person.  That person is you.
 

Endnotes.

1.  Paul Brunton, Dr.  A Search in Secret Egypt, Samuel Weiser, Inc, York Beach, Maine, 1984, 288 pp. ISBN# 0-87728-603-5.

Peter Lemesurier,  The Great Pyramid Decoded, Barnes and Nobel Books, NY, 1996, 401 pp.  ISBN# 0-76070-321-3

E. Raymond Capt, The Great Pyramid Decoded, Artisan Sales, P.O. Box 1529, Muskogee, OK, 1971,  ISBN 0-934666-01-6