I have always been confused about this topic........endowments.
TBMs say they are going to the temple to "take out their endowments." It sounds a bit like a porno film to me. Endowed means something different to me than to them obviously. Exactly what are they taking out? What does it mean to be endowed to a TBM? Thanks for responding. I am not joking. I really don't know.

One definition of the word "Endowment" is that it is another word for gift.

Therefore being endowed in the temple, to a TBM, is like receiving the gift of knowledge and power from God.

Being endowed in a sexual sense is kind of a play on that word. To say he or she is "gifted" or "endowed" is a way to talk about something without using more vulgar words.

So they are Taking Out their Gifts? Makes sense in a silly TBM way I guess. Why don't they say "receiving blessings?" It sounds more normal and less wacko to say going to the temple to receive blessings. But then that would sound too normal.

My Sister who is very TBM went on a rant about this one day.

The proper way to say it, according to her, is to receive your endowment. "Taking out your endowment" is just a phrase, another mormon term that doesn't really make any sense except to other mormons.

Its just one of those things people say without thinking about.

Kinda like saying you "could care less" when meaning you "couldn't care less"

So Mormons take out their endowments to receive the secret handshakes and words to get into heaven and back in the presence of God?

IIRC, the General Handbook of Instructions included guidance on avoiding the expression "taking out endowments." Members were to be encouraged to instead say "receive endowments."