At some point in each Yonadan's life (possibly part of a coming-of-age ceremony) the high official of the People implanted the Instrument of Obedience. In 2268, Leonard McCoy became one of the People in this way. Following this, the high official showed the inductee how to access the Book. The stele contained a representation of the Fabrini sun and its eight planets. Pressing the three lower planets simultaneously operated a mechanism that caused the top portion of the stele to slide up. To open the stele and behold the contents of the Book was considered sacrilege and warranted death. The Oracle nearly killed McCoy for revealing this information; only the timely intervention of Spock saved the doctor's life.