What is an Ordinance?

What is an ordinance?



Background Position:


I am currently reading a lesson found here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/endowed-from-on-high/lesson-4?lang=eng

I have copied a couple points and listed a couple questions. I'll post them below:

“And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh” (D&C 84:21).

In the temple we receive the ordinances that will enable us to return to the presence of God. We also make covenants to live the laws of the gospel. 

What is an ordinance? It is a sacred ceremony that has a spiritual meaning and effect.

When we speak of the saving ordinances of the gospel, what does that mean to you?

Query: Those are the points and questions I have for the class. Now, I would like you to answer how ordinances in the Gospel of Jesus Christ serve as sacred ceremonies with spiritual meaning; and, also the effects associated with them, such as current blessings and promised blessings.

Response:

Ordinances in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are sacred ceremonies that hold deep spiritual meaning and significance. Each ordinance is a symbolic act that represents and invites divine power into our lives, aligning us with God’s will and bringing us closer to Him.

Sacred Ceremonies with Spiritual Meaning

Ordinances like baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, and temple ordinances are not just ritualistic actions; they are profound expressions of faith and commitment. For example:

  • Baptism symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our commitment to follow Him, representing spiritual rebirth.
  • Confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost signify being spiritually born again and receiving divine guidance.
  • The Sacrament is a weekly renewal of our baptismal covenants, reminding us of Christ's atoning sacrifice.
  • Temple Ordinances such as the endowment and sealing provide instruction, blessings, and promises essential for our exaltation.

 

Effects: Current and Promised Blessings

The effects of these ordinances are both immediate and eternal:

  1. Current Blessings:
    • Increased Spiritual Power: Ordinances bring the power of godliness into our lives, as stated in D&C 84:21. Through them, we receive the Holy Ghost, gain divine protection, and find strength to resist temptation.
    • Guidance and Direction: Ordinances like the endowment provide us with spiritual instruction that helps us navigate life’s challenges with divine wisdom. *We also are endowed with power from on High to help us fulfill those purposes the Lord would have us do! 
    • Peace and Comfort: Participating in ordinances brings peace, knowing that we are on the covenant path and that God is with us.
  2. Promised Blessings:
    • Return to God’s Presence: Ordinances are essential steps in our journey back to Heavenly Father. They prepare us to stand in His presence, clean and pure.
    • Eternal Families: Temple sealing ordinances ensure that family relationships can endure beyond this life, offering the promise of eternal unity and joy.
    • Exaltation and Eternal Life: The ultimate promise of ordinances is exaltation, the ability to become like God and live eternally in His presence with our families.

In summary, ordinances in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are sacred ceremonies that carry profound spiritual meaning and effects. They are essential for our spiritual growth and eternal progression, bringing immediate blessings in this life and the promise of greater blessings in the life to come.


Query: What is a necessary responsibility on the part of the recipient to receive such blessings?

Response:

To receive the blessings associated with the ordinances of the Gospel, the recipient has several necessary responsibilities:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ

  • Faith is foundational. The recipient must have faith in Jesus Christ and trust in His atoning power. This faith motivates them to participate in ordinances with sincerity and devotion.

2. Repentance

  • Repentance is essential for worthily receiving ordinances. The recipient must strive to live in harmony with the teachings of the Gospel, repenting of any sins and seeking to become more Christlike. This allows them to approach ordinances with a clean and contrite heart.

3. Commitment to Covenants

  • Ordinances are tied to covenants, which are sacred promises between the individual and God. The recipient must be willing to make and keep these covenants, such as living the laws of the gospel, obeying God's commandments, and following the Savior. Faithfully keeping these covenants is necessary to fully receive the associated blessings.

4. Worthy Preparation

  • Proper preparation is required to receive ordinances worthily. This includes living a life that is in accordance with the teachings of the Church, seeking guidance from the Holy Ghost, and participating in regular spiritual practices like prayer, scripture study, and worship.

5. Continual Obedience and Endurance

  • The blessings of ordinances are not one-time events but are sustained through continual obedience and enduring to the end. The recipient must consistently strive to live the gospel, renew their covenants regularly (such as through the sacrament), and remain faithful throughout their life.

6. Seeking the Spirit

  • The guidance of the Holy Ghost is crucial in fully understanding and internalizing the meaning and power of ordinances. The recipient must seek the companionship of the Spirit to gain personal revelation, insight, and strength in their covenant relationship with God.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, the recipient opens themselves to the full measure of blessings that come from the ordinances, both in this life and in eternity.

Follow up thought on the covenants associated with the ordinance of the endowment.

Query: Can you please state the five covenants that we make in the temple endowment and what then mean?

Response:

In the temple endowment, participants make five key covenants, each of which carries profound spiritual significance. These covenants are sacred promises made to God, and they require a commitment to live according to His commandments. Here are the five covenants made during the endowment and their meanings:

 

 

1. The Law of Obedience

  • Meaning: The Law of Obedience is a covenant to obey God's commandments and to live a life that is in harmony with His will. This covenant emphasizes the importance of submitting our will to God, following His guidance, and striving to live righteously in all aspects of our lives.

2. The Law of Sacrifice

  • Meaning: The Law of Sacrifice is a covenant to sacrifice personal interests, desires, and even worldly pursuits to serve God and His purposes. This covenant reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and calls us to be willing to give of ourselves—time, talents, and resources—for the building of God's kingdom and the service of others.

3. The Law of the Gospel

  • Meaning: The Law of the Gospel is a covenant to live by the teachings and example of Jesus Christ as outlined in the scriptures and taught by His prophets. This includes embracing Christlike attributes such as love, charity, humility, and service. It also involves striving to keep the commandments and living a Christ-centered life.

4. The Law of Chastity

  • Meaning: The Law of Chastity is a covenant to remain morally pure and to live in accordance with God's standards of sexual conduct. This includes abstaining from any sexual relations outside the bonds of a legal marriage between a man and a woman. It also encompasses purity of thought, word, and action, and the cultivation of healthy and respectful relationships.

5. The Law of Consecration

  • Meaning: The Law of Consecration is a covenant to dedicate our time, talents, and everything we have to the service of God and the building of His kingdom on earth. This covenant calls for a willingness to prioritize God's work above all else, to be generous with our resources, and to support the Church and its mission. It is the highest form of commitment, where we pledge to devote our whole lives to the service of the Lord.

Summary

These covenants are designed to help us live a life of greater spiritual commitment and to draw closer to God. By making and keeping these covenants, we align ourselves more fully with God's will, receive greater spiritual strength and power, and prepare for the blessings of eternal life.

Another Source: This an AI overview, which is more simplified, that was given in a Google search:

  • Law of obedience

This covenant includes striving to keep God's commandments. Some say that obedience is the first law of heaven and the foundation of righteousness and progression.

  • Law of sacrifice

This covenant means doing everything possible to support the Lord's work, and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

  • Law of the gospel

This covenant is based on the higher law that Jesus taught while he was on earth. (This includes living the first two commandments.)

  • Law of chastity

This covenant means only having sexual relations with the person to whom you are legally and lawfully married according to God's law.

  • Law of consecration

This covenant means dedicating time, talents, and everything that the Lord has blessed members with to building up Jesus Christ's Church on earth

 *My notes are added in italics. 

 

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