Could someone explain this to me, Saving Ordinances

[yorkiebeebs]

In different posts that I've read, there was reference to saving ordinances. Someone said that sealing is a saving ordinance. Could you explain that to me.

[bytor2112]

In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord.

[lizzy12]

Saving ordinaces are ordinances needed to reach the highest degree of glory in eternal life. These ordinances are preformed in the temple-except Baptism and Confirmation for living people.

A patriarchal blessing, is not a saving ordinace, its not preformmed in the temple for dead ancestors however it helps guide us so while its not nessacary for the celestial kingdom it helps :)

[Moksha]

If it would help, ordinances are our name for the sacraments. We even have some such as sealings that are unique to us.

[Just_A_Guy]

The term "saving ordinance" is a little misleading. The ordinances are required for our salvation, but they aren't what saves us--that comes from being made pure through Jesus Christ.

[yorkiebeebs]

The term "saving ordinance" is a little misleading. The ordinances are required for our salvation, but they aren't what saves us--that comes from being made pure through Jesus Christ.

Now this is confusing. Are there two different salvations?

[pam]

I think what JAG is meaning and he can correct me (which he usually does), is the saving ordinances are required for our salvation. But we have to live up to our part of the bargain as well. Just because we are baptized for example and then live a life of sin doesn't grant us salvation. It's what we do with our life after that ordinance that makes the difference.

[Justice]

Now this is confusing. Are there two different salvations?

In a sense there actually are.

As a result of the fall of Adam we inherit 2 deaths: physical and spiritual. Death is but a separation: physical death is when our body is separated from what gives it life, or from our spirit, and spiritual death is separation from what give it life, or from God. Although we are accountable for our own sins and not Adam's transgression, "spiritual death" came about as a result of the fall, not just physical death.

So, if all you want is to be "saved" from physical death, then you don't have to do a thing. The Savior's atonement will provide that for all men and women who ever live on this earth.

But, if you want to be "saved" from spiritual death, then there are some things you need to do in order to for it to happen. This is where ordinances come in, and principles like repentance.

For instance: If you have no desire to live with God again then there is no need to repent. But, if you desire to live with Him, then you must repent because no unclean thing can dwell with Him.

[MarginOfError]

What the responses have failed to bring up so far is this nugget from the Doctrine and Covenants

IN the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;

And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];

And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. (D&C 131: 1-3)

In the revelations given to Joseph Smith, we are told that entering into an eternal marriage--a covenant that includes not only being faithful to a spouse, but also "being fruitful, and multiplying and replenishing the earth"--is an essential condition toward eternal salvation.

The actual 'why' beyond "because God said so" can be speculated upon. It may include things such as a fullness of the priesthood, or raising posterity, or a number of other things. But ultimately, at the end of the day, we are forced to admit that the sealing is a "saving ordinance" because it was a requirement specified by the Lord.

[applepansy]

We are only saved through the blood of Christ. Search "merit" in the scriptures...there are nine scriptures which make it clear that its only through Christ that we are saved. That doesn't mean the "works" aren't important. If we take upon the name of Christ, then He expects us to live up to His standards which include the covenants we make through baptism and in the temple.

We are not saved through "saving ordinances"

[martybess]

Now this is confusing. Are there two different salvations?

I think to answer your above question.... salvation is maybe not the right word here. Yes all are saved (resurrected) but the correct word might be exaltation. We believe there are difference "degrees of glory" where ultimately we will end up depending upon our works during life. It would not really be fair for us to all end up in the same place. If you were doing all within your power to keep your covenants and the commandments and I was a thief, lier, whoremonger, hypocrite etc. we will not end up in the same degree of glory. You would end up living with God our father where as I would end up in a lower degree. There are scriptures that talk about this in depth but I will just use one from the bible.

1Cr 15:41 KJV - [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory.

[Hemidakota]

In different posts that I've read, there was reference to saving ordinances. Someone said that sealing is a saving ordinance. Could you explain that to me.

To simplify this, any ordinance that will be required to save an individual into the Celestial Kingdom. This is why they are called saving ordinance.

[AR_Member]

All of these posts are very informative and maybe it would be helpful to also discuss what a covenant is. "Saving Ordinances" are "saving" because of the covenants that are made as a part of the ordinance and the resulting promises. A covenant is essentially a sacred commitment we make to our Heavenly Father and upon the faithfulness of our keeping that commitment He promises us specific blessings. The reason these covenants are so important towrds our eventual exaltation is that it is a tool that helps us stay on the straight an narrow. For example, when we are baptized we commit or covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, keep His commandments, and always remember Him. By striving to keep this commitment in our everyday life we are a little better today than we were yesterday. As a result of this commitment our Father in Heaven promises us the companionship of His Holy Spirit, always! So what we have done by keeping this covenant is we have become a little closer in character to what our Father in Heaven is (What manner of men ought ye to be, even as I am.) Through additional covenants (line upon line) we continue the process of being made perfect through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ and increasing the level of commitment we have made to follow him, repenting when we fall short. His greatest promised blessing is to become as He is and inherit the Celestial Kingdom.

[Justice]

We are only saved through the blood of Christ.

Yes, what makes it possible for us to be saved is Christ. Nothing we do made it possible.

We are not saved through "saving ordinances"

Yet, we can't be saved without them. Maybe its semmantics.

If it were possible to be saved in ignorance of the ordinances then temple work would not be necessary.

If the atonement were the only thing required for a man to be saved, then all would be saved.

All are saved from physical death, so the atonement is the only thing required for that.

All are not saved from spiritual death, so something esle has to be required.

This is one of the simplest yet most misunderstood principles in all of Christianity.

[spamlds]

The term "saving ordinance" is a little misleading. The ordinances are required for our salvation, but they aren't what saves us--that comes from being made pure through Jesus Christ.

What you say is true, but you're missing the point of why having ordinances is important. Doctrine and Covenants 84 says:

"20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh..."

We know we are saved by God's grace. The question is how do we obtain that grace? It comes to the believer by making and keeping covenants with God. The covenants are established in the ordinances of the gospel. Without the ordinances, the power of godliness (grace) is not manifest to men in the flesh.

Note that in the First Vision (and also in 2 Timothy 3:5) the Lord said that apostate Christendom had a "form of godliness" but lacked "the power thereof." What were they lacking? The ordinances and the authority to perform them. This is the whole point of the Restoration. It all goes back to the Sacred Grove.

[yorkiebeebs]

We are only saved through the blood of Christ. Search "merit" in the scriptures...there are nine scriptures which make it clear that its only through Christ that we are saved. That doesn't mean the "works" aren't important. If we take upon the name of Christ, then He expects us to live up to His standards which include the covenants we make through baptism and in the temple.

We are not saved through "saving ordinances"

Now this explanation makes sense to me. I believe this and always have. Thanks

[Vanhin]

Making and keeping the covenants associated with the saving ordinances, is what it means to be saved through the blood of Christ, and there is no other way to be saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

Regards,

Vanhin

[Traveler]

Making and keeping the covenants associated with the saving ordinances, is what it means to be saved through the blood of Christ, and there is no other way to be saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

Regards,

Vanhin

This is the correct answer. Unless man enters into a covenant with G-d the saving grace of G-d does not apply. Covenants are entered into by ordinance. The ordinance giver must be G-d or his proxy. Those that admit that man cannot and should not act as a G-d deny the proxy presents of G-d within them - thereby using the name of G-d in vein concerning doctrine and ministering concerning Christ and his church.

The Traveler

[applepansy]

Now this explanation makes sense to me. I believe this and always have. Thanks

Sometimes my brain is foggy. I'm glad that part was clear.

But being "saved" in the traditional Christian sense is just the beginning. Its the ordinances of baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (for men), the endowment, the marriage sealing, and the sealing of children to parents which make it possible for us to attain the highest degree of glory and live with our Heavenly Father with our families. These ordinances are called "saving ordinances" because we need them to be saved spiritually. Its these ordinances that allow us to "Become."

Justice put it very well:

All are saved from physical death, so the atonement is the only thing required for that.

All are not saved from spiritual death, so something esle has to be required.

This is one of the simplest yet most misunderstood principles in all of Christianity.

If we truly take the name of Christ wouldn't it stand to reason that we would want to become as He is? Christ has established His church upon the earth and He has asked us to not only take upon us His name but to bring our families with us.

[Hemidakota]

What you say is true, but you're missing the point of why having ordinances is important. Doctrine and Covenants 84 says:

"20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh..."

We know we are saved by God's grace. The question is how do we obtain that grace? It comes to the believer by making and keeping covenants with God. The covenants are established in the ordinances of the gospel. Without the ordinances, the power of godliness (grace) is not manifest to men in the flesh.

Note that in the First Vision (and also in 2 Timothy 3:5) the Lord said that apostate Christendom had a "form of godliness" but lacked "the power thereof." What were they lacking? The ordinances and the authority to perform them. This is the whole point of the Restoration. It all goes back to the Sacred Grove.

I was going to post but thanks...

Adding to your post, what is important first is carrying out the ordinance then comes the process of "sanctification" and later - "justification". This is done before anyone enters therein within the highest state in the celestial glory.

There is long a winded thread concerning what, why, and how it is done here that can help those who desire to enter into the third state of the celestial kingdom. If not, we have also have the second state within this same glory.

But to summarize "sanctification", it has an eye to our own preservation for usefulness—for executing, carrying forward, and perpetuating the work of the Most High God with humility. Of the state of sanctification, Brigham Young said:

". . . it consists in overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this reigns predominant, without let or hindrance, and triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls as the Lord controls the heavens and the earth, this I call the blessing of sanctification."

Edited August 20, 2010 by Hemidakota

[Hemidakota]

This is the correct answer. Unless man enters into a covenant with G-d the saving grace of G-d does not apply. Covenants are entered into by ordinance. The ordinance giver must be G-d or his proxy. Those that admit that man cannot and should not act as a G-d deny the proxy presents of G-d within them - thereby using the name of G-d in vein concerning doctrine and ministering concerning Christ and his church.

The Traveler

This is true but there are is another step from leaping from the "second state" of the celestial glory after receiving such ordinances to the third state as I already pointed out in the last post.