Something I have often wondered.

[CommanderSouth]

And perhaps, struggled with a bit.

To gain exaltation, we must be sealed, to gain exaltation, we must be endowed.

When asked, "What must I do to be saved" Paul and Silas answer, "Believe"

That's it, nothing more. I do understand you have to take more than one passage which is why we can get information on baptism in some other verses. But the one thing I don't understand is if the temple ordinances are so vital in our exaltation, why is nothing like that ever mentioned in the bible, or the book of Mormon, or the doctrine and covenants, or the pearl of great price? It seems something like that would be more plain.

I don't know everything, and maybe I am missing the point. Maybe I haven't seen it in scripture because I haven't studied it enough, but until then, if that is why. I do wonder.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the thoughts.

[applepansy]

I think this talk by Elder Oaks will help answer some of your questions.

Have You Been Saved? - Ensign May 1998

There is a difference between being saved (eternal life) and exaltation.

[mnn727]

There is a difference between 'salvation' and 'exaltation'. Most people including Mormons say 'saved' when they mean 'exhaulted', its kind of a pet peeve of mine.

[Guest tbaird22]

i think it is mentioned in the bible, just not explicitly. there are many times when the apostles or jesus himself talk about secret knowledge or wisdom and mysteries. (amos 3:7, mark 4:11-12) Remember this is the bible. it has been translated and changed.

you might want to check out this forum:

http://www.lds.net/forums/lds-gospel-discussion/27138-what-did-jesus-teach-his-apostles-not-bible-3.html

[apexviper13]

And perhaps, struggled with a bit.

To gain exaltation, we must be sealed, to gain exaltation, we must be endowed.

When asked, "What must I do to be saved" Paul and Silas answer, "Believe"

That's it, nothing more. I do understand you have to take more than one passage which is why we can get information on baptism in some other verses. But the one thing I don't understand is if the temple ordinances are so vital in our exaltation, why is nothing like that ever mentioned in the bible, or the book of Mormon, or the doctrine and covenants, or the pearl of great price? It seems something like that would be more plain.

I don't know everything, and maybe I am missing the point. Maybe I haven't seen it in scripture because I haven't studied it enough, but until then, if that is why. I do wonder.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the thoughts.

I think many people often mix up salvation with exaltation. They are not the same thing. Salvation comes by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus Christ and as James says, faith is dead without works. Those that are truly saved shall enter into the kingdom of God. Exaltation is essentially being able to reach the Celestial Kingdom and becoming LIKE, not as, but LIKE God the Father and Jesus Christ. While some will be exalted, that does not mean they will be equal to or above God.

[Vort]

And perhaps, struggled with a bit.

To gain exaltation, we must be sealed, to gain exaltation, we must be endowed.

When asked, "What must I do to be saved" Paul and Silas answer, "Believe"

That's it, nothing more. I do understand you have to take more than one passage which is why we can get information on baptism in some other verses. But the one thing I don't understand is if the temple ordinances are so vital in our exaltation, why is nothing like that ever mentioned in the bible, or the book of Mormon, or the doctrine and covenants, or the pearl of great price? It seems something like that would be more plain.

I don't know everything, and maybe I am missing the point. Maybe I haven't seen it in scripture because I haven't studied it enough, but until then, if that is why. I do wonder.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the thoughts.

I disagree with the prevailing interpretation that differentiates between "salvation" and "exaltation". I admit that such a distinction may often be appropriate, but I do not believe that applies here.

Paul and Silas were describing the first step needed. Belief is indeed the first part. And what is involved in believing? More than simply a passive intellectual acceptance of the doctrines proposed. Believing means that you put your heart into an idea, that you allow it to permeate you and change you. "I believe, Lord; help thou mine unbelief!" That's no passive intellectual exercise.

[rameumptom]

Elder Scott gave an excellent talk on Faith and Character in the Oct 2010 Conference. In this, he states that Faith is a moving force and a power. As we grow in faith, we naturally will obey, keep the commandments, and receive the ordinances of salvation and exaltation.

[pam]

Here is a link to the talk that Ram mentioned:

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character

[Blackmarch]

And perhaps, struggled with a bit.

To gain exaltation, we must be sealed, to gain exaltation, we must be endowed.

When asked, "What must I do to be saved" Paul and Silas answer, "Believe"

That's it, nothing more. I do understand you have to take more than one passage which is why we can get information on baptism in some other verses. But the one thing I don't understand is if the temple ordinances are so vital in our exaltation, why is nothing like that ever mentioned in the bible, or the book of Mormon, or the doctrine and covenants, or the pearl of great price? It seems something like that would be more plain.

I don't know everything, and maybe I am missing the point. Maybe I haven't seen it in scripture because I haven't studied it enough, but until then, if that is why. I do wonder.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the thoughts.

actually the old testament has quite a bit of temple ordinances. However as for why it is not found in the BoM or New testament is pretty much for the same reason that we have very little of that in the D&C- it's not for the world to know, but a "mystery" of God for the individual. And why is it so? - because of the sacred nature of it... And far too often it's not treated with equal reverence IMO.

I recall Joseph Smith as purported to saying something along the lines of that one reason that God does not give more revelations to the saints is because people cannot keep a secret.

Edited May 23, 2011 by Blackmarch

[Traveler]

And perhaps, struggled with a bit.

To gain exaltation, we must be sealed, to gain exaltation, we must be endowed.

When asked, "What must I do to be saved" Paul and Silas answer, "Believe"

That's it, nothing more. I do understand you have to take more than one passage which is why we can get information on baptism in some other verses. But the one thing I don't understand is if the temple ordinances are so vital in our exaltation, why is nothing like that ever mentioned in the bible, or the book of Mormon, or the doctrine and covenants, or the pearl of great price? It seems something like that would be more plain.

I don't know everything, and maybe I am missing the point. Maybe I haven't seen it in scripture because I haven't studied it enough, but until then, if that is why. I do wonder.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the thoughts.

There are many ways to think of this and interpert it. One would be to think that Paul was wrong and taught false doctrine because when Jesus was asked the same question in a different way - Jesus responded, " To love G-d and our neighbor as ourselves."

So which it is - to believe in G-d or to love G-d? The point I am making is that these things are inclusive and not exclusive. If we Believe - I mean really believe - we will do all things we are commanded. So if be believe we will love G-d and do all he asks of us.

The Traveler

[rameumptom]

There is a lot of temple info in the Bible, Book of Mormon and D&C. It's just not in plain sight.

The key to the temple is that it brings us into the presence of God through the keys of the MP (D&C 84:17-40).

The Book of Mormon speaks loads on us returning back into God's presence. Here are some examples: 1 Ne 1; 8-15, 2 Ne 31, Mosiah 2-5, Alma 9-13, 3 Ne 11-12, Ether 3-4; 12, etc.

Sometimes we do not see things, because we are looking beyond the mark. Other times we do not see things because we do not know what we're looking for. And then sometimes we are looking for other things: you won't find eternal marriage in the Book of Mormon, but it isn't the main event in the temple. Seeing God face to face IS the main event.