Difference between revisions of "Changes to Temple Ordinances"

Revision as of 16:39, 4 October 2007

Many people who seek to prove the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrong will sometimes claim that there have been changes to the LDS Temple ordinances. They use this as a weapon when referring to Joseph Smith's statement that "Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 308.)

Analogous Changes

In August, 1830, the prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation pertaining to the ordinance of the sacrament. In this revelation Joseph Smith was told "it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins." (D&C 27:2) In other words, the specifics substance that was eaten and liquid that was drunk were not essential elements of the ordinance.

Likewise, the ordinances of the temple have not changed in any fundamental sense.

External Links

• Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Ordinances and Covenants,” Ensign, Aug 2001, 20