Changes to Temple Ordinances
Many people who seek to prove the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrong like to 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."
Setting the stage
Any smart Christian knows that in the Old Testament, God laid down the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was very strict, and law given through the Prophet Moses to the house of Israel, as a replacement of the higher law that they had failed to obey. The Law of Moses consisted of many ceremonies, rituals, and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. It included a law of carnal commandments and performances, added to the basic laws of the gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism in water, and remission of sins were part of the law, as were also the Ten Commandments. Upon the atonement of Jesus Christ, the Law of Moses was relinquished. Gone away with, and never to be practiced again. Some anti-Christians state that “if God supposedly said in the Bible that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why would he change the commandments of the people?”
Problems with the claim
From the August 22, 2001 Ensign of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states that The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "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.” Note: This does not state the words All Ordinances. The ordinances were not changed. Sure, the way they were performed maybe, but the power, authority, and effect are still there. The Webster Dictionary defines an ordinance as; an authoritative rule or law; a decree or command. Clearly, as long as it is done, it does not matter how (well, as long as it doesn’t break other commandments, and it clearly doesn’t.) Ordinances were not changed, but Performances were.
