Week 47: Moroni 1-6—"To Keep Them in the Right Way"
From Come, Follow Me :
But Moroni had seen our times (see Mormon 8:35), and he was inspired to "write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth ... in some future day" (Moroni 1:4). He knew that widespread apostasy was coming, bringing with it confusion about priesthood ordinances and religion in general. This may be why he gave clarifying details about the sacrament, baptism, conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the blessings of gathering with fellow believers to "keep [each other] in the right way, ... relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of [our] faith" (Moroni 6:4).
Priesthood ordinances must be administered as the Lord commands.
From Come, Follow Me :
During His mortal ministry, the Savior received and administered sacred ordinances, such as baptism (see Matthew 3:13–17; Joseph Smith Translation, John 4:1–3 [in the Bible appendix]), priesthood ordination (see Mark 3:13–19), and the sacrament (see Matthew 26:26–28). However, because of the Great Apostasy, many people today are confused about how ordinances must be performed—and even whether they are needed at all. In Moroni 2–6, Moroni provided important details about certain priesthood ordinances.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "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.
"Other ordinances, such as naming and blessing children, consecrating oil, and administering to the sick and afflicted, are also performed by priesthood authority. While they are not essential to our salvation, they are important for our comfort, guidance, and encouragement." (Ordinances, Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
These saving priesthood ordinances bind families together throughout eternity. However, many died without having the opportunity to receive these ordinances. "In His mercy and infinite love, the Lord has prepared a way for them to gain a testimony of the gospel and receive the saving ordinances of the priesthood ... In holy temples, we have the privilege of receiving ordinances in their behalf. These ordinances include baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (for men), the endowment, the marriage sealing, and the sealing of children to parents ... you perform a saving work for others that they cannot do for themselves." (Family History Work and Genealogy, True to the Faith)
Enjoy watching Elder Bednar and Elder Rasband as they lead a virtual tour of the Rome Italy Temple. Learn more about Inside Temples and Prophetic Teachings on Temples. Discuss with your family how each member feels about the temple. What do you like most about the temple? How can you increase the temple blessings in your lives?
If you would like to see if there is a video or other visual material for a specific temple near you, visit https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/temples/. Click on the temple name in which you are interested. Look on the left and scroll down to see if a video, virtual tour or photograph gallery is listed. If so, click on it to see more.
Saving ordinances are performed in the temple for those who have died without having the opportunity to receive these ordinances. The dead are taught the gospel in the spirit world and have the choice to accept these ordinances performed on their behalf.
As a family, list all the ordinances you can name. Which of these ordinances are considered saving ordinances? (Baptism and confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood for men, endowment, and sealing) Write the saving ordinances down on a sheet of paper.
Discuss which ordinances are performed in the temple. Include in your discussion the ordinances listed on the family name ordinance card and the Ordinances Ready app. (Baptism, confirmation, initiatory, endowment, sealing) Compare these ordinances with those written on your sheet of paper. Discuss why all saving ordinances are performed in the temple? Learn more about Temple Baptism and Confirmation for the Dead, Temple Endowment, and Temple Sealing (Temple Marriage).
(For a more visual activity, get a picture of a temple. Write down the ordinances on separate strips of paper. Place these below the temple picture to symbolize steps leading to the temple and eventual exaltation by accepting these ordinances.)
"I have come to understand better the protection available through our temple covenants and what it means to make an acceptable offering of temple worship. There is a difference between church-attending, tithe-paying members who occasionally rush into the temple to go through a session and those members who faithfully and consistently worship in the temple." (Honorably Hold a Name and Standing, David A. Bednar, April 2009 General Conference)
The video depicted a young woman reflecting on the blessing of walking the covenant path as she made her journey to the temple. Discuss as a family:
What blessings have you enjoyed by attending the temple?
What does it mean to you to make "an acceptable offering of temple worship?"
What changes will you make individually and/or as a family to seek an "acceptable offering of temple worship?"
Write one brief story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have compiled 50 stories to add to your personal history. Save as a story (also consider audio-recording it) and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come,Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
Write about your experience of attending the temple for the first time.
How can you better prepare yourself to attend the temple and feel the spirit?
How and when have priesthood ordinances blessed your life?
