Avatar4321 Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 While I was reading the other thread on how it was received I thought it might be wise to pursue why we have it. Any thoughts?
JLHPROF Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 3 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said: While I was reading the other thread on how it was received I thought it might be wise to pursue why we have it. Any thoughts? I'm not sure I follow. What do you mean "why do we have it?" Because God promised he would endow us with power, and then did. 2
The Nehor Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Because power is awesome and fun to have. 2
filovirus Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) To enter the covenant of obedience, the covenant of consecration, the covenant of chastity, and the covenant of sacrifice. Edited December 10, 2015 by filovirus 1
JLHPROF Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 4 minutes ago, filovirus said: To enter the covenant of obedience, the covenant of consecration, the covenant of chastity, and the covenant of sacrifice. Skipped one 1
filovirus Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 9 minutes ago, JLHPROF said: Skipped one 👍: love the edit button. 😀 1
mfbukowski Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 To learn what is beyond speech. There is nothing more to say about it. 1
JLHPROF Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 1 minute ago, filovirus said: 👍: love the edit button. 😀 Still skipped one. There are 5. (Which used to be a significant number in the endowment.)
halconero Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) A number of reasons. It's partially a medium used to communicate various ordinances and principles. Remember that the story told is our story as much as an explanation of scripture and creation, as the attendees are invited to consider themselves as a few of the characters in the story. We learn the value of creation, of sin and redemption from it, the necessity of priesthood leadership, the manipulation so of the adversary and how to counter, and perhaps most importantly are prepared to receive the ordinance of resurrection. Then of course there are the multiple covenants made there, which serve to extend our baptismal covenants and endow us with greater power. Edited December 10, 2015 by halconero 4
JLHPROF Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 19 minutes ago, mfbukowski said: To learn what is beyond speech. There is nothing more to say about it. To part the veil.
Robert F. Smith Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Because they provide greater light and knowledge, along with the priesthood power by which to use it. There are various exoteric and esoteric rites and covenants in the Kingdom of God. Some people call them "sacraments" because they each sanctify us in some way. They prepare us for eternity, while making it possible for us to help others to make the same preparation. It is a family project -- a project of the family of God. Part of a vast continuum on into infinity. 2
JAHS Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 To receive instruction and to make solemn covenants with God that we will obey His Gospel and sacrifice our lives to build His kingdom on earth and that we will become the kind of saints that can dwell in His presence in the Celestial kingdom. To be followed up of course by sealing ourselves into the eternal patriarchal family along with our relatives and fellow saints. One also receives a power and spiritual strength just by being in the house of the Lord, that can help us through life. 1
Storm Rider Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 It gives further purpose, focus, on the purpose of eternity. It is but a step into expanding our relationship with our God and our discipleship. 1
BlueDreams Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 To link the present to the past, fulfilling both. To tie Ancient covenant practice to a new covenant practice that utilizes Christ to sanctify us. The reception of greater knowledge and power in Christ. To tie all in one (it is the covenant the societal ties are sanctified and covenanted to along with Christ) I've seen it also as a key that unlocks and reveals the scriptures in new ways. To bring male and female power in greater order and unity. To bring unity to body and spirit, endowing and purposing all that we are with Christ. Our physical state is purposed/with order and eternal direction. to Clothe us (as promised in scripture). etc. With luv, BD 2
halconero Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Regarding the medium whereby they're presented, I think a practical side is that it engages the visual and physical in learning. Sure, I could read the endowment, and probably get something out of it. Being along for a ride, either as a patron or ordinance worker has helped me internalize the covenants and instruction therein. 3
livy111us Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Funny you posted this question because I just finished reading this Why are the ordinances of the temple necessary? Matthew B. Brown Compiled 2010 Handbook 2: Administering the Church, “Temple and Family History Work,” 5.4 “In temples, Church members receive ordinances and make sacred covenants that are essential for exaltation. . . . the purpose of the endowment is to prepare for exaltation, not merely to prepare for marriage or a mission.” Handbook 2: Administering the Church, “Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings,” 20.1 “[T]he temple endowment, and temple sealing are required for exaltation for all accountable persons.” Gospel Principles, chapter 47, “Exaltation” “To be exalted, we . . . must . . . . receive certain ordinances. . . . We must receive the temple endowment. . . . We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next.” Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, November 1995 “No accountable individual can receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom without the ordinances of the temple. Endowments and sealings are for our personal perfection and are secured through our faithfulness.” David B. Haight, Ensign, November 1990 “Temples are the most sacred places of worship on earth where sacred ordinances are performed—ordinances which pertain to salvation and exaltation in the kingdom of God.” Robert D. Hales, Ensign, July 2009 “The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. . . . The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 8–9 “Our main object is eternal lives and exaltations; our main object is to prepare ourselves, our posterity and our progenitors for thrones, principalities and powers in the eternal worlds . . . that . . . they and we might be prepared . . . to . . . be admitted again to the presence of our Father . . . . we are building temples for that purpose; we are receiving endowments for that purpose.” 1
Avatar4321 Posted December 10, 2015 Author Posted December 10, 2015 But why is it essential for exaltation? Yes we to make covenants but why do we need those specific covenants above and beyond baptism? How do they exalt us? I certainly believe all this, but I want to understand more. We do not discuss temple content.
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