Whoa. It has been an amazing week in the MMM household. As you know, we had a wedding Friday, but that is just part of the glorious flurry of events that we are in the midst of experiencing this week.
As I was trying to figure out a way to share them with you, I felt like I need to dig a little deeper. The flowers, the food, the clothes, the friends and family, the pomp and tradition is fabulous, but… we often get consumed by the worldly and material events that culture brings to the table. There is something deeper that can get lost in the whirlwind if we aren’t careful.
Ordinances
There has been a perfect storm of ordinances in our household this week that might happen only once, or twice in a lifetime. It is those ordinances that really matter. The rest is just window dressing and parties.
“As we are worthy, the ordinances of the priesthood enrich our lives on earth and prepare us for the magnificent promises of the world ahead. The Lord said, “In the ordinances … the power of godliness is manifest.” (Elder Neil L. Anderson)
The power of godliness? Have I seen it? Yes. And I have used the word “glorious,” more times this week than I ever have before in my life. Glorious.
On Friday evening, my new daughter-in-law entered the temple and received her endowment. As she made sacred covenants and ordinances were performed, we were there performing them on behalf of family members who have gone on before.
As I quietly sat there, I could look down the row and see three of my sons, my daughter, my two new daughters, and my sweet eternal companion. It was glorious. It was fulfilling. I sensed the power of godliness as the Holy Ghost participated with us.
“In all the ordinances, especially those of the temple, we are endowed with power from on high. This “power of godliness” comes in the person and by the influence of the Holy Ghost.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson)
There is a singular beauty and simplicity to a temple sealing/wedding. Yesterday, as we waited reverently in the sealing room (pictured above) I studied my wife’s face as I contemplated our almost 30 year union, and our wedding day in a similar sealing room. My heart filled with joy, for the memories, and for gratitude to both her and God. Valentine’s Day got lost in the shuffle this year, but everyday is Valentine’s Day for us. (Don’t believe me? Ask my wife.)
The ordinance of temple marriage is a radically unique concept, but the simplicity, and logic of such a union is so patently obvious that it baffles me that couples aren’t lining up outside to receive these ordinances – if they only understood.
The promises that come with the sealing ordinance are godliness manifest. As my son and his new wife knelt together and became a new family, with the glorious potential of eternity, they sparkled with the brilliance of purity and hope. They are now an “US,” in all the glory of that uniting word and concept.
From my vantage point, I could see my son’s face as it radiated excitement and goodness. Purity is attractive, He also struggled in vain to fight back the tears of joy that welled in his eyes as he stared across the altar into the eyes of his very own EC.
(The Sealer spoke to ordinances and covenants, and if I can get his permission, I’ll share some of his thoughts in a future post.)
Now, at this very moment, I am sitting in the hallway outside the bishop’s office as my youngest interviews with the Bishop. If all goes well…in a few hours I will have the opportunity to lay my hands on his head, joined by his brothers, and ordain him to the office of Teacher in the Aaronic priesthood. That ordinance will provide him with opportunities for service and growth as he learns to understand and increase his priesthood power.
And he is 14. And I get to ordain him. I sense godliness in the father/son pattern as authority is shared. I sense mercy and kindness that the Lord would allow an imperfect father to perform such a sacred ordinance.
But before that ordinance takes place, my immediate family, much of my extended family, and my brothers and sisters in the gospel will gather and collectively participate in the wonderfully individual ordinance of the sacrament.
“We are commanded to repent of our sins and to come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament in compliance with its covenants. When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In this way we are made clean and can always have His Spirit to be with us. The importance of this is evident in the Lord’s commandment that we partake of the sacrament each week.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks)
What a gift it is to essentially be re-baptized every week! To regain our purity and standing before God! The godliness found in the ordinance of the sacrament is also God’s mercy brought about through the atonement of Christ. And for us, the result is a continued striving for potential godliness in ourselves.
After we participate in the ordinance of the sacrament, my third son will be speaking, as he is due to depart to serve a mission in Mexico. While being set apart as a missionary does not constitute an “ordinance,” it does harken back to the ordinance he received last year when he was ordained to the office of Elder in the Melchizedek priesthood. He will spend two years of his life bringing the ordinances of salvation to others.
As you can see, this month is all about the ordinances. Sure, there have been events both huge and intimate, wonderful reunions, great food, lovely decor, and lots of love and laughter. And photographs, DId I mention those? (And a smidgin of work, worry, stress, expense and fatigue.)
But the overall importance of these days are those quiet moments when an ordinance has been, and will be performed by the authority of God’s priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ.
The ordinances, and the covenants that attend them are not just “check-list” items. These ordinances define what we are about, what we are striving for, and how we spend our very lives. They are not ever “finished.” They are part of who we are. Most of the key elements in my life revolve around ordinances.
I feel God’s love in the ordinances of the gospel that he allows me and my loved ones to receive. Ordinances that help us grow, help us serve, help us thrive, help us repent, and help us draw closer to Him – all with the ever-present promise of an eternity together.
That is what matters. Now, and forever.
What an amazing month you’ve had, thank you for sharing these tender feelings and sacred life altering experiences with us.
I absolutely loved this post! This is the joy of living and living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Great reflections on the truly important parts of what’s happened for your family this past week! Congratulations on a growing posterity and on seeing what’s really important and lasting!
A perfect storm indeed! 🙂
PS…I often wish there were a LIKE button for other people’s comments, other than posting a reply. So many wonderful shared thoughts.
*Like*
Isn’t it amazing how much deeper and deeper our understanding of these things becomes, the more we are engaged in the gospel, day to day, moment to moment. Truly, spiritual things are perceived by the spirit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these things today.
Congrats to you and your family! Mine has experience a few similar events. I agree with you that there’s something supernal and heavenly that we’re blessed to experience as a result of ordinances. Sure there’s the symbolic learning but it runs so much deeper that it’s hard to but into words. You’ve done a nice job of that. Thanks.
This is a very spiritual post, filled with wisdom and testimony that touched my heart and encouraged me to reflect on my life, choices, consequences, and the depth of my commitment to my Heavenly Father and to my Savior. Soul searching can lead to improvement, and that is my goal.
We’ve had similar weeks in our family. Add in a funeral or two, a baptism, a baby blessing, and the whole beautiful cycle converges in a whirlwind of happiness. Thanks for sharing your current Big Beautiful Week of Ordinances–those of us who have such weeks in our memories feel your joy and appreciate your generosity in relating it. Congratulations to all the family, in every stage of the process! ! !
This post is especially meaningful to me in regards to the sacrament. I was very grateful to be able to take the sacrament today and look forward to a new week. Love the quote by Elder Oaks. You really dialed it in for me today. Many thanks!
“The ordinances, and the covenants that attend them are not just “check-list” items. These ordinances define what we are about, what we are striving for, and how we spend our very lives. They are not ever “finished.” They are part of who we are.”
Good way to think about it, and it echoes 2 Nephi 31:19 “And now…I would ask if all is done?…Nay”
AuntSue
So many “Joy in Your Posterity” moments! So wonderful to have a family with feet on the same path. Much love and caring among your family members. What a memorable time.
Thank you for your thoughts on the meaning and importance of ordinances.
I shared your blog with my EC and we both had tears as I choked through it. Many thanks for writing such profound and beautiful thoughts.
Thank you for sharing more details of you and your families special moments. Your light is shining bright and we can feel your emotions in your words. Many congratulations to all as new adventures begin while holding tight to the iron rod.
As a stake clerk I was fortunate to be closely involved with Elder Bednar during a stake conference six months ago. He also made an unannounced visit to our ward today. During both he centered his remarks around the importance and significance of ordinances. What is the next ordinance that we need? Sacrament? Priesthood? Temple? How will that ordinance prepare us for what we need next in life? As we prepare ourselves for our next ordinance we will make steps that lead us to return to our Father in Heaven.
Much food for thought here. Thank-you for sharing.
Beautiful. Congrats to you and yours!