Today I read Exodus 29 where the Lord gives instructions on how for sacrifices and for consecrating Aaron and his sons. As I was reading this chapter I couldn't help but think of all the other ceremonies and ordinances that God has asked all of His followers to follow. Heavenly Father is very particular about the ordinances that need to be performed. I believe this is because these ordinances are older than time and Heavenly Father is just following the plan and pattern that His God followed before Him.
Saving ordinances are necessary for salvation and have to follow a prescribed pattern. This is partly because Heavenly Father promises certain things when we perform these ordinances and if Heavenly Father is going to promise us things, He needs to know that we are doing the ordinances properly. He cannot be held to a promise for a broken ordinance. We have to make sure that they are performed properly and to the specifications that He has set forth. We also need to make sure that they are done by the proper authority. If they are not done by the proper authority, they are not valid in the eyes of Heavenly Father.
The other part of this chapter is the fact that Aaron and his sons are given the Priesthood to perform these ordinances on behalf of Israel. It is not enough to have a testimony and a desire to have the ordinances performed, we have to have them done by the right authority. Even Jesus sought out John the Baptist because John had the Priesthood necessary to baptize Him. Jesus did not just go to anyone, He purposefully went to the person He knew that would have the authority to perform the ordinance. It really is not possible to stress the importance of proper authority and proper execution of ordinances. Just like with earthly agreements we want to make sure that we are signing our name to what we desire, Heavenly Father will only honor the proper ordinances done by the proper authority in the proper way and in some cases in the proper place. But when we do follow the proper pattern, we always get wonderful promises that the Lord gives us. And all He asks in return is our obedience to Him. It's a small price to pay really. Until tomorrow.
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