Ordinances as teaching symbols

Like Nephi of old, there seems to me nothing more delightful than the truth, especially when unfolded in its simplest forms. I love Joseph Smith because he was so skilled, so blessed with divine power, to open our eyes to simple truths; many truths that are hidden in plain sight.

You are free to agree or disagree with this proposition: the ordinances are real, and they are necessary – and the ordinances are also symbolic; that is, the ordinances are also teaching symbols, that reveal sacred milestones that are required for our eternal progress. Said another way, the ordinances are the temporal teaching experience; whereas, there is also (potentially) a personal spiritual reality represented by every ordinance, beginning with baptism and continuing on through each of the temple ordinances.

Let’s use baptism as the exemplar: Immersion in water is the first ordinance. Hidden in plain sight, in 3 Nephi, chapter-11, the Lord himself discloses his doctrine very clearly.

“I give you authority to baptize with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” But that’s not all. The Lord says — This is my doctrine:

“Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.”

“And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.” (3 Nephi 12:1-2)

Immersion in water is the symbol; immersion in the spiritual element is the reality; the milestone that is required is your personal progression on this eternal path. To teach that water-baptism is the event when we actually “receive a remission of our sins,” is just not correct doctrine. In fact, the Lord is rather rigid on this subject; based on his words, one might even say He is intransigent on the subject:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words, which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth. (3 Nephi 11: 39-41)

What further interpretation is necessary? Water baptism is the teaching symbol; the sacred ordinance. The symbol is good; it is necessary. But let’s not ignore the sacred text, to our condemnation, and pretend that’s all there is. The reality behind the symbol is the immersion in the spiritual element. This event is known in the scriptures as being Born Again, Born of the Spirit, and Sanctified by the Spirit, to name but a few.

Most of the scriptural references on this subject are found (hidden in plain sight) under the heading, “Holy Ghost, born of.” With that preliminary, the premise of this post should be clear: the higher ordinances are also instructional; the temple ordinances are the symbol, providing instruction about an available reality: Adam, what are you doing? I’m looking for the greater light and knowledge that my Father promised to send me, etc.

Joseph Smith introduced the reality behind the symbolic teachings; and yet, in this generation, we have pulled back, and continue to resist the reality, and rather prefer to accept the ordinances (the instruction) as the reality. Here is the simple truth: the ordinances are the symbolic instruction, which reveal, in each case, a much greater spiritual reality. “Aye, there’s the rub…” If we can’t accept the reality behind baptism, how can be progress to receive the fullness of the Aaronic Priesthood, and beyond?

— Donald G. Taylor