![]() Obtaining and Retaining a Remission of Sins through Ordinances Ordinances received and honored with integrity are essential to obtaining the power of godliness and all of the blessings made available through the Savior’s Atonement. “And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh.” 15 “Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. “And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. ![]() ![]() Rather, they constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives. The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord’s restored Church are far more than rituals or symbolic performances. 14 All saving ordinances and the ordinance of the sacrament must be authorized by one who holds the requisite priesthood keys. Ordinances are sacred acts that have spiritual purpose, eternal significance, and are related to God’s laws and statutes. Holy ordinances are central in the Savior’s gospel and in the process of coming unto Him and seeking spiritual rebirth. 12 Additionally, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier 13 who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire. In the scriptures, the Holy Ghost is referred to as the Comforter, 10 a teacher, 11 and a revelator. ![]() He is a personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. The Prophet Joseph Smith summarized succinctly the essential role of priesthood ordinances in the gospel of Jesus Christ: “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” 9 This penetrating statement emphasizes the roles of both the Holy Ghost and sacred ordinances in the process of spiritual rebirth. We are exhorted to so live that we can “stand spotless before at the last day.” 8 The Holy Ghost and Priesthood Ordinances The “merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” 7 can help us triumph over the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man and become more selfless, benevolent, and saintly. 3 We are admonished by prophets and apostles to awake unto God, 4 be “born again,” 5 and become new creatures in Christ 6 by receiving in our lives the blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In mortality we experience physical birth and the opportunity for spiritual rebirth. I pray the Holy Ghost will inspire and edify us as we consider together essential spiritual truths. The truth expressed in this phrase can strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and deepen our discipleship. My message focuses upon the principle of always retaining a remission of our sins. 1 He also promised that by doing these things, “ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins.” 2 In his spiritually stirring farewell sermon to the people he had served and loved, King Benjamin described the importance of knowing the glory of God and tasting of His love, of receiving a remission of sins, of always remembering the greatness of God, and of praying daily and standing steadfastly in the faith. A profound phrase used by King Benjamin in his teachings about the Savior and His Atonement has been a recurring topic of my study and pondering for many years. ![]()
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