“Lesson 110: Ordinances and Covenants (Part 2),” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 110: Ordinances and Covenants (Part 2)”
Lesson 110
Ordinances and Covenants (Part 2)
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Have faith that the Lord understands your needs and wants to bless you. The Spirit can help you know how to apply the gospel principles you will discover in this lesson.
Begin your study with prayer.
Have you ever wondered why temples are such beautiful buildings?
Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy shared his experience of touring the newly renovated Laie Hawaii Temple as it was nearing completion. What did Elder Whiting learn that can help us understand the great efforts that are made to construct temples? What can we learn from his experience?
You can read the text for this video here: “Temple Standard,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 37–38, 39.
Principles of Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge
Take some time to review the principles from the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: act in faith, examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective, and seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources.
What did you find in your review of these principles that was insightful or meaningful to you?
Faith to Find Answers
Imagine the following scenario:
Your brother and his fiancée have made the choice to be married and sealed in the temple. Shortly after receiving this exciting news, your parents get a phone call from Mrs. Lee, the mother of your brother’s fiancée. Mrs. Lee explains that she and her husband have recently learned that because they are not members of the Church, they cannot enter the temple for the ceremony. She says in frustration, “Your church isn’t very welcoming of outsiders. Why does it prevent people from entering the temple?” As you ponder Mrs. Lee’s question, you begin to wonder the same thing.
1. Answer the following question:
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What are some ways that you could act in faith as you attempt to find an answer to this question?
An Eternal Perspective
The Lord must have important reasons for allowing only members of the Church who have a temple recommend to enter the temple. Let’s reframe Mrs. Lee’s question and view it with an eternal perspective.
2. Answer the following questions:
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What are some assumptions that Mrs. Lee might have about God, the Church, marriage, or the temple that could have led to her frustration?
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What are some truths that can help us understand why the Lord has specific standards for entering His temple? Consider describing what you know about God, His plan of salvation, the temple, or ordinances and covenants.
The Lord’s Standards and Temple Covenants
One reason the Lord has specific standards for those who participate in temple worship is that when we worship at the temple we commit to live according to covenants that we make there. Making covenants with God in the temple can bring great blessings. However, there are also consequences if we fail to keep those covenants.
For this reason, the Lord’s standards for participating in temple worship protect those who are not committed to living according to the expectations He has for those who make temple covenants with Him. These same standards also protect the sacredness and holiness of the house of the Lord because those who are not willing to keep the Lord’s standards are not permitted to worship in His house.
How does understanding the seriousness of making covenants with God help us understand why there are standards for those who desire to participate in temple worship?
Preparation for Sacred Temple Covenants
Read the following statements from leaders of the Church, looking for what is necessary before we go to the temple to make sacred covenants with the Lord.
“We must be prepared before we go to the temple. We must be worthy before we go to the temple. There are restrictions and conditions set. They were established by the Lord and not by man. And, the Lord has every right and authority to direct that matters relating to the temple be kept sacred and confidential” (Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple [booklet, 2002], 2).
“Temples are built for the performance of sacred ordinances—not secret, but sacred. A Temple is not a public house of worship. It is erected for special purposes. Indeed after a Temple is dedicated only members of the Church in good standing may enter” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 126).
Why do you think it is important for someone to be both prepared and worthy to participate in temple worship?
Additional Understanding
Read Psalm 24:3–4, looking for how the truths taught in these verses provide additional understanding about the temple.
Though the Lord requires that those who enter the temple must be prepared and worthy, we should be sensitive and show compassion toward those who are unable to enter the temple to attend their loved ones’ sealings. Family members of different faiths can show respect for each other’s beliefs at weddings and other family events.
Without judging or condemning Mrs. Lee, how might you address her question if she had asked you?
Matching Quiz
Take a few minutes to review the Doctrinal Mastery Reference Guide and to study the scripture references and key phrases for each Old Testament doctrinal mastery passage that you have studied so far this year. These are the 17 passages you have covered so far: Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 5:20; Moses 1:39; Abraham 3:22–23; Genesis 1:26–27; Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 53:3–5; Moses 7:18; Isaiah 29:13–14; Ezekiel 37:15–17; Daniel 2:44; Jeremiah 1:4–5; Ezekiel 3:16–17; Amos 3:7; Exodus 19:5–6; and Psalm 24:3–4.
Quiz 1
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Match the following doctrinal mastery passages to their corresponding key statements:
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Match the beginning of each key doctrinal statement to its correct ending.
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Match the correct missing word to complete the key statement of doctrine.
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Answer Key
Quiz 1: (1) 1-e, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-f, 6-d; (2) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d; (3) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d, 5-e, 6-f, 7-h