History of Initiatory Ordinances

What Is the History of Initiatory Ordinances in Mormon Temples?

Initiatory ordinances in Mormon temples come from ancient religious patterns that predate Christianity and reach back to the earliest biblical accounts. These rites involve washing, anointing, sacred clothing, and the giving of a new name. Latter-day Saints believe these practices were originally part of temple worship given to Adam and Eve and later preserved in Israelite priesthood rituals. Over time, many of these temple patterns were lost or altered. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that initiatory ordinances were restored through modern revelation, reconnecting contemporary worship with ancient covenant traditions centered on preparation to enter the presence of God.

Doctrine Explained

Latter-day Saints believe God has used temples and ritual worship consistently throughout human history. Initiatory ordinances are understood as part of that long pattern.

In temple settings, initiatory ordinances historically marked transitions. They prepared individuals to move from one sacred state to another. In scripture, this transition is often described as approaching holy space or assuming priestly responsibility.

Rather than seeing initiatory ordinances as symbolic inventions, Latter-day Saints view them as restored practices that once existed in earlier dispensations. They teach preparation, sanctification, and covenant identity using physical actions that reflect spiritual realities.

The modern form of initiatory ordinances is believed to preserve essential elements while adapting to contemporary circumstances, consistent with how God has always revealed worship practices according to time and place.

Scriptural and Official Sources

The earliest scriptural foundation appears in the creation narrative. After the Fall, God clothed Adam and Eve before they entered the fallen world. Latter-day Saints interpret this act as covenantal and instructional rather than merely practical. This account is found in Genesis 3:21.

In the law of Moses, priests were washed, anointed with oil, and clothed in sacred garments before serving in the tabernacle. These rites occurred at the entrance of the tabernacle, emphasizing preparation before approaching God. This pattern is described in Exodus 29 and Exodus 40.

Later biblical accounts connect washing and anointing with divine authority and kingship, such as the anointing of David. These acts carried promised blessings that were fulfilled over time rather than immediately.

Modern revelation affirms continuity with these ancient practices. Doctrine and Covenants 84:33 teaches that priesthood ordinances lead to sanctification and the renewal of the body through the Spirit.

Official Church teaching explains that initiatory ordinances are part of the temple endowment and are preparatory in nature. This is outlined in the Church’s explanation of temple worship found in What Is the Temple Endowment?.

Why Latter-day Saints Believe This

Latter-day Saints believe religious truth has been revealed, lost, and restored at different times throughout history. They understand history in terms of dispensations, periods when God revealed His gospel and priesthood authority in fullness.

From this perspective, initiatory ordinances are not borrowed or invented practices. They are seen as restored temple patterns that existed from the beginning and later survived in fragmented forms across cultures. Parallels found in Jewish and early Christian worship are viewed as remnants rather than sources.

Joseph Smith taught that temple worship restores what God revealed to earlier prophets. Latter-day Saints therefore understand initiatory ordinances as part of that restoration, reconnecting modern worship with ancient covenant paths centered on Jesus Christ.

Clarifying Common Misunderstandings

This belief is sometimes misunderstood as claiming that modern temple ordinances are identical in every detail to ancient rituals. Latter-day Saints do not believe outward forms remained unchanged. They believe core purposes and covenant meanings persisted even as expressions varied.

Initiatory ordinances are also sometimes described as secret practices. Latter-day Saints understand them as sacred, meaning they are reserved for temple settings, not hidden because of fear or exclusivity.

Historical parallels are not viewed as proof by themselves. Latter-day Saints believe authority and restoration come through revelation, with history providing supporting context rather than ultimate validation.

Faithful Affirmation

Latter-day Saints affirm that initiatory ordinances reflect God’s long-established pattern of preparing His children to enter His presence. They believe these ordinances were restored by divine authority and testify of Jesus Christ, through whom all covenant promises are fulfilled.