Thursday, April 18, 2024

Larry Barkdull on Ordinances and Exaltation

  

IS BAPTISM SUFFICIENT FOR EXALTATION?

 

No. Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost only get us on the path. These ordinances can save us in the celestial kingdom, but will not exalt us there. Exaltation requires our receiving the authority of God (priesthood ordination); (D&C 84:22) specific purification and sanctification to prepare us for our future sacred appointment (temple washing and anointing); (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1551) protection from Satan, our eternal enemy (the garment of the holy priesthood); (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 534; Ephesians 6:13; D&C 27:15) an infusion of heavenly power and knowledge (temple endowment); (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 455) acceptance of the law of the celestial kingdom (consecration); (D&C 42; 105:4-5) and the promise of an eternal kingdom, given by the Father (celestial marriage). (D&C 132:19-24) These covenants and ordinances receive their by the authority of priesthood keys, we are assured, upon our worthiness, that the terms of that covenant will be fulfilled and will endure eternally. We have God’s personal seal and guarantee. (Larry Barkdull, The Three Pillars of Zion [Orem, Utah: Pillars of Zion Publishing, 2009], 383)