In Handbook 2 (Administering the Church), the required wording/phrasing of various ordinances, both salvific and non-salvific, are outlined in chapter 20, Priesthood Ordinances and blessings. One will note that some of the requirements and wording have changed when compared to the past. For instance, note the following requirements for the ordinances outlined in the Church’s 1937 Missionary Handbook (emphasis added):
Confirmation
No set form is given for this ordinance, but a baptized person is properly confirmed a member of the Church if the following words are used by the member of the Priesthood whose hands are laid on the head of the candidate: Calling the candidate by name—“In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood, we lay our hands upon your head and confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and say unto you, Receive the Holy Ghost. Amen.” (The Missionary’s Hand Book [Independence, Miss.: Zion’s Printing and Publishing Company/Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1937, 1940], 135)
Ordaining to the Aaronic Priesthood
Calling on the candidate by name—“By (or in) the authority of the Holy Priesthood I (or we) lay my (or our) hands upon your head and ordain you a Deacon (or Teacher or Priest) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and confer upon you all the rights, powers and authority pertaining to this office and calling in the Aaronic Priesthood, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Ibid., 137)
Ordaining to the Melchizedek Priesthood
Calling the candidate by name—“By (or in) the authority of the Holy Priesthood and by the laying on of hands I (or we) ordain you an Elder (or whatever the office may be) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and confer upon you all the rights, powers, and authority pertaining to this office and calling in the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Ibid., 137)
Dedicating Graves
Though one holding the Priesthood is generally chosen, any suitable person may dedicate a grave. This may be done either with or without the authority of the Priesthood. The one offering the prayer may begin: “Our Father in heaven, surrounding this open grave we dedicate and consecrate this spot of earth as a final resting place for the body of ---------.” To this may appropriately be added supplication to the Lord that this spot of earth may be a hallowed place to which the kindred may come, and that at the time appointed for its resurrection the body may again come forth reanimated with the spirit. (Ibid., 145)
For a discussion on changes to the form (i.e., wording) of ordinances, see:
