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"Saving Ordinances Will Bring Us Marvelous Light"

In 1842, the endowment was administered for the first time since the Church had been restored. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "This [endowment] will bring you out of darkness into marvelous light." In April 2018 General Conference, Elder Taniela B Wakolo promised that "participating in ordinances and honoring the associated covenants will bring you marvelous light and protection in this ever-darkening world." He also taught, "The prophet Amulek declared, 'This ... is the time ... to prepare to meet God'[Alma 34:32]. How do we prepare? By worthily receiving ordinances. We must also, in President Russell M Nelson's words, 'keep on the covenant path.'" Elder David A Bednar taught, "The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord's restored Church ... constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives."

What goals have you set and what experiences have you had to bring you closer to the "marvelous" light" available through ordinances? What blessings and powers have you experienced as you've entered into and kept on the covenant path?
  • The Lord opens doors for ordinances to be done.
  • Covenants provide protection; we can receive promptings to do or not do something.
  • When we keep our covenants, we have power to drive Satan away.
  • Temptations don't end when we receive ordinances and make covenants, but we have more strength to overcome and resist.
  • Sometimes, we think life will be easier because we made a good choice to receive an ordinance, but we need to remember that we will still have challenges. Satan will try to prevent God's work from happening.
  • Temple attendance can have a positive effect on our attitude and temperament. People are often nicer after spending time at the temple, and others (for example, our children, spouse, friends, neighbors, coworkers) can see the difference.
  • Thinking about the ordinances we've received and the covenants we've made and frequently attending the temple to help our ancestors receive ordinances can serve as reminders of where we should be in life and measuring sticks of how we're doing right now.
  • Ordinances and covenants are more than just one-time things; we need to keep living worthily to receive the promised blessings and for the ordinances to continue to be effective.
  • Constantly remembering ordinances and keeping covenants prepare us to live with and like God.
  • We need to practice; we should be attending the temple as often and regularly as our circumstances allow.
Elder Wakolo taught, "The sacrament is an ordinance that helps us stay on the path, and worthily partaking is evidence that we are keeping the covenants associated with all the other ordinances." What do you do to prepare for the sacrament? How does taking the sacrament help you remember other ordinances and covenants?
  • Pray.
  • Arrive at sacrament meeting early to be able to enjoy feeling the Spirit instead of feeling stressed and anxious.
  • Think about Jesus.
  • Prepare before church (listen to uplifting music, etc.).
  • Teach children how to take the sacrament.
  • Choose to come to sacrament meeting even when it's hard; consistent effort is a good example to children.
  • Prepare sacrament-specific activities/pictures/books to help children stay focused.
  • Personalize the sacrament prayers.
  • Read and ponder about the words of the sacrament hymn.
ACTION ITEM: 
  • Ask yourselves the following question posed by Elder Wakolo: "What ordinances, including the sacrament, do I need to receive, and what covenants do I need to make, keep, and honor?"
  • Make a goal this week to take whatever the next step is in your life to receive ordinances and make and keep covenants.

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