As I lay in bed pondering ordinances and yesterday’s clues, I wondered how I might share these things with my LDS brethren. I thought that a “lesson plan” might be constructed this way. Note: this is purely hypothetical.
- Write two columns on the board, with 10 rows per column with the title “Miracles.”
- Ask for examples of miracles from the scriptures, recording the Savior’s miracles on the right column, and other miracles on the left. The top two rows on the right are reserved for “Christ’s Atonement” and “Christ’s Resurrection” (in that order).
- Question: what elements are requisite in every one of these examples? Anticipate:
- Faith
- Righteousness
- Priesthood / Power / Authority
- etc
- Question: is “godliness” a reasonable word to capture all of these elements?
- Question: is it fair to say that (these) miracles are manifestations of that power which derives from godliness?
From the LDS Doctrine and Covenants 84:20–22
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
6. Do these “ordinances” include all the miracles, above?
7. How would that change our understanding of this scripture: (note: I propose that “denying the power” is not a declaration, but means preventing, refusing, or opposing God and His power and authority).
From the 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible (2 Tim 3:5)
Having an appearance indeed of godliness but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.
8. How would all of that change our understanding of having our calling and election made sure?
From the Complete Jewish Bible (2 Pet 1:1–11)
From: Shim`on Kefa, a slave and emissary of Yeshua the Messiah
To: Those who, through the righteousness of our God and of our Deliverer Yeshua the Messiah, have been given the same kind of trust as ours:
May grace and shalom be yours in full measure, as you come to a full knowledge of God and Yeshua our Lord.
God’s power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowing the One who called us to his own glory and goodness.
By these he has given us valuable and superlatively great promises, so that through them you might come to share in God’s nature and escape the corruption which evil desires have brought into the world.
For this very reason, try your hardest to furnish your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with perseverance, perseverance with godliness,
godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
For if you have these qualities in abundance, they keep you from being barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
Indeed, whoever lacks them is blind, so shortsighted that he forgets that his past sins have been washed away.
Therefore, brothers, try even harder to make your being called and chosen a certainty [i.e., “calling and election made sure“]. For if you keep doing this, you will never stumble.
Thus you will be generously supplied with everything you need to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah.
9. Are there other things that may be ordinances that are not miracles? Prayers that result in manifestation of the power of God?
I would remind that the word ordinance, as used in the Old Testament, has a broad meaning. Firstly, there are several Hebrew words that are translated to the English word ordinance. Perhaps key among these is that used in Isaiah (חֹק, Isaiah 24:5,9), which implies among other things: laws, statutes, doctrines, ordinances, enactments, appointments, customs, decrees, tasks, etc.
Etc.
In conclusion, as Joy reviewed this with me, she asked a very wise question: “is it possible that the power of godliness is a name for Christ?” Should the scripture be rendered this way?
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the Power of Godliness is manifest.
And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the Power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Joy continues, “is having the Power of Godliness manifest” receiving the Second Comforter and seeing Christ in person?” Now that would add an even greater scope of understanding to the scripture. WOW (Words Of Wisdom :- ) !!!
Happy Easter! All glory and honor to He who embodies the epitome of every ordinance, authority, power, and godliness. I praise Him!