Ordinances

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines an ordinance as:

• "Something ordained or decreed by fate or a deity"
• "A prescribed usage, practice, or ceremony"

Mormonism teaches that there are five ordinances necessary for salvation:

• Baptism by Immersion
• Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
• Ordination to the Priesthood (for men)
• Temple Endowment
• Marriage Sealed in the Temple

Each of these ordinances must be done under certain conditions in order to be acceptable before God.

• Ordinances must be done by the proper priesthood authority.
• Each ordinance must come at the proper stages of the person's life. Baptism for instance, is performed only after a person has turned eight years old. Young men are ordained to the various offices of the Aaronic Priesthood starting at age 12 and to the Melchizedek Priesthood starting at age 19.
• The endowment and marriage ceremonies are done only in dedicated temples of the Lord.
• For all ordinances, the person must be willing and worthy to receive the blessings and responsibilities associated with the particular ordinance.

In order to maintain the blessings of each ordinance, a person must continually abide by the promises they made and keep themselves worthy before God.

Additionally, all of these ordinances can be done in behalf of the dead in Mormon temples so that all may be partakers of God's love. Names of deceased persons come from the Church's Family History program.