Mormonism

===Ordinances===

In Mormonism, an [[Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)|ordinance]] is a religious [[ritual]] of special significance, often involving the formation of a [[Covenant (Latter Day Saints)|covenant]] with God.<ref>An ordinance is generally a physical act signifying a spiritual commitment or a covenant. Failure to honor that commitment results in the ordinance having no effect. However, sincere repentance can restore the blessings associated with the ordinance.</ref> Ordinances are performed by the authority of the [[Priesthood (Mormonism)|priesthood]] and in the name of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]. The term has a meaning roughly similar to that of the term ''[[sacrament]]'' in other Christian denominations.

{{Annotated image| image = LDS Baptism Panama.JPG| image-width = 800| image-left = -355| image-top = -180 | width = 175| height = 240| float = right
| annotations = | caption = A young man [[baptism in Mormonism|baptizing]] a child into the LDS Church in Panama}}

Saving ordinances (or ordinances viewed as necessary for salvation) include: [[Baptism (Latter Day Saints)|baptism]] by [[immersion baptism|immersion]] after the [[age of accountability]] (normally age 8); [[Confirmation (Latter Day Saints)|confirmation]] and reception of the [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit|gift of the Holy Ghost]], performed by laying hands on the head of a newly baptized member; ordination to the [[Aaronic priesthood (LDS Church)|Aaronic]] and [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]]s for males; an [[Endowment (Latter Day Saints)|endowment]] (including [[washing and anointing]]) received in [[Temple (LDS Church)|temples]]; and [[Celestial marriage|marriage]] (or [[Sealing (Latter Day Saints)|sealing]]) to a spouse.<ref>"[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/ordinances?lang=eng "Ordinances]," ''True to the Faith'', (LDS Church, 2004) p. 109.</ref>

Mormons also perform other ordinances, which include the [[Eucharist|Lord's supper]] (commonly called the [[Sacrament (Latter Day Saints)|sacrament]]), [[naming and blessing children]], giving [[priesthood blessing]]s and [[patriarchal blessings]], [[Anointing of the Sick|anointing and blessing the sick]], participating in [[Prayer circle (Mormonism)|prayer circles]], and [[setting apart]] individuals who are called to church positions.

In Mormonism, the saving ordinances are seen as necessary for salvation, but they are not sufficient in and of themselves. For example, baptism is required for [[Exaltation (Mormonism)|exaltation]], but simply having been baptized does not guarantee any eternal reward. The baptized person is expected to be obedient to God's commandments, to repent of any sinful conduct subsequent to baptism, and to receive the other saving ordinances.

Because Mormons believe that everyone must receive certain ordinances to be saved, Mormons perform [[Baptism for the dead|ordinances on behalf of deceased persons]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|pp=60–61}}</ref> These ordinances are performed vicariously or by "proxy" on behalf of the dead. In accordance with their belief in each individual's "free agency", living or dead, Mormons believe that the deceased may accept or reject the offered ordinance in the [[spirit world (Latter Day Saints)|spirit world]], just as all spirits decided to accept or reject God's plan originally. In addition, these "conditional" ordinances on behalf of the dead are performed only when a deceased person's genealogical information has been submitted to a temple and correctly processed there before the ordinance ritual is performed. Only ordinances for salvation are performed on behalf of deceased persons.