Learning to Understand Symbols

Because of the sacred nature of the ordinances performed in the temple there is very little written about learning through the symbolic representations in the temple ceremonies. There are two ordinances, however, that are public and viewable by all who attend. Those are baptism and the sacrament. Both of these ordinances are performed with prayers that are repeated word for word and performances that are specifically followed each and every time. Because both of these ordinances involve symbols, much can be learned of how ideas are communicated through symbols.

In many ways we are all very familiar with communication through symbols. The words you are reading are made up of 26 letters combined into words and sentences following conventions of spelling and grammar. These same ideas could be communicated using the same alphabet but with different spelling and grammar conventions in Spanish or French, for example. In fact, these same ideas could be communicated using very different Japanese characters that are organized according to conventions of grammar and that are analogous to spelling. The point is, we use symbols to communicate deeper truths that exist regardless of the language we choose to employ when communicating.

Consider baptism as a symbolic communication. The Lord has instructed us about the symbolic meaning of baptism. For example, through Joseph Smith the Lord says in D&C 128:

  12 Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead.
  13 Consequently, the baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead, and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another—that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly ...

We know from these verses, and other scripture, that we will all die and be buried in the grave. We also know that we will all be resurrected with our spirits clothed in bodies of flesh and bone. These ideas can be communicated in words. They can also be communicated by considering the baptismal font to be in similitude of the grave. As we step into the water and are immersed we are going through a process that is in likeness of death, burial and resurrection. In essence, we can write the words, "You will one day die, be buried in the grave, and come forth in the resurrection through the gift of Jesus Christ and according to the plan of the Father. The Holy Ghost will testify of this." Or, we can perform the ordinance of baptism and ponder the meaning of the symbols. The Holy Ghost will teach us the truth of the message of baptism as we ponder the symbols in connection with the words of scripture that teach us the same meaning as what the ordinance portrays.

There is a key difference between reading the words and submitting to the ordinance. The words of scripture are like theory. They describe things that other people have come to know and understand. They point the way to what we need to learn. The ordinance, on the other hand, is an experiential role-play of eternally significant truths. And, because the symbols can only be understood in a personal way through the Holy Ghost, there is personal revelation involved in learning through the symbols of priesthood ordinances. Even if you read descriptions of the symbols in ordinances, they are not yours until you prayerfully ponder, with scriptures in mind, the symbolic representations for yourself and then receive the witness of the Holy Ghost.

Similarly, the sacrament employs symbols of bread and wine (or water in our current practice). There are numerous scriptures that help us understand what is being communicated by bread and wine (water) that is blessed by priests and consumed by followers of Jesus Christ in obedience to the commandment of the Father. Again, the Holy Ghost testifies of the truths being communicated. One example of what the scriptures teach is in the JST of Mark 14:

  20 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them, and said, Take it, and eat.
  21 Behold, this is for you to do in remembrance of my body; for as oft as ye do this ye will remember this hour that I was with you.
  22 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them; and they all drank of it.
  23 And he said unto them, This is in remembrance of my blood which is shed for many, and the new testament which I give unto you; for of me ye shall bear record unto all the world.
  24 And as oft as ye do this ordinance, ye will remember me in this hour that I was with you and drank with you of this cup, even the last time in my ministry.

As I tried to do with baptism, we could write a sentence or consider the symbol in an ordinance that communicates the same idea. For example, we could write, "I remember that Jesus Christ lived bodily among mortals and showed himself embodied again as a resurrected being in obedience to the commandments of the Father and as testified by the Holy Ghost." Or, we could partake of bread that has been blessed and sanctified by priests in accordance with the commandments of the Father and as witnessed by the Holy Ghost. Either way, we communicate a fundamental gospel truth. But, there is a personal experiential aspect to the sacrament. And, the truth is learned in a deeper, more meaningful, way as the Holy Ghost teaches us by means of the symbols of the priesthood ordinance of the sacrament.

There is so much more to learn than the simple examples I have given here. I plan to continue to ponder the symbols of these ordinances in order to learn more about the mission of Jesus Christ. By doing so I hope to be more obedient to my Father in Heaven and to enjoy the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in greater abundance. I have also found that this approach to learning through the symbols presented in temple ordinances leads to insights about Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. As we ponder the symbols associated with priesthood ordinances, the Holy Ghost teaches us in very personal and powerful ways. Eternal truths are no longer theory expressed in words, they are reality learned through the power of the Holy Ghost and the experiential learning of priesthood ordinances.