Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Fifteen
Recorded on Earth and Bound in Heaven
Development of recording temple ordinances – In connection with temple work the Lord through Joseph Smith has emphasized the importance of properly recording the ordinances: “When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye-witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth” (D&C 127:6).
A few days later Joseph observed that “it would be very difficult for one recorder to be present at all times, and to all the business.” He went on to instruct “that a recorder should be appointed in each ward (a geographical area) who is well qualified…and let him be very particular and precise…certifying in his record that he saw with his eyes, and heard with his ears….Then let there be a general recorder [temple recorder], to whom these records can be handed, being attended with certificates over their own signature, certifying that the record they have made is true. Then the general church recorder can enter the record on the general church book… with his own statement that he verily believes the above statement and recordings to be true, from his knowledge of the general character and appointment of those men by the church” then “the record shall be just as holy, and shall answer the ordinance just the same as if he had seen with his eyes and heard with his ears, and made a record on the general church book” (D&C 128:3-4).
In the technology age temples still record the ordinances as required in D&C 128 – The procedure that was set forth in 1842 still applies as millions of ordinances are performed and recorded by hundreds of thousands of volunteer workers and patrons using the latest technology which gets better and better. This is one of the great evidences that this is the Lord’s work.
A primary responsibility of the temple presidency is to insure the workers are trained and ordinances are performed and recorded accurately, because if it is not recorded it is not done.
Power that records on earth and binds in heaven is a bold and unique doctrine – “Now the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loose in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven…” (D&C 128:8).
“It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of – a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to a man by actual revelation, or a set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it?” (D&C 128:9)
Testimony about the divine purpose of technology – I believe the Lord has revealed marvelous technology primarily for the purpose of building the kingdom of God on both sides of the veil. This certainly includes finding ancestors and performing and recording temple ordinances.
The great effort that is required to insure that every temple ordinance is properly performed and recorded is another evidence of the importance of temple service for those on the other side.
Temple patrons and workers have the remarkable privilege to be involved in this work. We know that those who serve in the temple see the Lord’s hand in all of it.