Sacred rites and ceremonies. Ordinances consist of acts that have spiritual meanings. Ordinances can also mean God's laws and statutes.

Ordinances in the Church include administration to the sick (James 5: 14-15), blessing the sacrament (D&C 20: 77, 79), baptism by immersion (Matt. 3: 16; D&C 20: 72-74), blessing of children (D&C 20: 70), conferring the Holy Ghost (D&C 20: 68; 33: 15), conferring the priesthood (D&C 84: 6-16; 107: 41-52), temple ordinances (D&C 124: 39), and marriage in the new and everlasting covenant (D&C 132: 19-20).

Teach them ordinances and laws, Ex. 18: 20. Walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, Ezek. 11: 20. The people were strict in observing the ordinances of God, Alma 30: 3. What doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances? 3 Ne. 24: 13-14. He that prayeth and is contrite is accepted of me if he obeys mine ordinances, D&C 52: 14-19. All mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, A of F 1: 3.

Vicarious ordinance: A religious ordinance performed by a living person in behalf of one who is dead. These ordinances take effect only when those for whom the ordinances were performed accept them, keep the covenants associated with them, and become sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Such ordinances are performed today within temples.

What shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? 1 Cor. 15: 29. Baptisms for the dead are to be performed in temples, D&C 124: 29-36. The spirits in the spirit world were taught vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, D&C 138: 29-34.