I have always sought to be precise when performing priesthood ordinances and I’m sure the Lord appreciates that but what the Lord desires much more than precision is pure intention. The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind. It is those with clean hands and a pure heart who honestly strive to make and keep covenants who will have a clear path to exaltation.
We are regularly cautioned at the temple to avoid becoming casual in our administration of ordinances. We are also taught to assume in all cases that the patrons are doing the best they can (even in those cases where we need to correct something). Taken together those things are clear evidence that the Lord far prefers the earnest, stumbling, even disabled performance of ordinances over the perfect, polished, rote performance without thought.
Today as I went through the veil I felt a kindred spirit with the receiver who seemed to approach the ordinance with the same mix of precision and intention that I try to maintain. I could feel heavenly approval of an ordinance where everyone involved—regardless of their role—was earnestly engaged. As I got to the patriarchal grip I could hardly speak because of the emotion from feeling that divine smile. It was like graduating from a larval stage to a new stage of growth. I hesitate to say an adult stage because there may be new stages still ahead but it was definitely a quantum step forward.
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