Defending Magic: Explaining The Necessity of Ordinances On their face, ordinances seem to be morally insignificant gestures that have meaning only insofar as they are symbolic. But, then, why would they be necessary for salvation? We will explore at least four separate theories, but I will argue that these theories are either (1) quite plausible, but do not explain the necessity of ordinances, or (2) adequately explain the necessity of ordinances, but fail the plausibility test. Two of these theories will receive special attention: the ‘psychological theory” which argues that ordinances affect our state of mind so as to make us more likely to do what is right, and the “contract theory” which suggests that ordinances are primarily the beginning of a contract between ourselves and God. Sponsor: Element: An E-Journal of Mormon Philosophy and Theology

R. Dennis Potter, Paul Montclair