The Book of Genesis contains a story about Jacob’s dream of a ladder or staircase.

When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord. – Marion Romney

There are 6 ordinances in the gospel known as saving ordinances. These are the ordinances that an eligible person must receive to be “saved”. These are the 6 ordinances that are performed in the temple on behalf of deceased ancestors.

There are many other important gospel ordinances, but they are not required for salvation. For example, baby blessings are important but not essential. Even the Sacrament, which is our weekly chance to review our covenants, is not performed on behalf of the dead. It is very important for us, living in this sin-stained world, to make covenants afresh, but the Sacrament is not associated with a unique covenant needed for salvation.

The ordinances of salvation are:

Baptism

Confirmation

Ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (Oath and covenant of the priesthood)

Initiatory

Endowment

Sealing (New and Everlasting Covenant)

You’ll notice that these are grouped into 2 sets of 3 ordinances.

I like to call them chapel ordinances and temple ordinances.

In other words, the first three: baptism, confirmation and priesthood ordination are all available in the meetinghouse and all are required before we move on to temple ordinances.

The next three: initiatory, endowment and sealings are only done in the House of the Lord.

There are some parallels between each set of ordinances:

- Baptism and confirmation go hand in hand: Initiatory and endowment go together.

- Baptism is a ceremonial washing: Initiatory includes symbolic washing and anointing.

- Confirmation bestows the Gift of the Holy Ghost: Endowment is bestowed i.e., a great gift.

- Oath and covenant of the priesthood includes the promise that “all that my Father hath shall be given unto him* : The new and everlasting covenant includes the promise that they “shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths”

*By the way, only adult males are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, but the covenant extends to women and children. “Incredible blessings flow from this oath and covenant to worthy men, women and children in all the world,” (Russell M. Nelson) It is my opinion that "obtain the priesthood" means ordination, but "receive the priesthood" means much more, like preach the gospel, magnify callings and serve in the temple. These are performed by men and women alike. In the end, women become priestesses through the new and everlasting covenant.

So, as you visit the temple walk the stairs from the earth below up closer toward the presence of the Lord and review the covenants you have made and how you are keeping them and covenants you might still need to make and how you are preparing for them.

Also consider this: the stairs are a symbol of Jesus: “whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall” and “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”