Final answer:
The practice of performing ordinances for ancestors is rooted in religious beliefs about the afterlife and spiritual assistance. Historical traditions have always included rituals connecting the living with the deceased, and some branches of Christianity believe in offering sacraments to ancestors who lacked the opportunity in life, based on the communal nature of their priesthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of performing ordinances for ancestors in various religious traditions often stems from beliefs concerning the afterlife and spiritual assistance. For example, ancient practices mentioned in the LibreTexts show rituals such as offering food, flowers, and incense in the chapel for the benefit of the deceased in the afterlife. Similarly, royal and elite statuary could be used as intermediates between the living and the gods. This demonstrates a historical pattern where traditions maintain a connection with deceased ancestors, sometimes through physical rituals or offerings to impart spiritual benefits or maintain cosmic balance.
Indeed, the quoted manuscripts discuss religious beliefs on the importance of balance between life and death, and how the living relate to the dead through rituals. This can be seen in streams of Christianity as well, where certain denominations believe that performing sacramental rituals can retroactively confer grace upon those who did not have the chance to receive it during their lifetimes. This idea is based on interpretations of church teachings that emphasize a communal priesthood and could potentially extend sacraments beyond physical life on earth.
The belief that the dead require assistance from the living persists in many religious traditions. It underscores a universal human concern with the fate of the soul and the responsibilities of the living towards their ancestors. While the specifics of rituals and beliefs vary, the underlying connection between the dead and the living is a common thread across cultures and time.