Sealings

[wenglund]

I posed a question yesterday in Elder's Quorum that has also been echoed here by the ever provocative and thoughtful Lamanite, in which we both wanted to know what sealings mean for us. What do we get from being sealed to our parents and children?

Lamanite and I would like to get your insights, though in a way respectful of board rules regarding temple material.

One of the points raised during my Elder's Quarum discussion was the distinction drawn between being "sealed up" rather than "sealed to", which I found to be interesting.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[jadams_4242]

I posed a question yesterday in Elder's Quorum that has also been echoed here by the ever provocative and thoughtful Lamanite, in which we both wanted to know what sealings mean for us. What do we get from being sealed to our parents and children?

Lamanite and I would like to get your insights, though in a way respectful of board rules regarding temple material.

One of the points raised during my Elder's Quarum discussion was the distinction drawn between being "sealed up" rather than "sealed to", which I found to be interesting.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Im not quite sure i understand the question, do we not understand what a sealing does?

[Sparty]

There seems to be two effects of sealings...which by this I mean those ordinances sealed by the holy spirit of promise.

1. The personal effect which creates a knowledge that a relationship or covenant is eternal rather than temporary.

2. The macro effect which I don't really understand well. But we read in the scriptures that the earth would be burned without sealings and that the sealing power causes hearts to turn towards each other. There is something about this eternal promise that creates both protection and compassion in the world.

That's about the depth of my sealing knowledge.

Sparty

[Ahman]

The question might be asked, what does it do for Israel to be tied to Abraham? Since when we are discussing sealings we are actually talking about the patriarchal priesthood.

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation); then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Abr. 2:6-11; D&C 132:29-50.)

The portions of the Abrahamic covenant which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage. This blessing includes the fact that the literal seed of the body will be entitled to the blessings of the gospel, the priesthood, celestial marriage, and eternal life. That is to say that these things will be made available to them

Those married in the temple in th enew and everlasting covenant of marriage become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isacc, and Jacob and all the patriarchs and thereby enter into the patriarchal order. If the participating parties abide in the eternal marriage covenant, they shall reap the full blessings of patriarchal heirship in eternity where the patriarchal order will be the order of government and rule. The Lords government being family centered. A perfect theocratic, patriarchal system.

[lostindc]

2

[wenglund]

Im not quite sure i understand the question, do we not understand what a sealing does?

I don't know about you, but Lamanite and I are looking to get a more indepth understanding of what sealings may entail--in the afterlife if not in this life as well.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[charity's child]

One of the GAs talked about sealings and the temporal blessings in the 2007 October conference, IIRC. That's what prompted me to get into gear on getting my cancellation of sealings so my husband and I could be sealed to each other. It occurred to me I was both denying our marriage an extra blessing and denying my husband the eternal as well as temporal blessings of sealings. I do not recall what he said, just that I wanted it.

[Lamanite]

You know, I've been thinking a lot about sealing's lately. I really don't know what a "sealing" really is, or what it's implications actually are.

I know that my wife and I have felt a very powerful influence in our marriage that has bound us together when it seemed Earth and Hell would tear us apart; is that what a sealing is about?

If everyone you know and are related to made it to the Celestial Kingdom, wouldn't we be "Together Forever" anyway without the sealing.

Thoughts?

Lamanite

P.S. Sealed up and Sealed to either have directional and object differentiations or its a distinction without a difference. Or you know something I don't know.

[captain-jack]

While I don't have any scripture to back this up, I'll give my opinion.

I find that a sealing is a way that we invoke an eternal law that brings two people far closer (in my opinion) than a traditional marriage. I have recently been without my wife for a few days, and I cannot convey how much I am falling apart without her. That is not to say someone who is not sealed cannot miss their loved one as much as I, but I took comfort thinking that if this were a more lasting separation, I would not be without her when I leave the earth.

I also think the sealing provides a degree of protection and guidance in life, but those reasons are more to do with what happened at my sealing so I won't go into that.

[wenglund]

I appreciate the several illuminating responses thus far. However, I am still a bit uncertain about the interconnections between sealings and the covenant of eternal marriage, the patriarchal priesthood, the blessings of Abraham, the spirit of promise, more sure word of prophecy, etc.

Even more so, I am not entirely sure what connotation of the word "seal" is intended. If you look up the word "seal" in ]Merriam-Webster's online dictionary under"noun", you find the following:

1 a: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure : guarantee , assurance b (1): a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document (2): a medallion or ring face bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed on wax or moist clay ; also : a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression c: an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision d: a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package ; especially : one given in a fund-raising campaign

2 a: something that secures (as a wax seal on a document) b: a closure that must be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering c (1): a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water) (2): a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container

3: a seal that is a symbol or mark of office.

I am just curious, when the word "seal" or "sealed" or "sealings" are used in reference to eternal marriage throughout the scriptures and within Church publications, which of these connotations do you interpret as applicable? Why?

Again, it is not uncommon to see these words used in connection with the word "up" ("seal them up to Eternal Life," "seal up unto life", "seal up the law", "sealed up unto the day of redemption," etc.) or "upon" ("I seal upon you your exaltation"). I am wondering if this may provide some clue as to the intended connotation?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Ahman]

Joseph liked to use the term "Weld" or "Welded" when refering to sealings.

Think of it this way. When you are baptised and made a member of Christs church, his name is sealed upon you and you are his. He therefore has claim on you and can present you before the father and state whether or not you have borne his name in honor.

When you are married in the Temple you are sealing your family name upon your wife. Also your children borne under this covenant have your family name sealed upon them.

Adam named all of creation, and he also named Eve. Therefore when Adam fell, all of creation fell. His name was sealed upon all of creation and it was his.

Does that help?

[wenglund]

Joseph liked to use the term "Weld" or "Welded" when refering to sealings....Does that help?

Yes, that does help. Each new aspect you and others have mentioned has brought me welcomed insights.

In pondering last night for some time, I got the sense that with ordinances like eternal marriage, that multiple layers of sealings/welds may be involved. For example, with temple marriage the husband and wife are sealed/welded to each other by way of:

1) The husband and wife entering into an eternal covenant with each other. This, to me, is a contractual sealing.

2) The wife takes eternally upon her the name of the husband. This, to me, is a familial sealing.

3) The couple receive the marital ordinance at the hands of a duly authorized priesthood holder, who binds in heaven that which is bound on earth. This, to me, is an authoritative human sealing.

4) The marriage may be confirmed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. This, to me, is a divine sealing.

5) And, one that has yet to be mentioned on this thread, the husband and wife may become one flesh through the procreation of children. This, to me, is a genetic sealing.

The same may be true, in part, with other ordinances, like baptism. Through baptism we are contractually sealed by entering into a covenant with Christ. We are sealed familialy by taking upon us his name. We are sealed by human authority when the ordinance of baptism is performed by those duly authorize by God. We are divinely sealed through the ordinance of receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. And, we are genetically sealed through having been born of Christ and his wife, the Church, through birth of the water and spirit.

When I get another moment, I will attempt to explain why I think it is important to deliniate each of these layers of sealings, and what they each may respectively mean for those who have undergone sacred ordinances. Specifically, I wish to examine what may happen in the eternities if some or all of the seals are either broken or are not applied. My intent being, to demonstrate the potential value in becoming a member of the restored gospel of Christ, and continuing faithfully to grow therein through receiving various sealing ordinances.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Lamanite]

2) The wife takes eternally upon her the name of the husband. This, to me, is a familial sealing.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Maybe a little more on this one. I have some ideas from Pres. Faust and Pres Packer that give additional substance to the "together forever" concept. Hit you up later Wade.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[John Larsen]

It is an appealing idea, probably one of the most appealing of the Church. I however, have always viewed it through the lense of romantic love and parent/child love. Both of which are powerful influences in today's culture. However, I have trouble reconciling the romantic idea of my family with the teachings of Joseph/Brigham/Orson/Taylor/Woodruff/Kimball et al.

[Lightbearer]

It is an interesting doctrine and is multilayered. The symbolism is incredible, let me begin by quoting the following:

(D&C 128:17-18) "And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or otherâ??and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."

Now if we think about it, the entire Gospel plan is about the great family of God. We are all the children of God, through the fall we became "disinherited" so to speak. Jesus our elder brother is the firstborn of our heavenly family, as the firstborn he gathers up the rest of those children who will obey the Father and hearken to His voice. All of the scriptures that we have begin talking about a family: Adam & Eve, Mary and Joseph, Lehi and Sariah, even the D&C in the first section that was received:

(D&C 2:1-3) "BEHOLD, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

The Gospel is about families and it is important that we think of our salvation and exaltation in terms of our families. Although all of our children may not desire their inheritance (much like Lucifer did not and the third that followed him) that sealing power is available and is connected to all of the ordinances of the Gospel, even baptism represents a re-birth... we are born again into the family of God. We are adopted as His children. We have a birthright to live up to, if we do not sell that for a "mess of pottage" then we will inherit what God had wanted us to inherit from before the foundations of the earth. Now to those "born under the covenant" they are "genetically sealed" to their parents who are sealed to God. If they live up to this divine birthright they will be spiritually sealed to their parents. Those not born under the covenant are sealed by the authority of the priesthood and they are "adopted" under the covenant. Just as the Gentiles "blood is changed" so also they are just as much "genetically" connected and spiritually connected as those born under the covenant. I was sealed to my parents at age 11 or 12, and am grateful for that blessed opportunity for I was able to see the beauty of the Temple and the sacred ordinances myself. My son whom we adopted was sealed to us at age 4 and I know the memory of that will always be with him. No wonder the prophets exclaimed:

(D&C 128:19-24) "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them! And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophetsâ??the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times! And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope! Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers! Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refinerâ??s fire, and like fullerâ??s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."

[wenglund]

Maybe a little more on this one. I have some ideas from Pres. Faust and Pres Packer that give additional substance to the "together forever" concept. Hit you up later Wade. Big UP! Lamanite

I look forward to it.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[wenglund]

It is an appealing idea, probably one of the most appealing of the Church. I however, have always viewed it through the lense of romantic love and parent/child love. Both of which are powerful influences in today's culture. However, I have trouble reconciling the romantic idea of my family with the teachings of Joseph/Brigham/Orson/Taylor/Woodruff/Kimball et al.

To some degree I had the same problem, that is until I realized the flip side of what you suggest, that the notion of romantic love (and to a much lesser degree parent/child love) is a product of cultural influence and may currently have little resemblence to the kind of Christ-like love that God may intend as the end objective of eternal marriage, families, and his restored gospel. When I began to shift the orientation of my assessment from romantic to Christ-like love, the reconciliation came quite easily.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[krose]

I don't see any reason why a couple who both end up in the Terrestrial Kingdom would be any less "together forever" than their CK counterparts. Just without the reproducing, which I assume they would not desire to anyway.

[wenglund]

It is an interesting doctrine and is multilayered. The symbolism is incredible, let me begin by quoting the following:Now if we think about it, the entire Gospel plan is about the great family of God. We are all the children of God, through the fall we became "disinherited" so to speak. Jesus our elder brother is the firstborn of our heavenly family, as the firstborn he gathers up the rest of those children who will obey the Father and hearken to His voice. All of the scriptures that we have begin talking about a family: Adam & Eve, Mary and Joseph, Lehi and Sariah, even the D&C in the first section that was received: The Gospel is about families and it is important that we think of our salvation and exaltation in terms of our families. Although all of our children may not desire their inheritance (much like Lucifer did not and the third that followed him) that sealing power is available and is connected to all of the ordinances of the Gospel, even baptism represents a re-birth... we are born again into the family of God. We are adopted as His children. We have a birthright to live up to, if we do not sell that for a "mess of pottage" then we will inherit what God had wanted us to inherit from before the foundations of the earth. Now to those "born under the covenant" they are "genetically sealed" to their parents who are sealed to God. If they live up to this divine birthright they will be spiritually sealed to their parents. Those not born under the covenant are sealed by the authority of the priesthood and they are "adopted" under the covenant. Just as the Gentiles "blood is changed" so also they are just as much "genetically" connected and spiritually connected as those born under the covenant. I was sealed to my parents at age 11 or 12, and am grateful for that blessed opportunity for I was able to see the beauty of the Temple and the sacred ordinances myself. My son whom we adopted was sealed to us at age 4 and I know the memory of that will always be with him. No wonder the prophets exclaimed:

Those were some excellent comments and quotes, and I agree that this issue can be very exciting. That is why I am so pleased to see the welcomed level of activity on this thread--though I would also value a broader spectrum of participation.

Yes, to me as well it is about families. However, even more fundamentally, I believe that each of the multilayers of sealings are encompassed under a single notion. The weld or bonding agent or metaphysical glue that will ultimately bind us all together is Christ-like love (I must credit John Larsen for prompting this thought). That is what to me it essentially means to be sealed, and to me is what the restored gospel is essentially about.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[wenglund]

I don't see any reason why a couple who both end up in the Terrestrial Kingdom would be any less "together forever" than their CK counterparts. Just without the reproducing, which I assume they would not desire to anyway.

When I get the time, I hope to explore more indepth this position. I have no doubt that there will be at least some measure of "togetherness" even for couples who inherit the telestial kingdom. And, I believe that it will be a measure of "togetherness" that is, in some ways, suitable to the couple. It just that it may lack the same appealing measures of "togetherness" that may occur within the higher kingdoms.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Lamanite]

Wade,

I always think of this quote in terms of Faust and Packer because that is where I first learned of it, but it actually belongs to Orson F. Whitney who was quoting Joseph Smith:

â??The Prophet Joseph Smith declaredâ??and he never taught more comforting doctrineâ??that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving fatherâ??s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.â? In Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110.

Apparently the sealing power also has redemptive power. I'm interested in your thoughts on this.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[Notquitewetyet]

Wade,

I always think of this quote in terms of Faust and Packer because that is where I first learned of it, but it actually belongs to Orson F. Whitney who was quoting Joseph Smith:

Apparently the sealing power also has redemptive power. I'm interested in your thoughts on this.

Big UP!

Lamanite

This creates a conundrum. In LDS theology, pretty much the only way to sin against the Holy Ghost is to be a Saint who has had their calling and election made sure (and no doubt many of them are sealed to their parents). But we know that that sin cannot be forgiven. So what happens if a sealed child grows up and sins against the Holy Ghost?

[Lamanite]

This creates a conundrum. In LDS theology, pretty much the only way to sin against the Holy Ghost is to be a Saint who has had their calling and election made sure (and no doubt many of them are sealed to their parents). But we know that that sin cannot be forgiven. So what happens if a sealed child grows up and sins against the Holy Ghost?

Perhaps God's omniscience takes care of the conundrum.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[wenglund]

Apparently the sealing power also has redemptive power. I'm interested in your thoughts on this. Big UP! Lamanite

Your powerful quote and conclusions provide a great segue into my thoughts in response to Krose on the possibility of varying degrees of "togetherness" in the hearafter--even apart from temple marriage.

Earlier in the thread I introduced the idea that there are multiple layers of sealings.

If I am right, the question may then be asked: "what purpose is served by having so many layers of welds?"

Well, captain-jack viewed the sealings as envoking eternal laws and providing protection and guidance. Sparty pointed out that the sealings act to protect and empower us. Lightbearer reitereated these points and went on to mention that the sealings turn our hearts towards each other.

This suggests to me that the sealings (individually and collectively) act as a means to some end or ends.

But, what end or ends?

You mentioned redemption, while Ahman mentioned personal exaltation and eternal increase and the blessings of Abraham, charitychild mentioned temporal blessings, krose brought up the notion of "togetherness", and captain-jack intimated the prospects of greater closeness through temple marriage. Both John Larsen and I drew distinctions between romantic love and Christ-like love, and Lightbearer pointed out that it is all about families, victory, and freedom.

To me, within these suppositions is an implied spectrum of ends that span from limited temporal blessings to an inheritance of all that is Gods, from partial redemption to full exaltation, from some semblance of "togetherness' to complete "togetherness", from infatuation to Christ-like love.

If this is so, then given the corralation between the means and the ends, then it seems reasonable to conclude that the more mutliple sealings, the more full and complete the ends, and vice-versa. In other words, in order to reach the ultimate end of becoming like Christ in love, joy, and personal character and nature, requires that we be welded together through covenant sealings and familial sealings and authoritative human sealings and divine sealings and genetic/adoptive sealings. The absense of any one or more of these sealings will expectedly result in a less full and complete end.

So, logically, if people are not sealed in multiple ways to Christ through authoratative baptism, or these multiple sealings are broken through apostacy; and if they are not welded in multiple ways to their progenitors, spouses, and posterity through temple marriage and sealings, or these multiple weldings are broken however; they may still have some measure of "togetherness" and "love" in this life and in the hearafter--and this resulting from covenant and familial sealings for time and genetic/adoptive sealings for eternity, but they cannot attain a fullness of "togetherness" and Christ-like love. Their familial relations will be limited, and lack eternal increase in various ways.

This limited end may be suitable to and even preferred by some people, and that is their choice. It is just that Christ has provided a way for every one of God's children to have much more, and even have all that is his, if they so desire and will but receive the multiple sealings required thereof.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Lamanite]

You're thoughts may also provide insight into Joseph's desire to be linked to many families through non Romantic sealings, no?

Big UP!

Lamanite