Sealing, Not Just Man To Woman

[jana at jade house]

I am studying about sealing these days. 
I do understand the paramount importance of the temple work that offers every spirit progression in the Gospel, and the profound reason why we do vicarious work for our ancestors. Every spirit has the right of baptism, confirmation, and endowment.

I understand why a man and woman would desire to have their marriage be eternally sealed with respect to "becoming one" and learning to be one mind and one heart to function as Creators in their own eternity. I understand how it might be required working sideways.

But I can't find resources that help me understand in more than a superficial way why children are sealed to parents and families are required to be sealed generationally. In my understanding partners will be organizing their own worlds, children of those partners will be sealed to other partners in their own worlds. What need is there for linear sealing? 

I know it is a requirement based in Scripture that we all be "welded" one to another right on back to Adam. But "God said so" seems to be a little thin encouragement, although there are many instances where we do things because "I know not except that I was commanded."

Since there seems to be an inborn need of man to "know" where he came from and who he came from as evidenced by non-members family history work- even adopteds are urged by some force within to try and find their gene pool ancestors, there is some eternal "thing" going on here, I suspect.

But what is it? What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards?

[jana at jade house]

I don't know how this doubled. Gremlins, I guess.

[Boanerges]

I don't know the answer, either. Perhaps it is something we will come to understand later - part of that which is not yet revealed. There does seem to be a bit of a contradiction there, however.

[teddyaware]

Deleted

Edited August 19, 2014 by teddyaware

[CV75]

I am studying about sealing these days. 

I do understand the paramount importance of the temple work that offers every spirit progression in the Gospel, and the profound reason why we do vicarious work for our ancestors. Every spirit has the right of baptism, confirmation, and endowment.

I understand why a man and woman would desire to have their marriage be eternally sealed with respect to "becoming one" and learning to be one mind and one heart to function as Creators in their own eternity. I understand how it might be required working sideways.

But I can't find resources that help me understand in more than a superficial way why children are sealed to parents and families are required to be sealed generationally. In my understanding partners will be organizing their own worlds, children of those partners will be sealed to other partners in their own worlds. What need is there for linear sealing? 

I know it is a requirement based in Scripture that we all be "welded" one to another right on back to Adam. But "God said so" seems to be a little thin encouragement, although there are many instances where we do things because "I know not except that I was commanded."

Since there seems to be an inborn need of man to "know" where he came from and who he came from as evidenced by non-members family history work- even adopteds are urged by some force within to try and find their gene pool ancestors, there is some eternal "thing" going on here, I suspect.

But what is it? What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards?

I think it is because “that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.” (D&C 130:2), where that "coupling" principle is the sealing covenant. The relationships that build upon one another in this life also build upon one another in the next life. These relationships entail talents and unity, but most of all love and appreciation. I think they also entail an priesthood order that functions along family organization. So I don't think our work as exalted beings is confined merely to what we do with our sealed spouses.

[teddyaware]

One needs to look no further than the Patriarchal Godhead, comprised of our Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Mother and their Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to see that lineal sealing is an extremely important manifestation and component of the sealing power. Although the heavenly roles of celestial children, who are sealed to celestial parents, are not fully fleshed out at this time, the sealing of the Son of God to His Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother is a clear demonstration of the eternal importance of lineal sealing. Without the Son, God could not at all function as God. Within the Godhead, there must be a lineal sealing of Son to Father in order for the eternal purposes of God to move forward. And so we read:

6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time. (2 Nephi 11)

In like manner, I also fully expect to learn that in ways not yet revealed, the exalted will need their sealed children at their side in order to be able to function as heavenly parents.

One must also remember that there is a chain of command within the Patriarchal order, with the younger children being placed in subjection of authority to the priesthood position held by the older members of that holy familial order. So within the celestial patriarchal priesthood structure, the younger members of the order are eternally in subjection to and dependent upon the priesthood authority of their immediate father and grandfathers who came before them.

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of order. All are in subjection to some and all also preside over others. So the welding links that enable God's children to become one divine family are not just welding links of mutual love and devotion, but they are links of priesthood authority as well; conduits of priesthood power that make the family members entirely dependent on one another for their own positions of priesthood power and authority.

 

The reason why Adam holds the keys of the presidency within the patriarchal priesthood order is because he is our oldest grandfather and, world's without end, He will always preside within the branch of the heavenly family that resides on this earth. If I dare. heavenly families are not just institutions of family love and mutual appreciation, but they are also heavenly councils of priesthood power, line authority and established interdependent order that enable each member of the family to be fully empowered with all the eternal fullness of the gifts and powers of God.
 

Edited August 19, 2014 by teddyaware

[halconero]

As teddyware said, the patriarchal order is the ideal organization of the Church. There are scriptures which indicate that the Celestial Church of the Firstborn, or even the Terrestrial Church present during the Millennium will be organized along family lines, thereby leaving Adam & Eve as the presidency of the Church by virtue of their parenthood. By sealing parents to children, and children to parents we aren't just binding families, but organizing the structure of the heavenly church. This is of such vital importance that the scriptures say that were it not for this sealing the earth would be destroyed without purpose.

 

On a second note, exaltation is primarily based on the ability to grow and obtain a Kingdom. To be a King in the Kingdom of God requires subjects over which the monarch can reign and rule. And who will be these subjects? The children of the King and his Queen. It was actually a big reason why polygamy was preached as essential to exaltation for a long time, as it would allow a King to increase his seed and thereby the boundaries of his Kingdom. While polygamy is no longer preached as being essential to exaltation, the principle remains which says that a man and a wife can reign in Heaven only by virtue of their children.

[ERayR]

I am studying about sealing these days. 

I do understand the paramount importance of the temple work that offers every spirit progression in the Gospel, and the profound reason why we do vicarious work for our ancestors. Every spirit has the right of baptism, confirmation, and endowment.

I understand why a man and woman would desire to have their marriage be eternally sealed with respect to "becoming one" and learning to be one mind and one heart to function as Creators in their own eternity. I understand how it might be required working sideways.

But I can't find resources that help me understand in more than a superficial way why children are sealed to parents and families are required to be sealed generationally. In my understanding partners will be organizing their own worlds, children of those partners will be sealed to other partners in their own worlds. What need is there for linear sealing? 

I know it is a requirement based in Scripture that we all be "welded" one to another right on back to Adam. But "God said so" seems to be a little thin encouragement, although there are many instances where we do things because "I know not except that I was commanded."

Since there seems to be an inborn need of man to "know" where he came from and who he came from as evidenced by non-members family history work- even adopteds are urged by some force within to try and find their gene pool ancestors, there is some eternal "thing" going on here, I suspect.

But what is it? What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards?

 

So that those who belong will be connected (sealed) to God (our fathers) family.  Exaltation is a family affair.

[jana at jade house]

 

 

 the principle remains which says that a man and a wife can reign in Heaven only by virtue of their children.

I always understood that to mean their organized spirit children of the future not the born in the flesh children of th now who in any event hopefully who will be off with their own spouses creating their own worlds.

[Ahab]

Since there seems to be an inborn need of man to "know" where he came from and who he came from as evidenced by non-members family history work- even adopteds are urged by some force within to try and find their gene pool ancestors, there is some eternal "thing" going on here, but what is it?

What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards

The power of the ordinance is in what it symbolizes, so think about what it means to be sealed and why the parties do it. One party, God, on one side of the covenant, offers to do something if the other party will agree and abide by the terms, including doing the ordinance work which symbolizes and "binds" the agreement for both parties. In simple contract language, the one who makes an offer is legally bound to uphold his (or her) part of the deal if the other party agrees to the offer, and the ordinance work is basically the "red tape" the 2nd party has been asked to go through to "seal" the deal, actually showing an acceptance of the offer. I suppose God could just as well have asked that we simply sign a piece of paper, as many do for contracts here on this Earth, or he could have even said just say "Yes" in your mind and I will accept that as your agreement, but he apparently wanted a more elaborate act. Anyway, as I said, the ordinance work is just a formality, and the power is in showing that we accept what is offered. And why is it offered? Because God wants to always be connected to us, if we want that connection. Edited August 19, 2014 by Ahab

[Ahab]

I always understood that to mean their organized spirit children of the future not the born in the flesh children of th now who in any event hopefully who will be off with their own spouses creating their own worlds.

He wants the connection to us forever, not just until we are also exalted and then it's just "Buh bye, take care of yourselves now, I'm glad you're finally out of my hair now!!!"

[Crypto]

Speculating here:

Could it in part be so sealed children who don't get sealed to a spouse are given an opportunity for a higher glory? (Not taking into account any millennial doings)

Do we not all need the help of others to achieve any form of resurrection and exaltation? Christ being the foundation of it all.

[ERayR]

I always understood that to mean their organized spirit children of the future not the born in the flesh children of th now who in any event hopefully who will be off with their own spouses creating their own worlds.

 

It comes from an understanding that our immediate Father in Heaven is not the only one creating, howbeit the only one we have to do with.

[Ahab]

It comes from an understanding that our immediate Father in Heaven is not the only one creating, howbeit the only one we have to do with.

The word God refers to our kind of being,.not just our Father who is in heaven, and we all have something to do with the kind of being we are. We're just supposed to not put any of our brothers and sisters before our Father, in importance.

[ERayR]

The word God refers to our kind of being,.not just our Father who is in heaven, and we all have something to do with the kind of being we are. We're just supposed to not put any of our brothers and sisters before our Father, in importance.

Didn't say that.

[VideoGameJunkie]

The sealing of children to parents is one of the most wonderful things that can be done. I hope to one day be sealed to my parents, along with my brother. But first, my dad has to join the church.

[cdowis]

How do you think the celestial kingdom will be organized --> stakes and wards?  How is membership in the organizational unit determined, who will be the leader.

 

Give it some thought and I think you can figure it out.

[JAHS]

My daughter who I am sealed to, who is sealed to her husband and children are living in my house now and they don't have plans to leave any time soon. Can I expect it to be any different in the Celestial Kingdom?

[Guest]

I am studying about sealing these days. I do understand the paramount importance of the temple work that offers every spirit progression in the Gospel, and the profound reason why we do vicarious work for our ancestors. Every spirit has the right of baptism, confirmation, and endowment.I understand why a man and woman would desire to have their marriage be eternally sealed with respect to "becoming one" and learning to be one mind and one heart to function as Creators in their own eternity. I understand how it might be required working sideways.But I can't find resources that help me understand in more than a superficial way why children are sealed to parents and families are required to be sealed generationally. In my understanding partners will be organizing their own worlds, children of those partners will be sealed to other partners in their own worlds. What need is there for linear sealing? I know it is a requirement based in Scripture that we all be "welded" one to another right on back to Adam. But "God said so" seems to be a little thin encouragement, although there are many instances where we do things because "I know not except that I was commanded."Since there seems to be an inborn need of man to "know" where he came from and who he came from as evidenced by non-members family history work- even adopteds are urged by some force within to try and find their gene pool ancestors, there is some eternal "thing" going on here, I suspect.But what is it? What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards?

Children are sealed to parents because someday they will marry, also a Joseph taught that if parents keep their covenants, if children stray, they will have to pay for their sins, but will one day be returned to us.

[Crypto]

It is the connectedness of the human family that seems important.

[VideoGameJunkie]

I wish I could seal my cats to me. I wanna be with them forever as well.

[Calm]

If they give you joy, I see no reason why they won't be in heaven. I find it hard to believe that relationships that are good here won't be continued in the next life. Just think what gardeners will be able to do with their loved plants. God has dominion over all beasts...makes sense to me this means in the eternities as well as mortality. How sterile a world would be with just human life and not the glory of flora and fauna.

[wenglund]

It is the connectedness of the human family that seems important.

 

...and to me that connectedness goes beyond the symbolic or even the genetic/genealogical to a tangible spiritual connection, where those who are sealed are literally in some respects eternally a part of each other--our family members are in us and we in them in the Lord  In a rudamentary way, it is akin to "the force" as depicted in Star Wars.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[ERayR]

If they give you joy, I see no reason why they won't be in heaven. I find it hard to believe that relationships that are good here won't be continued in the next life. Just think what gardeners will be able to do with their loved plants. God has dominion over all beasts...makes sense to me this means in the eternities as well as mortality. How sterile a world would be with just human life and not the glory of flora and fauna.

 

I think it was President McKay who used to say he was looking forward to having his favorite horse again.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

But what is it? What does the sealing bond do backwards and forwards?

I had this same question. Not sure of the answer. I always said, "what is the end game for all of these sealings" What do they actually do. I get the husband/wife thing. But beyond that I am not sure.