The Family Of God

[JLHPROF]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625261/Sister-Stephens-The-family-is-of-God.html

Some rather interesting doctrines raised in Sister Stephens discourse tonight.

 

“God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be.”

“The Savior taught, ‘Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine,’ (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27). … God wants us to be one. He needs us to be one — covenant-keeping daughters united in the diversities of our individual lives who desire to learn all that is needed to be back in His presence, sealed to Him as part of His eternal family,” Sister Stephens said.

The ordinances and covenants made at baptism and in the temple connect the family of God.

 

I completely agree with this, but it's not often that being actually sealed to Christ is taught.  It is a fascinating doctrine connecting to the Adam-Ondi-Ahman council.  Not one that is usually discussed.  We seem to prefer to refer to our eventual connection with Christ in more ethereal terms.  Teaching the actual sealing of the family of man to Christ is pretty deep stuff.  Really good stuff too.

 

 

"Membership in the family of God is not contingent on any status - marital status, parental status, financial status...

 

While I 100% agree with this, it got me thinking.  Considering the sealing requirement taught in the previous quote, surely there is a status involved.  Some are sealed and connected, some are not.  SInce we are all God's spirit children, how does this sealing make us more a part of God's family.

In the next life, is there a difference between parents and children who are sealed for eternity and those who for whatever reason reject that ordinance?  Are they no longer parent/child in the eternities?  Do they just forget their relationships here (which some believe were formed in the premortal existence)?  What makes the true difference?  ETA:  Could it be "heirship" and "inheritance" that makes the difference?

Edited March 29, 2015 by JLHPROF

[ksfisher]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625261/Sister-Stephens-The-family-is-of-God.html

Some rather interesting doctrines raised in Sister Stephens discourse tonight.

 

 

I completely agree with this, but it's not often that being actually sealed to Christ is taught.  It is a fascinating doctrine connecting to the Adam-Ondi-Ahman council.  Not one that is usually discussed.  We seem to prefer to refer to our eventual connection with Christ in more ethereal terms.  Teaching the actual sealing of the family of man to Christ is pretty deep stuff.  Really good stuff too.

 

 

 

 

This seems to be the essence of what "taking upon us the name of Christ" means.

[Tacenda]

I missed the broadcast but started watching the taped version, for some reason it stopped playing, maybe some technical difficulties. But the very last thing that was discussed, scared me to death. She started talking about doubters and critics etc. So now I think the listening audience is going to be less understanding of doubters especially. But that's not what the OP is about. Just wanted to voice my concern. I'll be sure and watch when it's up and running.

[CV75]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625261/Sister-Stephens-The-family-is-of-God.html

Some rather interesting doctrines raised in Sister Stephens discourse tonight.

 

 

I completely agree with this, but it's not often that being actually sealed to Christ is taught.  It is a fascinating doctrine connecting to the Adam-Ondi-Ahman council.  Not one that is usually discussed.  We seem to prefer to refer to our eventual connection with Christ in more ethereal terms.  Teaching the actual sealing of the family of man to Christ is pretty deep stuff.  Really good stuff too.

 

 

While I 100% agree with this, it got me thinking.  Considering the sealing requirement taught in the previous quote, surely there is a status involved.  Some are sealed and connected, some are not.  SInce we are all God's spirit children, how does this sealing make us more a part of God's family.

In the next life, is there a difference between parents and children who are sealed for eternity and those who for whatever reason reject that ordinance?  Are they no longer parent/child in the eternities?  Do they just forget their relationships here (which some believe were formed in the premortal existence)?  What makes the true difference?  ETA:  Could it be "heirship" and "inheritance" that makes the difference?

I think the difference between members of God's family in relation to the "sealing" is related to the the kingdom they inherit. Those family members who a) have a sealing and b) whose sealing is ratified by the Holy Spirit of Promise will be exalted. The others will "enjoy that which they are willing to receive."

[BCSpace]

Marital status does indeed affect one's eligibility for Eternal Life.  Perhaps God's Family is the overall Celestial Kingdom.

[mfbukowski]

Marital status does indeed affect one's eligibility for Eternal Life.  Perhaps God's Family is the overall Celestial Kingdom.

I would say no "perhaps" about it.

Bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man is essentially "raising the kids to grow up to be just like Mom and Dad."

[DJBrown]

Interesting that the Book of Mormon teaches that the converse is true as well- that we may become "sealed" to Satan.

[Tacenda]

Interesting that the Book of Mormon teaches that the converse is true as well- that we may become "sealed" to Satan.

Chapter and verse please?

[JLHPROF]

Chapter and verse please?

 

It's here, but it's not the same kind of sealing in my opinion.

 

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 34:33 - 35)

 

[Tacenda]

It's here, but it's not the same kind of sealing in my opinion.

Sounds like hell to me!  So LDS do believe in hell fire and damnation.  When I hear otherwise in Conference or elsewhere it'll totally be so far removed from the truth. 

[Ahab]

The differences between the type of family connections we have with Christ are:

1 -Some are sealed to Christ through baptism which makes Christ our Father by adoption, and those who are not baptized and in that covenant relationship with Christ are sealed to him only through our common Father with Christ as only another brother in that Father's family.

2 - Some who are sealed to Christ are and will remain single with no sealing to a spouse which would enable them to have their own family unit within the family of Christ, and some are sealed to a spouse.

3 - Hmmm. I thought there was a 3. Maybe not.

[ksfisher]

The differences between the type of family connections we have with Christ are:

1 -Some are sealed to Christ through baptism which makes Christ our Father by adoption, and those who are not baptized and in that covenant relationship with Christ are sealed to him only through our common Father with Christ as only another brother in that Father's family.

2 - Some who are sealed to Christ are and will remain single with no sealing to a spouse which would enable them to have their own family unit within the family of Christ, and some are sealed to a spouse.

3 - Hmmm. I thought there was a 3. Maybe not.

We are not "sealed" to Christ through baptism. Baptism demonstrates our willingness to become part of Christ's family and to take His name upon us, but there is more.

"Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained that in renewing our baptismal covenants by partaking of the emblems of the sacrament, “we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. [Rather], we witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.) The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the [ultimate and] most important sense” (“Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1985, 81). The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and looks forward to the temple."

Honorably Hold a Name and Standing

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/honorably-hold-a-name-and-standing?lang=eng

Edited March 30, 2015 by ksfisher

[Mormonmaniac]

We do become the children of Christ through baptism.

[JLHPROF]

We do become the children of Christ through baptism.

 

No, we don't.  Read Kfisher's post above yours.  Also read the teachings of the other prophets.

We promise that we WILL become the Children of Christ.  Doesn't mean we are there yet.

However, the scriptures do say that we are foreordained to be such.

Edited March 30, 2015 by JLHPROF

[Mormonmaniac]

No, we don't.  Read Kfisher's post above yours.  Also read the teachings of the other prophets.

We promise that we WILL become the Children of Christ.  Doesn't mean we are there yet.

However, the scriptures do say that we are foreordained to be such.

We become the children of Christ at baptism and thus future heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. (Mosiah 5:7)

17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. (4 Nephi1:17)

[JLHPROF]

We become the children of Christ at baptism and thus future heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. (Mosiah 5:7)

17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. (4 Nephi1:17)

 

This does not imply any sealing to Christ but is certainly the first step.

[Mormonmaniac]

This does not imply any sealing to Christ but is certainly the first step.

We do not need to be sealed to someone in whom we are born of. Being such, there is no ceremony or covenant inside the temple that we make where we get uniquely sealed to Christ. Baptism is the process whereby we become born of God and at that moment become children of Christ.

[Ahab]

This does not imply any sealing to Christ but is certainly the first step.

A sealing is bound through a covenant, and a sealing can be loosed for several reasons and which would then make the covenant no longer binding.

Baptism includes confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and yes when we received that we are then bound in a covenant relationship as members of Christ's family with him as our Father through adoption.

The washing/annointing ordinance and the endowment are not sealings and a sealing to a spouse is not a prerequisite to having Christ as our Father.

What is it that YOU think is needed before we become the children of Christ?

Edited March 30, 2015 by Ahab

[JLHPROF]

We do not need to be sealed to someone in whom we are born of. Being such, there is no ceremony or covenant inside the temple that we make where we get uniquely sealed to Christ. Baptism is the process whereby we become born of God and at that moment become children of Christ.

 

D&C 76

50 And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.

55 They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things—

56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory;

57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son.

58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—

59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Then will they become gods, even the sons of God; then will they become eternal fathers, eternal mothers, eternal sons and eternal daughters; being eternal in their organization they go from glory to glory, from power to power; they will never cease to increase and to multiply, worlds without end. - Brigham Young

D&C 39

4 But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.

 

(Receive me - baptism, To become - future)

 

Look at all the things you need to be to be Sons of God/Christ.  Baptism is just number 1, giving you the opportunity to become.

You actually have to achieve exaltation to become an eternal son of Christ.

[JLHPROF]

What is it that YOU think is needed before we become the children of Christ?

 

Whatever ordinances are performed at the council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman.

 

In my opinion, and according to what I read from Joseph Smith, when all the dispensations and the entire human family is given (sealed) to Adam and he in turn gives them to Christ as his inheritance, making us all his for eternity.

Then the adoption to Christ is complete, the Church of the Firstborn has been given to Christ as his inheritance (where it was once Adam's), and those who dwell with him become his eternal sons and daughters.

[Ahab]

Whatever ordinances are performed at the council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman.

In my opinion, and according to what I read from Joseph Smith, when all the dispensations and the entire human family is given (sealed) to Adam and he in turn gives them to Christ as his inheritance, making us all his for eternity.

Then the adoption to Christ is complete, the Church of the Firstborn has been given to Christ as his inheritance (where it was once Adam's), and those who dwell with him become his eternal sons and daughters.

Distorted view, in my view, and I don't feel like arguing about it. I think it's kinda sad that you know so much about the gospel and yet don't think of Christ as your Father yet, which can only happen through a covenant/sealed relationship. Or do you just think you are, along with all the other members of Christ's church, while only the remainder of Adam's children are not yet?

[JLHPROF]

 I think it's kinda sad that you know so much about the gospel and yet don't think of Christ as your Father yet, which can only happen through a covenant/sealed relationship.

 

I think we just disagree about the point at which Christ becomes our Father.  Right now I have one Father in Heaven.  Christ has paid the price for my sins.  His reward will be to inherit me as his son if I accept him as my Savior and live his laws.  The only question is when that inheritance is bestowed.

I have no doubt Christ will become my Father as described in Alma and other scriptures.

Edited March 30, 2015 by JLHPROF

[ksfisher]

We do become the children of Christ through baptism.

 

Becoming a child of Christ (as you quoted from Mosiah) is different than being sealed to him (as in my response to Ahab).  The baptismal ordinance is only the beginning of the path that eventually leads to being sealed as an eternal family.

[JLHPROF]

Becoming a child of Christ (as you quoted from Mosiah) is different than being sealed to him (as in my response to Ahab).  The baptismal ordinance is only the beginning of the path that eventually leads to being sealed as an eternal family.

 

^^ This.  Baptism is step one.

[ksfisher]

Distorted view, in my view, and I don't feel like arguing about it. I think it's kinda sad that you know so much about the gospel and yet don't think of Christ as your Father yet, which can only happen through a covenant/sealed relationship. Or do you just think you are, along with all the other members of Christ's church, while only the remainder of Adam's children are not yet?

 

I think you've conflated accepting Christ as our Father and our example, and being willing to keep his commandments (which is the covenant we make at baptism); with the sealing relationship that exists between those who have been sealed up unto eternal life by the Holy Spirit of Promise.  

 

A covenant relationship does not necessarily equal sealed, but leads to it.