Rivers Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 I’m still a bit confused about the doctrine of sealing. I understand that sealing extends marital status into eternity. But what is it that keeps couples apart if they are not sealed? The doctrine of sealing has to mean a lot more than simply “being together.” There’s got to be better language to discuss this doctrine.
MustardSeed Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 I don’t think that we know enough to be able to speak on it more clearly 2
Fether Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 6 minutes ago, Rivers said: I’m still a bit confused about the doctrine of sealing. I understand that sealing extends marital status into eternity. But what is it that keeps couples apart if they are not sealed? The doctrine of sealing has to mean a lot more than simply “being together.” There’s got to be better language to discuss this doctrine. I’ve always looked at “eternal families” the same way God explains “eternal punishment”. Eternal is synonymous with the word “God’s”. Eternal family is “God’s Family”. I can’t imagine I’ll be able to hangout with everyone in the terrestrial kingdom except those that are blood related
JLHPROF Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 Loved that line. Disagreed with most of what he said about ordinances. 10 minutes ago, Rivers said: But what is it that keeps couples apart if they are not sealed? Law. It's not a proximity rule. It's about not being united in an eternal union.
Calm Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Fether said: I can’t imagine I’ll be able to hangout with everyone in the terrestrial kingdom except those that are blood related Why not?
Fether Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Calm said: Why not? So I can go for a terrestrial hike with my buddy steve who I was best friends with for 80 years, but I can’t go on a terrestrial hike with the person I was civilly married to for 30? Edited October 3, 2021 by Fether
Calm Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) Guess I need to listen to the talk, because my current response is why can’t you do both? added: I misread your comment as saying you could only hang out with blood relatives. More or less phrased out on the “I can’t imagine” bit. Sorry for the confusion. I definitely agree that we will not be limited to blood relatives. Edited October 3, 2021 by Calm
Stargazer Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) My understanding of sealing between husband and wife is that it is for the purpose of exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom, followed by going on to have eternal increase as Heavenly Father and Mother have it. And if that exaltation does not occur for a couple together, then the sealing is not operative. If one had a best friend in life, and you both are worthy of the Terrestrial Kingdom, then you'll be able to carry on that relationship in eternity -- you're brothers or sisters, after all, children of the same Heavenly Parents. There's no restriction on that friendship -- it continues. DC 130:2 - And 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. If there is a couple who were married to each other in life, but either one or the other or both were unworthy of exaltation, then their marriage ends at death, regardless of any sealing ordinance that may have taken place. Does this separate them in sociality in eternity? Of course not. Love continues, as does friendship. But they are not together as eternal husband and wife. That's my understanding. I don't know this with a great degree of detailed certainty, only with a small degree. But I am not guessing, but taking from what I read in DC 132:7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead. The key here is "made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise". There are two parts to this: made and entered into sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise Part 1 is done in the temple. Part 2 occurs after the parties to the covenant have endured faithful to the end. Full efficacy requires both. A couple who do not endure to the end and were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus cannot enter into the Celestial Kingdom. Therefore, the Holy Spirit of Promise cannot ratify their union. Can they remain best or close friends in the hereafter? Of course they can. But their marital union here doesn't survive to the hereafter. What precisely did they have here that they won't have there? I have no idea. But one thing I'm certain of is this: they will have no post-resurrection spirit offspring, and without that their relationship will not be of the same character. Edited October 3, 2021 by Stargazer
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