What does being "Sealed" mean?

[MichaelCraig]

Please explain what being "sealed" means. Is it something that just pertains to blood family members and if so do all members have to be of Mormom faith in order to be sealed? Thanks in advance for any and all guidance and replies.

[pam]

One example would be marriage. As you know, civil marriages are considered "till death do us part." Marriages or sealings performed in an LDS temple are considered for time and all eternity. You are "sealing" that couple for eternity.

This would also pertain to any children. Those children born to a couple who have already been sealed to each other are considered to be sealed or as we call it "Born in the covenant (BIC). But for those parents who were sealed after their civil marriage, children can be taken to the temple to be sealed to their parents. This makes their family (if they live worthily) to also be sealed for all eternity.

In answer to your question as to whether you must be of the Mormon faith. Yes. Only those who are worthy and hold a temple recommend (adults) can have these sacred ordinances done in one of our temples.

[MichaelCraig]

Thanks Pam, and if we are not sealed does that mean we will not be together in Heaven?

[pam]

I will admit Michael, I don't have all the answers as to how everything will work in our next life; but my understanding is we will not be together united as a family if we do not have these sealings or ordinances done.

Perhaps someone else can chime in and offer their understandings.

[pam]

Also let me add one thing. We believe one of the requirements to receive the "highest glory" in the celestial kingdom is to be sealed to our spouse. To enter into that sacred covenant.

[hordak]

In answer to your question as to whether you must be of the Mormon faith. Yes. Only those who are worthy and hold a temple recommend (adults) can have these sacred ordinances done in one of our temples.

Should add on this side. There are plenty, of people who have been sealed after death who have never been Mormon.

In fact non Mormons will out number Members because of the ordinances done for the dead.

[pam]

That's true hordak. I just didn't want to try to explain too much more until we got some of the basics down as he was asking.

But thanks for clarifying that. It's important to know.

[Just_A_Guy]

Originally Posted by MichaelCraig

Thanks Pam, and if we are not sealed does that mean we will not be together in Heaven?

Personally, I don't think so. We talk about the sealing enabling families to be "together forever", but I think that's a little bit simplistic and, therefore (unintentionally) misleading. The "sealing" means that I continue to be my father's son, and my sister's brother, and my children's father; with all the rights and privileges that those roles would entail.

In this life I interact daily with people who are not part of my family unit; and I've seen no compelling argument--even within Mormonism--that things would be any different in the eternities. Indeed, Joseph Smith himself taught (before the restoration of the sealing ordinance, it is true) that the same sociality that exists here, will exist in the eternities.

[Honor]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Guy

In this life I interact daily with people who are not part of my family unit; and I've seen no compelling argument--even within Mormonism--that things would be any different in the eternities. Indeed, Joseph Smith himself taught (before the restoration of the sealing ordinance, it is true) that the same sociality that exists here, will exist in the eternities.

Thanks for bringing this up. I need to research it more, but I was thinking as I read this thread that possibly we would not be able to continue progressing together if we are not sealed, but from what I know of our Heavenly Father, I believe it's not likely that relationships and associations formed here would be completely dissolved. But of course, this is just my own logic/faith based speculation. I'd be interested to know what others have found regarding this topic.

[Just_A_Guy]

Honor, a start might be D&C 130:1-2. It seems to me that I've read that the section header may not be accurate there, and that some of the teachings in that section actually originate from the 1830s.

Also, there's the Joseph Smith (via Orson F. Whitney) quote 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 "exalt", necessarily, but "save"--JAG] not only themselves, but likewise their posterity."