A co-worker of mine was recently divorced and tried to explain to me about the sealing process. I just don't get it. She is sealed to her ex but he is sealed to his new wife. She made it sound as if she had to be sealed to a man in order to go to heaven. I figure I must not be understanding this at all and I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. Thank you for any help - I appreciate it.
2007-11-26 14:06:40 · 6 answers · asked by just me 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I just want to say "Thank you". I really appreciate everyone's answers. She is recently divorced and it seems as though it's pretty emotional to talk about so I didn't want to stress her out further by not understanding her beliefs - just didn't seem to be the right time.
My husband's ex and I get along just fine but we would have to all attain a "very special" spiritual greatness to live as one happy family through eternity!
Anyway, I get it thanks to your answers.
2007-11-26 16:42:01 · update #1
Oh father get a grip. Performing a marriage sealing is witchcraft now, geesh. You really hate mormons dont you.
2 Corinthians 21-22
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also SEALED us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Wow I guess the concept of sealing something isnt just satanic.
In order to achieve the highest degree of celestial glory or the highest degree of heaven then you must be sealed to an eternal spouse, becasue the highest degree of glory includes being able to have eternal offspring and creating a gospel plan of your own. We believe that we were born of both a heavenly mother and father. One is not above the other.
The sealing is done by the priesthood authority so that the marriage is bound by God for all eternity, instead of just until death do us part. In order to have a marriage sealing broken you must have a pretty good reason for the divorce to take place. Even when divorced civilly, but not spiritually, the sealing power is in effect. You arent just sealed to a spouse, but to your children for time and all eternity. Since marriage is essential to having all the opportunities of the highest degrees of glory, and women tend to be a bit more spiritual than men, it is pretty much thought that there will be more woman in that highest degree of glory, than men. This is where eternal plural marriage steps in. It allows that all those that are worthy be allowed to participate in this eternal blessing of eternal increase.
The guy is sealed to his new wife, and the exwife probably has the option to ask for a temple divorce, but if she is not planning to remarry anytime soon, then it is highly recommended that she stays under the sealing ordinance. If she plans to remarry and he is already sealed to someone else then she will probably have no problem getting a temple divorce. The sealing power is very important because without being sealed to a spouse BOTH a man and a woman cannot participate in all the blessings.
I dont know if I cleared things up a bit, but its kind of complicated if you dont understand the plan of salvation and the doctrine of the church.
This also gets into the concept of heaven and hell which is significantly different than mainstream christianity. We really dont believe in what most consider hell. If a woman or man is a faithful person and never sealed then they will either have the opportunity after this life, or they will still achieve the highest level of glory, just not the blessing of eternal increase. Noone is really damned to any kind of eternal suffering.
Men and women have the same requirements when it comes to achieving this highest degree of glory
Paula brings up a valid point that I would like to address. If you are the kind of person that would make it to the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, or heaven, and are given the opportunity to create a gospel plan with eternal increase, like our heavenly parents, then you wouldnt hold any animosity twds anyone. There wouldnt be hurt feelings or any of the crud that prevented you from making a marriage work. You will become perfected and perfected people dont continue petty feuds with exes. There are marriage scenarios that I am sure will be settled and figured out after this life. It just isnt much concern to me.
2007-11-26 14:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Yes and no.
Your friend can have that sealing undone. Without having that sealing undone, she can NOT be sealed to another man. This is NOT automatic. It must be requested by both parties and the First Presidency must approve it. (It's kinda like a Catholic anullment, but not exactly.) That way she can be sealed to another man to spend eternity with.
If a woman is not sealed to a man through no fault of her own, she will still go to heaven.
2007-11-27 20:46:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a pretty complicated thing and I'm not sure that I understand "why" and "wherefore" myself...and I have actually been sealed to a divorced man.
When she remarries (and generally, the hope is that she will) her first sealing is "cancelled", as though the initial covenant never existed. They don't like to cancel that covenant unless there is another man with whom she will be sealed. I have a lot of theories as to "why", but they are just conjecture and "gospel according to Fotomama"...so I shouldn't be taken as the truth.
2007-11-26 23:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A couple are sealed so they will be together eternally. That means in Heaven they will be a family just as on earth. Usually when a couple divorces they request their sealing dissolved. It can only be done by the prophet of the church. Its difficult to get it granted. Usually only if there was gross abuse or adultery.A woman is raised @ the resurrection literally by the husband. No husband, no ressurection. Therefore, a husband is necessary. A woman can still be able to reach the highest level of glory. A woman can be sealed to another man then. Without your friend getting her sealing broken she can never be sealed to another man. A man can be sealed to as many wives on earth as he is married to. They believe they will practice polygamy in Heaven. Ask her, she'll tell you. I truly feel for her, though. Some of LDS teachings are sexist. Basically, as it stands now. She,her ex,and his new wife will be one big happy family in the celestial kingdom along w/ the kids, of course. Imagine having to endure that for all eternity! I'll pray for your friend. LDS are wonderful people. But that idea boggles my mind.
2007-11-26 22:26:38 · answer #4 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
As usual, Father K's comments regarding the LDS church are tolerant and loving, and full of understanding. Thank you for your Christlike example, Father K.
Please see the official church teachings on this doctrine at the official church website: www.lds.org
2007-11-26 22:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
They are sealed to each other, and you do not have to be sealed to a man to go to heaven. Not all men are going to heaven....
If she gets remarried, she'll be sealed to both of them. And both will be sealed to her. Think of it that way.
2007-11-26 22:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by Princess Ninja 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋