Vitual Temple Tour Collection

For convenience, here are the links to all The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple tour posts. They are an explanation of what goes on, with discretion, in a temple and for what reasons. Never before has so much information become available for those who want to research and understand the topic. On the other hand, too much of a good thing can also lessen personal discovery and make the sacred mundane. Hopefully these posts will help a person understand the spiritual and doctrinal importance of temple work.

Payson, UT Temple open house

Meaning and Preparation

Entering Sacred Space

A Covenant People

Eternal Family

Virtual Temple Tour Part IV: Eternal Family

The great and important ceremony to be preformed after the washing, anointing, and main Endowment is sealing. Men and women must be sealed together as husband and wife, forming a family unit that is meant to last through time and eternity. When Jesus Christ was challenged about divorce, he responded in Mark 10:9, talking about the creation of man and woman, "what therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." In the temple is displayed the Matthew 16:19 declaration to Peter when he was given the Keys of the Kingdom, "and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," but under the authority of the Latter-day Saint Priesthood. As stated before, this sealing power is believed given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by visitation of angels, under the direction of Jesus Christ. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith it was revealed, echoing 1 Tim 4:3, "And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation; And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made." (Doctrine and Covenants 49:15-17). Marriage was at first considered a temporal condition blessed by God to continue human life. Later, the importance of the bond between husband and wife was revealed to be far more important than a short lifetime.

Kirtland Temple pulpit, where
angles stood to restore
Priesthood Keys

Marriage is a necessary part of what is known as "Exaltation" in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ doctrine. A teaching Joseph Smith is recorded in Doc. And Cov. 131:1-4, about the eternal nature of the marriage covenant, "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase." Soon after this teaching, Joseph Smith pondered how Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Solomon were allowed to have so many wives and concubines. In the controversial revelation of Doc. and Cov. 132, he was answered that the women were given them by commandment; with any additional marriages not approved or commanded by God to be considered adultery. As for at least the first marriage vs. 15-16 reads:

Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.

Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

Because of events in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marriages to more than one spouse is now discontinued. It is still required that a man and a woman marry in the temple to have an eternal family for Exaltation.