Question
Gramps,
Why is it required to seal children to parents? Reading in 3 Nephi 19:23 led me to more confusion as it sounds like they achieve the goal in temple sealings. Doesn’t this state that we are all sealed to the Godhead and each other according to our faith and the desire of our hearts?
Another question I have is whether or not people can truly have a change of heart? There is someone in my life with whom I would like to share the gospel. We pray together and attend church. I fast, I pray, but this person still does not feel the impressions from the Holy Ghost.
Thank you
Confused
Answer
Confused,
Within the gospel of Jesus Christ, through latter-day restoration and revelation, we have received further light and knowledge in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of humankind. One of the ways this is accomplished is through temple ordinances, i.e. temple sealing (this is one reason). Another reason, (one of the main reasons), why we are sealed as a family is because it is a commandment from God. A sealing also provides specific promises and blessings to our children who are born within the covenant from the time of their birth.
In relation to children being sealed to their parents Brigham Young has shared:
“The ordinance of sealing must be performed here … until the chain of generation is made perfect in the sealing ordinances back to Father Adam; hence, we have been commanded to gather ourselves together to come out of Babylon [see D&C 133:14], and sanctify ourselves, and build up the Zion of our God, by building cities and temples, redeeming countries from the solitude of nature, until the earth is sanctified and prepared for the residence of God and angels” (DBY, 407).
In connection with Brigham Young’s declaration, we recognize this chain was broken, especially in relation to the apostasy when the children of men withdrew themselves, as a result of their wickedness, from the Lord and his servants — the Lord removed his blessing and priesthood. Malachi saw this day, and shared the importance of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children’s hearts back to their fathers unless the earth be smitten with a curse (Malachi 4:5-6). Although, the “why” for our sealings may be unclear, we know the sealing ordinance performed in our temples is necessary to avoid this curse by connecting the chain of the human family back to father Adam.
Elijah was prophesied to come
This is the reason why Elijah was prophesied to come, and when he did come he visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He fulfilled the promise by restoring the priesthood keys allowing God’s children to once again use the sealing powers of the Melchizedek priesthood to bound and seal on earth such that it is bound and sealed in heaven. This eternal chain, of fathers and mothers to sons and daughters is once again being connected, both root and branch.
The scripture you share in 3 Nephi 19:23, doesn’t specify any sealing. The scripture specifies the desire of our Father in heaven since Adam — to become of one heart and one mind. To be one with our Savior as our Savior is one with our Heavenly Father. This scripture ties perfectly in with these other scriptures: (1) Moses 7:18; (2) 2 Nephi 1:21; (3) John 17:20-22.
When considering how to answer your second question the words of President Monson, “To the Rescue,” seem appropriate to share, “Another principle of truth which will guide us in our determination is that boys and men can change. I’m reminded of the words of a prison warden who taught this fact. A critic who knew of Warden Duffy’s efforts to rehabilitate men said, “Don’t you know that leopards can’t change their spots?” Warden Duffy responded, “You should know I don’t work with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day.”
Moral Agency
One of the greatest gifts given to us as children of God is our moral agency. God will not force his children to accept his answers, yet we know that God’s spirit is constantly calling upon his children to listen as discovered with “Amulek” in the Book of Mormon. He was called many times to heed and listen, but was past feeling and would not listen or give heed to the Lord’s calls. In this situation, be patient, and make sure you are living the gospel and being the example you should be while sharing the gospel with your friend.
Gramps
