Gramps,

I have been remarried for 4 years now, and have a 9 year-old son from a previous marriage. The question I have is, when I do get my Mormon temple sealing cancellation from my ex-husband, what happens to my son? Can he be sealed to us? He loves my new husband and is really having a problem with us going to the temple to be sealed and that he doesn’t get to go and be sealed to us. Can it be possible for him to be sealed to us? How long does it take for a cancellation? We wrote our letter almost 8 months ago and haven’t heard anything?

Wondering, from Oregon

Dear Wondering,

I’m sure that your bishop can answer all these questions for you. As you prepare to be sealed to your present husband it would be well to discuss all these matters with him. It is well to remember that all general rules are adapted to particular circumstances, and what may be appropriate in one case may not be in another.

I do suspect, however, that it may be possible to have your son sealed to you and your new husband after there has been a legal adoption and the boy’s natural father has given his consent. However, this is no way necessary. Your child is already sealed to you. Thus he would participate as your and your husband’s child in the eternities based on the ordinances that have already been performed.

Approval of cancellation of sealings does take appreciable time and may vary depending on the work load assumed by the First Presidency and on the particulars of each case. Again, if there is concern that an anticipated date may not be met, you could discuss the matter with your bishop who may be in a position to obtain information on how much delay may be expected.

Gramps