I love my family, and I’d like to be with them forever, but where’s this revelation or doctrine that suggests we can’t be together without Temple ordinances?
Or where is the revelation that suggests our families are spiritually protected by Temple Sealings?
When choosing a piece of artwork for this essay, I was intrigued by this one; the symbolism of the mountain, coming to God,... and the especially precarious situation of wandering in the mists on a partially-lit hillside. I don't think we LDS realize how we have let go of the word of God when it comes to Temple theology. In contrast, the beautiful message of the Doctrine of Christ is so full of assurances that this is the true way, that we're coming unto Him, and the promises bring us to a lasting inheritance. Hundreds of passages and personal testimonies confirm these facts.
But goodness, the Temple teachings in comparison do not have the same! There isn't well-established doctrine; no firm foundation of clear teachings, no one confirming they have received exaltation... It feels risky to invest so much on teachings that do not have this same firm foundation and clear direction. We seem to be chancing a great fall.
Temple Sealings
I have mentioned before that there are parts of our Temple experience that dishonour that Doctrine of Christ and the message of the Book of Mormon. Here I'll continue to bring attention to these issues, specifically those related to Temple Sealings.
We LDS are GREATLY relying upon these Temple Sealing beliefs. I know some who feel assured of Exaltation when they haven't even been born of God yet, so I feel we need to examine Temple theology, starting from their beginning in early church history. This presentation on the history of Temple Sealing theology from Faith Matters is what spurred me to bring together what I've learned on the topic. As ever, our church beliefs seem to be a mix of truth and falsehood. I'll aim to honour God's word, while pointing out when we're meandering away from scriptural truth.
Defining Gospel Words
During those years studying Eternal Life, I came to realize that so many of our gospel words have an every-day use and also a scripturally defined meaning, and often these two meanings can be vastly different.
If we're in the routine of understanding scripture with every-day use meanings of gospel words, I doubt we even realize this is blindness to what scripture is really saying.
So, I started digging into scripture, to aim to find scriptural definitions for scriptural words, and WOW it changed my study! Suddenly scripture was packed with meaning, and reading scripture felt like a feast.
So there's a project I hope to develop soon, called Defining Gospel Words; an effort to highlight scriptural definitions to give us "eyes to see" as we read.
Preserve the language of our Fathers
All this to say, one of my first critiques of Temple Sealing language is that the words we're using to describe these Sealings have new meanings. We're describing Temple purposes with words that are vastly changed from their use in scripture, so in an attempt to preserve the original intent of this scriptural language, here are four examples of changes:
"Born in the covenant"
Temple teaching: This is used in LDS culture to state that when parents are Temple sealed, children have a special protection and promise of being together with their families in the Celestial Kingdom. Somehow even if they go astray, God will reach out to them with great effort, and eventually they will be in the kingdom of God.
My response: I like this, it's comforting and feels like such a relief that some have this special protection until they come unto God for themselves, but my intent here is to honour the message of the doctrine on Eternal Life. This doctrine teaches that Salvation is an individual's pursuit, that there is one way to Christ, and that this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God.
Scriptural meaning of Born in the Covenant:
Mosiah 5
6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
Moses 6
59 That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;60 For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;
61 Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
62 And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.
We are born into the covenant when we're born of God. This happens when Christ gives us the baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost. Though this can happen in the Temple, (I have heard three accounts where it has,) it's not an operation of the Temple. Christ and Father choose where and when this happens for you.
"Sealed"
Temple teaching: This is used to mean sealed in marriage to your spouse for eternity, and also children to parents in a lasting bond, with the intent to bind the human family together.
My response: Again, this is beautiful. I'd love to be unified to the human family in this way. But this is not the use of seal in scripture. And once again, we have Eternal Life vocabulary repurposed for the Temple's use.
Scriptural meaning of Sealed:
Mosiah 5
12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
...15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
This is the ONLY description of one person being sealed to another in scripture. The individual is sealed to Christ through this way to Christ doctrine.
"Adoption"
Temple teaching: Adoption was used to seal families together, and even men sealed to men to create a chain to Joseph and therefore God. They sometimes did correctly explain changing from Gentile to House of Israel, but without the full truth, or how it's actually received, which is by being born of God.
My response: Adoption is meant to reference Gentiles being adopted into the covenant of salvation offered to the House of Israel. This adoption happens through being born of God, an experience with Christ.
Scriptural meaning of Adoption:
Ephesians 2
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
I just wanted to add I really agree with vs 20 and 21. I just believe them differently than I used to. The purpose of prophets and apostles are to be teachers and witnesses of the Doctrine of Christ, but I feel the work on this website presents how those in the LDS church with these titles are failing in this serious responsibility.
Regarding the temple reference, we are called to be a habitation for the Holy Spirit. Here, it seems to be suggesting that the full body of Christ (individuals received by God and living by His spirit,) together they grow to become a "holy temple in the Lord."
I keep feeling the need to add, some people who go to the temple can come unto Christ in the right way. I'm a witness of a woman who is all in, in the church and has a beautiful relationship with Christ, and I know she is promised Eternal Life,... but the temple itself is not an essential part of coming unto Christ and receiving Eternal Life.
Romans 8
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Ephesians 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
These are all describing adoption into Christ's covenant, when we're born of God. Available to all as part of the doctrine of Redemption, this is available to all without the Temple. It's wrong to suggest otherwise.
"Exaltation"
Temple teaching: Exaltation is taught as a new and higher level of heaven, higher than Eternal Life. Exaltation means we become as God, and are able to create and govern as Gods. You are married to your spouse or spouses (depending on which sources you prioritize) creating your own kingdom.
My response: Again, I find this possibility of being with my husband is amazing, I might hope for this, but we have almost no reason to believe this is actually doctrine. And as it stands in our church beliefs, it's incredibly dismissive of the doctrine on Eternal Life and Exaltation even undoes some of what Eternal Life offers. If a true exaltation exists it will honour the doctrine on Eternal Life.
I've done a full article on issues with Exaltation teachings, so instead of repeating it all here, please take a look.
Culture vs Scripture
There are still more terms that have a different meaning in the Temple than what's taught in scripture. I'd highly recommend studying these topics:
receiving a new name
the sealing power
"endowed from on high"
worship
Friends, we have been fooled into a pseudo-gospel that has changed the way, the qualifiers, the indications that you're on the path, the promised blessings and the outcome. God has clearly stated a VERY different gate, path, rod and destination than the Temple is claiming.
This is why I have created the Way to Christ scripture project. It’s an effort to highlight the constant message in scripture. The TRUE way, and the TRUE offering, and the TRUE indicators that you're in the path and the TRUE destination. Otherwise, I fear we have let go of the word of God and we are wandering in the mists.
False traditions of our Fathers
Faith Matters has a new video out, presenting the "evolution" of forever family teachings from a faithful LDS perspective. Nate Oman shares the history on the topic starting with the very beginnings of restoration Sealing theology.
I find him sincere and genuine, making great effort to see the hand of God through imperfect humans, and I greatly admire it all. I think the only real difference between the two of us is that he is trying to see an inspired doctrine there and I feel that honouring Eternal Life points out that much of this isn't inspired at all.
I can't fully agree with the title, "Our Evolving Sealing Practices" because though you'll quickly see that there were changes, I don't find them directional, or necessary steps from one set of teachings to another. It doesn't feel like our Grand Designer carried this theology from one iteration naturally to the next. Instead these changes seem chaotic and like wandering in mists.
As I have fully admitted, I like many of our Temple beliefs. They're comforting, assuring and,... but the spirit reminds me:
2 Nephi 28
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
Let's remember that some who think they qualify for Zion are feeling security and prosperity that's actually counterfeit. Is the way you're going leading you to being born of God, manifesting gifts of the spirit, virtues of Godliness, knowing Christ and receiving your Calling and Election made sure?
It's really easy to believe in Temple Sealings, just as it's easy to admire a beautiful house on sand. But in a sincere effort to explain the beginnings of Sealing teachings in the church, this video presents the sandy foundation that doesn't seem to withstand the storm.
But guess what does last through the storm? The True doctrine on Eternal Life, built on Christ's teachings, and the true meaning of "Seal" when Christ seals us to Him.