This morning I was thinking about the authority and efficacy of sealing prayers for specific priesthood ordinances in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I am not a temple sealer, as a current ordinance worker in the temple, I have been given some authority to seal when doing initiatory ordinances. It is a significant power and a privilege to pronounce sacred blessings. Extraordinary words indeed.
Some of the more obvious, outward expressions of joy come from brides and their wedding parties. Oh, the excitement of young couples coming to the temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity! It is also a beautiful sight to see young children dressed in white to surround the temple altars to be sealed to their parents. Both of these happy sights reinforce the wonderous doctrine of the restored church, "Families Can Be Together Forever". How wonderful!
Of course, it causes pain as well. Especially considering my personal circumstances. Like all of us, I want the good stuff too and don't want to miss out on blessings. However, through the years, I've noticed these great promises related to sealed families are providing more hope than pain.
One of my most favorite parts about being an ordinance worker is the prayer meeting to start the 4-hour shift. I feel like I'm at General Conference being addressed by the most incredible speakers. Yesterday, in the message from our temple matron, she made reference to how ordinances and covenants bind us to Christ. It got me thinking about the word "bind". Surely it's related to the word "bond."
One of the first tasks of a newborn and its mother is to bond, especially after the cord has been cut. Throughout the life of a family, people spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and resource for family bonding. We want to be close and connected throughout our life to our loved ones. These connections often come with strings attached or "expectations." These expectations can feel binding at times, even restrictive and perhaps a little judgmental. But we continue to show up and try to meet the expectations because we love our families and want to be with them. Even if that hoop is on fire, I'm going to jump through it, especially if I think it will help. And if we say we're going to help, we want our word to be our bond. They can count on us to "be there." Bonding and binding are key to a lasting connection.
Bonding also has reference to the term "sealing." Whatever the contract, the covenant, I want ut to stick or hold up under pressure- to be efficacious- to actually work. Trusting in promises requires it. Magic words are only magic if the desired result is achieved. If not, I'm just playing pretend with a toy wand and fooling even myself. But how much power do words really have when it comes to families being together forever? Sealing power is required along with faithfulness to the covenant being made.
I'm so grateful sealing power has been restored through the prophet Elijah to truly turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and fathers to their children. It is a curse to be separated. It is a waste to be left desolate without root or branch. The destructive forces that tear families apart are devasting to the hearts of men, women, and children. But what of my heavenly family? What about my brother, Jesus Christ. My Heavenly Father? How do I bond with them?
The joy I see in the temple each week from earthly families united through sealings is a symbol of the ever inclusive promised celestial union and reunion with our premortal nuclear family. How happy our Father is when we make an effort to bind ourselves to him. What pain he must feel when his children don't want to be connected to him for whatever reason.
Jesus offers love and acceptance beyond compare. He sees our heart. He know us perfectly. He is a merciful judge. The required expectation for a potentially joyful heavenly reunion with Him and our siblings? Exercising faith in his son, Jesus Christ. Being faithful to our covenants not only binds us to him but also nurtures our bond with him and shows God we want to be with him too! We love him too! It's the good stuff for all!
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