The Sealing Power
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the class by asking members to share their feelings about the sealing power and its significance in their lives.
- Start the lesson with a brief discussion on the concept of "gathering of Israel" and how it relates to the sealing power.
- You could open the lesson by asking class members to share their understanding of the sealing power and how it affects the ordinances they participate in.
- You could start by asking the members to share personal experiences where they felt the blessings of the sealing power in their lives.
Topics
Understanding the Purpose of Gathering Israel
Elder Christofferson discusses the gathering of Israel, prophesied since the days of Isaiah. The gathering serves as protection for the covenant people and is crucial for bringing the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all who will receive them. The gathering is the realization of the covenant promises given to Abraham.
Most importantly, the gathering is for the purpose of bringing the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all who will receive them. It is how the covenant promises given to Abraham are realized.
- What is the significance of the gathering of Israel in the latter days?
- How does the gathering of Israel relate to the promises made to Abraham?
- How can we actively participate in the gathering of Israel?
- What are the blessings associated with being part of the gathered Israel?
- How does the gathering of Israel contribute to our salvation and exaltation?
The Importance of the Sealing Power
Elder Christofferson explains the importance of the sealing power, which validates all priesthood ordinances, making them binding both on earth and in heaven. The sealing power is necessary to make any ordinance valid and binding beyond death.
The power to validate all priesthood ordinances and make them binding both on earth and in heaven—the sealing power—is crucial for gathering and preparing a covenant people on both sides of the veil.
- What is the sealing power and why is it important?
- How does the sealing power affect the ordinances we participate in?
- What is the role of the sealing power in the gathering of Israel?
- How does the sealing power contribute to our eternal progression?
- How can we better appreciate and respect the sealing power in our daily lives?
The Role of Temples in the Gathering of Israel
Temples play a significant role in the gathering of Israel. They are places where the sealing power is exercised, making individual salvation and family exaltation universally available. This is a perfect manifestation of God's justice, mercy, and love.
The validity that the sealing power gives to priesthood ordinances includes, of course, vicarious ordinances performed in the place designated by the Lord—His temple. Here we see the majesty and sacredness of the sealing power—it makes individual salvation and family exaltation universally available to the children of God wherever and whenever they may have lived on the earth.
- What role do temples play in the gathering of Israel?
- How does the sealing power function in temples?
- Why are temples essential for the exercise of the sealing power?
- What blessings come from participating in temple ordinances?
- How does the sealing power manifest God's justice, mercy, and love in temples?
The Significance of Eternal Families
Eternal families, created and linked through the sealing power, are central to God's plan. Without these eternal links, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches. Despite imperfect present circumstances, everyone faithful in keeping gospel covenants will have the opportunity for exaltation.
Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches—that is, neither ancestry nor posterity.
- Why are eternal families important in God's plan?
- How does the sealing power contribute to the creation of eternal families?
- What does it mean to be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches?
- How can we strengthen our commitment to create and maintain eternal family links?
- How can the promise of exaltation provide hope for those in imperfect family circumstances?
The Restoration of the Sealing Power Through Joseph Smith
Elder Christofferson testifies that the sealing power and authority were restored to earth through Joseph Smith. This power, directed by the keys held by the President of the Church, makes immortality a verity and the possibility of exalted family relationships a reality.
I testify that the sealing power and authority restored to earth through Joseph Smith are real, that what is thereby bound on earth truly is bound in heaven. I testify that President Russell M. Nelson, as President of the Church, is the one man on earth today that by his keys directs the use of this supernal power.
- What is the significance of the restoration of the sealing power through Joseph Smith?
- How does the restoration of the sealing power affect our understanding of immortality and eternal families?
- What is the role of the President of the Church in directing the use of the sealing power?
- How can we show our gratitude for the restoration of the sealing power?
- How does the restored sealing power affect your personal life?
Additional Discussion Questions
- Why is the sealing power considered the 'highest privilege' of our membership in the Church?
- How does the sealing power contribute to the 'fulness of joy' that God has in store for His faithful children?
- How can the sealing power help restore 'broken links' in our generational chains?
- How does the sealing power relate to the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
- What are some ways we can prepare ourselves and our families to receive the blessings of the sealing power?
- How does understanding the sealing power deepen our appreciation for temple work?
- How can we better explain the concept of the sealing power to those not of our faith?
- What are some ways we can keep the blessings of the sealing power in mind as we go about our daily lives?
- How does the sealing power affect our understanding of the plan of salvation?
- How can our understanding of the sealing power influence our decisions and actions?
