The Sealing Power
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the purpose of the gathering of Israel?
- What is the sealing power and why is it important?
- What role do temples play in the exercise of the sealing power?
- How does the sealing power relate to the concept of eternal families?
- What promises are associated with the sealing power?
Topics
Understanding the Purpose of the Gathering of Israel
Elder Christofferson explains that the gathering of Israel serves multiple purposes. It is a means of protecting the covenant people and a way to bring the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all who will receive them. This gathering also fulfills 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.
They become "the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God."
- What are the purposes of the gathering of Israel?
- How does the gathering of Israel relate to the covenant promises given to Abraham?
- How can you participate in the gathering of Israel?
- What does being a part of the "seed of Abraham" mean to you?
Grasping the Importance of the Sealing Power
Elder Christofferson emphasizes the significance of the sealing power, which validates all priesthood ordinances and makes them binding both on earth and in heaven. This power is necessary to make any ordinance, including baptism, 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.
The sealing power confers a seal of legitimacy upon your baptism, for example, so that it is recognized here and in heaven.
- What is the sealing power?
- Why is the sealing power crucial for the gathering and preparing of a covenant people?
- How does understanding the sealing power affect your view of priesthood ordinances?
- What does having a "seal of legitimacy" on your baptism mean to you?
Recognizing the Role of Temples in the Exercise of the Sealing Power
Temples play a vital role in the exercise of the sealing power. They are the designated places where the sealing power can be used to perform vicarious ordinances, making individual salvation and family exaltation universally available.
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.
No other theology or philosophy or authority can match such an all-inclusive opportunity.
- What role do temples play in the exercise of the sealing power?
- What does it mean that temples make individual salvation and family exaltation universally available?
- How has your understanding of the importance of temples changed after reading this talk?
- What can you do to more fully appreciate the sealing power exercised in temples?
Appreciating the Promise of Eternal Families
Elder Christofferson discusses the promise of eternal families made possible by the sealing power. He emphasizes that without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches.
The highest and holiest manifestation of the sealing power is in the eternal union of a man and a woman in marriage and the linking of humankind through all their generations.
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.
- What is the promise of eternal families made possible by the sealing power?
- Why is the eternal union of a man and a woman in marriage considered the highest and holiest manifestation of the sealing power?
- How does the promise of eternal families affect your perspective on family relationships?
- What actions can you take to strengthen your family relationships in light of the promise of eternal families?
Understanding the Promise of Exaltation
Elder Christofferson talks about the promise of exaltation that comes with the sealing power. He assures that everyone who is faithful in keeping gospel covenants will have the opportunity for exaltation.
I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has made immortality a verity and the possibility of exalted family relationships a reality.
While we wait upon the Lord, President M. Russell Ballard reminds us that "scriptures and latter-day prophets confirm that everyone who is faithful in keeping gospel covenants will have the opportunity for exaltation."
- What does Elder Christofferson say about the promise of exaltation?
- How does the sealing power relate to the promise of exaltation?
- How does the promise of exaltation influence your commitment to keeping gospel covenants?
- What actions can you take to prepare for exaltation?
