Temple sealing

[leem]

I've heard much about what is required to enter the highest level of the celestial Kingdom which is a temple ceiling however I have not heard any of the leaders discuss what happens if one person stays faithful to the covenants and the other one does not and it ends in a divorce. What happens to the covenant and sealing to the one who remains faithful?

[zil2]

Welcome to ThirdHour, @leem!  I think this GC talk from last GC answers your question: Fruit That Remains.  (If you want to skip ahead, look for the numbered list.)

 

 

[Nordic saint]

General handbook 38.4.1.9:

"Effects of Divorce
If a couple was sealed and later divorced, the blessings of that sealing remain in effect for individuals who are worthy (see 38.4.1.5 and 38.4.1.10). A member who remains faithful to temple covenants will receive the personal blessings promised in the temple, even if the person’s spouse has broken the covenants or withdrawn from the marriage. God promises His faithful sons and daughters peace and strength in this life and eternal life in the world to come."

 

Hope this helps

[laronius]

On 9/9/2024 at 1:41 PM, leem said:

I've heard much about what is required to enter the highest level of the celestial Kingdom which is a temple ceiling however I have not heard any of the leaders discuss what happens if one person stays faithful to the covenants and the other one does not and it ends in a divorce. What happens to the covenant and sealing to the one who remains faithful?

In addition to what's already been said, if someone is worthy of exaltation but simply lacks the marriage/sealing ordinance either because they did not have the opportunity in this life or because their spouse did not keep their covenants, the general understanding is that person, in the next life but prior to the resurrection, will be allowed to be sealed to a worthy companion. No blessing will be withheld from those worthy of that blessing.

[JohnsonJones]

On 9/12/2024 at 3:56 PM, laronius said:

In addition to what's already been said, if someone is worthy of exaltation but simply lacks the marriage/sealing ordinance either because they did not have the opportunity in this life or because their spouse did not keep their covenants, the general understanding is that person, in the next life but prior to the resurrection, will be allowed to be sealed to a worthy companion. No blessing will be withheld from those worthy of that blessing.

With men, it was taught in the church that they would not actually GET the opportunity to be sealed in the next life, at least previously, where as Women probably would. 

The REASONING for this was the same as those who would receive exaltation or a place the Celestial Kingdom.  Those who HAD the opportunity in this life to be sealed in the temple but chose to do otherwise would not get that blessing.  In order to GET the blessing, one would have received the blessing or opportunity with all their heart if given the opportunity.  They would have pursued it with that oneness of intent. 

As it was seen that men were the ones who took the initiative (when I was younger), then it was THEIR choice whether to even pursue the objective of getting married, and if they pursued it with that objective of getting married, but chose NOT to get sealed in the temple, but otherwise be married, without that zealous pursuit of being sealed...then that was upon them.  THEY had already MADE their choice.

For (what some may consider misogynistic today) it was seen that woman did not have these opportunities and as such, as long as this was what they desired or wanted, they would be given the opportunity to have this desire fulfilled.

It has been relaxed today in that men also are seen as able to have this blessing (at least by some members), but it SHOULD be understood (as I think this teaching still stands) that unless one would have EMBRACED the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life if given the opportunity, that they will not receive all the blessings inherent with it afterwards.  This applies to all the gospel blessings, including celestial marriage. 

This is a GREAT blessing in that many who did not have the opportunity to hear or receive the gospel in this life, but who would have embraced it with all their heart, will be able to obtain all these blessings.  On the otherhand, it can be a great condemnation to those who had the opportunity to received these blessings in this life, but turned it down for whatever reason, or decided that they would chose something other than what was suggested by the gospel.

For example, if you have a son that could have pursued dating worthy LDS girls, but chose to date another who they felt was far more attractive, exciting, and fun to be with...and then marries that girl rather than an LDS girl...we don't know their fate exactly.  However, we know that they had the opportunity to TRY to shoot for an eternal marriage and chose another path.  It is up to the LORD to decide what happens in eternity, but I would imagine that the one who tried to date only LDS girls with the hope of eventually having a celestial marriage and did all they could to ensure that blessing will have a far better standing in that regard, even if they didn't eventually GET that marriage, than the one who did get married but chose to pursue the non-member and not to have a temple sealing in this life.  Even if both were temple worthy and worthy members equally in the church in all other ways in this life.