Families Are Forever: Why "Mormons" Marry in Temples

Mormons believe that families are forever, that family relationships continue in the next life. That is one of the reasons why we put so much emphasis on families.

A forever family is not an automatic result of being married on earth. Marriages performed outside of a temple last until death or as stated in some ceremonies, "'til death do us part." This is because in order for a marriage to last after death, it must be performed by someone who has the power to bind on earth and heaven. This is called the sealing power.

Elijah, a prophet of the Old Testament, had the sealing power. He sealed the heavens so there would be no rain (1 Kings 17:1). The sealing power is part of the priesthood, God's power given to men to act in His name. At the end of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return and that he would "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6). Elijah did return on April 3,1836 to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. There Elijah gave Joseph and Oliver the priesthood keys of sealing (Doctrine & Covenants 110). That sealing power is given to worthy priesthood holders who act in the temple to seal couples and families. They have the priesthood power to bind on earth and heaven.

Once a couple is sealed in the temple, they must keep the covenants they made to God and each other. If they remain faithful and keep the commandments, they will be together with their children in the eternities, life with Jesus Christ.

If this doctrine seems impossible or unbelievable or intriguing, find out for yourself if it is true. In order to find out, you need to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and our teachings, then pray to know if what we teach is true. It either is or isn't. If you sincerely study and pray, you will receive an answer through the power of the Holy Ghost.

A more true statement is that Families Can Be Together Forever. If that is something you want for your family, I invite you to learn more.