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Seeking Understanding...

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Dutchess19

New Member
I have been troubled for some time over a religious understanding of my husband. We have discussed this and I still struggle. This is what brings me here today, in hopes I can better understand.
To explain in short: My husband is Mormon, I am not. I do attend church with him but have had a very difficult time adapting. Although I have several questions b/c there is so much that I don't understand, my primary question is the belief of eternal principles. They believe that a family must be sealed in the temple in order to be together in eternity and it is there that they create an eternal family, bringing forth, spiritual babies, etc.
In the church that I attended through my entire life, this was never discussed at all and I have found no evidence in the bible stating such. Is there anyone that can help to clarify for me and aid in my understanding of eternity, how it works and what is required of us here on earth in order to have our eternal families or if this is not a factor at all? If anyone has references, I would much appreciate them as I would love to have the peace and understanding in my mind of what really is.
Thanks very much in advance.
 
Scarlett Wampus

Scarlett Wampus

psychonaut
Dutchess19 you should ask a moderator to move this topic to the main Religious Debates or Christian section. Its a bit specialised for Comparative Religion since most people will be expecting a rather wide cross-comparison of religious beliefs & practices discussed here. What you're asking is effectively highly specialised.

Best of luck
 
MoonWater

MoonWater

Warrior Bard
Premium Member
I can move it to the LDS DIR if you like? It's a forum specifically for discussing the mormon faith so I imagine they can really help explain a lot of this to you.
 
D

Dutchess19

New Member
It's fine to move the discussion if it fits better elsewhere. If if gets moved, please let me know where it went so I can follow any responses.
Thank you.
 
MoonWater

MoonWater

Warrior Bard
Premium Member
I'll go ahead and move it then PM you a link so you can find it. You can also subscribe to the thread through the thread tools menu so that whenever a response is posted a link to the thread will show up on your userCP page.
 
Katzpur

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
Dutchess19 said:
I have been troubled for some time over a religious understanding of my husband. We have discussed this and I still struggle. This is what brings me here today, in hopes I can better understand.
Click to expand...
Hi, Dutchess. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to answer your questions. I hope we can do a good job of giving your the information you're looking for.

In the church that I attended through my entire life, this was never discussed at all and I have found no evidence in the bible stating such. Is there anyone that can help to clarify for me and aid in my understanding of eternity, how it works and what is required of us here on earth in order to have our eternal families or if this is not a factor at all? If anyone has references, I would much appreciate them as I would love to have the peace and understanding in my mind of what really is.
Click to expand...
Let's start with the single most basic claim of Mormonism, which is this: Jesus Christ established His Church during His mortal ministry. Over the years, men changed the doctrines he taught. That Church has been re-established and is again on the earth.

The very last verse of the very last chapter of John states, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

Consider the LDS Church's claim to be the re-established Church of Jesus Christ in light of John's words, and you may be able to understand why you can't find any clear teachings in the Bible on eternal families. I'm leaving this post just part way answered, and I apologize for that. It's just that I've got to get up really early tomorrow and have got to get to bed. I promise to get back to you tomorrow with a more in-depth answer, and maybe someone else will respond in the meantime.
 
FFH

FFH

Veteran Member
Dutchess, sealing of families is essential for our salvation and exaltation (life with God).

What we bind on earth is bound in heaven.

The binding of couples and children together ensures that we will all be together for eternity, providing we are faithful (keep the commandments).

You must study the Doctrine and Covenants to get a testimony of this.

Why is the binding of families together for eternity necessary ??? It's just the way God set it up. We must do what he says to gain eternal life with him, otherwise we will lose out on all the blessings he has in store for us.

I'm unemployed so I decided to spend about 20 to 30 hours a week, in the South Jordan, Utah temple, and wow, if it has really increased my faith and trust in God and the principles and ordinances of eternal temple sealings, endowments (the entering into sacred covenants) and all other saving and exalting ordinances for the living and the dead.

It's just the way it is, it's just the way God set it up. We must obey his will and keep his commandments, which includes all saving and exalting ordinances, such as baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift of Holy Ghost, temple endowments (the entering into sacred covenants), and the sealing of couples and children together, including our deceased relatives.

The temple has a calming affect, it's our direct link to God. The sealing of couples and children together is the eternal link that binds us to God and each other for eternity. We can take comfort in knowing we will be with God for eternity, safe from all harm and the evils of this world, if we are faithful in keeping his commandments.

D&C 132: 46
And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.

Link to other scriptures: Whatsoever you bind (record or seal) on earth will be bound (recorded and sealed) in heaven

D&C 128: 18
I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
 
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Katzpur

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
Dutchess, are you reading? If you are, I'll take the time to answer your question. I just wanted to check before I did.
 
tomato1236

tomato1236

Ninja Master
Dutchess19 said:
I have been troubled for some time over a religious understanding of my husband. We have discussed this and I still struggle. This is what brings me here today, in hopes I can better understand.
Click to expand...

Well we'll do our best. I'll try to use credible sources and explain them if necessary.

I have found that when a person has concerns with a concept after being taught, there is often an underlying issue of fear preventing the acceptance of a doctrine that is otherwise un-threatening and actually quite beautiful. Please don't hesitate to share if this is the case for you.

Also, the greatest faith is often created when experimenting on a new concept. If you're unsure about the book of mormon, read it. If you're unsure about eternal families, visit a temple open-house if there is one available, etc. And don't forget to include God in all of your searching, since it's his world, his doctrine and you are his daughter. Even if your prayers aren't mormon prayers, God will answer.
Click to expand...
 
tomato1236

tomato1236

Ninja Master
Dutchess19 said:
To explain in short: My husband is Mormon, I am not. I do attend church with him but have had a very difficult time adapting.
Click to expand...
This is normal. Conversion to the LDS faith is more involved and requires much more life-change and commitment than to most other faiths. You SHOULD take your time to learn all that you can, although your husband may be eager and excited by the idea of you sharing his faith.

Although I have several questions b/c there is so much that I don't understand, my primary question is the belief of eternal principles. They believe that a family must be sealed in the temple in order to be together in eternity and it is there that they create an eternal family, bringing forth, spiritual babies, etc.
In the church that I attended through my entire life, this was never discussed at all and I have found no evidence in the bible stating such.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that you have noted this difference. The idea of families being together forever is one of the things that sets the lds church apart. Most Christian marriages include the phrase "Til death do us part". Weddings in the temple include the phrase "For time and all eternity" instead. Many other churches have begun including similar phrases in their ceremonies, but without any basis for the change other than a general feeling that maybe this is how marriage should be.

I've been reading through various statements by church leaders looking for the right thing to paste here, but I feel like I should just ask you a question instead.

What is your vision of the life after this one? What will be your relationship with your husband? What will you be doing there? Eternity is a long time. (I can't even imagine how amazing I'd get at playing the harp if that's what it's all about)

Is there anyone that can help to clarify for me and aid in my understanding of eternity, how it works and what is required of us here on earth in order to have our eternal families or if this is not a factor at all? If anyone has references, I would much appreciate them as I would love to have the peace and understanding in my mind of what really is.
Thanks very much in advance.
Click to expand...

Basically, to have your eternal family, you need to be sealed together, and remain true and faithful to your covenants throughout your life. In other words, endure to the end. The covenants I'm talking about are basically to keep the commandments.
Click to expand...
 
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