In many scriptural texts, there are mentions of temples and why they are so important. The Book of Mormon is no different. Temples were often referred to as the House of the Lord, or the Mountain of the Lord, and every single prophet has seemed to place emphasis on temples as there are many examples of them building temples, even in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is a volume of scripture written in the Americas by ancient American prophets. As a student at Brigham Young University, we are studying the Book of Mormon and how it relates to us today, even though it was written more than two thousand years ago. At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, a family leaves Jerusalem and comes over to the Americas to escape Babylonian captivity. One of the early prophets mentioned in the Book of Mormon is named Nephi, and one of the first things they do when they get to the Promised Land (or the Americas) is build a temple (see 2nd Nephi 5:16). In the Book of Mormon we learn that the temple was a place where they could worship God (often times, mountains were natural temples where the Lord would call His prophets up to converse with Him). However, not many things are taught in the Book of Mormon concerning the temple. We just know that they are important from the way that they reference temples. Luckily, we are blessed to have temples dot the earth and partake of the blessings therein.
One of the blessings is being sealed for all time and eternity to your spouse and family. Recently, I was able to go to the temple with my fiancé (now wife) and be sealed to her for all time and eternity. To be sealed is to be literally bound by the power of God to someone so that even though death claims the body, in the resurrection we can be with the ones we have been sealed to. This sealing power comes by way of the Priesthood, or the power given by God to man to act in His name. Not just anyone has this power, but men chosen specifically by God. Those who have the power given to them by God to seal families together for all time and eternity are called Sealers. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”), I’m so grateful that families can be together forever. I know that if I had been married by conventional means that I would still love my wife, but our marriage would only last for time or until one of us departs (‘till death do you part). I am so grateful for a merciful Heavenly Father who provides a way for us to not only be able to spend time with our loved ones on earth, but for all eternity. This is made possible through the sufferings of Jesus Christ, both in the Garden of Gethsemane as well as on the cross. He suffered for the sins of the world, for all things. I am so grateful for his sacrifice and for His love for all of us. Families can be forever, and that blessing is extended to all.
This article was written by Jacob P., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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