What is the ultimate goal in life? The ultimate goal is Exaltation—the highest degree of glory in the Celestial Kingdom.[1] It is the life our Heavenly Father lives. It is endless development, endless progression, and the chance to have spirit children of our own.[2] Joseph Fielding Smith has said this of exaltation and eternal marriage: “The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and remain faithful to the end, that they shall ‘have no end,’ means that they shall have the power of eternal increase [exaltation]. Only those who have this power will truly ‘know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent.’ Others may see the Lord and may be instructed by him but they will not truly know him or his Father unless they become like them.”[3] Exaltation and eternal marriage are inextricably linked. You can’t achieve exaltation without eternal marriage. So, for this post, I’m going to focus on the key ingredient needed for eternal marriage. Without it, eternal marriage—even in the House of the Lord—is impossible. The Holy Spirit of Promise. What is it?“The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise (Acts 2:33). He confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts, ordinances, and covenants of men. The Holy Spirit of Promise witnesses to the Father that the saving ordinances have been performed properly and that the covenants associated with them have been kept.”[4] Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained it well when he said: “The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven… “To seal is to ratify, to justify, or to approve. Thus an act which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost; it is one which is approved by the Lord; and the person who has taken the obligation upon himself is justified by the Spirit in the thing he has done. “The ratifying seal of approval is put upon an act only if those entering the contract are worthy as a result of personal righteousness to receive the divine approbation. They ‘are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.’ (D&C 76:53) If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld.”[5] Think of an important letter you need to send. You write it out—twice, in fact, since you made a mistake on the first draft. You cautiously fold the paper—making sure the creases are crisp—so that it fits perfectly in the envelope. This is an important letter, so you take time to brush up on your calligraphy skills before embellishing the envelope with the recipient’s name. Carefully, you wet the adhesive and seal the letter before attaching a gold-embossed sticker. The presentation is flawless. Perfect. It would send exactly the right message. But there’s a problem—you don’t include a stamp before you drop it off at the post office. All that work, the care and attention to detail, the love and skill you poured into it—it was all for nothing. The letter won’t arrive at its destination. Without the stamp, it doesn’t matter how much time you put into crafting the letter. It’s the same with the Holy Spirit of Promise. He is the stamp. He puts his ‘stamp’ of approval on an ordinance. How does this apply to eternal marriage? Without the Holy Spirit of Promise, a sealing isn’t valid—even if it’s done in the temple by the prophet himself. Without the Holy Spirit of Promise’s seal, you have the same guarantee of an eternal marriage as you would if Elvis had walked you down the aisle. Take a look at this scripture: D&C 132:18 - And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God. Does the Holy Spirit of Promise only apply to marriages? Answer: no. Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Baptism in Thailand Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained the crucial role of the Holy Spirit of Promise in baptism by saying: “The operation and power of the Holy Spirit of Promise is best illustrated by the ordinance and contract of baptism. An unworthy candidate for baptism might deceive the elders and get the ordinance performed, but no one can lie to the Holy Ghost and get by undetected. Accordingly, the baptism of an unworthy and unrepentant person would not be sealed by the Spirit; it would not be ratified by the Holy Ghost; the unworthy person would not be justified by the Spirit in his actions.”[6] So, what happens if you weren’t worthy when an ordinance was performed? Is it over for you? Will you be forever barred from the blessings of heaven, even if you repent? Or if you do repent and are worthy, will you need to redo the ordinance? These are excellent questions. And if you’ve ever been tormented over what will become of you due to past transgressions, let me ease your mind. Elder Bruce R. McConkie continues with: “If thereafter he became worthy through repentance and obedience, the seal would then be put in force. Similarly, if a worthy person is baptized, with the ratifying approval of the Holy Ghost attending the performance, the seal may be broken by subsequent sin. “These principles also apply to every other ordinance and performance in the Church. Thus if both parties are ‘just and true,’ if they are worthy, a ratifying seal is placed on their temple marriage; if they are unworthy, they are not justified by the Spirit and the ratification of the Holy Ghost is withheld. Subsequent worthiness will put the seal in force, and unrighteousness will break any seal.[7] Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed this truth. “The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost who places the stamp of approval upon every ordinance: baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage. The promise is that the blessings will be received through faithfulness. “If a person violates a covenant, whether it be of baptism, ordination, marriage or anything else, the Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval, and the blessings will not be received. “Every ordinance is sealed with a promise of a reward based upon faithfulness. The Holy Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval where covenants are broken”[8] More recently, Elder David A. Bednar has added: “The Holy Spirit of Promise is the ratifying power of the Holy Ghost. When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven (see D&C 132:7). Receiving this ‘stamp of approval’ from the Holy Ghost is the result of faithfulness, integrity, and steadfastness in honoring gospel covenants ‘in [the] process of time’ (Moses 7:21). However, this sealing can be forfeited through unrighteousness and transgression.”[9] The righteous are also promised the Holy Spirit of Promise in the scriptures: D&C 76:53 - And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. Now for the good news and bad news The good news is that even if we were unworthy when we made covenants, it doesn’t have to be the end for us. We can repent, become clean, and receive the precious ‘stamp of approval’ from the Holy Spirit of Promise that will ensure our ordinances and covenants are valid. It will ensure that, if we are worthy, we will inherit all that the father has.[10] What could be better than that? It’s never too late to repent and come unto Him. But the bad news? Even if you were worthy when you made covenants—unrighteousness will suspend the blessings of your covenants. Another Big QuestionWhat will happen when—after being sealed in the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage—one spouse makes choices which renders them unworthy? What happens to the other, faithful spouse? There isn’t much written on this matter, but we do know that nothing will be denied to a faithful member of the Church. In a personal correspondence, Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say about it: “If a man and his wife are saved in separate kingdoms, for instance, the celestial and the terrestrial, automatically the sealing is broken; it is broken because of the sins of one of the parties. No one can be deprived of exaltation who remains faithful. In other words, an undeserving husband cannot prevent a faithful wife from an exaltation and vice versa. In this case, the faithful servant would be given to someone who is faithful.”[11] But what about their children? What about their eternal family? Elder James A. Cullimore said: “It is understood that in the case of a cancellation of the sealing of the woman to the man, this does not cancel the sealing of the children to the parents, since they were born in the covenant, which is a birthright blessing. They remain in the status of the sealing to their parents and can never be sealed to anyone else. The decision as to with whom they will go will be determined by the Lord in the hereafter. “Regarding being born in the covenant the General Handbook of Instructions states, ‘Children born in the covenant cannot be sealed to anyone, but belong to their natural parents. This rule is not altered by adoption, consent of the natural parents, request of the child after becoming of age or death of the natural parents.’(P. 101.) “It should be kept in mind that to be born in the covenant is a birthright blessing, and that if a child remains worthy in this life of celestial blessings, regardless of the actions of his parents, he is assured of that birthright and is guaranteed eternal parentage. One’s worthiness in this life through living the gospel and keeping the commandments, in this as in all things, is the key to eternal life.”[12] And Joseph Fielding Smith has said: “When a man and a woman are married in the temple for time and all eternity and then separate, the children will go with the parent who is justified and who has kept the covenants. If neither of them has kept his covenants, the children may be taken away from both of them and given to somebody else, and that would be by virtue of being born under the covenant. “A child is not to be sealed the second time when born under the covenant, but by virtue of that birthright can be transferred.”[13] The Key PointThose quotes are heavy. If you’re anything like me, you’ll sit and think about them for awhile. How does this knowledge shape your thoughts of eternity with your family? Where could you improve and do better? It’s hard knowing I won’t be with my family if I break my covenants. I could choose to focus on that, but I don’t. Why? Because the gift of knowing I can repent, that I can come back to the Savior and be forgiven no matter my past, that I can receive the Holy Spirit of Promise and forever be sealed with my spouse and children based on that repentance, fills me with peace and joy. If we reach for the Lord, He will reach for us. Photo Credit: Jay Bryant Ward – Within Our Grasp If we practice daily repentance, focus on the Savior, and do all in our power to walk the strait and narrow path, we will receive the Holy Spirit of Promise. I can do this…and so can you. May we each endeavor to live worthily and to possess such an incredible gift. -A Follower of Christ [1] D&C 131:1–4; 132:15–21.
[2] “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to His commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them.” Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 2:36. [3] Smith, Joseph Fielding. The Way to Perfection. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1984, p.247. [4] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Guide to the Scriptures, Holy Spirit of Promise.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/holy-spirit-of-promise?lang=eng 24 Mar 2021 [5] McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, pp.361-62. [6] McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, pp.361-62. [7] McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, pp.361-62. [8] Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 1:45. [9] Bednar, David A. “Ye Must Be Born Again.” Ensign, May 2007. [10] D&C 76:51–60; Eph. 1:13–14; “The Holy Spirit of Promise is an assurance from the Holy Ghost that the ordinances and covenants necessary for salvation have been properly entered into and have been kept. In essence, it is a witness from the Spirit that a person has the promise of eternal life.” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Ch. 33. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual-2017/chapter-33-doctrine-and-covenants-88-1-69?lang=eng 24 Mar 2021 [11] Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 2:65. [12] Cullimore, James A. “What happens when a couple gets a temple divorce? What happens to the children in the next life?” New Era, December 1975. [13] Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 2:91-92. Comments are closed.
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AuthorI am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am not a gospel scholar, but I hope to be one someday. While I’m learning and growing, I hope you join me on my journey for further light and knowledge. Archives
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