Today in our Gospel Essentials Sunday School class, our lesson was on the temple and the work that we do in the temple. One of the blessings of the temple is the sealing power. When most people marry, they marry "til death do we part". In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, those who marry in the temple are married for time and all eternity. Through the Priesthood power held by those with authority from Jesus Christ, we are sealed and bound to our families for eternity if we live righteously.
As we discussed this in our class, an older man who had never heard this doctine before was very quiet. We then began to talk about Baptism for the dead and why we as members of the Church baptize those who have passed on. Heavenly Father loves all his children and wants all of us to return to him. Those who never had a chance to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life are taught in the Spirit World. Because baptism is the first important ordinance in returning to live with Heavenly Father (we sometimes refer to it as the gate to eternal life), we do baptisms by proxy for the dead so that they too may have the opportunity to live with Heavenly Father.
This older gentleman's eyes began to light up as we discussed this. Finally, with great amazement, he said, "Do you mean that if I got baptized in this Church, I could have my mother, who passed 15 years ago, baptized and we could be together forever?" Yes, oh yes. That is what this means. The gospel is so simple and so amazing. I love how the Spirit opens our eyes to understanding!
No comments:
Post a Comment