After listening to Elder Holland's response, I was sad. Sealings are confusing enough on their own, but then add in the mix an Apostle of the Lord trying to explain how sealings work in cases of death and he says, "I don't have the slightest idea" (2:40min. mark).
Then Elder Holland goes on to say that the Lord knows everything and how it all works and to trust in the Lord. Elder Oaks has also similarly admitted that he doesn't know how the sealing ordinance (link) works, as have other apostles and prophets, and they likewise default to answering with things like, "let the Lord work it out" or "just trust in the Lord".
D&C 132:8 Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
How are these answers acceptable from men that stand as special witnesses of Christ? From Apostles who testify that they that have direct communication with the Lord and that they speak for the Lord? How are these answers acceptable for those who preach of continuing revelation but give none? How is this acceptable from those who are Shepherds keeping watch of the flock, from those who are called to feed the flock and nourish them with words from the Lord?
Do you sustain and believe that President Nelson, Holland, and ALL the Apostles are Prophets?
That means you believe they can foretell things that will come in the future.
Do you sustain and believe that they are Seers?
That means that you believe they can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known (Mosiah 8:17).
Do you believe that they are Revelators?
That means you believe that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also (Mosiah 8:15-16).
If you do sustain and believe these things, then why is it that we know virtually nothing of how the sealing of family bloodlines works e.g. multiple wives, mulitple husbands, divorce, unrighteous ancestors who break the eternal link of families, nor do we know how to determine if we are literally sealed to our current spouse since the ceremony doesn't officially say you are sealed, etc., etc..
Why is it that Ammon told us that a Seer will make secret things to be made manifest, and yet the entire Temple sealing is a complete and utter mystery to the Prophet and Apostles of the church?
Have you ever done sealing and asked the sealer a question about the sealing ordinance? I have, many times. At one point in my temple attendance, I used to attend the temple every other day for over a year (my husband attended on the alternating days). Each time I asked the sealers a question, I was told that they are instructed not to talk about the sealing ordinance (insert bulging eyeballs here). Prior to their vow of silence I met with multiple Temple presidents. I asked them my questions and their answers were parallel to President Holland's response.
If you sustain these men as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, I ask you:
Why do they not, "...teach of things which are past, and also of things which are to come"?
Why do they not make "secret things manifest, and hidden things come to light?"
Why do they not "teach of things which are not known"? And of those things which are not known, why don't they make hidden things, "known by them which otherwise could not be known"? (Mosiah 8:17)
Nephi delighted in doctrine that was plain and easy to understand. If Nephi came to you and asked you to explain the temple sealing to him, could you? Nephi said:
4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn. (2 Nephi 25:4)
The spirit of Prophecy is plain and makes difficult things plain to be understood, even the Temple. Nephi tells us that even the book of Isaiah is plain, ***to those who are filled with the spirit of Prophecy.***
When was the last time President Nelson, Eyring, or Oaks spoke plainly about Isaiah and Prophesied plainly of his words? When have any of the Apostles or past Prophet's and Apostles done that for their flock?
Nephi further tells us in 2 Nephi 26:33 that..."...the Lord...doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness..."
The book of Amos, chapter 3 tells us that, "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
I will conclude this post with three things. I have had people say that those who point out flaws of the church leaders (I would say pointing out behavior that is inconsistent with scripture/doctrine) are speaking evil against the Lord's anointed and are bitter towards the church.
Second, I had a phone call last week with a friend whom I hadn't spoken to in two years as they had moved away and life got busy. I reached out to them to see how they were and they called me on the phone and we talked for some time. They said to me, "I have changed so much. I don't go to church anymore." I said, "Oh wow, what happened?" They proceeded to tell me how they had discovered the church leaders lied to them in xy and z ways and they decided to walk away. Then they said, "I don't believe in Jesus anymore. We are our own god's. We don't need anyone to save us. We save ourselves." My heart sunk. I told them that I could understand if they wanted to leave the church but to please keep some space in their heart and mind for Jesus, even if it was just a small space. They pushed back firmly and told me there was no Jesus!
How is it that you and I all know people just like this, and we are learning of more every year? How is it that members are walking away from everything, even Jesus? Say what you will about the church. Leave it if you must. If people want to say Joseph was a liar and adulterer, even though I disagree, go ahead, I don't care. But Jesus...don't throw away my Jesus...your Jesus...OUR Jesus. We do need a Savior. And praise GOD we have a Savior willing to Redeem us from the very pit of Hell. Willing to be tortured, beaten, bruised for OUR iniquities...and with his stripes...we are healed. Praise You JESUS. Praise, Honor and Glory forever.
Lastly...members of the Church that are leaving the church and ALSO leaving their God disturbs me greatly. THIS is why I write. If you are on your way out, these writings are for you. To persuade you to let Jesus catch your heart. That when men have failed you, and fail you they must - for they are flesh and were not made to put your trust in, then call out to Jesus to catch your heart. Above ALL else...guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23)
To conclude, I echo Ezekiel when he prophesied of the Shepherds of the flock...to those who were supposed to be taking care of the Lord's sheep:
Ezekiel 34:
1 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
7 ¶ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
20 ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
Take time to read that entire chapter if you want to find out just how much your Jesus loves you and some of the lengths He has gone to claim you His, to feed you, and to protect you.
Ezekiel 34:
1 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
7 ¶ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
20 ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
Take time to read that entire chapter if you want to find out just how much your Jesus loves you and some of the lengths He has gone to claim you His, to feed you, and to protect you.
HE IS THE WAY.
Show Me The Way
by
Styx
