I recently asked a question and I got a very honest and courteous answer about the law of Chastity.
Now that I know the answer to my question, I have new questions that come up about using my temple recommend. When I answered the question “Do I Observe The Law Of Chastity” I was thinking of the temple marriage not the temporal marriage and I answered “Yes”. If I answered incorrectly, does that mean that I do not hold a valid temple recommend and I should not use it to go through sessions at the Temple for the Dead? If I do, and I have, will it render the endowment for the dead of no value and even a waste of time?
Also with no valid temple recommend, am I failing to get the blessings which normally come with having a Temple Recommend. Even from paying tithing?
Does it all comes back to the first question of having a legal marriage which is the binding document on Earth? Then the Sealing for time and all Eternity does not come into play until we leave the earth?
It almost sounds like I answered my own question, but I really need some help understanding. Thank you.
3 Responses to “I recently asked a question and I got a very honest and…”
Gabriel Ramos
2012-10-14 13:43:21
Hi Redman. Thanks for your follow-up question. Your situation is very complicated. It's one thing to intentionally lie to obtain a temple recommend. That's not your case at all. You answered the question about chastity in good faith, believing your answer was correct. There was a misunderstanding, yes, but there was no malice.
I encourage you to talk with your Bishop about this misunderstanding. It would probably be best if you didn't go to the Temple until you've resolved your marriage issue, assuming you are having full marital relations. Any ordinances you performed in the Temple are still valid, but it would be best for your own spiritual well-being if you waited to go to the Temple until after you're married.
As I mentioned before, you are definitely still welcome to worship with us even prior to resolving your law-of-chastity issue, but there will be some restrictions in the interim. I don't know if you could continue to pay tithing. Your Bishop will be able to help you know how to proceed appropriately.
I hope this answer helps and that you begin now to resolve any problem that's keeping you from enjoying all the blessings of the gospel. You strike me as a very good-hearted man who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. Nevertheless, God expects us to keep His commandments even in these kinds of circumstances. I know He'll bless you as you strive to do what's right. Best of luck to you.
Anonymous
2012-10-08 09:08:19
Members of the Church believe that marriages performed in temples are sealed, or blessed to last for eternity.
Hey I have had similar questions lately. I think when we answer these questions the spirit can testify to us about if what we are doing is good or bad. To tell us if we are on the right path and can tell us if we need to correct our ways and repent. Obviously some choices we will regret and feel ashamed and is easy to punish ourselves and judge ourselves more harshly because we may feel that we have let ourselves down. I know with choices I have made have been not bad but not really good either. The best thing to do is to talk to your bishop. Even though he may have already interviewed you for a temple recommend I think he would be glad to talk to you about it. Its good because you take your recommend seriously and not for granted, and there is always room for improvement. As far as doing baptisms for the dead, as far as I know it still works for the spirits on the other side. Its like the same thing if a unworthy man exercises the priesthood and gives you a blessing. The person getting the blessing is still worthy so they still receive all the blessings because of their faithfulness and keeping the commandments. However, to the unworthy priesthood holder it is like mocking God and will not receive the blessing that would come to them if they were worthy to exercise the priesthood. About the eternal spectrum thing. Eternal marraige is eternal right? Isn't this life part of the eternal plan? I believe that eternal marriage and its blessings and promises start when you do.
Richard
2012-10-09 08:49:24
God honors the laws of the land and earth while His children are on the earth, and we need to honor those laws also, so as to show we will also be willing to honor the laws in heaven when we get there.
Temple sealings for the dead are made legitimate through Christ's efforts, not as much our own.
During an endowment for the dead, my deafness caused me to misunderstand the New name given for the dead I was in proxy for. The veil worker had to correct me at the veil and once I understood and spoke the name correct, we moved on with the endowment.
So do you think becsuse of my mortal disability God will reject my effort on behalf of the dead ans that brother will not have a chance to accept the vicarious gift because of my mistake? Does the sacrament prayer needing to be said 5 times before the new priest gets it perfect still count the same as the vetran high priest who has learned to say the prayer backward?
Do your true and real best per your ability, be happy and rejoice you are priveledged to do the work, and forgive yourself your mortal, and fallen, not quite perfect in this life self. Don't sweat the small stuff, just do your honest best.
I encourage you to talk with your Bishop about this misunderstanding. It would probably be best if you didn't go to the Temple until you've resolved your marriage issue, assuming you are having full marital relations. Any ordinances you performed in the Temple are still valid, but it would be best for your own spiritual well-being if you waited to go to the Temple until after you're married.
As I mentioned before, you are definitely still welcome to worship with us even prior to resolving your law-of-chastity issue, but there will be some restrictions in the interim. I don't know if you could continue to pay tithing. Your Bishop will be able to help you know how to proceed appropriately.
I hope this answer helps and that you begin now to resolve any problem that's keeping you from enjoying all the blessings of the gospel. You strike me as a very good-hearted man who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. Nevertheless, God expects us to keep His commandments even in these kinds of circumstances. I know He'll bless you as you strive to do what's right. Best of luck to you.
Temple sealings for the dead are made legitimate through Christ's efforts, not as much our own.
During an endowment for the dead, my deafness caused me to misunderstand the New name given for the dead I was in proxy for. The veil worker had to correct me at the veil and once I understood and spoke the name correct, we moved on with the endowment.
So do you think becsuse of my mortal disability God will reject my effort on behalf of the dead ans that brother will not have a chance to accept the vicarious gift because of my mistake? Does the sacrament prayer needing to be said 5 times before the new priest gets it perfect still count the same as the vetran high priest who has learned to say the prayer backward?
Do your true and real best per your ability, be happy and rejoice you are priveledged to do the work, and forgive yourself your mortal, and fallen, not quite perfect in this life self. Don't sweat the small stuff, just do your honest best.