A very important Mormom theology is that families “can be together forever” providing that the family is sealed in the temple. Temple sealing ensures that family relationships are carried over the other side of the veil eternally. People who are not sealed in the temple will not be able to claim any family ties and they will live as angels (single).
However, millions of people have reported having near death experiences and seeing deceased family members. These people are not Mormons neither they are sealed in the temple. But they still see families & relatives (on the other side of the veil).
Does a family tie end at the time of death? (If a person is not sealed in the temple).
Or the family ties continue on the other side of the veil (paradise) even if a person is not sealed in the temple until the second coming of Jesus, and then after the “judgment day” it ends for people who are not going to the Celestial kingdom?
How do we explain so many near death experiences that claim to see family members on the other side of the veil? There are millions of them. I don’t think that they are all telling lies.
2 Responses to “Hello. A very important Mormom theology is that…”
Felipe Delgado
2014-04-06 12:26:56
The concept of a united family that lives and progresses forever is at the core of Latter-day Saint doctrine.
Hi brother. Thanks for your interesting question. First off, let me comment on near-death experiences generally. You present these experiences as evidence of what the after life is really like, but in reality their validity is dubious. The brain undergoes certain changes as it is in the process of dying, likely producing hallucinations that may be entirely divorced from reality. I see little reason to accept these kinds of experiences as "evidence" in favor of life after death, just as I would question the spiritual validity of a vision had by someone with temporal lobe epilepsy. A better approach is to look to other spiritual experiences that take place during times when the brain is not compromised (e.g. personal revelation from God, etc.). These kinds of experiences provide stronger evidence.
That having been said, I do think you're wrong in suggesting that those who are never sealed (whether in this life or vicariously after death) will loose all claims to family ties. The sealing ordinance allows families to progress together eternally. The way I see it, the Celestial Kingdom is a society filled with glorified beings, with God Himself at the center. Sealings organize that society and allow individuals and families to be part of the greater social whole. Consequently, it's a critically important ordinance.
However, it may well be that even those who choose not to be sealed will still have contact with each other after death. They'll still love and respect each other. I see no reason to think they wouldn't be able to associate. But they will not be able to process as members of and families in the Celestial order without the sealing ordinance.
I hope this answer helps. Thanks again for your interesting question.
Pamela Bonta
2014-04-06 06:17:46
Great question. There Is a simple answer. We believe that the full force of sealing ordinances will come into effect not as soon as we die, but *after* the resurrection from the grave and at the time of judgment. The time between mortal death and the resurrection from the grave is a further opportunity for those who did not have the opportunity in this life to accept the Gospel and its ordinances. That is why we perform ordinances for the dead - those ordinances can only be performed here. This is is accordance with Biblical teachings. In speaking of man in his resurrected state, Paul tells of glories like the sun, the moon, and the stars (1 Cor. 15:39-41). He also speaks of the "third heaven" (2 Cor. 12:2). Jesus himself spoke of "many mansions" or kingdoms (John 14:2).
That having been said, I do think you're wrong in suggesting that those who are never sealed (whether in this life or vicariously after death) will loose all claims to family ties. The sealing ordinance allows families to progress together eternally. The way I see it, the Celestial Kingdom is a society filled with glorified beings, with God Himself at the center. Sealings organize that society and allow individuals and families to be part of the greater social whole. Consequently, it's a critically important ordinance.
However, it may well be that even those who choose not to be sealed will still have contact with each other after death. They'll still love and respect each other. I see no reason to think they wouldn't be able to associate. But they will not be able to process as members of and families in the Celestial order without the sealing ordinance.
I hope this answer helps. Thanks again for your interesting question.