Question
Dear Gramps,
This is my first time asking someone questions like this other than the Lord of course. My mother shortly got converted after I did. She was happy, she is a single mother of three children including me. She had asked our bishop at the time if she could be sealed to us as a family. My siblings and I all have different fathers, but were raised by our grandfather. Is it at all possible, to get sealed to our mother? I have been down many roads. Roads I wish to never look back to. I currently have someone I love most deeply with every part of my soul. I prayed about him, and the Lord had told me he was right. We are both converted into this religion, but we both had strayed away. The fact is that we are both helping one another get back into the religion.. Does that truly mean he is THE ONE? I believe in my heart he is.. but .. is this church truly true?
A Confused Teen
Answer
Dear Confused Teen,
As I contemplate your question my heart would like to address your last question first, which in my opinion, is the most important of all your questions, “is this church truly true?” In my experience, the church is as it has been declared by the Lord as read in our Doctrine and Covenants 1:30, “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—,” however what is most important is rather what have you received from the Lord? Before you were baptized did you receive witness from the Lord to join his true Church? If so, then you already have and know the answer to this question yourself.
The next question in reference to your male friend, “Does that truly mean he is the ONE,” can only be answered between you and the Lord; although “the one” may have multiple meanings in this life. As Latter-day Saints we have been informed, by our prophets, regarding the myth of their truly being “only one” person we would be compatible with and should marry. I would recommend you to meditate upon these words deeply as shared by President Kimball, and Elder Packer (The first quote is from President Kimball, the second from Elder Packer):
“‘Soul mates’ are a fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfullness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price” (“Marriage and Divorce,” p. 146).
“While I am sure some young couples have some special guidance in getting together, I do not believe in predestined love. If you desire the inspiration of the Lord in this crucial decision, you must live the standards of the Church, and you must pray constantly for the wisdom to recognize those qualities upon which a successful union may be based. You must do the choosing, rather than to seek for some one-and-only so-called soul mate, chosen for you by someone else and waiting for you. You are to do the choosing. You must be wise beyond your years and humbly prayerful unless you choose amiss” (Eternal Love [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 11).
In connection with these quotes I am constantly reminded of President Monson’s words regarding the decision of whom we choose to marry:
“Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Priceless advice comes from a small framed plaque I once saw in the home of an uncle and aunt. It read, ‘Choose your love; love your choice.’
There is great wisdom in those few words. Commitment in marriage is absolutely essential.” When you become of age to choose an eternal companion remember to choose who you love, and then love your choice through thick and thin, bitter and sweet.
Now, let’s review your first question, “Is it at all possible, to get sealed to our mother?” The answer is “yes” it is possible for you to be sealed to your mother. However, there are policies in place, as given by our prophets, with regard to single parents and sealings. As it is stated now, in order to be sealed, a son or daughter must be able to be sealed to “parents” not a single parent. In other words, your mother must be married in order to be sealed to her children. Without marriage, a sealing is unable to be performed. This makes sense since children are sealed to their parents as if they had been born in the covenant.
In relation to this Church policy I will share with you the words also given to those who are concerned about being sealed to their single parents. We are told that we can choose to have a peace of mind knowing our Father in heaven is loving, merciful, and just, and He will ensure that our family relationships are fair and right for all parties involved.
May the Lord truly comfort your heart and soul with such important questions.
Gramps
