Question
Dear Gramps,
I am in love with an LDS woman for the past 4 years. I know my heart well, and my feelings for her are pure and honorable. She loves me, but says we won’t be able to marry in the temple and be sealed. We have spoken about this, and my feelings have told me that I cannot convert. To convert would deny my family and make them feel I look down on them. I just don’t understand why I should have to when she is Christian and I am also Christian. I don’t denounce anything she believes, and when I die if LDS is revealed to be the more correct path, I will take it. She had an unsealing done from a first marriage. This man was allowed to be sealed because he calls himself LDS but he did not respect his vows and covenants to his wife. If I am more honorable than him because I strive to be better and truly believe in the teachings God has sent down to us, can I not receive the blessings which are only denied me because of a labeling difference between two Christians? Thank you.
Martinez
Answer
Martinez,
While it is true both the Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ are Christian churches, you have to agree there are significant differences between them. One of the biggest being that each organization claims sole authority to act in the name of God on behalf of mankind. Clearly both cannot be correct. The Catholic Church does not recognize the ecclesiastical authority of the LDS Church, nor does the LDS Church recognize the same of the Catholic Church.
As such, neither Church needs to make allowances for other religious beliefs. Every religion has a right to determine its standards and practices without consideration of any other religious authority on the earth. Said another way, The LDS church has set standards in place that limit who can enter the temple. There are active members of the LDS church who are not allowed to enter, due to varying degrees of obedience to the standards of the LDS Church. What to say, then, of one who has not yet joined the membership of the LDS church through baptism?
When you say “When I die, if LDS is revealed to be the more correct path, I will take it.” I have to ask you….why wait until you die? You can have that answer revealed to you this very day. Read James 1:5 with me.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.”
This very verse is the one that led Joseph Smith to pray vocally for the first time in his life. His effort resulted in the First Vision. If God answered that prayer uttered in faith, He will most certainly answer yours.
Finally, think about what a temple marriage means…sealed to your spouse for eternity. This most precious gift is certainly one God wishes all His children to receive, however it must be done in order, for those who have prepared for it.
Just as a car cannot be safely driven by someone unprepared or untrained for it, the higher blessings and promises of God come to those who demonstrate their willingness to obey His will in all parts of their lives.
How important is being sealed to your wife for eternity? What does it mean to you personally, and what would you be willing to do in order to receive such a blessing?
Gramps
