Question
Gramps,
I have two questions and I’m just curious, but if a person committed fornication or adultery and didn’t confess it to the Bishop or Stake President and just “supposedly” didn’t do it again and got sealed in the temple to their companion is that sealing valid? And what are the consequences to such spiritual pollution in entering the temple thru deception?
Celeste
Answer
Dear Celeste,
The Lord will not be mocked. Someone cannot simply ignore His commandments and go to the temple unworthily and think that it will all be okay. One must go through the proper channels that the Lord has outlined.
So if you are thinking of doing this, don’t.
If you have done it, see your Bishop as soon as possible. I believe that the road of repentance here would be difficult, but repentance is certainly possible. The Lord’s hands are outstretched to those who come to Him with a repentant heart. Remember the words of Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
If you believe someone else has done this, then it depends. If a person suspected their own spouse had done this, then I would suggest counseling with the Bishop…both of them. If you think a friend did this, you might encourage them to see their Bishop. You could also prayerfully consider talking to the Bishop yourself. I would counsel you also though to be careful not to get to involved in something that “does not concern you.” Don’t allow Satan to use this to hurt you, to make you bitter, angry or resentful Don’t allow yourself to become preoccupied with this. You can’t repent for someone else, and you can’t forgive them of something that is between them and the Lord.
Finally, about the consequences of polluting the temple in this way, I don’t know for sure, but I would not want to be this person on the judgment day if they do not go through the proper channels of repentance. Repentance now will likely be difficult and painful, but so much better to do it now, than suffer the consequences later.
Gramps
