What happens to sealing to parents if adult child leaves the Church?

Question

Gramps,

What happens to a temple sealing if a child, born under the covenant, chooses to leave the Church as an adult?

KrIsti

Answer

Kristi,

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a temple sealing is not merely a significant ordinance but a sacred covenant that binds families together for eternity. It establishes an eternal relationship between a husband and wife and includes their children, particularly those born under the covenant. According to President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth would save not only themselves but likewise their posterity.” This statement underscores the belief that the blessings of these sealings extend beyond mortality, creating a divine connection that persists through time.

For children born to parents who are sealed in the temple, this covenant embodies a birthright blessing. They are assured an eternal connection to their parents, regardless of the individual choices they may later make. The Church teaches that temple sealings are not conditional on the faithfulness of the parents; rather, the sealing remains intact even if one parent becomes unfaithful. Children born under the covenant are assured an eternal connection to their parents, irrespective of their individual choices later in life.

When a child born under the covenant chooses to leave the Church, one of the most pressing concerns for parents is the status of their sealing. Fortunately, Church doctrine reassures members that their sealing remains valid. President Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed that children who drift away from the faith are still the children of their parents, emphasizing that parents maintain a claim upon them.

This teaching reinforces the idea that, despite individual choices, the blessings associated with the sealing endure. Children can return to the faith and access the blessings tied to their sealings, should they choose to do so. The Church’s teachings provide hope, indicating that the love and connection forged through temple sealings are resilient and eternal.

Central to understanding the implications of temple sealings is the doctrine of agency. Each individual is endowed with the ability and responsibility to make choices. Elder David Bednar articulated this principle, stating that while faithful parents can invite the influence of heaven upon their children, ultimately, the choice to repent rests with the children themselves (Bednar, 2014).

This perspective highlights that even if a child strays from the teachings of the Church, their sealing to their faithful parents remains intact. It is a reminder that the covenant is not merely a transactional relationship but a profound bond rooted in love and divine promise. As Elder Orson F. Whitney taught, “The Shepherd will find his sheep,” conveying the hope that wayward children can return to their eternal family.

The teachings of Church leaders provide further insights into the nature of eternal relationships. They emphasize the importance of faith, prayer, and hope for wayward children. President Hinckley’s assurances remind families that God’s love is eternal and that even those who stray can feel the influence of divine providence drawing them back.

Elder Orson F. Whitney articulated this hope, stating that “the influence of divine providence” would guide children back to the fold.These sentiments echo the Church’s belief in the power of repentance and the potential for reconciliation within eternal family bonds.

The doctrine of eternal families in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers profound comfort and hope for parents facing the reality of children who may stray from the faith. The eternal nature of temple sealings ensures that children born under the covenant remain connected to their parents, regardless of their choices. Even in the face of doubt or separation, the teachings of the Church uphold the belief that the bonds of love and family endure beyond mortality.

Through faith, prayer, and adherence to gospel principles, there remains a pathway for reconciliation and eternal union. Families can find solace in the understanding that their connections are not severed by individual choices but are instead an everlasting promise of divine love and hope.

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