What is a Mormon sealing in the temple?

Answer 1

A 'Sealing' is a sacred ordinance performed in the Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church). A sealing is performed at an altar in a sealing room, and is performed by a priesthood holder who has been given the authority to seal by the Prophet of the Church.

When a Mormon couple goes to the temple to get married, they are actually participating in a sealing. A sealing binds couples and families for eternity, meaning that if you are sealed in the temple, your marriage and family unit will continue in heaven after death. Couples may go to the temple to be sealed at the time of their marriage or later (especially if they join the church after they are married) or they may go to have adopted children sealed to them. Children who are born to a couple that is already sealed are considered 'born in the covenant', meaning they do not have to be sealed to their parents in the Temple.

A sealing consists of a blessing is pronounced upon those being sealed, and those being sealed making a covenant that, if broken, anulls the sealing. Family and friends who are members of the Church are often invited to attend the sealing service.

You can learn more about the temple sealing and eternal marriages and families at the "related links" below.

Answer 2

To 'seal' a marriage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is to bind that union throughout all eternity - meaning that the husband and wife are not only married in this life, but will continue their marriage relationship in heaven. The sealing also ensures that any children conceived by that couple which do not live to adulthood will be returned to them to raise at some point after the resurrection.Historically, being sealed was not equivalent with being married as it is today. In the early days of the Church, it was considered a privilege to be sealed to high-ranking church officials. Many women who were 'sealed' to early church leaders never lived in their household and had a husband and children of their own.
A sealing ceremony may take place only in a dedicated Temple of the Church, and may be performed only by an ordained sealer who has been set apart by an Apostle of the Church specifically for that purpose. The ceremony is very short and simple: the husband and wife, dressed in their sacred and symbolic Temple clothing, kneel across from each other and hold hands over an altar while the sealer pronounces a blessing upon them. In places where Mormons are legally recognized authorities to perform a marriage, this sealing can also count as the couple's wedding ceremony. A Temple sealing can also be performed for couples who have previously been legally married in a civil ceremony. Mormons can also extend the sealing blessing to deceased ancestors by performing a proxy sealing. In this way, Mormons believe they are binding ("sealing") all of God's family together.

A photo example of a Temple sealing room can be found here: https://picasaweb.google.com/103310906582758325308/CebuCityPhilippinesTemple#5494187602441235506

Answer 3

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church), an individual may choose to be 'sealed' to their spouse, parents, or children in a special Temple ceremony. To be 'sealed' in the Temple means that you will not be separated by death and that if you live faithfully, you will be together for eternity in heaven. For Mormons, marriage is not 'until death do us part' - when a marriage is sealed in the Temple, it will continue beyond the grave.

When a Mormon couple says they are getting married in the Temple, they are participating in a sealing ceremony. Couples who have previously been married outside of the Temple may also be sealed. (When a couple is sealed, their future children will be 'born in the covenant' and automatically sealed to them. Children who were born before their parents were sealed or who have been adopted may be sealed to their parents.)

A sealing ceremony is quite different than a traditional wedding ceremony. A sealing ceremony may take place only in a special "Sealing Room" in a dedicated Mormon Temple. Sealing rooms are quite small, most holding only about 30 people, but some holding up to 70. Only practicing adult Mormons who have received a special recommend from their Bishop may enter the Temple. For these two reasons, a couple is very limited in whom they may invite to attend their sealing ceremony. Most invite only immediate family or close friends who are also practicing Mormons to attend their ceremony, and afterwards hold a large celebration or reception at another location for extended friends and family and those who are not practicing Mormons. Family and friends who are not Mormon are welcome to stay in the Temple lobby during the ceremony and congratulate the couple when the ceremony is over.

In order to be sealed, a couple will first speak with their Bishop, who will discuss with them what the sealing means, answer their questions, and ensure that the couple is ready to make that commitment. He will also make sure that they meet certain requirements. For example, the husband must have been ordained an Elder in the Priesthood, the couple must have been faithfully practicing the religion for at least one year, and both must have previously participated in the Washing, Anointing, and Endowment ceremonies in the Temple (or plan to do so before being sealed). He will then give them a recommend to be sealed and the couple may make an appointment with the Temple of their choice. They may then invite people to attend the ceremony, if they choose. A couple will need to provide two adult male witnesses, but they are not required to invite anyone else.

When the couple arrives to be sealed, they will need to present a valid marriage license (if the sealing will also be their wedding) or legal certificate proving they have been married, and the recommend from their Bishop. The couple will sign their marriage certificate or sealing certificate with their witnesses and officiant, and then go to separate dressing rooms to change into their Temple clothing. The Temple clothing is a long sleeve white dress shirt, white tie, long white pants, and white shoes for men, and a simple floor-length long sleeve white dress (or skirt and shirt) with white shoes for women. (See "Related Links" for example photos) The couple may find or make these items on their own or may purchase or rent them from the Temple.

After dressing, the couple will have a short private meeting with the Sealer (the man who will perform the ceremony), who will introduce himself, explain the ceremony, and answer any questions. He will then lead them to the Sealing Room where their witnesses and guests are waiting. The Sealing Room has an altar in the middle, chairs on either side for the guests, chairs at the head for the Sealer and two witnesses, and chairs at the opposite end for the couple. (See "Related Links" for example photos) All will be seated and the Sealer will give the couple some marriage advice. He will then invite the couple to kneel on either side of the altar (facing each other) and hold hands. The Sealer has the husband and wife repeat words to make a commitment or covenant with each other, and then says a prayer or blessing to seal that couple's covenant for eternity. If children are to be sealed to the couple, they will now be invited into the room, kneel at the altar with their parents, and another blessing will be pronounced upon them. Most Sealing Rooms have mirrors on two opposite walls, which the couple or family can look into together and see their reflection being repeated on forever as a symbol of their now eternal relationship.

If the couple wishes to do the traditional kiss and exchange rings, they may step away from the altar and do so. Their guests may then come and congratulate them. After everyone has given their congratulations, they go to the dressing rooms to change back into their regular clothes. Often, the couple will wish to stay in their temple clothing, or have a special wedding outfit to change into, and they will have photographs taken outside in the garden. Photos are never allowed inside the Temple (unless they are taken by a church official prior to its dedication), so Mormon couples cannot have photos of their sealing ceremony.

Please see the "Related Links" below for photos of various Sealing Rooms, examples of Temple clothing, and photos of Mormon couples and families posing in the Temple gardens after they have been married or sealed in the Temple.