What does no empty chairs mean in regards to the Mormon faith?

Answer 1

In keeping with the traditions and beliefs of the Mormon Church, before the statement "No empty chairs" can be appreciated/understood through its meaning, there must be a brief monologue that explains what the author was trying to convey. As you may or may not know, one of the beliefs of the Mormon religion is that through the "Sealing ceremony" conducted in the Temple, the family "unit" will survive death. In other words, the man seals himself to his wife and children in the Temple. Once he has done so, according to scripture, his wife and children will remain his wife and children in Heaven so long as they choose to do so. (Free agency is a very important part of Mormon culture, hence, in Heaven; they can still choose to keep their family in tact if it's their desire.) Free agency in play, the way the family functioned on earth has a direct impact on how it may survive in Heaven. Now, with this in mind, there was a song that was derived from a quote from the mother of Joseph Smith, Lucy Mack Smith that was as follows: "We must cherish one another, watch over one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together" - Lucy Mack Smith As a result, the addition of "Please….. No empty chairs" was to ensure that the test of a family's streagnth and bonds that survived the earthly life, could endure through the veil of death.