Conference Talk of the Week

Overview

Elder Neil L. Andersen teaches that because Jesus Christ rose from the dead and restored the sealing power, temple marriage is meant to last beyond mortality, and it is not a one-day event but an “eternal journey” of becoming. He explains that covenants made at the altar bind husband, wife, and God together, require ongoing repentance and forgiveness, and are protected by the Holy Ghost amid distractions that minimize marriage and sealing. He also offers reassurance that every faithful disciple who desires it will be sealed to a righteous companion, and he points to Christ’s power to sustain couples through long, uneven trials.

Three Key Takeaways

• 1The Resurrection and the restored sealing power make it possible for families to be bound “on earth” and “in heaven,” with temple covenants carrying real power, not just symbolism.
• 2Eternal marriage is a process of discipleship: within the covenant relationship we learn Christlike qualities such as sacrifice, charity, patience, and peacemaking, over a lifetime of repenting, forgiving, and staying focused heavenward.
• 3The Holy Ghost is essential protection as the world discounts lasting marriage and the sealing ordinance; hope in Jesus Christ and in each other helps couples endure serious trials, with the Lord increasing strength when we are faint.

Reflection Questions

• How does my understanding of the sealing ordinance (not just wedding day memories) shape the way I treat my spouse or prepare for a future spouse?
• Where do I most need “more unselfishness, more repentance, and more forgiveness” in my marriage or relationships right now, and what would that look like in one specific interaction?
• What are the distractions or messages around me that downplay covenant marriage, and how can I seek the Holy Ghost more deliberately so I’m not deceived?