Understanding Eternal Marriage and Family Sealings in LDS Temples

A look into the sacred ordinances performed in Latter-day Saint temples that bind families together beyond mortality.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Aug 20, 2026

Branched from The History of LDS Temple Ceremonies and Why They Have Changed Over Time

Quick take

Eternal marriage is a temple ordinance for Latter-day Saints, binding a husband and wife for eternity.
Family sealings connect children to sealed parents, ensuring eternal family units.
These ordinances are central to LDS belief in continuing family relationships after death.
They require worthiness and are performed by priesthood authority in temples.

Eternal marriage and family sealings are sacred ordinances performed exclusively within the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These ceremonies bind a husband and wife together, and children to their parents, not just for this life but for eternity, based on the fundamental belief that family relationships can continue beyond death.

How Eternal Marriage Works

In an eternal marriage, a man and woman enter into a solemn covenant with each other and with God, promising to be faithful to their vows and to Him. Unlike civil marriages, which are understood to last “till death do us part,” this temple sealing is intended to endure forever if the couple lives righteously and keeps their commitments. It signifies a profound, lifelong, and eternal commitment to build a family unit that can continue into the eternities. To participate, members must be worthy and hold a current temple recommend, which signifies their adherence to Church standards and beliefs.

How Family Sealings Work

Children born to parents who have already been sealed in an eternal marriage are considered “born in the covenant,” meaning they are automatically sealed to their parents for eternity without a separate ordinance. For children born before their parents were sealed, or for adopted children, a separate sealing ordinance can be performed in the temple to formally connect them to their parents for eternity. This ensures that the entire family unit can remain together beyond mortality, according to Latter-day Saint doctrine.

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, eternal marriage and family sealings are central to their faith and offer immense hope and comfort. The belief that families can be together forever provides deep meaning to marriage, parenting, and family life. It underscores the sacredness of family relationships and motivates individuals to live in a way that honors these eternal covenants. This doctrine is a cornerstone of the Latter-day Saint understanding of God's plan for His children, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul and the importance of family as the fundamental unit in both this life and the next.

Can non-members attend a sealing?

No, temple sealing ceremonies are considered sacred and are reserved for worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold a current temple recommend. However, families often gather outside the temple for celebrations afterward.

What if I'm already married civilly?

Latter-day Saints who are already legally married can have their marriage “sealed” in the temple after a waiting period, typically one year after their civil marriage. The temple sealing then makes their existing marriage eternal.

What if a spouse dies?

A temple sealing is meant to be eternal. If a spouse dies, the sealing remains in effect. The surviving spouse may eventually choose to be sealed to another person if they remarry, under specific Church guidelines.

Can a sealing be undone?

Yes, in certain circumstances, a sealing can be canceled or “unsealed” by Church authorities, particularly in cases of divorce or other serious issues, though this is not a common occurrence. This process requires approval from the First Presidency of the Church.