How Temple Ordinances Create Eternal Family Connections

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sacred temple ceremonies offer the promise of families united beyond this life.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from Priesthood Keys: Directing God's Authority on Earth

Quick take

Temple ordinances, particularly sealing, are sacred ceremonies in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They bind individuals and families for "time and all eternity," not just until death.
Performed by priesthood authority, these covenants offer hope for eternal family units.
This doctrine provides purpose, strengthens family bonds, and is central to eternal progression.

Temple ordinances, specifically the sealing ordinance, are sacred ceremonies performed in dedicated temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These ordinances are understood by members to bind individuals and families together, not merely for the duration of mortal life, but eternally, allowing family relationships to continue beyond death.

The Sealing Ordinance: A Sacred Covenant

At the heart of connecting families eternally is the sealing ordinance. This ceremony, performed by those holding specific priesthood authority—priesthood keys—is a covenant made directly with God. Unlike civil marriages that typically state "until death do us part," a temple sealing solemnizes a marriage for "time and all eternity." This means that if individuals live true to the covenants they make, their marital and family relationships can endure beyond the grave and continue into the eternities.

Extending the Eternal Family Unit

The sealing covenant extends beyond husband and wife to include children. Children born to parents who have been sealed in the temple are considered "born in the covenant" and are automatically sealed to their parents. If parents are sealed after their children are born, the children can later be sealed to them in a separate temple ordinance. This doctrine teaches that an entire family—parents and children—can be bound together as an eternal unit, preserving these cherished relationships indefinitely.

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the promise of eternal families is a central and deeply comforting doctrine. It provides profound hope and purpose, offering solace in times of loss and strengthening family relationships in this life with the knowledge that they can endure forever. This belief shapes daily decisions, encourages strong family bonds, and motivates individuals to live in a way that honors these sacred covenants, believing that doing so allows them to return to God as an eternal family unit.

Can anyone be sealed in a temple?

Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are considered worthy and have received a temple recommend from their local ecclesiastical leaders can participate in temple ordinances, including sealings.

What if I marry someone who is not a member of the Church?

Temple sealings are reserved for members of the Church. If a member marries a non-member, they cannot be sealed in the temple at that time. However, if the non-member later joins the Church and becomes worthy, the couple can then be sealed.

What happens to children if their parents divorce after being sealed?

A temple sealing is a covenant with God, and its eternal validity depends on the faithfulness of the individuals involved. While a civil divorce may end the legal marriage, the sealing covenant itself requires a formal cancellation or annulment from the Church's leadership to be considered nullified in an eternal sense. Children remain sealed to their parents unless specific circumstances warrant a cancellation of their sealing.

Is a temple sealing legally recognized as a marriage?

In most countries, a temple sealing ceremony is preceded or followed by a civil marriage ceremony to ensure legal recognition. In some jurisdictions, the person performing the sealing ordinance is also legally authorized to perform the civil marriage, combining both aspects into one event.

Sources

"Gospel Topics: Sealing" - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"Gospel Topics: Temples" - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints