Wedding #30
Finally!
Over the last three years, we have received numerous wedding invitations (approximately #30 so far) from our missionaries after they return home from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Serving a mission in Europe and the location of the majority of weddings (North America) have made it impossible for us to attend any!
This weekend was different.
We made it to Sheffield to be with Lea and Harrison.
What a joy it was to be with them, their family and friends.
Early on Saturday morning, I received a rather unusual request from Harrison.
Authority
“So, my Bishop was potentially going to do a fake ceremony for us again in the evening for the guests that aren’t there in the morning, but he can’t make it now. I’m sorry it is so last minute, but would you be able to do that for us?”
Civilly, they were married in the chapel in the morning.
Eternally, they were married (sealed) in the temple in the afternoon.
And for the third time in the evening, they took their vows again with the fake imposter minister!
It was fun to be asked and fun to help out, as I shared the words of their vows again.
It got me thinking about authority and on this occasion my lack of it!
Whilst serving as a Bishop, then Stake President in the church, I had the legal authority to perform many civil marriage ceremonies. That authority ended when I was released from the position.
The authority to unite families forever in the temple is called the sealing power. It is the same power that Jesus gave to His Apostles during His ministry on earth. (Matthew 16:19.)
An eternal marriage is therefore called a sealing.
Unlike marriages that last only “until death do you part,” temple sealings ensure that death cannot separate loved ones.
I love these words from one of our church hymns #300:
“Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father’s plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.”
I am so grateful for our sealing in the London temple in 1994.
And I look forward to attending many more events in the years ahead.
If you want to know more about temple sealings, speak with a missionary today.
