Glimpse Into Eternity
Shortly after moving to Highland from North Carolina, we took the opportunity to be sealed as a family in the temple on our tenth wedding anniversary.
Though an untraditional timeline, our experience was timely to the condition of our hearts & individual growth. A day where both of our parents could attend in support of this step on the covenant path. I’ll never forget the peace we felt entering the House of the Lord with our daughter a year old, just learning to walk. Upon our arrival, two Sister’s took her to a room where she could play while we prepared and dressed for the sealing ordinance.
Before entering the sealing room, we met briefly with the Sealer who told us he sensed an unusual spiritual maturity between us. Chris & I chuckled, as we silently recalled the past decade together. What we had given and given up to be there— the opposition and disappointments of mortal life, each of us completely overwhelmed with the spirit considering the sacrifices and patience involved. He continued with the following insight that changed my perspective of temple covenants.
Referring to instruction given by Melvin J. Ballard, He said, “We may deceive men but we cannot deceive the Holy Ghost, and our blessings will not be eternal unless they are also sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Ghost is one who reads the thoughts and hearts of men, and gives his sealing approval to the blessings pronounced upon their heads. Then it is binding, efficacious, and of full force.”
After listening to his explanation, we had a moment to reflect on the weight of the promises we were about to make. I imagine it is no different when serving as proxy for another in the Temple. Since then, I have often tried to invite the Spirit of the Lord into my life and take sincere inventory of my thoughts. With the help of Jesus Christ, I can repent and press forward with a pure intention time after time.
When the time came for our sweet Makenna to join us at the altar tears filled my eyes as I listened to the sacred sealing words. Viewing in front of me what felt like a glimpse into eternity. Seeing the timeless light in her countenance made my heart overflow with love.
I'm grateful for the supernal priesthood power that links my Husband and I eternally to each other, our daughter to us and our family to past generations. There are few treasures more important to Chris & I than this. The covenants we keep have strengthened our relationship with God the Father. Reaffirming our faith in Jesus Christ, His life, death & resurrection but most importantly His atonement that we need in order to reach exaltation.
In some ways, the sealing power has greater meaning as life unfolds. The Temple is many things: a house of study, a house of order, of learning, of faith and glory. Most of all a house of love. The Father and the Son invite us to attend in the spirit of sacrifice to be embraced in their holy environment as frequently as possible. Temple attendance has enriched my life in countless ways. I bear testimony that Christ lives, He loves us. He is the greatest source of joy & fulfillment in this life. As we learn to rely on the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father will direct our paths as we trust Him to lead us home eternally.
-Kayleen Frey
