The doctrine of eternal marriage and families is one of the most beautiful doctrines that was previously lost through apostasy, but which has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we claim that Elijah’s prophesied return has come to pass. That he and Elias appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and to Oliver Cowdry.

The sealing powers restored by Elijah make possible the joy of being sealed to one’s immediate family and beyond in a great chain from Adam and Eve to the last woman and man to be born upon the earth (see D&C 128:18). In addition to Elijah, Elias also appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the doctrine and the keys of celestial marriage. [i]

This sealing power allows families to perpetuate beyond the grave. Husband and wife are sealed together for eternity along with their children.

For the most part, people all over the world wish to be reunited with their loved ones who have passed. Even those who do not attend a church regularly believe in an afterlife and believe that they will see their family members when they die. Although this doctrine has been lost and muddled throughout the millennia, it has been restored and clarified in the last days.

My dad passed away from cancer at the fairly young age of 48 years old. About eight years prior to his death, he was sealed to my mom and then to me and my sisters in the Oakland California Temple. I remember the moment clearly as we knelt upon an altar in the House of the Lord and were sealed as children to our parents. It was a wonderful day for us all. After my dad died, I had no doubt that I would see him again and that our family would be together after this life as long we kept our covenants and remained faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, I have a family of my own. My children are grown and have been married in the temple. I have grandchildren who are sealed to their parents under the same covenant that the Lord made with Abraham. My family will continue to grow, and hopefully my posterity and I will be united after this life. It’s all conditional upon our obedience to the gospel, but I have faith that they will remain true.

The blessings of eternal life are abundant. I am grateful that these blessings have been provided for all of God’s children. The work we do in our temples throughout the world is to prepare individuals who have passed on to receive the covenants of the Lord, and to unite them with their families. It’s a beautiful and satisfying work that will bring countless blessings to God’s children.

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[i] Judd, D. K. (2016). The Eternal Family: A Plain and Precious Part of the Plan of Salvation. In Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives (pp. 341-352). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.