Your same response also provoked another question: What happens to a couple's sealing if one should die? You pointed out that some marriage ceremonies say (or something to the effect of) "until death do you part." I had never really thought of what those words meant until you said it. I understand now that a marriage (say, in the Catholic faith) ends with a death--which would then leave the "widow" able to marry again. However, LDS members are sealed to each other for eternity. Does that mean a person cannot remarry if his/her spouse should die?

You continued your email about asking if it's really that simple for a person to become a member of the church. What if they do indeed believe the teachings, but yet they drank tea or soda in the past, could they become a member and could they, by converting (as opposed to being born into the church) ever be worthy of entering into the temple. First of all, there is nothing in the doctrines of the Church that says you can't drink soda, but I'll address that in a second.

You went on to tell me that last year you had the opportunity to attend the Boston Massachusetts temple near your home before it was dedicated and you found it to be an unbelievable experience and said that you couldn’t imagine anyone being worthy enough to use it, let alone someone who just joined the church.

You then asked an interesting question about the temple ordinance of sealing families together for eternity. You asked, "If someone does become a member after being raised in a different faith, or if this person is already married and then converts, will he/she be sealed to their spouse and children if they are not members?"

Let's start with the first question. It is very easy for a person to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First, they would need to be taught the basic beliefs of the church. In the course of those discussions, they will have an opportunity to read some, if not all of the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible. They would have the opportunity to pray and ask God if the things that they have been hearing and reading were actually true. If they were sincere in their heart, with real intent, truly wanting to know, they would be blessed by the power of the Holy Ghost to know the truthfulness of those things. That is the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the Holy Spirit that converts, not just the words of missionaries. As they continue with the discussions and their studying, they would attend church so they can see first hand what the people were like. I'm sure the same good feeling that they had while involved in the discussions an! d reading would continue while in the meetings of church where its members were in attendance.

Further, they would be taught a health standard which is called the Word of Wisdom, and it is exactly what it implies. This great law of health is for the specific purpose of blessing those who live it, with better health, stronger minds and physical strength, all of which tends to provide a longer life. As faithful members of the church, we abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea and other harmful drugs. Simply, because all of these substances are addictive and the more one partakes of them the more dependent they are upon them. Personally, I try to avoid anything in excess, especially with what I put in my body, including soda. To me, it's plain common sense.

When all of these things have been concluded, they are then invited to become a member of the church by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost to be their constant companion and guide, only if he/she will live faithfully to all of the things that they know to be right.

Regarding your question about the temple, you do not have to be born a member of the church in order to attend the temple; you only have to be a member of the church in good standing, which is one who lives all of the teachings of the Lord and strives to live a Christ-centered life.

Regarding your question of whether a person can or cannot be sealed to their family if they have been raised in a different faith; it doesn't matter how they were raised. All that matters is if they are striving to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as I stated above, are members in good standing with the church. This also applies to your other question, "If a person is already married, when they join the church, can they be sealed to their spouse and children"? Again, the answer is yes, but only after they all join the church and this is because these blessings only come to those who are members of the church who are willing to abide by the gospel principles and are in good standing in order to enter the temple. Every member of the family needs to participate in these ordinances in the temple to receive the blessings.

I've noticed something time and time again that takes place once a person becomes a member of the church, and that is, their family begins to notice a greater sense of peacefulness and happiness in you. They'll have questions about what you believe and why. It is likely that the good example will help them want to know more about it as well. If they join the church, as a family, they will be able to go to the temple and be sealed to each other for all eternity.

You asked "Can a person of the LDS faith marry someone of a different faith, and if so are they sealed together for eternity? Yes, a person of the LDS faith may marry someone of a different faith. The church does not discriminate against them in anyway, but because the other person is not of our faith, he/she will not be able to enter into the temple to be sealed. "Can a child be raised in the church if his parents are not members"? Yes, and we have seen many incidents where that happens, but it is always with the approval of the parents of that child. The church will never proselyte a little child or a teenager for that matter, if his parents do not approve of them learning more about the church.

Finally, you asked, "What happens to the couples sealing ordinance if one of them should die?" The answer is that they are still sealed together throughout the eternities and will be reunited after this life. You also asked "since LDS members are sealed to each other throughout eternity, does that mean that a person cannot remarry if he/her spouse should die?" No, it does not. People are welcomed to remarry for the length of their lives to other good people and if they lead righteous and worthy lives, they will be reunited to that spouse, to whom they were sealed to in the temple.

I hope that this is helpful to you and I would offer the same invitation to you as I have to others. Please let me know if I should send a couple of representatives from our church to teach you more because, like I said, there's only so much that can be stated in an email.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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