In the Catholic Church, the Keys to Heaven LDS refers to "sealing in marriage for eternity" actually refers to forgiveness of sins. It is written (ditto) that sins that are forgiven on earth will be forgiven in Heaven, sins not forgiven on Earth will not be forgiven in Heaven. Remember, we confess to a Priest, who represents Christ Himself on Earth by the laying of hands, holy ordinance…Melchizedek line. Also I refer you to the concept of Purgatory (one of my favorites) CCC 1544…which I suppose LDS would call the "second or lower kind of Heaven". In our Catholic Bible, there are many subtle references to Purgatory…1 Cor.3:15; 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Macc 12:46 to name a few.

In the recorded scriptures, the only time of which I am aware that the Father and the Son were seen together was when the Apostle Stephen was about to be stoned: "55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55 - 56) My point is that for Stephen to be able to look upon God and live, he was filled with the Holy Ghost. The same was true with Joseph Smith. He was filled with the Holy Ghost which enabled him to see God and Christ and not be consumed by their great glory. Even at that, Joseph said the glory of the Father and the Son was "brighter than the noonday sun". We certainly do not deny the Holy Ghost as is evident in our First Article of Faith: "We believe in God the Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost."

That entire passage in Mathew the 16th chapter has an entirely different interpretation for the LDS than that of the Catholic Church. When Christ asks his disciples and: 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:15 - 19)

We believe that the statement of the Lord "...upon this rock I will build my church..." has specific reference to the revelation that "revealed" to Peter of the divinity of the Lord in the previous sentence and that it is upon the rock of revelation that the church was to be built.

Some interpret the next phrase "...and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." ( Matthew 16:18) suggests that the Church would never be lost. We agree with that interpretation except we believe the Church was taken from the earth away from the "gates of hell" that prevailed during the dark and middle ages. We see this as a direct fulfillment of the prophecy emphasizing that the Second Coming would not occur until after a "falling away": 1 NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 3)

We also refer to Peter's promise that prior to the Second Coming, there would be a complete restoration: "19 ¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:19 - 21)

It was as a part of this restoration that Peter, himself along with James and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery who was with him, and ordained them with those same "keys of the kingdom" which Jesus gave him. These resurrected heavenly messengers restored these priesthood keys in May 1829 on the banks of the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania. Later the ancient, sacred temple ceremonies were revealed which included the keys for binding or sealing of couples on earth to be bound in heaven.

It is interesting to me to know that the Catholic interpretation of the verse about the keys of the kingdom refers to the power to forgive sins. I respect that interpretation, but, as we can see, the passages of the scripture are subject to interpretation. I like the advice given by Peter about that: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20 - 21)

This passage, to me, emphasises the need for prophets and revelation, even to interpret the scriptures. I believe the each of us can also receive our own revelation if we ask in faith: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5 - 6)

I submit, that our Heavenly Father knows the true interpretation and will inspire us if we humbly ask with an open heart and mind we can know the truth of all things by the power of the Holy Ghost: 15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ... 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:16 - 26)

Our understanding of life after death involves a period of time in the spirit world which includes Paradise (see Luke 23:43) and prison (see 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6) where the spirits of all await the resurrection and judgment. It is after the resurrection that we will qualify for the Celestial Glory where God and Christ will dwell, which Paul compares to the sun in glory, the Terrestrial Glory, compared to the moon, the eternal home of good men and women who, however, do not accept and follow the fullness of the gospel, or the Telestial glory compared to the stars, where the wicked will spend eternity (see 1 Corinthians 15: 40-42). I cannot find any real evidence of Purgatory in the scriptures, but it is not too different than our understanding of the spirit world, where individuals can still be taught the gospel (1 Peter 4:6)

Thanks again, for the question and creating an opportunity for this discussion.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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