Renlund - Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing - April 2018

Elder Renlund speaks about the blessings on both sides of the veil that occur when we do family history work.  He begins by talking about the obligation we have as members of the church to participate in this sacred work.

• Latter-day Saints have an obligation to research and compile family histories so that we can perform vicarious ordinances for our ancestors.
  

He speaks about God having a purpose for calling us to this work.  The blessings that come to those that have passed is great but can be just as powerful for our souls that are here doing the work for them.

• When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well.
  
• As Church members, we do have a divinely appointed responsibility to seek out our ancestors and compile family histories. This is far more than an encouraged hobby, because the ordinances of salvation are necessary for all of God’s children.
  

Elder Renlund compiles a long list of blessings that come to us as we participate in family history and temple work.  These blessings are promised to us by apostles and prophets throughout the ages.

• As we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:
  
  • Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
    
  • Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
  • Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
  • Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
  • Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
  • Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
  • Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
  • Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;
  • Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
  • Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

Elder Renlund says that if we have prayed for any blessings like these in our lives, the key to opening those blessings is to participate in family history and temple work.

• If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God’s children on earth are healed.

Finally, he reminds us that God is active on both sides of the veil, equally blessings us and our ancestors that have passed.

• God, in His infinite capacity, seals and heals individuals and families despite tragedy, loss, and hardship. We sometimes compare the feelings we experience in temples as having caught a glimpse of heaven.

I love how Elder Renlund speaks about catching a glimpse of heaven here on earth.  He quotes C.S. Lewis as he talks about the blessings of the temple and the recognition that heaven is so close that we hardly will be able to tell our life here from our life there because of the great blessings we have been given here.  When we do temple work, the veil is thin and we catch a glimpse of heaven here on earth.  I am grateful that blessings are given to us as we do the work of salvation for those who have passed.  I know that the temple is such a special place and many blessings recognized and unrecognized are given to us as we help those that can no longer make these covenants for themselves.