Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Thirty-Two

Medium of Mine Anointed

Introduction – D&C 132:7 teaches about the importance of the sealing power and the eternal nature of the marriage covenant.  It is one sentence, and to be understood it must be considered in phrases.

“And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these…” The law referred to is “the new and everlasting covenant” (D&C 132:6) which is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 66:2) and includes all gospel ordinances culminating with the marriage covenant.

“All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations…” This refers to all conditions and relationships in this life.

“That are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise… for time and for all eternity…”  The Holy Spirit of Promise is another name for the Holy Ghost which attests to individual worthiness and ratifies all covenants and ordinances both in this life and the next.

“Of him who is anointed…to hold this power…and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred…” refers to Joseph Smith and his successor prophets of this dispensation who hold and exercise the keys of the sealing power.

“The medium of mine anointed” – A dictionary definition of the word “medium” is: “An agency, such as a person…by means of which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred.”  They are men who the Prophet has authorized to hold the sealing power and exercise it on his behalf.

President Hinckley gave a beautiful statement about the sealing authority and those who hold it: “I never confer the sealing authority upon a man, and I have done it upon some of you here today, that I do not think of the wonder of it all.  Endowed with the keys of the holy priesthood and all of the power of that priesthood, we confer the only authority upon the face of the earth which reaches into the world beyond.

“No King, no president of a nation, no official of any entity in the world of which we are a part has any authority over matters beyond the grave.  Everyone is helpless before the reach of death.  But the humblest, good, righteous high priest who has received the sealing authority may bind in the heavens that which is bound on earth.  There is nothing like it” (Teachings, Gordon B. Hinckley).

“Are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.”  This is true in the law of earthly contracts, and it is a powerful reminder of the importance of celestial marriage.

Testimony – Men who hold the Melchizedek priesthood should have their priesthood line of authority.  Sealers also have a sealing line of authority which has only three steps:

• “Anointed One” – This refers to Jesus who “is spoken of as the Christ and the Messiah, which means he is the one anointed of the Father…” (LDS Bible Dictionary, Anointed One).

• “Mine anointed” – This is the living prophet who exercises all priesthood keys (D&C 132:7).

• “Medium of mine anointed” – These are individual sealers who the prophet has authorized to hold the sealing power thereby becoming “the medium of mine anointed.”

The Lord, the “Anointed One” has given the sealing keys to his prophet, “mine anointed.”  Individual sealers in every temple hold the sealing power as a “medium of mine anointed.” I am very blessed to a “medium” of the Lord’s living prophet.