Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Twenty-Seven

Receiving the Sealing Power from President Thomas S. Monson

Introduction – On August 22, 2006, President Thomas S. Monson invited me, my companion and our children, including the spouses of any who were married, to his office for me to receive the sealing authority.  President Monson was then first councilor to President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Eternal marriage and eternal families – President Monson began by emphasizing the importance of families, and he asked about my family including my children, parents, and grandparents.  He remembered publishing the Albert Petty Family book for my grandfather Charles Petty.  President Monson has a remarkable memory for names, dates and places.   

President Monson spoke of his wife with great love, and he asked everyone how long they had been married.  He said their sealer counseled them that they should always kneel together in prayer both morning and night, each taking their turn. He said they had done that for 58 years and it worked.  He promised that if each of us would do that our marriages would be eternal.

Instructions on performing sealings – President Monson reminded me to perform all sealing ordinances with meaning and respect, and to speak at a normal speed.  He said people who had been waiting on the other side for their sealings deserved their moment.  

He said that without the work we do in the temple those in the spirit world, who have been waiting so long, would remain in bondage.  We are privileged to do the sealings and temple work that will release them.  There is no greater service.

Conferring the sealing authority – President Monson first conferred the sealing authority by stating he was doing so under the direction of President Hinckley who holds all the priesthood keys on the earth.  He then proceeded to bless me with health and strength, kindness and love and a smiling disposition.  He blessed me and all our family that we would be watched over.  He blessed me that I would be able to carry out this calling in a faithful way.  He reminded me that there are not many people on the earth who hold the sealing power, and how sacred this calling was.

Conclusion – As we were leaving, he held each of us by the hand, it seemed more than a handshake.  We noticed the clock and could hardly believe that we had been with him for over an hour.    One of the sweetest blessings that came to me personally was that I observed that my family was comfortable in being in the presence of a prophet of God for over an hour.  Hopefully, our lives will be such that we will feel the same way in the presence of the Lord.

Testimony – As we left, I remembered that President George W. Bush would visit Salt Lake City in the next few days.  Over 1,000 people will pay $500 a seat to hear him speak.  Some will pay thousands of dollars for a chance to shake the hand of the President of the United States and have a picture with him.  This takes about 30 seconds on average.  In contrast my family had the blessing of spending over an hour being instructed by and listening to President Monson who is the second senior apostle on the earth.  For this remarkable privilege we did not pay anything.  On the contrary I received from him the power to seal on earth and bind in heaven.  This most remarkable gift and blessing cannot be purchased for any amount of money.