My dads side of the family is Mormon and I recently received some Geneology information from my Uncle.
On some of the forms there is some notes saying: Endowed, Sealed to parents and Sealed to spouse.
What do these terms mean?
We believe there are certain essential saving ordinances that must be performed on this earth for all mankind. We believe baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost are the first two saving ordinances. Being ordained to the priesthood(for males), the initiatory, endowment and sealing to spouse/children are also essential ordinances performed in the temples. The initiatory (or washing & anointing) is where certain blessings are promised. The endowment is where a person makes certain sacred covenants with God to keep his commandments. The sealing to spouse and children is where a family is joined together forever. All ordinances and covenants are conditional upon a persons worthiness in this life. Those who have died in this life and have not had the opportunity to receive these ordinances will have the opportunity to receive them in the next life under certain conditions. Ordinances are performed for the deceased in temples around the world. The person who has died will then have the opportunity to accept or reject these ordinances. This is the most just doctrine I have ever heard. ALL children of our Heavenly Father will have the same opportunity to have all the blessings of the gospel regardless of when or where they were born on this earth.
This was first made possible after Christ’s death and resurrection. While Christ’s body laid in the tomb, His spirit was in paradise preparing the missionary work to go to those in spirit prison. Christ bridged the gulf between these spirit realms.
“18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1 Peter 3:18-20)
“6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6)
“29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29)
"19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. "(Luke 16:19-26)
