General Conference

I had General Conference on my mind all week. General Conference is a meeting that is broadcast from Salt Lake City to all over the world. It is an opportunity for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to enjoy a few hours of inspired counsel from the general leadership of the church. And, yes, that includes addresses from the prophet of God: Thomas S. Monson.

In preparation for this; the Stake Presidency for my ward asked that members attend the temple two times this past week. I worked at the temple as usual on Thursday and then planned to do one session in Newport. However, I was motivated and pushed to do two sessions at the Newport Beach temple on Friday.

Where I did some family names. I can tell you it was amazing. One of the names that was done was of my dad. During the session, I felt a sense of peace and love towards him that I have not felt since I was a child. I quickly realized that I truly have no hard feelings towards my dad. I know that the things he did while on this mortal life where not the true intentions of his heart. I know that deep down inside he loved my mother, my brothers, and even me. He just didn't know how to show his love or live what would be a good life. So I think I not only have forgiveness for him but full understanding that he must have had a hard life to live knowing what the right thing to do was but doing the opposite at time.

Next item of business at the temple is to seal him and my mom together and then seal myself to them. I know I should probably explain sealings but I will summarize it as follows:

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that when Christ was on the earth, he acted with the authority (and in the name of) of God, his Father. We call this authority the Priesthood. Since Christ possessed the priesthood, he was allowed to pass it on before he died, which he did; to his 12 apostles. The sealing power is the priesthood power given to authorized servants of the Lord to perform certain acts on earth and have them recognized (sealed) or validated in heaven. We believe it is this authority the Lord Jesus Christ described when he said to Peter, "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 16:9.

In this dispensation of the fulness of times, the sealing power was restored by Elijah, the last prophet of the Old Testament period to hold it. He bestowed that authority on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836.

In the Church a sealing refers to the marriage of a husband and wife and to the joining together of children and parents in relationships that are to endure forever. This special type of sealing of husband and wife in marriage is referred to as "eternal marriage" or "celestial marriage." It contrasts with civil and church marriages, which are ceremonies recognized only by earthly authority and are only for the duration of mortal life.

So I will be acting in proxy at the temple for my parents sometime soon; and will then be sealed to them forever.

I know this may all seem odd and different to those who are not of my faith. I hope you will respect and understand that this is a very important part of my life and I know taking a risk in putting it out here. However, I am learning that it is important to share more about who I am, what I believe and care about the most.

Oh and back to General Conference, it truly was amazing. The messages were full of wisdom and I know that if we take them to heart and follow the counsel that were given, we will be blessed more than we can imagine.