''While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter.''
By President Russell M. Nelson
Being married in the house of the Lord is the most beautiful and eternal blessing our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon His sons and daughters for them to experience during their mortality, and beyond into their eternal lives. Being sealed in the Temple assures us that our relationship will continue forever as long as we are faithful to our covenants.
Our Thailand Bangkok Temple visit was a sudden decision and we had to plan within a short time. With our determination and eagerness to be there and with the help of the Lord’s guidance, we were able to implement our plans smoothly and successfully.
While we were preparing our minds and hearts to visit the Temple and to get sealed, we were overpowered with joy and other emotions. However, when we reached and stepped inside the Temple, we felt the love of our Heavenly Father and were reminded of all the blessings that helped us to be there in His house and felt HIS presence everywhere. We were filled with the excitement to be sealed for time and eternity. We were planning for the exact moment for years ever since we started to become serious about our relationship.
Individually or with family, we have visited temples before. But this was the first time that both of us had been to the Temple together. The feeling of receiving the blessings of being sealed with each other forever was overwhelming and exciting for both of us. We, as a married couple, were bestowed with this wonderful gift on 24th April 2024. While we knelt at the altar, we were filled with different emotions, of joy, of peace, and of love toward our Heavenly Father and each other. As our hearts were filled with the Spirit, it helped us to understand more clearly the promises our Father in Heaven has in store for us. These help us to ponder more about the spiritual things which are important for us by turning our hearts away from temporal concerns.
The revelations we have received inside the Temple are very important to us and we were happy that we were able to receive those confirmations and revelations. We know that the Temple blessings are eternal and we are grateful to our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ for providing such an opportunity. Knowing that there will be many challenges while walking on the covenant path, but we are affirmed that we are not alone and as far as we follow the Lord’s commandments, we will not perish.
President Russell M. Nelson spoke about the significance of celestial marriage in our lives succinctly through this quote, “While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. Only those who are married in the temple and whose marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will continue as spouses after death and receive the highest degree of celestial glory, or exaltation. A temple marriage is also called a celestial marriage. Within the celestial glory are three levels. To obtain the highest, a husband and wife must be sealed for time and all eternity and keep their covenants made in a holy temple.
It makes us so happy to think that the members in India will witness more blessings in their lives as the Temple in Bengaluru will be soon operational. Generations can be blessed eternally through temple ordinances which will enable our ancestors and future generations to return to dwell with our Heavenly Father.
Notes/Reference: General Conf. Oct 2008, Celestial Marriage by Elder Russell M. Nelson