What is a Mormon sealing in the temple?

A 'Sealing' is a sacred ordinance performed in the Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church). A sealing is performed at an altar in a sealing room, and is performed by a priesthood holder who has been given the authority to seal by the Prophet of the Church.

When a Mormon couple goes to the temple to get married, they are actually participating in a sealing. A sealing binds couples and families for eternity, meaning that if you are sealed in the temple, your marriage and family unit will continue in heaven after death. Couples may go to the temple to be sealed at the time of their marriage or later (especially if they join the church after they are married) or they may go to have adopted children sealed to them. Children who are born to a couple that is already sealed are considered 'born in the covenant', meaning they do not have to be sealed to their parents in the Temple.

A sealing consists of a blessing is pronounced upon those being sealed, and those being sealed making a covenant that, if broken, anulls the sealing. Family and friends who are members of the Church are often invited to attend the sealing service.

You can learn more about the temple sealing and eternal marriages and families at the "related links" below.