The policies surrounding temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have undergone significant changes over the years, leading to a notable gender imbalance. This article explores how these policies have evolved and the implications for men and women.
What is a Temple Sealing?
In LDS doctrine, a temple sealing is a sacred ordinance that binds a man and woman together for eternity. This bond extends beyond death, ensuring that their family relationships continue in the Celestial Kingdom.
Historical Context
19th Century Practices
In the 1800s, LDS temple sealings allowed both men and women to be sealed to multiple spouses. If a couple divorced or one spouse died, their sealings remained intact. This practice meant that some women were sealed to more than one man.
Early 20th Century Developments
By the early 1900s, the Church began to formalize the process for canceling sealings. This shift coincided with the Church’s move away from practicing plural marriage. Under new rules, men could be sealed to multiple women, provided they were married to only one woman at a time in life. Women, however, were restricted to being sealed to only one man. This policy was codified in 1944, but exceptions were made for widows, particularly those affected by World War II.
Mid-20th Century Adjustments
In 1969, President David O. McKay revised the sealing policies for deceased individuals. To facilitate temple work for the dead, women who had been sealed to multiple men during their lifetimes could be sealed by proxy to all those men. This change aimed to simplify temple work but reinforced gender disparities in living sealings.
Current Policies
Today, living women who have divorced must petition the First Presidency to cancel their initial sealing before they can remarry in the temple. Men, however, do not need to cancel their previous sealings and can be sealed to multiple women. Recent updates include a 1998 policy requiring divorced men to seek clearance for additional sealings and a 2022 handbook revision allowing both genders to seek sealing cancellations regardless of future sealings.
Key Takeaways
- Gender Inequality: Current policies favor men by allowing them to be sealed to multiple women, while women are restricted to one sealing.
- Historical Changes: The policies have shifted from a more egalitarian approach in the 19th century to the current system that emphasizes gender disparities.
- Policy Adjustments: The Church has made several changes over the years, including provisions for exceptions and updates to the handbook, but significant gender imbalances remain.
FAQ
What is a temple sealing in LDS doctrine?
A temple sealing is an ordinance that binds a man and woman together for eternity, allowing them to remain a family in the Celestial Kingdom.
How have LDS temple sealing policies changed over time?
Historically, both men and women could be sealed to multiple spouses. In the early 20th century, policies shifted to allow men to be sealed to multiple women while restricting women to one man. Recent updates have slightly adjusted these policies but have not fully resolved the gender imbalance.
What were the 1969 policy changes about?
In 1969, President David O. McKay allowed deceased women to be sealed by proxy to all the men they were sealed to during their lives, simplifying temple work for the deceased but reinforcing gender inequalities in living sealings.
Are there any recent changes to the policies?
Yes, in 1998, a policy was introduced requiring divorced men to seek clearance for additional sealings. The 2022 handbook revision also allows both men and women to seek sealing cancellations without requiring a new sealing.
Why is there criticism of the current sealing policies?
Critics argue that the policies create a gender imbalance, as living women are restricted to being sealed to one man while men can be sealed to multiple women. This discrepancy is seen as a legacy of historical plural marriage practices.
