The sealing power is a sacred and unique authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding a central place in its doctrine and practices. This divine authority is understood to be the means by which individuals and families can be bound together for eternity, extending beyond mortal life into the eternities. The Church teaches that this power was first given to the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament, was restored in modern times through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and continues to be exercised exclusively within the Church today.

The foundation of the sealing power is found in biblical texts, particularly in the Lord’s declaration to the prophet Elijah: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). This passage is interpreted within the Church as a prophecy of the restoration of the sealing power. The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 110, wherein Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, and conferred upon them the keys of the sealing power. The scripture records: “Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse” (Doctrine & Covenants 110:14-15).

The Book of Mormon provides additional insights into the sealing power. The prophet Nephi, who lived centuries before Christ, was granted this authority by the Lord: “Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people” (Helaman 10:6). The sealing power, in this instance, was not only for binding families together but was also a divine prerogative to pronounce judgments according to God’s will. This reflects the expansive nature of the sealing authority, encompassing both ordinances for the living and the governance of God’s will upon the earth.

Unlike general priesthood authority, which can be conferred upon worthy male members of the Church, the sealing power is specifically reserved for those who hold the necessary keys, given by proper priesthood authority. Today, the President of the Church is the only person who holds and exercises all priesthood keys in their fullness, and he delegates the authority to seal to selected temple sealers. Only in sacred temples of the Church can this power be exercised, ensuring that marriages and other ordinances are performed under proper authorization.

The claim that the sealing power is unique to the Church is central to its doctrine of the Restoration. Other Christian traditions recognize the importance of marriage and family, but they do not teach that such relationships continue in eternity through priesthood authority. While some Catholic and Orthodox traditions acknowledge ecclesiastical authority to bind and loose, they do not hold that these bonds extend into the next life in the way that the Church teaches. The Church asserts that, due to the Apostasy following the deaths of Christ’s apostles, the priesthood keys were lost and needed to be restored in modern times. This position distinguishes it from other Christian faiths, which do not claim an Apostasy requiring such a Restoration.

Critics may argue that the concept of the sealing power is a later theological innovation within the Church rather than a direct restoration of ancient biblical authority. However, the Church maintains that the sealing power is part of the fullness of the gospel, which includes restoring ancient practices that were lost. The visitation of Elijah to Joseph Smith is presented as a literal fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy, reinforcing the legitimacy of this divine authority. Further, detractors might assert that the emphasis on the necessity of temple ordinances for salvation contradicts the doctrine of grace. However, the Church teaches that ordinances do not replace grace but are the means through which individuals fully receive Christ’s Atonement by acting in faith.

Understanding and accepting the sealing power provides profound spiritual and theological benefits. It offers a distinct hope for eternal family relationships, reinforcing the Church’s emphasis on the family as central to God’s plan. Unlike traditions that view marriage as a mortal contract, the Church presents it as an eternal covenant. The sealing power also reaffirms the need for divine authority in religious ordinances, reinforcing the Restoration’s central claim of priesthood restoration.

The restoration of the sealing power is one of the defining characteristics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its scriptural foundation, both ancient and modern, demonstrates its importance as a means by which families are eternally bound and God’s authority is exercised upon the earth. While other religious traditions may recognize similar themes of divine authority, the Church’s doctrine uniquely asserts that this power is essential for the eternal unity of families and is available only through proper priesthood channels restored in modern times. The sealing power, therefore, stands as a singular and vital gift, reinforcing the eternal nature of God’s work and glory.