Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Twenty-Six
The Holy Spirit of Promise and the Sealing Power
There are two ways in which the term “sealing power” is used - One refers to sealing power of the Holy Spirit of Promise, which is another name for the Holy Ghost, and the other “is the priesthood power given to authorized servants of the Lord to perform certain acts on earth and have them recognized, validated, or sealed in heaven. Both uses of the “sealing power” are related and are necessary for our exultation.
Sometimes both meanings are used in the same verse. (See D&C 132:7 and 19)
The sealing power of the "Holy Spirit of Promise" – The Holy Spirit of Promise "is one of the descriptive name titles of the Holy Ghost and refers to a specific function of the Holy Ghost….
“The Holy Spirit of Promise is the power by which ordinances and other righteous acts performed on this earth, such as baptism and eternal marriage, are ratified, validated, and sealed in heaven as well as on earth…. The sealing of earthly covenants and performances is conditional and depends upon the recipient’s personal commitment and worthiness. If a person who has received the Holy Spirit of Promise subsequently becomes unrighteous, the seal is broken until full repentance and forgiveness occurs.
“Earthly representatives of the Lord may be deceived by unworthy persons, but no one can deceive the Holy Spirit, who will not ratify an ordinance received unworthily. This safeguard is attached to all blessings and covenants associated with the gospel.
"The ultimate manifestation of the Holy Spirit of Promise is in connection with having ones calling and election made sure – that is, receiving 'the more sure word of prophecy' testifying that an individual is sealed up to eternal life (D&C 131:5). The Holy Spirit of Promise validates this blessing or seals it upon the person" (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Holy Spirit of Promise, p. 651-52). D&C 88:4 refers to the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Those whose calling and election is made sure, whether in this life or in the next, are those who inherit the highest degree in the celestial kingdom. They are they “who overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise..." (D&C 76:53).
The sealing power of the priesthood - All ordinances, covenants and blessings of the gospel are reaffirmed, made permanent and eternal, at the alter in a temple sealing room. Only in this way can a person enjoy all gospel blessings in this life and exaltation in the next life.
Whenever, the fullness of the gospel is on earth, the Lord has agents to whom he gives power to bind on earth and seal eternally in the heavens. (See Matt. 16:19; 18:18; Helaman 10:3-10; D&C 132:46-49) This sealing power, restored in this dispensation by Elijah the Prophet (D&C 2:1-3; 110:13-16), is the means whereby ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations’ attain ‘efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead.’ (D&C 132:7) ….
“All things gain enduring force and validity because of the sealing power. So comprehensive is this power that it embraces ordinances performed for the living and the dead, seals the children on earth up to their fathers who went before, and forms the enduring patriarchal chain that will exist eternally among exalted beings” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p. 683).