I have a preacher friend who spent time in New Zealand. He said one of the native Maori men he knew well was a Mormon who had helped build a beautiful temple there. But then he couldn't get in because he had the wrong color skin? s/Verne. [answer]

Dear Gramps, My daughter was talking recently to a member, and in this conversation the man stated that it doesn't matter who we are sealed to in this life because there can be someone waiting for us on the other side and we can just began our eternal family with them. She felt this was incorrect doctrine but because it was her father-in-law she does not really know how to respond to his theories on celestial marriage. She felt it wasn't correct but as you can imagine she was at a loss for words to respond. I told her what was bound on earth is bound in heaven, otherwise why we would we even be doing vicarious work for the dead. Maybe could you help us out. Her husband thinks his father knows all so this could be a tender subject. Thank you for your time ion this question. Her Mother [answer]

Dear Gramps, I am planning on getting married in the temple within the next year after my intended graduates trade school. I am so excited and can't wait!!  My problem is, none of my family are members and aren't very accepting of the fact I'm a "Mormon". They've made comments, without me telling them anything, that "they had better be able to attend my wedding ceremony" or else and that they "don't' want people from my church there". How can I break it to them that they can't be at the actual ceremony? I've been trying, but it's so hard. Also, my boyfriend's mother seems not to like the idea too much. She feels we should wait until his second brother is home from his mission.  She asked if we've prayed about it. Of course and we've both received revelation on this matter.  Could this just be Satan sinking the teeth of opposition where it hurts, or should we go with the Spirit? (ps: we're 23 and 24 years old) Thanks for any advice! C. Smith [answer]

Dear Gramps, My wife and I were recently divorced. The question I have regards our children. My former wife has been speaking of seeking a temple divorce - a cancellation of our sealings. I know that the family unity after this life depends on personal worthiness. I also have read talks by the brethren that indicate that a single mother has the blessings of the priesthood in her home as long as the sealing remains intact. If both parents are equally worthy of family relationships in the eternities but their sealing has been cancelled, are the children born in the covenant still bound to the father through the priesthood or are they bound to the mother? I have heard many different takes on this. Jim [answer]

Dear Gramps, I have been married to a wonderful lady for over two years. This is our third marriage for both of us. I hold the Priesthood and have a heart-felt desire to be sealed to this lady. This is where complications are coming in. She was previously married to a member, and made the promise to him that he would always have his two sons with him. He was not an active member. My wife is not sure if she wants to be sealed to me, because of the promise that she gave her last husband. What can I do to let her know that all will be fine? Dale [answer]

Dear Gramps, Growing up in the church, I have always been taught that families will be together forever. I have also been taught that we will have eternal joy if we make it into the celestial kingdom. What I don't understand is, if your family is divorced, how can you be together forever? And how can you be happy if let's say you make it into the celestial kingdom but a family member doesn't. Wouldn't that sadden you, diminishing your eternal joy? Gidgtmidgt [answer]

Dear Gramps, I’m 19, still unendowed and stuff but I do baptisms at the temple all the time. The trouble is that in the last few weeks I’ve started a relationship with a nonmember. We’re just really really good friends, no bad stuff or immorality or anything, but I'm worried-- can you still do temple work if you’re dating a nonmember?  Thanks... Sarah [answer]

Gramps, Didn’t Jesus have to know each of us well enough to know what sins we would commit in order for Him to suffer for those sins not yet committed?  The scriptures say that if we don’t repent we will have to suffer similar to the Savior. When a law is broken, a penalty has to be paid.  But doesn’t it only have to be paid once to satisfy justice? If the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is unforgivable, is that still a sin that the Lord had to suffer for. Sincerely, JGT [answer]

Dear Gramps, I have recently gone through a divorce due to some actions my husband did that warrant excommunication from the church. My bishop has encouraged me to wait until such time as I have an opportunity to remarry in the temple to have the sealing between myself and my ex husband canceled. Even though I have concerns about him dying because of his lifestyle (thus making it harder to have the sealing canceled), I have decided to wait. The question I have is where does that leave my son who was born under the covenant if the sealing is canceled?  Does he remain sealed to me? Leah, purchasepro.com [answer]

Gramps, I have been remarried for 4 years now, and have a 9-year-old son from a previous marriage. The question I have is, when I do get my temple cancellation from my ex-husband, what happens to my son? Can he be sealed to us? He loves my new husband and is really having a problem with us going to the temple to be sealed and he doesn’t get to go and be sealed to us. Can it be possible for him to be sealed to us? How long does it take for a cancellation? We wrote our letter almost 8 months ago and haven’t heard anything? Wondering in Oregon [answer]

Dear Gramps, Some of the brethren who came from the London Temple after their sessions brought stories and even placards or posters which mentioned the amount of days left before the turn of the century, so be in order to have a 3-day survival kit ready. Our Quorum president had placed such a poster on the bulletin board in the hall of our chapel and somebody did took it away...

Dear Gramps, I recently found your column and I love it. It has answered a few of my own questions. My question is: If a man dies, the marriage and children of that marriage are sealed in the temple, the wife remarries, but is unable to be sealed to the second husband (correct?) who is also a worthy recommend holder, if there are children of this second marriage, who will these children belong to after this life? Thank you, Angie from Alabama [answer]

Dear Gramps, I don't know if you will print my letter or not. I have not discussed this with anyone, but I do not feel about the temple like everyone I know. I have been to get my endowments, etc., but I do not feel "the spirit" there and find the ceremonies strange and confusing. I am not married to a member and sometimes feel that maybe I am subconsciously not feeling anything because I cannot have the "eternal marriage," celestial marriage, etc. I don't have any desire to go to the temple and sit in church listening to all the "year of the temple" talks, and how the members felt when they went. I am the only one who feels like this? BC [answer]

Gramps, Will there be practicing plural wives in the hereafter? I have been a member for 16 years and I have heard pro’s and con’s. Mary, from Arizona [answer]

Gramps, I am looking for an account of the Founding Fathers coming to the St George Temple to have their work done. There is a copy of the painting in Washington DC Temple. Where can I find this account? Steve, from Utah [answer]

Dear Gramps, Some time back I read somewhere a quote by one of our leaders that said, “If you are not doing your home/visit teaching, you are not worthy of a temple recommend.” Can you tell me who made this statement and when? I love your input into my weekly “increased knowledge.” I continue to learn with each new day. Thank you for all the time you put into answering these questions, mj, from Georgia [answer]

Dear Brother Gorton, What do the letters mean on the Kirtland temple pulpits? ...MPI and MPC, I think. Love to hear from you. I just read all your letters... 1-11. You must be a man with a lot of patience. What a wonderful service you are providing. Roger, Brea Calif. [answer]

Gramps, What ordinances were performed in the Kirtland Temple, and what ordinances were performed in the Nauvoo Temple? Thanks. Beth, from Maryland [answer]

Gramps, I was interested in Cheryl’s question about sealings, but did not feel you answered her question about whether or not she would be alone in the next life, or be sealed to someone. I have another situation in that I was divorced when I joined the church and have never remarried. I have raised my children and been to the temple with them and even with my grandchildren. But I cannot now have my children sealed to me without a husband, and have been told one would be found for me in the next life, if not in this. Is this just one of those “mysteries” or is there a real answer to this question? Will I ever be able to have my children sealed to me? Barbara, from Oregon [answer]

Dear Gramps, I read your answer about plural marriages and that there will be no marriages performed passed this earth life and I am a little confused.  I was sealed to my husband in the temple but then we were divorced.  He has since been sealed to someone else but our sealing also remains. If I do not find someone else here on earth to be sealed to will I either have to remain sealed to him forever or just have to be alone? I have always told that if I do not find someone here that there would someone for me in the afterlife. Am I being misled? Cheryl, from Texas [answer]