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Prince’s Research Excerpts: Temples & Mormonism – 1955

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TEMPLES, 1955.

1955:  17 Jan.:  A temple in the South Seas promised by McKay.

“I think I heard your spokesman say something about a temple, or was I mistaken? Well, when I see what you have accomplished since I was here thirty-four years ago, I am pretty sure that sometime in the near future somewhere in the South Seas, convenient to you, there may be a temple. And this much too, I will tell you, on this sacred occasion, the time has arrived in the history of the Church when temples will be taken to the people so that faithful members of the Church may receive all the blessings of the Church and remain in their own environment to complete family lives, to be associated with those whom they love and without sacrificing their life’s savings to go to the House of the Lord and receive all the blessings that any other member of the Church may have.”  (Historical Department–Confidential Research Files, 1950–1974; Church Archives Vault; Restricted Document; CR/100/14/#2/V.10: p.70; David O. McKay, 17 Jan. 1955 Pesega, Samoa.  Microfilm reel 15, in Archives section.)

Feb.:  Joseph Smith’s vision of the salvation of the dead.

“Question:  I have a question concerning the vision of the celestial kingdom given to Joseph Smith as recorded in volume two of the D.H.C., page 380, which is as follows:

All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

Knowing that baptism is essential for entering the kingdom of heaven, I assume that it is understood that those who die without a knowledge of the gospel will have to receive baptism, vicariously, before they can inherit the kingdom; but will not those who died in ignorance have to have the gospel taught to them and receive their reward according to how wholeheartedly they accept Christ and his teachings, or will they be rewarded in accordance to the things they would have done on earth, had they had the chance to do them?  It seems that the latter is implied in the revelation.

Answer:  This revelation is one of the earliest foreshadowing the salvation for the dead.  It was given in the Kirtland Temple, under the following circumstances: The First Presidency and a few others met in the Kirtland Temple to attend to some ordinances when the heavens were opened to them and the Prophet beheld the celestial kingdom and saw his father, mother, and his brother Alvin, who had died before the restoration of the gospel, in that kingdom.  He marveled over this, since Alvin had died before the priesthood was restored and the Church was organized and, therefore, had not been baptized.  Then came the voice declaring the words previously quoted.  This was January 21, 1836.

Later, in October 1840, the Prophet wrote an epistle to the Twelve who were in Great Britain, in which he preached to them baptism for the dead.  In this epistle he said: 

I first mentioned this doctrine in public when preaching the funeral sermon of Brother Seymour Brunson; and have since then given general instructions in the Church on the subject.  The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for those of their relatives who are dead, whom they believe would have embraced the gospel, if they had been privileged with hearing it, and who have received the gospel in the spirit, through the instrumentality of those who have been commissioned to preach to them while in prison.

Without enlarging the subject, you will undoubtedly see its consistency and reasonableness; and it presents the gospel of Christ in probably a more enlarged scale than some have imagined it.  (HC 4:231)

From that time on, the subject of baptism and salvation for the dead was a favored theme by the Prophet in which he declared that only through baptism could either the living or the dead obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom.  In September 1842 he wrote by revelation the two important letters on salvation for the dead and the need for a recorder making a complete record of every ordinance thus performed.  These appear as sections 127 and 128, in the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Savior said to Nicodemus, ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’  Nicodemus did not understand this; so the Lord repeated: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’  (John 3:3, 5)

Baptism, therefore both by the water and by confirmation, under the hands of one who holds divine authority to officiate in these ordinances, is a requirement made of every person old enough to be accountable before the Lord.  The vision given to the Prophet in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, was one portraying what would be, not that had taken place, for his father and mother were still living.  Because Alvin had accepted and approved the mission given to his younger brother Joseph but was cut off before there was an opportunity for him to be baptized, the Lord indicated that he was, through the vicarious ordinances of the gospel when performed for him, entitled to all the blessings of the exaltation which he would have received had he lived to obtain them in person.

In his justice our eternal Father grants to all those who would have receive the gospel had that privilege come to them, the same blessings which are received by the faithful who are living.  This is done by vicarious work in the temples of the Lord.”  (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Your Question,” IE 58(2):79, Feb., 1955)

2 Apr.:  Translating endowment into foreign languages.

“It is reported recently some members who have been here for only a few years, indeed a few months, from the mission field, entered the temple and were unable, of course, to understand the ceremony, they could not understand the English language.  Bishops, under these conditions, it would be well for you not to be in a hurry to issue recommends to the temple to those who do not understand the services nor the ordinances.  Their going might prove more injurious to them than helpful.

In order to assist members of the Church better to understand the temple ceremony, arrangements are being made, and have been made for them to hear that ceremony in their native tongue.  This will apply now already to six, possibly seven, nationalities.  The ceremony has been translated into other languages and as fast as we possibly can, notice will be given when the ceremony will be presented to particular nationalities.  We already have the ceremony in Spanish, as you know, with good results.  We have already had a ceremony in the temple in the Swedish language.  The ceremony is now in German, about completed in Norwegian, Danish, French, and the Dutch language.  Bishops, you may very rightfully and wisely, ask the members who apply to you for recommends for the temple, to wait a few weeks, probably months, and first hear the ceremony, impressive as it is, in their native tongue.  Then, afterwards, they may go through and will understand the significance of it.

Indeed, there are of those who speak the English language, some who do not comprehend the significance of that holy ordinance.”  (David O. McKay, 2 Apr., 1955; CR Apr., 1955, p. 14)

ca. 15 Apr.:  Request to use footage from “Fantasia.”

“With some awareness of what we are asking, we are, nevertheless, persuaded to write to you as pertaining to the possibility of your permitting us to purchase some three minutes of footage from Fantasia:  specifically that part from the third reel which portrays the emergence of a nebula out of the darkness of unorganized matter to the appearahce of the round earth in the firmament.  This footage, if the favor were granted, would be reduced to 16 millimeter film and would be accompanied by a brief citation of some scripture and other spoken lines descriptive of how the Lord God brought the earth into being.

We have been in touch with ‘Judge’ Whitaker, and also by telephone within the last two or three days with Eric C. Larson, and we feel that we could satisfy you as to the problems that might ordinarily suggest themselves.  To begin with, our contemplated use would be without music, and would therefore avoid the ‘Ascap’ or ‘A F of M’ complications.  Our use would further be for a strictly limited group of our own Church members only, for instructional purposes, and the footage would never be shown publicly.  All copyright and other protective assurances that we could give you as concerning our respect for your granting this permission would be observed.

Again we say, we think we know something of the magnitude of the favor we are asking, but were much impressed by this sequence, and we know of no feasible way of duplicating it or approaching it ourselves.

Time is a pressing element with us in this hoped for use, and if you look upon this request with favor, we should be most pleased to send you one of our appointed representatives to meet with you at your convenience to arrange such documentary assurances and considerations as the circumstances suggest.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Faithfully yours,

[The First Presidency]

P.S.  Some years ago you graciously accommodated us with permission to use a minute or two of footage from the Grasshopper and the Ant for a Church Welfare film, which we were making at the time.  We have not forgotten the magnitude of that favor and are grateful for it.”  (First Presidency to Walt Disney Studios, ca. 15 Apr., 1955.  From Richard L. Evans collection, LDS Archives.  Bergera notes)

25 May:  Disney approval for use of Fantasia footage.

“At the moment, I can only say that we will consider your request for some footage from FANTASIA for the purposes outlined in your letter.”  (Roy Disney to First Presidency, 20 Apr., 1955.  On 25 May, 1955, permission was granted for use of the footage requested by the First Presidency.  The authorization was to extend over a period of five years.  Richard L. Evans Collection, LDS Archives.  Bergera notes)

23 Aug.:  Removal or exposure of temple garments.

“REMOVAL OR EXPOSURE OF TEMPLE GARMENTS

The following letter was sent to bishops August 23, 1955. It is reproduced here for the information of new bishops and for more convinient reference.

Dear Brethren:

The First Presidency have suggested that we communicate with you on the subject of this letter.

It is being observed that some Latter-day Saint men and women, some of whom are presiding officers and teachers in both stake and ward positions, are removing their temple garments to wear abbreviated clothing in varying degrees when working around their homes, when traveling by auto, or camping out-of-doors. In some instances, brethren who have been through the temple are removing their shirts while mowing the lawns or performing other out- door responsibilities, thus exposing the upper garment to full view.

Such removal of the temple garment, or exposure to more or less public view, is not in keeping with its significance or its sacred purpose.

It is suggested you use your influence in encouraging Latter-day Saints to avoid these practices. It may be advisable to read this letter before the various meetings of your ward officers and teachers. If our leaders set the proper example, it will be helpful in correcting such practices where they exist and in guarding against their development in the future.

Faithfully your brethren,

THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC

/s/ Bishop Joseph L. Wirthin

/s/ Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson

/s/ Bishop Carl W. Buehner”

(Circular Letter, Presiding Bishopric to Bishops and Stake Presidents, 23 Aug., 1955; Bergera collection)

30 Sep.:  Opening the door to becoming kings and priests.

“Now the ordinances that are performed in the temples are the ordinances of exaltation; they open the door to us to an inheritance of sonship; they open the door to us so that we may become sons and daughters, members of the household of God in eternity.  If we go to the temples with an honest heart and a contrite spirit, having prepared ourselves by personal righteousness and worthiness and proper living, then in those houses we receive the ordinances and the instructions which enable us, if we thereafter continue faithful, to receive eventually the fulness of the Father.

The temple ordinances open the door to gaining all power and all wisdom and all knowledge.  Temple ordinances open up the way to membership in the Church of the Firstborn.  They open the door to becoming kings and priests and inheriting all things.”  (Bruce R. McConkie, 30 Sep., 1955; CR Oct., 1955, pp. 12-13)

Nov.:  Temple ordinances in ancient times.

“Question:  Was temple work done in the days of the old prophets?  Did they have the sealing powers or was all of this work left for the Church in this dispensation?  If they had it, was it done in temples?

Answer:  The detailed history of the performance of the saving ordinances of the gospel as practised in ancient times was never recorded in any detail, because such ordinances are sacred and not for the world.  There are, however, in the Old Testament references to covenants and obligations under which the members of the Church in those days were placed, although the meaning is generally obscure.  For example in Exodus 40:12-15, Numbers 25:11-13, and Jeremiah 31:31-33, we have reference to sacred covenants.

The fact that Adam and Noah, long after they were dead, appeared to Daniel as Michael and Gabriel (Dan. 10:13, 21; 8:16); and to Zacharias and Mary, (Luke 1:11-19; and 1:26-31) is evidence that they had received the fulness of blessings that entitled them to stand in the presence of God.  Likewise the appearance of Moses and Elias on the mount of transfiguration with our Redeemer and his apostles, Peter, James, and John, is evidence that they also had obtained the fulness of the blessings of exaltation.  Moreover, the fact that Elijah was the last of the ancient prophets to hold the keys of the sealing power before the coming of our Savior in his ministry, is evidence that this power was exercised in the interest of Israel in ancient times.  Because of the fact that Elijah held this sealing authority, the Lord inspired Malachi to prophesy of Elijah’s coming in the last days to restore these keys of authority in the following words:

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)

We know that this prophesy was fulfilled, for on the third day of April, 1836, Elijah came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple and conferred upon them this sealing authority.  Since that day the hearts of the children have turned to their fathers, and without doubt the hearts of the fathers have turned to their children, and this influence is felt throughout the world causing the children to search the records of their dead.  This fact is so definitely apparent that it cannot be denied.  Today we have the privilege of goind into our temples and there sealing children to parents and parents to each other that we all may, as Paul declared, bow our knees ‘unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’  (Eph. 3:14-15)

That ordinances for Israel might be performed, the Lord commanded Moses to build a portable tabernacle–at times called the temple–in the wilderness in which sacred ordinances could be performed.  The purpose of this building, in which Samuel officiated, has been declared in our day in these words: 

For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise, that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.  (D&C 124:38)

There is a sufficient reason why the ordinance of baptism is not more clearly revealed in the Old Testament, and it is that in the repeated copying of the ancient records and their repeated translations, scribes and translators took from the record the plain and precious parts because they were contrary to their beliefs or comprehension.  The Book of Mormon makes this clear; and in the writings of Moses, as they are given to us, we have them restored; and we know that baptism was taught to Adam, and he taught it to his children.  There are some references in the Old Testament to washings, which could well mean baptisms, and the evidence of the font in the temple of Solomon is a mute witness that baptisms must have been practised in it; these are spoken of as washings.  The Book of Mormon makes the fact very clear that baptism was practised among the Jews, and in the writings of Moses which have been restored, we learn that baptism was taught to Adam, and he was commanded to teach it to his children.”  (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Your Question:  Was Temple Work Done in the Days of the Old Prophets?” IE Nov., 1955, p. 794)

“One has only to read the scriptures carefully, particularly the modern scriptures, to discover that temples must have been built and used in great antiquity even in the days of the antediluvian patriarchs.  In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 124:39, the Lord speaks of his holy house ‘. . . which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.’  And why should not temples be as necessary for the giving of holy endowments to the living in the days of the ancient patriarchs as now?  Surely the Lord’s requirements for the exaltation of men in antiquity would be essentially the same as now.”  (Sidney B. Sperry, “Some Thoughts Concerning Ancient Temples and Their Functions,” IE Nov., 1955, p. 814)  

Nov.:  Melchizedek Priesthood and Temple Work.

“MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD AND TEMPLE WORK

Priesthood and the Gospel Plan of Salvation

When the children of our divine and Eternal Parents are born into mortality, a veil is drawn over their minds, causing a complete forgetfulness of their pre-mortal life with its numerous experiences and also a forgetfulness of the gospel plan which they had been familiar with there.  As a result of having passed into mortality, therefore, they had a condition come over them known as a spiritual death, being banished from the presence of God.  Furthermore all mortals are subject to a temporal or physical death.  If left unaided by a power superior to their own, upon passing through temporal death, mortals would remain forever spiritually dead, i.e., banished from the presence of God.  They could attain neither immortality nor eternal life.

However, the Eternal Father in his unbounded love for his children provided a means whereby mortals may receive a spiritual rebirth here in mortality, overcome the bonds of death and thereby receive immortality, and eventually enter into the presence of God and receive eternal life.  The Father and the Son hath declared:  ‘For behold, this is my work and my glory–to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’

The plan provided by the Eternal Father for achieving the foregoing purposes is known as the gospel plan of salvation.  The central figure in the entire plan is a 

Savior, even Jesus Christ the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, the Mediator between the heavens and the earth, the Anointed One who died that we might live.  All power in heaven and earth was given unto him by Elohim, even the power of the Eternal Father; in other words, Jesus Christ was given a fulness of the priesthood of the Father and made the first ‘Great High Priest.’  It was named after him, namely ‘the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.’  Through the power of this priesthood, the Savior broke the bands of death and thereby put into operation a universal resurrection in order that all mortals will rise from the grave and receive immortal, resurrected bodies; and so through the grace of him who died for our sins, we shall rise from the grave and live eternally.

Also, the gospel plan of salvation was named after this Savior, being called the gospel of Jesus Christ.  An eternal decree went forth from the throne of God to the inhabitants of the earth to the effect that the name of Jesus Christ was ‘the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come into the children of men.’  It is through the acceptance of this gospel and complete comliance with all the conditions set forth therein and through the power of the priesthood that the faithful sons and daughters of God will eventually enter the presence of the Father and the Son and attain eternal life.

Laws and Ordinances of the Gospel

The gospel plan of salvation contains two distinctively separate phases–namely, principles or laws and ordinances–each of which must be complied with by every mentally normal mortal who reaches the age of accountability if he attains eternal life.  This life is one of probation wherein each individual is being proven to see if he ‘will do all things whatsoever the Lord, God, shall command’ with the promise that those who prove faithful to the end ‘shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.’  One of the statements in the Articles of Faith is:

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Dr. James E. Talmage pointed out the necessity of obedience in the following words:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a fundamental doctrine, attested and proved by the scripture, both ancient and modern, that compliance with the laws and the ordinances of the gospel is an absolute and irrevocable requirement for the admission into the Kingdom of God, or in other words, for the securing of individual salvation to the souls of men and that this requirement is universal, applying alike to every soul that has attained to the age and power of accountability in the flesh, in whatever period or dispensation that soul has lived in mortality.  It follows as necessary consequence that if any soul has failed, either through ignorance or neglect, to render obedience to these requirements, the obligation is not removed by death.  (The House of the Lord, p. 76)

The Prophet Joseph Smith listed the most vital ordinances and laws of the gospel as follows:

We believe the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Purpose of the Temples

1. Temple Ordinances for the Living.

Temples are erected and dedicated unto the Lord according to his divine plan for the specific purpose of providing holy edifices wherein faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ may have certain gospel ordinances performed which are requisite to their exaltation.  Among these ordinances is the very vital one of celestial marriage.

2. Temple Ordinances for the Dead.

From the days of Adam millions of people have lived and died without having heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Since it is absolutely necessary that each person has the opportunity to receive the gospel and render obedience unto its laws and ordinances, it was necessary for the Lord in his justice and mercy to provide a way whereby those who had lived to the best of their knowledge but had had no opportunity to accept the gospel while in mortality could eventually receive a fulness of the blessings of the gospel.  To provide for them, the Lord instituted vicarious work for the dead to be performed in the temples; and so one of the principal purposes for the erection of these holy edifices is to provide appropriate places in which the gospel ordinances may be performed for the dead.  The work done therein will prove efficacious for those who prove worthy of God’s blessings.  Through the power of the priesthood the blessings are sealed upon them, providing them the opportunity to receive similar blessings to those that they would have received had they belonged to the Church while in mortality.

Priesthood and Temple Ordinances

The most vital thing connected with temple ordinances and temple work in general is the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.  It is through that priesthood that all temple ordinances are made effective and the spiritual blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ sealed upon faithful members of the Church, whether the work be done for the living or for the dead.  As a result of the restoration of the priesthood with all of its keys to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the power of God came once again from heaven to the earth whereby all the ordinances of the gospel are made effective in the lives of the Saints and valid before the throne of God forever and ever.

The President of the Church of Jesus Christ is the only person on the earth at one time who holds all the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and it is he who authorizes those who perform temple marriages and other temple ordinances to do that work.

New and Everlasting Covenant

The Lord proclaimed in the restoration of the gospel in the latter days that the new and everlasting covenant was the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness.  The Lord declared:

[D&C 132:7]

According to the foregoing revelation, all ordinances, contracts, and obligations that are sealed by the one who has the sealing power remain sealed throughout the eternities and everything pertaining to the gospel must be sealed.

Elijah and Sealing Power

The Old Testament record closed with Malachi’s prediction of the coming of Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord to turn the heart of the fathers to their children and the children to their fathers.  It is evident from the conversation had by Jesus with Peter, James, and John, as they descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, that these ancient apostles had been anxiously awaiting the coming of Elijah with all the importance which it entailed.  Even to the present time the Jews are looking forward to the fulfilment of Malachi’s prophecy.

On April 3, 1836, one week after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the ancient Prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, thereby fulfilling the prediction made by Malachi.  He bestowed upon the Prophet Joseph and upon Oliver the same keys and blessings which he had bestowed upon the heads of Peter, James, and John, on the Mount of Transfiguration.  What were these powers held by Elijah?  In the words of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith:

The keys that Elijah held were the keys of the everlasting priesthood, the keys of the sealing power, which the Lord gave unto him . . . and that included a ministry of sealing for the living as well as the dead–and it is not confined to the living and it is not confined to the dead, but includes them both. . . .

Elijah was the last of the old prophets who held the fulness of the priesthood, the sealing power of the priesthood; and being the last of the prophets, it was his place to come, . . . but in order that the binding power should come which is recognized in the heavens, and by which we pass by the angels and the Gods to exaltation, had to come from Elijah, who held that power upon the face of the earth, for the Lord had given it to him, and so he came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the 3rd day of April, and bestowed upon them the keys of his priesthood.  (“Elijah the Prophet and His Mission,” UGHM 1921, pp. 10, 13)

The Prophet Joseph Smith described the power and calling of Elijah as follows:

Now for Elijah.  The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that he have power to hold the keys of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and to receive, obtain, perform, all the ordinances pertaining to the kingdom of God.  (cited in op. cit., p. 15)

Fulness of the Blessings of the Priesthood

It is only in the temples of the most high that the fulness of the blessings of the priesthood can be received by righteous members of the true Church of Jesus Christ.  Peter, James, and John brought that holy priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and a few years thereafter Elijah bestowed uopn them the sealing powers of all of the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thus those who go to the temples worthily take out their endowments, enter into a new and everlasting covenant of marriage, and receive all of the ordinances and blessings provided for their exaltation through their continued righteousness to the end will receive a fulness of the blessings of the priesthood, even exaltation or eternal life in the celestial degree of glory.  On this subject the Prophet Joseph Smith also declared:

If a man gets a fulness of the Priesthood of God, he has to get it the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord.  (op. cit., p. 17)

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained how one may obtain a fulness of the priesthood.  To quote:

If you want salvation in the fullest, that is exaltation in the kingdom of God, so that you may become his sons and his daughters, you have got to go to the temple of the Lord and receive these holy ordinances which belong to that house, which cannot be had elsewhere.  No man shall receive fulness of eternity of exaltation alone; no one shall receive that blessing alone; but man and wife when they receive the sealing power in the temple of the Lord, shall pass on to exaltation and shall continue and be like the Lord and that is the destiny of man, that is what the Lord desires for his children.  (op. cit., pp. 19-20)

If we want to receive the fulness of the priesthood of God then we must receive the fulness of the ordinances of the house of the Lord and keep his commandments.  This idea that we can put off our salvation because of some weakness of the flesh until the end and then our children will go and do this work for us in the temple of the Lord when we are dead will get us nowhere.  Salvation for the dead is for those who die without a knowledge of the gospel so far as celestial glory is concerned and those who have rejected the truth and who fought the truth, who would not have it, are not destined to receive celestial glory.  (op. cit., p. 17)

Priesthood Quorums to Engage in Temple Work

From the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, each of the presidents, who in turn have held the keys of the sealing power, have continuously  encouraged priesthood quorums throughout the Church to participate actively in temple work.  It is not only the privilege but also the duty of every faithful priesthood holder to go to the house of the Lord and have his relatives sealed unto him, not only his wife and children but also his ancestors, that when they walk through the gates of heaven all those who have been sealed may have claim upon each other.  This is vital in order that members of the kingdom of God might go forward to their exaltation and glory in all things.”  (“Melchizedek Priesthood,” IE 58(11):856-857, 870-871, Nov., 1955)