And if they as one desire to be sealed to another, be it a man or a woman, and they be found righteous, then behold: let them be sealed by my servant as one flesh, thus the three become one; and if these, as one, desire to take another, it shall be as the Spirit shall moveth them.” –Doctrine of the Saints 17e:19-20

In the previous part of this lesson, we went over the sealing of a couple. In this lesson we will discuss the sealing of those already sealed to new partners. As previously stated, the marriage of two or more persons may be performed by an Elder, High Priest or High Priestess. However, the Lord has advised us that in active churches of congregations, only those holding the office of Pastor or Bishop, Patriarch or Matriarch, Seventy, or Apostle should perform such ordinances (see Doctrines of the Saints 17d:17). Local, State, and Federal laws must also be followed. This means that is marriage to multiple partners is not legal, they should not be legally wed. These may be sealed, and would be married in the eyes of God, but not the law of the land.

It is recommended that those being sealed in marriage to multiple spouses should be of legal age, 21 or older.

There are no restrictions in the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship on marriages based on race or sexual orientation. This means that both men and women may take additional spouses if this is the desire of all those already sealed as one (see Doctrines of the Saints 17d:4-11). Those marrying should be joined together eternally based on mutual love. However, the various churches may have such restrictions and/or restrictions against polygamy. Please take note of the rules of your church.

Questions may arise on the legality of being sealed to multiple persons, and how to view this in regards to obeying the commandments of God in following the laws of the land. The first thing we should understand is that the Lord does not require us to be sealed to multiple partners for salvation or exaltation (see Doctrines of the Saints 17d:24-28). And, the Lord has stated that we are to obey the laws of the land (see Romans 13:1-2; Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13; Doctrines of the Saints 3d:4, 17d:23-25).

The Lord requires nothing of us without creating a way for us to accomplish it (see 1 Nephi 1:65 RAV, 37 OPV). If the Lord has called a family to add spouses, and these accept, the Lord will provide a way to accomplish this inside the law of the land, and we, as citizens and Saints should seek ways to obey both the Word of God to our families, and the laws governing our society. We should also petition peaceably for religious freedoms to worship, loving and marrying as we choose, as consenting adults.

The following is an example of the sealing of multiple persons for time and all eternity:

The sealer stands at the head of the altar, to the south, facing north. Two witnesses should be seated or standing one at the right and one at the left of the one that holds the sealing keys to stand at the altar (see Doctrines of the Saints 17e:40). The bride and groom, or groom and groom, or bride and bride, kneel at opposite sides of the altar, facing one another, clothed in the robes of the holy priesthood to the offices they have been ordained to. If they are not ministers, they should be dressed appropriately, as moved by the Spirit. These will take each other by the right hand in the grip of the lowest endowment they together have reached. If one or neither are endowed, they may hold hands as moved by the Spirit.

The following is then stated by the one performing the sealing at the altar:

Do you give your spouse unto this person to live in harmony within the Law of Sarah?”

If they answer in the negative, then their spouse shall not take another; if they answer in the affirmative then sealing may proceed.

All those sealed should now be gathered around the altar, holding hands in unison, if there are more than three in the most appropriate order of prayer, which is to say the least one everyone has been given. If anyone at the altar is not ordained, then they should all hold hands as moved by the Spirit, as they will all be sealed as one.

The sealer then continues:

Brother/Sister (State the person’s full legal name), do you take Brother/Sister (State the person’s full legal name), giving of yourselves to him/her, and receiving him/her unto yourselves, to be your spouse, for time and all eternity, with this covenant and promise: that you will strive be one, and together observe and keep all the Laws, Rites, and Ordinances pertaining to this holy order of matrimony in the Renewed (or New) and Everlasting Covenant; and this you do in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of your own free will and choice?”

The Brother or Sister speaking for the family should then answer in the affirmative, if they desire to be sealed. The individual performing the sealing then continues:

Sister/Brother (State the person’s full legal name), do you take Sister/Brother (State the person’s full legal name) giving of yourself to them, and receiving them unto yourself, to be your spouses, for time and all eternity, with this covenant and promise: that you will strive to be one, and together observe and keep all the Laws, Rites, and Ordinances pertaining to this holy order of matrimony in the New and Everlasting Covenant; and this you do in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of your own free will and choice?”

The Sister or Brother should then answer in the affirmative, if they desire to be sealed. The individual performing the sealing then continues:

By the authority granted me of Jesus Christ and the Holy Priesthood, I seal you, (State the person’s full name) and (State the person’s full name), I seal you that as one you may be joint heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ in the Renewed (or New) and Everlasting Covenant. I now pronounce you husband/wife and wife/husband for time and all eternity; and I seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection, with power to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed in glory, immortality, and eternal lives.

“I seal upon you the blessings of kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers, dominions, and exaltations, with all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I say unto you: Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“All these blessings, together with all the blessings appertaining unto the Renewed (or New) and Everlasting Covenant, I seal upon you by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, through your faithfulness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. So mote it be: Amen.”

It should be noted that much of this sample blessing is extraneous, but these promises are still given by the sealing power (see Doctrines of the Saints 17e:47-51). The most important part the sealer should state is the following:

By the authority of the Holy Priesthood, I seal you, (State the person’s full name) and (State the person’s full name), that as one you may be joint heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ for time and all eternity in the Renewed (or New) and Everlasting Covenant, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Amen.”