An interview with a temple sealer
- posted: 01 Nov. 2007
- scrollspecial@byui.edu
An interview with Elder Kent Jolley, current sealer at the Idaho Falls Temple and former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy
Preparations to Enter the Temple
Elder Kent Jolley suggested that remembering worthiness is first and foremost. He also encouraged reading “Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple,” President Boyd K. Packer’s guide to understanding personal worthiness, the sacred nature of the temple and the ordinances within.
Elder Jolley said that no one has to be perfect to go to the temple.
“You can be perfect in different ways,” he said. “You will have a good feeling [in the temple] if you are worthy. If you haven’t been honest with [your leader], you won’t have the same spirit as the person who was honest.”
Line Upon Line
After members receive their endowments, they should return multiple times in order to continue the learning process, Elder Jolley said.
“You will learn more by the Holy Spirit. Everything is centered on the life and mission of the Savior,” he said. The temple must be dealt with a “great degree of reverence,” he said. Everyone speaks in whispers, so as to not distract others from learning. Also, everyone dresses in white to show equality in the eyes of the Lord.
The Sealing Power
“It’s important for sisters and brothers to learn about the power to seal for time and eternity. It is the highest power executed by the Melchizedek Priesthood and the most important blessing given,” Elder Jolley said.
As explained in Matthew 16 and 17, the Savior gave the sealing power to Peter, James and John through Elijah the prophet. This power was taken from the earth because of the Great Apostasy.
On April 3, 1836, Elijah restored this power to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, making it possible for families to be together forever.
After having done “dozens and dozens” of live sealings in both Portuguese and English, Elder Jolley knows the importance of the sealing power. He has been with his wife, Jill, for almost 50 years.
“Just knowing that [you have been sealed] gives you a special feeling. It encourages cultivation, consideration and love [for each other],” Elder Jolley said. “Knowing you’re together forever with your children in a sacred and spiritual relationship gives you stronger feelings of love and desires to help.” 
