In this episode, we expand on ideas presented by Nate Oman during a discussion on Faith Matters and trace the complicated, evolving history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith through the 20th century. Today, “eternal families” are often presented as the central purpose of temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But historically, the story is much messier. In this conversation, we explore how early sealings were not originally centered on the modern concept of nuclear families being together forever. Instead, sealing theology developed gradually during the Nauvoo period and often functioned as a way to create dynastic networks, priesthood connections, and systems of authority –what some critics compare to an MLM-style hierarchy of spiritual relationships.  We discuss the evolution of sealing theology from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young, baptisms for the dead and the trauma surrounding Alvin Smith’s death, the rise of dynastic sealings and the “Law of Adoption” where men were sealed to other men. We also discuss the relationship between sealings and plural marriage, how the sealing language changed over time, why Joseph Smith never initially sealed himself to Emma, the story of Jane Manning James and how she was “attached” to Joseph Smith instead of sealed. We also discuss the racial restrictions for Black Mormons, questions of informed consent, authority, and prophetic consistency, and whether the modern LDS concept of “forever families” would have been recognizable to Joseph Smith himself.  We also examine how doctrines once treated as essential and eternal –including the Law of Adoption –were later abandoned entirely, raising larger questions about revelation, institutional change, and the development of Mormon theology.  Whether you’re believing, questioning, post-Mormon, or simply interested in religious history, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most controversial and misunderstood developments in Mormon history. Show notes can be found on the Mormon stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/the-messy-history-of-mormon-sealings/ Timecodes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:17 - Clip: The Purpose of Sealings 00:21:41 - Clip: Earliest Concerns with Sealings 00:25:41 - First eternity sealing (polygamous sealing) 00:35:57 - First monogamous eternity sealing 00:36:44 - Reading the ceremony 00:40:05 - Clip: Dynastic Sealings 00:42:20 - Helen Mar on plural marriage 00:49:39 - Clip: The law of Adoption 00:54:13 - The first concept of Law of Adoption 00:59:22 - Men being sealed to men 01:04:02 - Who started the Law of Adoption 01:08:19 - Description of adoption 01:13:59 - Brigham’s dream 01:26:38 - Plural wife sealings 01:31:04 - The word “seal” doesn’t appear 01:40:02 -The end of the Law of Adoption 01:55:14 - First Proxy Temple Work 02:03:28 - Sealing Cancelations 02:14:31 - Jane Manning James 02:25:41 - What sealings meant 02:28:17 - Emphasis on Forever Families 02:31:52 - Prophets paying people to do temple work 02:41:14 - During a time of depression 02:43:16 - Women being used 02:51:52 - Occam’s Razor 02:55:32 - Was Joseph Smith a predator? 03:04:40 - Do prophets speak to God? 03:09:46 - Closing remarks ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117