Mormon Sealings & Nate Oman w/ Bryan Buchanan - LDS Discussions Pt. 74 | Ep. 2156

From Mormon Stories Podcast by Dr. John Dehlin

June 3, 2026 · 3h 20m

About this episode

This episode explores the complex history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith to the 20th century, highlighting the evolution of sealing theology and its implications.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. John Dehlin

Guest: Bryan Buchanan

Topics covered

Mormon sealings
history of sealings
eternal families
Nauvoo period
dynastic networks
plural marriage
racial restrictions

Keywords

Mormon sealings
eternal families
Nauvoo period
dynastic sealings
Law of Adoption
plural marriage
racial restrictions
informed consent
spiritual relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints