Holland's April 2024 Conference Talk wrote:I was the most fortunate of men to spend 60 years of my life with her[his wife]. Should I prove worthy, our sealing means I can spend eternity with her.
Has Holland not already proved himself worthy? What should we make of this most senior LDS apostle seemingly worrying about this? Was this simply a throwaway line meant to endear him to the "common folk?" Trying to relate to those of us plebs who are still toiling in mortality and haven't had our exaltation assured?Wikipedia on the 2nd Anointing wrote:Church leaders have stated that those who participate in the second anointing ordinance have received the "fullness of the priesthood", their "calling and election made sure", their eternal temple marriage "sealed by the holy spirit of promise", and received the "more sure word of prophecy", "higher blessing," or "second endowment". According to prominent 20th-century LDS Church apostle Bruce R. McConkie, those who have their calling and election made sure "receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. ... [T]heir exaltation is assured."
Another faithful Mormon's perspective:
What is with Mormons and false humility? Whether it's Dan Peterson saying he's basically living paycheck-to-paycheck as an obscure nobody after a lifetime of unpaid uncelebrated apologetic service, or Elder Holland fretting about his worthiness to see his wife again, false humility seems to be a disgusting cultural meme within the religion.StayLDS forum member wrote:Saturday morning, 1st hour:
Elder Holland:
Talk on some of his personal struggles of late. Losing his wife and health challenges shortly thereafter.
I did like the bit about people praying for his health and people praying just as hard for his wife's health but there were different results. Those sentiments can chip away at the prosperity gospel.
He did mention that he would be with his wife again if he proved himself worthy. It's sad that people genuinely believe that sort of thing. No one should be worried whether they're worthy enough to be with loved ones.