Commenting
on how being “foreordained” (whether in the pre-existence or mortality) and/or
being sealed is not infallible and that it can be thwarted by the free-will
actions of man, Alvin Dyer wrote:
Foreknowledge with Covenants and Sealings Not Compulsive
A man may be foreordained to a work or calling
in this life. He may, also, with covenant and promise, be foreordained while in
mortality and be sealed up to a work or calling, and condition of lofty
existence in immortality. But, such covenants, promises, and sealings as they
are invoked, and not final in earth’s state of existence. They simply indicate
what can become a reality, if the laws which are covenanted upon are obeyed.
The Lord seals them upon man, invoking complete assurance of the effects of the
irrevocable laws of heaven when adhered to. Concerning this great and important
principle, there are securely fasted the law of agency; the announcement to
become; the pledge, or covenant and promise to seek and live for; but, which in
and of the principle alone, are not compulsive or pre-destined. They provide
the motivation as the most sure way for inner determined action to achieve the
lofty reality south for. The application of this divine principle is made clear
to man in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio,
in 1832:
For what doth it profit a man if a gift is
bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that
which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
And again, verily I saw unto you, that which is governed by law is also
preserved by law and perfected and sanctified y the same. That which breaketh a
law, and abideth no by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and
willeth to abide in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy,
justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. (D&C
88:33-35)
Ignorance and thoughtlessness should
not lead us into the error of assuming that foreordination of many by covenant and
promise in his first estate unto the second estate, nor in his second estate
unto immortality, in the progress that our Heavenly Father desires for man,
even though man may be sealed unto such progress, automatically accomplishes
the task. Rather, it is in obedience to these laws of righteousness, invoked by
the divine and artful method of instruction through covenants, promises and
symbols of that which can be and finally the seal of personal approval by the
Lord of the righteous endeavor undertaken by man, that leads to exaltation and
eternal life. (Alvin R. Dyer, Who Am I?
[Salt Lake City Deseret Book Company, 1966], 383-84)