A few days ago, my sister was sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. During the ceremony, the sealer mentioned something that made me think. He said that the ceremony that we were all attending that day was the “crowning” ordinance of the gospel.

When we think of “crowning” in this sense, we might think of it as the pinnacle, or the peak, the top, or the maximum goal achieved. While all of these may be the case, in that moment, I thought of it in a slightly different way.

When he said, “the crowning ordinance” , I thought of it in a much more literal way.  Almost like my sister, and her new husband were there to be “crowned”, or to receive their crown and become a king and a queen. In a way, isn’t that exactly what happened?

Having experienced 15 years of marriage to my queen, I know that is exactly what happened.

If we look at the sealing ceremony as a “crowning” ordinance in this context, it is slightly different as far as its place on our life’s timeline.

Rather than being at the end, achieving the ultimate goal, and reaching the top or pinnacle, we are, instead, just beginning.  A king or a queen, when “crowned” are merely starting their reign. They have their whole life in front of them.  Decisions to make, a family to create, and a personal kingdom to build and rule over.

We learn a lot of things in the temple, and a lot of things that are taught are so unbelievably amazing that they are hard to believe. But, they are true. And if we listen and believe the blessings that are promised us there, the reality of the “crowning” ordinance is made abundantly clear. We are all kings and queens. Or, at least we can be. We just need to live up to our potential. We need to follow the example of our Heavenly King. He has demonstrated the perfect way to be.  We need to listen, learn, and believe the words we hear in the temple. Because if we do, our potential is limitless.

“Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive…”

“And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father. “

“And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.”

-D&C 124:55