EDWARD BUNKER’S VIEW OF TEMPLE SEALINGS
From Winona Earl Wittwer
“Some of the man in Bunkerville wrote to the President of the Church or the St. George Stake authority (which one I am not positive now) and asked them to consider having Bishop Edward Bunker Sen. disfellowshipped or “cut off” as they called it in that day from the church for teaching false doctrine.
At that time in the church there was what was called the practice of the law of adoption or sealing of persons to the authorities of the church or prominent men. Grandfather Edward in his study of the scriptures felt this was wrong. He felt he should be sealed to his parents, his wives sealed to him and also his children. They should follow the patriarchal order of things. Well, this was all new to them. They were disturbed because that was not what was being done.
This must have been somewhere between the years 1660 and 1590 (I’m not sure). Word came to grandfather Edward to come to St. George and one of the Brethren from Salt Lake City would be there to hear his testimony and beliefs. Grandfather took his sons Edward Bunker Jr. and Martin A. up with him. Bro. George Q. Cannon was there to listen to grandfather. He had his scriptures to prove his feelings that he should be sealed to his own parents in the temple ana have his wives and children all sealed to him, which they were. He was not disfellowshipped or cut off from the church.
When the men asked Bro. Cannon what he thought of Brother Bunker’s ideas, he said as far as he knew he was right! So Edward came home at peace in his heart. He had prayed and studied over the problem.
It is my opinion that this could have happened between 1880 and 1890. Pres. Woodruff received his revelation on the adoption or sealing ordinance about 1894. This closed all arguments on the matter.”
This was given to me by my sister Winona Earl Wittwer as told to her by my mother Agnes Viola Bunker Earl.
Nell Marie Earl Benson
Source:Brent Bunker