we all have common heavenly and earthly parentage

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20

Jesus moved on from Decapolis (literally ten cities) to Caesarea Philippi alone with His disciples. Praying with and teaching them, He asked, "Whom say ye that I am?" Peter indicated that Jesus was indeed the Christ. The source of this testimony was a witness from Heavenly Father. Likewise that is where all testimony must originate.

Jesus said He would build His church upon the rock. That rock is revelation. without revelation the people become lost, not knowing God's Will. The Word is misinterpreted and misapplied without God's living mouthpiece.

Then Jesus promised the keys of the kingdom of heaven, which is the priesthood of God and the sealing of family units. "The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this authority delegated to him. But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fullness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor." Joseph F. Smith

This seems an insignificant doctrine at first glance. However, it is a major key to God's plan. We are on earth in part to form family units, to learn how to live as Jesus did, and to find joy. These are all wrapped up in the priesthood and the sealing of families. We cannot be saved without them nor they without us. In the larger view, we all have common heavenly and earthly parentage. First our Father in Heaven is the father of our spirits. Although our earthly parents are first and foremost our predecessors. We all descend from Adam and Eve first and Noah afterward. Therefore, we belong to a worldwide family regardless of nationality or race and have a responsibility toward each other. This priesthood and revelation promised to Peter was taken from the earth for a time but was once again restored in the latter-days. Personally, this means I will see my beloved daughter and grandmother again, not as impersonal angels but as part of my family.