After merging multiple objects all at once how do you preserve the original pivot point in local mode without automatically resetting it?  Basically I just want to preserve the original pivot that I was working with, before I merged it with another object. 

Something similar to this in 3DS Max is when you would want to merge different objects and you go under the Element mode and you press the “Attach” and then click on the object you want to merge with and you’ll notice the pivot point stays the same after combining objects no matter where the new combined objects are facing in local mode.  Of course in 3DS Max you would have to be in Local mode for you to see the original pivot intact.

After merging (but before freezing/deleting the inputs), just enter center manipulation mode (top-right of the screen) and under the Transform menu use ‘match all transforms’, and select the original mesh whose pivot you want to keep. Then you’re free to exist center manipulation and freeze/delete the inputs.