Must one be married to enter the Celestial Kingdom?

[Guest tomk]

What about those that choose to marry and are divorced and can sealings be absolved?

The bottom line is -- you won't be "stuck" with anyone that you don't want to be with.

This is supposed to be a loving and happy thing -- being with the ones you love for eternity.

My wife and I are trying to grow in this -- but it is hard work and it is slow going. I have to admit that I have my moments where I wonder if she and I will end-up together in the eternities, even though we have been sealed to each other and our children. The Lord knows my heart and I can't lie to Him. He knows I struggle. But I am willing to do the best I can in my marriage and let Him help my wife and I sort this out.

[Moksha]

Here is the scoop, married couple have to stand in line and get their hands stamped while singles stand in a much shorter line to get their hands stamped for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom. Once inside they all invariably have to mosey on down Main Street, to connect with the various sub-Kingdoms. Try to avoid the Small World exhibit at all costs.

[Flyonthewall]

To reach the highest level within the Celestial Kingdom, one must be married and sealed. Without being married, that same person would be limited one of the lower levels within the CK.

However, that being said, no one will be denied the highest level of the CK if they never had the opportunity of marriage, or their spouse did not obtain the same level of glory.

How this is worked out, nobody knows for sure, but you will not be randomly assigned to anyone. You will not be "stuck" with someone you do not want. Somehow, some way, you will have a choice on that.

So the simple answer is: no, you do not have to be married to be in the Celestial Kingdom, but without the explaination, it can be a little misleading.

[Justice]

So how does it get solved in the Celestial kingdom, if all else fails?

Well, technically it will get solved during the Millenneum. For those who have part in the first resurrection and who inherit the Celestial Kingdom, and have not entered into the new and everlasting covenant (of marriage), will be sealed to a companion while in the flesh. It is an earthly ordinance and must be performed while the earth stands. This is what it means by there will be no marriage or giving in marriage there.

Please don't ask me for quotes LOL. Naw, I will if you want.

[VisionOfLehi]

tubaloth:

"Can man marry in heaven? I say nay." Paraphrased heavily, but from the New Testament.

It's an ordinance, which means it must be done with a physical body.

The "end effect" is the same, essentially, but there is that difference.

And, when things talk about receiving the blessings of marriage, I believe they're referring to the "new and everlasting covenant of marriage"

The sealing ordinance is that: an ordinance. To be exalted you must receive all of the ordinances. When and where, for those who couldn't in this life, I do not know. But I do know that it MUST be done at some point.

[WANDERER]

Justice I'll try and hunt them down myself, I have a difficulty with working out what is official and what is personal revelation...I came across the idea of a celestial kingdom on earth but not sure how that fits into the millenium timeline.

[Guest lauracooke78]

I thought this church only teaches us how to attain exaltation, so there is no purpose in us talking about receiving anything less. That said, the initial question has been answered in D&C: 131: 1-4. And subsequent queries about eternal companions. I would only say, we should be aiming to receive all of God's blessing here on earth. If we are aiming and do not give up on living the law here, then our exaltation will be "taken care of" by God. That is all we need to know.

Looking at if from the opposite angle. This would mean, that if I were single, I can not sit back and say that the Lord will take care of me in the next life, because that would say that I have given up of receiving the blessings that God has for me now and would mean I am losing my faith as opposed to building it.

[WANDERER]

Laura - my questions come from investigating baptism of the dead as I didn't understand why the ordinance was performed and that meant I hit a few other questions along the way with further reading on just what would happen to those people in spirit prison. As I am not LDS this helps me to understand the significance of this ordinance ...does that make sense? So understanding spiritual progression and exultation kind of came into it.

[tubaloth]

To be exalted you must receive all of the ordinances. When and where, for those who couldn't in this life, I do not know. But I do know that it MUST be done at some point.

I do see what you mean. That it has to be done. We realize that Alvin never had it done, and still gained Exaltation. Does that mean something else happens in the next life. Yes I assume it does.

The same thing for little Children.

Will children be married and live in the family unit?

Certainly. There can be no question about this. If they gain salvation, which is eternal life, which is exaltation, it means that they are married and live in the family unit. President Joseph Fielding Smith has so stated in plain words, and it is something that must necessarily be so. (See Doctrines of Salvation, 2:49–57.)

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Salvation of Little Children

That’s the only point I was trying to make! That there is some form of Marriage in the next life. Is it the same as this life I don’t know.

[Guest lauracooke78]

Laura - my questions come from investigating baptism of the dead as I didn't understand why the ordinance was performed and that meant I hit a few other questions along the way with further reading on just what would happen to those people in spirit prison. As I am not LDS this helps me to understand the significance of this ordinance ...does that make sense? So understanding spiritual progression and exultation kind of came into it.

Ahh, ok Wanderer. My comment wasn't meant to be condesending, if that is how it was taken. But more of the view of how the church treats issues like these. Like, it doesn't teach us how to get to the telestial kingdom etc. In this way, it gets each individual to worry and concentrate on their own salvation/exaltation, instead of worrying about the diverse range of humans who will be judged all differently. :)

[VisionOfLehi]

I do see what you mean. That it has to be done. We realize that Alvin never had it done, and still gained Exaltation. Does that mean something else happens in the next life. Yes I assume it does.

...Alvin? Was that one of Joseph Smith's brothers?

Can you give me your info on this?

I'm still rather new, Church history is one of my weak points.

[BenRaines]

Alvin, is that Simon and Theodore's brother?

Ben Raines

[Traveler]

Must one be married to enter the Celestial Kingdom? If so, what about those who are single in this life? Will they have a chance to marry in the Spirit World?

Before one can recieve the blessings in eternity of an eternal marriage - they must seek and covenant with G-d through his pointed proxy(s) to live by covenant - including and especially the eternal covenant of marriage.

Please note that marriage and the eternal covenant of marriage is not only not the same thing but is some cases a marriage apointed by man is contrary to the sacred eternal covenant of marriage and disqualifies an individual of such covenant with G-d.

The Traveler

[cordellv]

Well, technically it will get solved during the Millenneum. For those who have part in the first resurrection and who inherit the Celestial Kingdom, and have not entered into the new and everlasting covenant (of marriage), will be sealed to a companion while in the flesh. It is an earthly ordinance and must be performed while the earth stands. This is what it means by there will be no marriage or giving in marriage there.

Please don't ask me for quotes LOL. Naw, I will if you want.

I know it has been a long time since you posted this but I was wondering if you would be willing to continue the discussion now? I would like to see your quotes. I wrote a book on this subject called "UNDERSTANDING PATRIARCHAL PRIESTHOOD". It is on my web page at Eugene Cordell Vail Sr. - LDS Church (Mormon) Handouts and Epistles to his family & friends. It has quotes to answer all these questions and 100 more. I would like to see your quotes to if you would share them with me.

Cordell

[Traveler]

I know it has been a long time since you posted this but I was wondering if you would be willing to continue the discussion now? I would like to see your quotes. I wrote a book on this subject called "UNDERSTANDING PATRIARCHAL PRIESTHOOD". It is on my web page at Eugene Cordell Vail Sr. - LDS Church (Mormon) Handouts and Epistles to his family & friends. It has quotes to answer all these questions and 100 more. I would like to see your quotes to if you would share them with me.

Cordell

here is a quote stright from me :)

Eternal marriage by defination is the essence and order of the Celestial Kingdom. The next time you attend a "Temple" marrage or sealing listen very carefully.

The Traveler

[Matthew0059]

...Alvin? Was that one of Joseph Smith's brothers?

Can you give me your info on this?

I'm still rather new, Church history is one of my weak points.

Two years later, VoL, and you'll get your answer!

Alvin was Joseph Smith's oldest brother who died between the first appearance of the angel Moroni to Joseph and Joseph's receipt of the Golden Plates.

In Doctrine and Covenants 137, Joseph Smith records a vision regarding the inheritors of the Celestial Kingdom. He sees that Alvin is an heir despite never having been married or even baptised (having died before the restoration of the Priesthood).

[Traveler]

Two years later, VoL, and you'll get your answer!

Alvin was Joseph Smith's oldest brother who died between the first appearance of the angel Moroni to Joseph and Joseph's receipt of the Golden Plates.

In Doctrine and Covenants 137, Joseph Smith records a vision regarding the inheritors of the Celestial Kingdom. He sees that Alvin is an heir despite never having been married or even baptised (having died before the restoration of the Priesthood).

It is possible you are reading things improperly into this revelation. Joseph is seeing a future event. When he sees Alvin he also sees his mother who was still alive at the time; assuming that Alvin was unmarried and in the Celestial Kingdom is conjecture and speculation. This revelation was given to help with understanding of doing proxy work for the dead.

The Traveler

[Guest Alana]

Please note that marriage and the eternal covenant of marriage is not only not the same thing but is some cases a marriage apointed by man is contrary to the sacred eternal covenant of marriage and disqualifies an individual of such covenant with G-d.

The Traveler

Sometimes I get down because I'm married civilly but not eternally. Sometimes it feels like even though I've repented, since the opportunity to be sealed is now out of my hands (and into my inactive husbands hands) I'm stuck eternally, even though I have the desire and am worthy to be married in the temple. Then I realize that those thoughts are only negative and do nothing to help me strive for perfection, so I just have to take a deep breathe, trust in the Lord and keep doing the best I can. I mean, if I were to get divorced and then remarried to someone else in the temple, problem solved, right? Naw, that's not the route I'm supposed to go. In the meantime, I'm an advocate for temple marriage from the get go:D

[Matthew0059]

It is possible you are reading things improperly into this revelation. Joseph is seeing a future event. When he sees Alvin he also sees his mother who was still alive at the time; assuming that Alvin was unmarried and in the Celestial Kingdom is conjecture and speculation. This revelation was given to help with understanding of doing proxy work for the dead.

The Traveler

I didn't intend to commentate whatsoever on the topic of the thread. My purpose was to explain to VoL (who I'm quite sure will never read my response) who Alvin was- Joseph Smith's older brother, and the person who Joseph saw in revelation that impressed upon his mind the possibility of posthumous ordinance work.

[cordellv]

Traveler,

I was asking for your sources because a non member wanted to know where it says that in LDS doctrine. I have given him my sources but just wondered if you might have some I do not have. He specifically wanted to know where it says on LDS.ORG that we cannot be married in the next life because he has found sources that say we can be married in this life OR THE NEXT. Or the next of course means in the temple by proxy. We all know that, but it is not clear to him. I am having a hard time finding a source where is says we can only be married IN THIS LIFE or by proxy in the next life.

It is very obvious to us. But it is not obvious to a non-member investigating the church.

Sorry if I offended you by my question. You sound quite cynical in your reply.

Cordell Vail

[The_Phoenix]

Thanks guys!

Trolling?

[HoosierGuy]

So the men and women who have been married and divorced three, four and five times but live a righteous life (beside their divorces) will get exulted? Even after four divorces? I don't care for divorces and just can't see people who have been divorced multiple times to get exulted.

[Dravin]

So the men and women who have been married and divorced three, four and five times but live a righteous life (beside their divorces) will get exulted? Even after four divorces? I don't care for divorces and just can't see people who have been divorced multiple times to get exulted.

Honestly I can't see a lot of people getting exalted (myself included), luckily it's not my job to make that determination.

[mordorbund]

I don't care for divorces and just can't see people who have been divorced multiple times to get exalted.

Keep that attitude, and you won't have to.