Marriage in the Spirit World

[Justice]

I've had verbal discussions with a man at work over whether or not men and women will be married in the afterlife. It seems to be a sticky topic because we believe we will be married in the afterlife, but we believe we will not be married in the afterlife. Does that make sense? The marriages have to be performed on earth, marriages will not be performed in the Spirit World, but we will be married or sealed.

I'm doing my best to help him with this. He believes, and has always been taught, that no one will be married in the afterlife, whether here or there. He quoted me the typical scripture about the woman who married 7 brothers...

He wasn't at work today so I sent him an e-mail to his house. This is the e-mail. It's long, but if you have time to read and offer comments or suggestions for what else I can use or how I may explain it, I'd appreciate it. Here's that e-mail:

I looked up some scriptures based on our conversation yesterday. I’m typing this up at lunch time so I won’t get a chance to proof read it. The first scripture is the one where the 7 brothers married the same woman. The Law of Moses said that if a man died not having any seed, his oldest brother was to marry her and have seed for his brother. They presented this to Jesus and asked this question (KJV):

Matthew 22:

28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

It’s important to understand the nature of their question. They asked “in the resurrection…” meaning after they are raised from the dead which of the 2 will God bind or seal together for eternity. Had they known or understood the power of God, they would have known that when each marriage took place, the previous one had to be “unbound.” They asked based on their understanding, and that’s, in part, how Jesus responded.

Also, they asked knowing that Jesus taught that men and women WOULD be married in the afterlife. If Jesus taught that men and women would not be married in the afterlife, then why did they ask Him which of the marriages would be valid? If Jesus taught that men and women would not be married at all in the afterlife, then why ask Him which 2 God would join? Clearly, Jesus is addressing the matter of timing, as well as authority, and not whether man and women would be married.

Also, this is an interesting question coming from them since they didn’t believe in a resurrection. I believe this question wasn’t so much about marriage, but about resurrection. They were trying to present a difficult case to give evidence there was no resurrection, making the whole marriage issue moot.

Now, notice how Christ responded…

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

He told them they erred in their interpretation of the scriptures, and that they did not understand the power of God. They didn’t acknowledge that the Son of Man had power to bind in heaven while He was on earth, and that He could bestow that power on whomever He chose. I mentioned the other scripture where He gave his apostles that power to bind on earth and it would be bound in heaven, and even the same power to unbind, or unseal.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Christ is answering them on their level. Notice how He starts with the same words “in the resurrection,” specifically speaking about marriage in the resurrection and not on earth. He is saying if that sealing ordinance of marriage is not performed for them while on earth, or the covenant is not made while mortal, and by one who has been given the power to seal in heaven, then they cannot be married and sealed in heaven for eternity, and therefore will become as the angels in heaven, not married, but destined to become servants of God. Not a bad station, mind you, but doesn’t it seem as if Jesus is saying those who are married and sealed may become greater than the angels?

This scripture is restated in Mark:

Mark 12:

23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

Here is the scripture I mentioned where Christ, while walking on the coast of Caeseria-Phillipi, gives His apostles this sealing or binding power (or authority).

Matthew 16:

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

This scripture perplexes most students of the Bible, and many different interpretations have been derived. However, none take into account that Christ is actually giving them the very power or authority to act in God’s name and the charge to use that power to seal in heaven as God would, while they are yet mortal. This cannot be dismissed, no matter how you attempt to explain it.

[Moksha]

Matthew 16:

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

It is only proper to give sole authority to those whose knowledge and wisdom have been severely limited by the veil. If those who have progressed beyond this state and possessed full knowledge and wisdom, were to do things, then could we insure that anyone would actually want to be married?

:)

[RanMan]

I think it is possible women who lived worthily and were unable, through no fault of their own, to gain a worthy husband, will be given the chance for a husband. In that case, during the millenium, I think it would be possible to do proxy work to make this happen. Although, I don't have any scriptures in mind that would verify that.

:)

[hordak]

I think it is possible women who lived worthily and were unable, through no fault of their own, to gain a worthy husband, will be given the chance for a husband. In that case, during the millenium, I think it would be possible to do proxy work to make this happen. Although, I don't have any scriptures in mind that would verify that.

:)

I think this a "worldly" idea like "will there be football in heaven?" Taking earthy wants desires and need, and applying them to eternity. This idea seems to make marriage "the ultimate goal" and i don't think it is. I see eternal marriage as a way of God saying, "you don't have to choose, if you spend your life serving me, and your spouse, i will let your relationship continue on the other side if you do what you are supposed to." Plus i think marriage serves the purpose of "filling a hole" in this life, i don't think this hole would be there, for single, when living with God. As a married man i'm sad when i have to spend long periods of time without my wife. When i see a movie, or a funny situation,play with the kids, see nice classic car etc. i think man i wish i could share this moment with her. Because i know she would enjoy it however when i was single i never thought, "wow look at that 68 fastback mustang, sure wish i had a wife here with me to see it.

I don't think the desire or need to be married in the spiritworld will be as prominent. I think it will be like any other thing we missed out on in the past life. like "Awe Shucks i never got around to going to law school and winning the big case. O well I'm here with God and it doesn't matter anymore""

just my opinion

[Taldarin]

Christ simply answered the question by going straight at their intentions-- There cannot be any confusion in the resurrection, there will be perfect order.

The first husband will have her in the next life, because he was the only one that married her for time and eternity. The other 6 husbands were simply ways to keep their brother's seed alive and was simply a legal requirement.

I think I read this in Jesus the Christ. I'll go look it up now...

[Justice]

Yes, assuming the marriage in question was performed under the new and everlasting covenant. I do not believe Christ was referencing one that had, because it was the Sadduces asking the question. If not, then none will be valid. If it was done with proper authrotiy, then the 1st would have to be unsealed in order to grant the 2nd, and so on.

[JohnnyRudick]

Yes, assuming the marriage in question was performed under the new and everlasting covenant. I do not believe Christ was referencing one that had, because it was the Sadduces asking the question. If not, then none will be valid. If it was done with proper authrotiy, then the 1st would have to be unsealed in order to grant the 2nd, and so on.

Can't have more then "one" wife in the resurrection?

Or

Are we talking only of husbands here?

Bro. Rudick

[Justice]

LOL

Yeah the example they gave Christ was one woman and seven men.

[Dravin]

Hordak. Do you mean the worry over it? As in I won't be fretting if I didn't get a proper chance (as opposed to simply refusing) because I trust God to reward me according to the desires of my heart? Or do you mean to say that Eternal Marriage is not of particular import?

If the latter I have to disagree. Eternal marriage is a requirement for exaltation, mustangs, football games or law cases are not. Big difference.

The covenant of eternal marriage is necessary for exaltation. The Lord revealed through Joseph Smith: "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase" (D&C 131:1–4).

[RanMan]

I think this a "worldly" idea like "will there be football in heaven?" Taking earthy wants desires and need, and applying them to eternity. This idea seems to make marriage "the ultimate goal" and i don't think it is. I see eternal marriage as a way of God saying, "you don't have to choose, if you spend your life serving me, and your spouse, i will let your relationship continue on the other side if you do what you are supposed to." Plus i think marriage serves the purpose of "filling a hole" in this life, i don't think this hole would be there, for single, when living with God. As a married man i'm sad when i have to spend long periods of time without my wife. When i see a movie, or a funny situation,play with the kids, see nice classic car etc. i think man i wish i could share this moment with her. Because i know she would enjoy it however when i was single i never thought, "wow look at that 68 fastback mustang, sure wish i had a wife here with me to see it.

I don't think the desire or need to be married in the spiritworld will be as prominent. I think it will be like any other thing we missed out on in the past life. like "Awe Shucks i never got around to going to law school and winning the big case. O well I'm here with God and it doesn't matter anymore""

just my opinion

I will have to disagree with you here. In order to obtain the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom, an eternal marriage is required. And you can't get much spiritual in your goals than obtaining exhaltation. Not only is God not saying "I will let this relationship continue" in this matter, He is in fact saying that He expects us to marry so that we can fill out our full potential.

Or a shorter view of the matter would be - Families is what it's all about.

:)

[pam]

I have to agree with Dravin and RanMan. You can reach the celestial kingdom without being married. But you can't reach the highest level of the celestial kingdom without the covenant of eternal marriage.