What happens to those that don't marry?

[ScottyLDS]

The only thing I've found is a talk by President Spencer W. Kimball in 1979 quoting sections of the Doctrines & Covenants.

He mentions ministering servants for all eternity where there is no increase.

I have a strong desire to marry, but I can't see it happening in this lifetime because of major spiritual roadblocks in my life that aren't so easily removed. People who have dealt with situations similar to mine have either fallen into a sinful lifestyle or simply never marry or never fall in love with the belief that it is better to die alone than to bring another person into one's own proverbial hell where that person could realistically become a victim themselves.

It makes me sick to my stomach to think that I will have to accept being some second-class citizen in eternity because of the curses of mortality.

Is there anything recent from the First Presidency or a General Authority that can shed light on this subject?

[Little_Nauvoo]

Sure, there are many references from modern-day prophets on this matter. I have heard them speak many times on the topic myself. I attended a meeting with Elder Richard G. Scott where he addressed your concerns. I know it is a hard topic to deal with for those who have lost hope. I am convinced that no blessings will be removed from those whom righteously seek them. Should you seek them but not attain them in this life, God will not withhold them in the life hereafter. A general search under conference messages on lds.org on the topic of marriage should prove fruitful. Remember God is fair and loves all his children.

[Guest Sachi001]

Well Scotty it will be dependent upon the attitude and desires you carry into the spirit world. The glories are not assigned until the final resurrection. In the spirit world you still will have a chance to progress though much harder and longer in spirit form. More than likely there will be a spouse for you there, but should try hard to progress in this 2nd estate because it will make things easier in the Spirit world.

You should read Spencer Kimball's book "Miracle of Forgiveness". See if your church library carries a copy for checkout. It's an eye opener.

[ScottyLDS]

Then the next concern is how do you define "righteous seeking" in the manner of scriptures? I mean, I do seek after the things that Heavenly Father would bestow to me, but when I continue to act upon those things unpleasing to my God, am I truly seeking those things? Am I truly seeking after righteousness while in the same breath having the inability to prove it?

[Guest Sachi001]

Then the next concern is how do you define "righteous seeking" in the manner of scriptures? I mean, I do seek after the things that Heavenly Father would bestow to me, but when I continue to act upon those things unpleasing to my God, am I truly seeking those things? Am I truly seeking after righteousness while in the same breath having the inability to prove it?

I'll try to put it in brief perspective. If you are sincere and repentant then you are seeking in righteousness to correct your problems. What seems to stem from this is you are not disciplined in carrying out to stay righteousness. You are at constant battle with the natural man inside you.

Mosiah 3:19

19For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

While you can seek and read and know scripture. It is another thing to follow through with scripture. This is why the Lord taught and gave repentance and atonement, so that we may give ourselves the chance of perfecting the discipline in spirit to overcome sin and not be in hoplessness of such.

Job 36:10

10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

We are always tempted but must be on guard at all times, and must fight the temptation. You are to in this life to over come such and that is why the lord gave this revelation.

D&C 29:32

32 First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—

Therefore you must work with discipline on the spiritual side first in relation to fight worldly things. Then as you become strong through discipline in spiritual righteousness when the worldly things can come unto you first and not cause you to sin because the natural man has succumb to spiritual law by nature.

Your spirit is housed in a Tabernacle (body) and it should be a spiritual house of order. Just read that before metioned book. It is a life changer.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Sachi001

[applepansy]

Sherry Dew talks about this in one of her talks. I'll try to figure out which one.

[HiJolly]

Then the next concern is how do you define "righteous seeking" in the manner of scriptures? I mean, I do seek after the things that Heavenly Father would bestow to me, but when I continue to act upon those things unpleasing to my God, am I truly seeking those things? Am I truly seeking after righteousness while in the same breath having the inability to prove it?

If your heart is true, then yes. You are.

HiJolly

[Seminarysnoozer]

Then the next concern is how do you define "righteous seeking" in the manner of scriptures? I mean, I do seek after the things that Heavenly Father would bestow to me, but when I continue to act upon those things unpleasing to my God, am I truly seeking those things? Am I truly seeking after righteousness while in the same breath having the inability to prove it?

I agree with HiJolly, you have to maintain that desire for marriage even if it doesn't happen in this life. God will work that out if that truly is one's desire. I think it is important to always seek for 'family life' like activities to keep that as one's goal if one isn't married. For example, participate in family home evening with a family in the ward or in your own family. Maintain strong family relationships within your own family. I think one can 'prove' to God that that is where their heart is if they actively look for family based activities as they do their best to find marriage.

The opposite would be to only participate in 'singles' activities and avoid family.

[HiJolly]

I agree with HiJolly, you have to maintain that desire for marriage even if it doesn't happen in this life. God will work that out if that truly is one's desire. I think it is important to always seek for 'family life' like activities to keep that as one's goal if one isn't married. For example, participate in family home evening with a family in the ward or in your own family. Maintain strong family relationships within your own family. I think one can 'prove' to God that that is where their heart is if they actively look for family based activities as they do their best to find marriage.

The opposite would be to only participate in 'singles' activities and avoid family.

Good thoughts. The only thing I would add is that if family will never be possible in this life due to something along the lines of Same Sex Attraction (or whatever the PC term is these days), then it may be too much to expect 100% or 'perfect' activity with ward family activities -- depends on the individuals of course. But I would not expect someone to do that which would drive them into depression or the like.

HiJolly

[ScottyLDS]

I agree with HiJolly, you have to maintain that desire for marriage even if it doesn't happen in this life. God will work that out if that truly is one's desire. I think it is important to always seek for 'family life' like activities to keep that as one's goal if one isn't married. For example, participate in family home evening with a family in the ward or in your own family. Maintain strong family relationships within your own family. I think one can 'prove' to God that that is where their heart is if they actively look for family based activities as they do their best to find marriage.

The opposite would be to only participate in 'singles' activities and avoid family.

Well, the Young Single Adult ward is the only family I have. My parents and most of my relatives live 1500+ miles away from where I live. Of course, it's debatable on whether or not I'm still "young."

[PrinceofLight2000]

Anyone who doesn't want to get married won't have to be.

[Guest saintish]

I dont have the reference for this quote but i seem to remember hearing something along the lines of "the only thing you will feel sorrow for in the kingdom to come will be for the things you did wrong" so in you case if you can honestly say your trying i think you'll be fine

[HEthePrimate]

I dont have the reference for this quote but i seem to remember hearing something along the lines of "the only thing you will feel sorrow for in the kingdom to come will be for the things you did wrong" so in you case if you can honestly say your trying i think you'll be fine

Yeah, I know. I still regret all the times I stumbled and fell down when I was trying to learn to walk.

I'm not trying to be a smart alec, here, but sometimes I think we even take our mistakes too seriously. We all do things that are wrong. We also grow and learn, and I think that in the next life we'll have a different perspective. I doubt very much we'll be doomed to regret for eternity all the failures we had during our mortal life. Unless we continue to make the same mistakes for eternity, of course.

I don't know--call me an optimist!