Eternal Marriage?

[Gwen]

ok so a song was mentioned in another topic.....

collin raye's "love, me" http://www.collinraye.com/music/lyrics/dir...its/love-me.htm

the corus:

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me.

I'll meet you when my chores are through;

I don't know how long I'll be.

But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see.

And between now and then, till I see you again,

I'll be loving you. Love, me.

i absolutely love this song but it always makes me ask a question. so i'm gonna ask where i can maybe get some answers for a change. lol

there are so many songs and poems and things out there about eternal marriage. i think it is a concept that ppl of all religious backgrounds feel and somewhat believe in their hearts. if not then why do such songs become #1 hits for such long leangths of time? yet i've had conversations with many ppl (in person not here) that do not hesitate to say that there is no marriage in heaven. that it is till death do you part. that it will not go beyond the grave. i think we all here know that lds do not believe that, that there is a way to have marriage be eternal. so i really don't want to beat that horse. my question or wondering i guess is more for those that do not believe that marriage can be eternal, what is the feeling and thinking behind that? how do you balance the emotion of songs like this one and your belief?

my personal explaination as to why songs like this become #1 hits while so few religions (i haven't actually researched this, just from my preception there are few) profess eternal marriage, is that our spirits that obtained a body at birth know the truth. reguardless of the veil that is there, it feels and rejoyces at hearing truth. the idea that marriage can be eternal is a truth so ours souls jump with emotion when we hear such songs and it strikes a cord with us. thus becoming a #1 hit, even when our thinking trys to tell us that marriage ends at death.

however, having grown up with the understanding of the possibility of eternal marriage, i have a hard time understanding how one does this.

can someone help me understand how you balance, the emotion of eternal marriage and the belief that it can not be, in your own hearts and understanding?

[shanstress70]

I've always believed that we would meet our spouses again in heaven, and would still be together... even before I ever heard of, and was baptized LDS. I think a lot of people believe that. The only difference is that I don't believe you have to go to an LDS temple to make that happen.

In fact, I've never heard any church say that it doesn't happen.

The only thing I've ever heard to suggest such a thing is the "till death do you part" in the wedding vow. But I didn't use that vow in my ceremony. Not sure about the origins of that one, but I really don't hear it in many weddings, except the ones on TV.

[CrimsonKairos]

In many ceremonies, the phrase "Until death do you part," is replaced with, "So long as you both shall live?"

Meaning is the same: The grave annuls your marriage.

I've heard lots of Christians claim there will be no marriages in heaven (mostly as a knee-jerk reaction to the LDS belief of eternal marriage). They use one or two key NT scriptures to prove their point, yet deep down I wonder if they really believe what they're saying?

[the_jason]

The reason other faiths don't preach about eternal marriage is because they do not have the authority to do so. Sealing powers were lost during Bible times and were restored to Joseph Smith. No person or church can merely claim authority and thereby have authority. It has to be given by the laying on of hands by one already holding the authority. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the church with that authority, which is why we can seal couples for time and all eternity.

A couple cannot simply believe they will be together forever and have it happen. As it clearly states in the Bible, "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." A marriage that is not bound on earth by the proper authority will not be bound in heaven. The venue in which a sealing takes place is not as important as the authority which is used.

[shanstress70]

The reason other faiths don't preach about eternal marriage is because they do not have the authority to do so. Sealing powers were lost during Bible times and were restored to Joseph Smith. No person or church can merely claim authority and thereby have authority. It has to be given by the laying on of hands by one already holding the authority. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the church with that authority, which is why we can seal couples for time and all eternity.

A couple cannot simply believe they will be together forever and have it happen. As it clearly states in the Bible, "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." A marriage that is not bound on earth by the proper authority will not be bound in heaven. The venue in which a sealing takes place is not as important as the authority which is used.

And my reply to that is I don't believe the LDS church has any keys because nothing was restored to Joseph Smith. No animosity here... I just don't believe it. I believe that I have just as much authority as Joseph Smith did. Therefore I believe whatever I believe. I believe that marriage is bound on earth and shall be bound in heaven... for LDS and non-LDS alike.

That's just what I believe. You can tell me my belief is wrong, but I believe the same about you. :)

[the_jason]

You are certainly entitled to your beliefs. I guess we'll all find out someday who's right. Good luck to you.

[Canuck Mormon]

They may not be talking about ETERNAL MARRIAGE but ETERNAL LOVE for that person. The grave may annul the marriage (not my personal belief) but they still have the same LOVE for each other after death. What I do know is that I will be with my wife (come July 14th) for time and all eternity.

[CrimsonKairos]

Congrats on the impending sealing, bro! B)

[Canuck Mormon]

Thank you. We can hardly wait.

[prisonchaplain]

can someone help me understand how you balance, the emotion of eternal marriage and the belief that it can not be, in your own hearts and understanding?

I really like this question. It invites open-ended answers, and intelligent dialogue.

We love our spouses and children. When they die, one of our cherished and blessed hopes is that we shall see them again. "So shall WE ever be with the LORD," scripture repeatedly tells us. From our time-bound frame of reference, we have a special love for our families that we do not offer to others.

So, while we know the doctrine--that we shall have the true love of God, and have a far greater love for even the most distant stranger, in the life to come, yet we cannot help but think our loved ones here will still be special there.

Joseph Smith, the Standard Works, and your Church, have tapped into these feelings with the doctrine of eternal marriage. Whether it is a true restoration of doctrine lost, or simply Smith's take on the matter, there is no doubting the appeal it has to those with loving families.

In many ceremonies, the phrase "Until death do you part," is replaced with, "So long as you both shall live?"

Meaning is the same: The grave annuls your marriage.

I've heard lots of Christians claim there will be no marriages in heaven (mostly as a knee-jerk reaction to the LDS belief of eternal marriage). They use one or two key NT scriptures to prove their point, yet deep down I wonder if they really believe what they're saying?

Yes, we do. We believe that we will always know and love our family members, but that the love we have in the resurrection will be infinitely greater than what we now possess. It will not be something we can exhaust. Our love for all the brothers and sisters will be unlimited. There will no longer be the need for exclusive relationships.

Just as we use anthropomorphism to describe our Heavenly Father, we use time-bound romantic language to describe our heavenly existence. But again, there's no doubting the appeal of the Eternal Marriage doctrine.

[Shade]

but my understanding - and i very well stand to be corrected on points of doctrine here - is that we are not only sealed to one another as spouses and to our children and parents as a family, but we are ALL ultimately sealed to one another that we may ALL be together forever.

is this not one of the main reasons why early members were sealed, not only to one another, but also quite often to one of the church leaders, such as Joseph Smith?

[CrimsonKairos]

The desire was to have a chain of sealings linking all generations together.

[Maureen]

For me, I've always had that hope that after this life is over I would be able to see my family and friends again. But I don't have that need for my relationship with them in eternity to be the same as now. Marriage is a physical/temporal structure - we physically bring children into the world. I don't see that happening in heaven; I don't see my heavenly life the same as my earthly life.

M.

[shanstress70]

I'm somewhat surprised that I'm in the minority here of non-LDS Christians, in that I do believe marriages are forever independent of LDS beliefs.

I have to say though that most of the Christians I know personally do believe this.

[StrawberryFields]

I believe part of the reason why these song become so popular is because people want to believe.

Over the past decade or so there have been many books written concerning near death experience. People like Sylvia Brown and shows like Medium etc have risen a lot of awareness IMO about how life continues.

I believe that the timing of these things have helped many people enjoy these songs.

[shanstress70]

I believe part of the reason why these song become so popular is because people want to believe.

Over the past decade or so there have been many books written concerning near death experience. People like Sylvia Brown and shows like Medium etc have risen a lot of awareness IMO about how life continues.

I believe that the timing of these things have helped many people enjoy these songs.

Sylvia Brown... HA! That's a character.

[the_jason]

I'm somewhat surprised that I'm in the minority here of non-LDS Christians, in that I do believe marriages are forever independent of LDS beliefs.

I have to say though that most of the Christians I know personally do believe this.

Truth is not detemined by the number of people who believe.

[shanstress70]

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I'm somewhat surprised that I'm in the minority here of non-LDS Christians, in that I do believe marriages are forever independent of LDS beliefs.

I have to say though that most of the Christians I know personally do believe this.

Truth is not detemined by the number of people who believe.

Did I say it was? Nope. I was just making a statement about how I thought more people on this forum would believe it. Not even saying that anyone is wrong. I don't care if I'm the ONLY person in the world who believes it, it is my belief.

[Palerider]

seems to me that the music by Alan Parsons Project mentioned alot of things about eternities.....

[Maureen]

Speaking of songs of eternity, here's a refrain talking about the pre-existence:

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

(I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden)

I don't want to be too harsh or be disrespectful towards my friend but I bring up this song because my friend was going to use this song at her 2nd wedding to a man she was marrying only 6 months after her 1st husband passed away. She married for time and eternity to her 1st husband (my BIL) and only time with her 2nd. Her daughter was against using the song because Savage Gardern was one of her father's favorite groups. My friend agreed not to use the song and seemed to have forgotten her 1st husband's affinity for the band. My question would be if eternal marriages are deemed so important and spiritually, how can someone IMO, be so disrespectful of her eternal union with her eternal companion to not remember him and what was important to him only months after his death?

No need to really answer (but you can if you want). I just like to get this off my chest here; and one of these days I will write my friend a letter or if she's in town (moved to where the grass is supposedly greener) have a nice little talk with her. One of these days I'll move on.

M.

[rosie321]

Speaking of songs of eternity, here's a refrain talking about the pre-existence:

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

(I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden)

I don't want to be too harsh or be disrespectful towards my friend but I bring up this song because my friend was going to use this song at her 2nd wedding to a man she was marrying only 6 months after her 1st husband passed away. She married for time and eternity to her 1st husband (my BIL) and only time with her 2nd. Her daughter was against using the song because Savage Gardern was one of her father's favorite groups. My friend agreed not to use the song and seemed to have forgotten her 1st husband's affinity for the band. My question would be if eternal marriages are deemed so important and spiritually, how can someone IMO, be so disrespectful of her eternal union with her eternal companion to not remember him and what was important to him only months after his death?

No need to really answer (but you can if you want). I just like to get this off my chest here; and one of these days I will write my friend a letter or if she's in town (moved to where the grass is supposedly greener) have a nice little talk with her. One of these days I'll move on.

M.

NOt sure what to say to that. Its got to be hard to watch. Some people do remarry after short times and everyone deals with grief differently. Theres no set time table for grief. She's probably looking at moving on and needing someone to not feel so alone. She might even be grieving still and have hooked up with this guy to feel better. Or might she have remembered it was his favorite and wanted to remember him? I'm not sure why she'd play a song with those lyrics though especially for a second marriage unless maybe she loves the second more At least she had enough respect for the daughter not to play it and to consider her feelings on it.

[Shade]

My question would be if eternal marriages are deemed so important and spiritually, how can someone IMO, be so disrespectful of her eternal union with her eternal companion to not remember him and what was important to him only months after his death?

Maureen, i believe the important word you used is SOMEONE. not everyone is the same, and we all act and believe differently; this is a privilege of our free agency and entirely our own prerogative. others' behaviour often confounds us and hurts us, as does our behaviour affect the same reaction in those around us.