Celestial Marriage is a Commandment

[Rescued One]

in Mormonism, that is.

LDS Marriage

In the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, the Lord speaks of two covenants that are everlasting and a great many have confused the two. The first everlasting covenant is revealed in verses four and five as follows:

For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

This covenant pertains to the covenant of marriage which was to be revealed. Then the Lord speaks of the new and everlasting covenant which is obedience, faith, in God, repentance from sin and baptism for the remission of sins and the keeping of every commandment belonging to the plan of salvation, for the Lord has said:

And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.(Ibid., 84:43-44.)

At the time of the organization of the Church there were some who wished to unite with it by virtue of the fact that they had once been baptized by immersion, but with a sectarian baptism. The Lord announced:

Behold, I say unto you that all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing; and this is a new and everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.

Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your dead works.(Ibid., 22:1-2.)

So here the Lord speaks of baptism as a "new and everlasting covenant." However, in Section 132, verses 6 and 7, the Lord speaks of the new and everlasting covenant and in detail explains what it is. He is now speaking of a definite covenant, which embraces "All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations," pertaining to salvation and exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

Here we discover that marriage for eternity is not the new and everlasting covenant, but an everlasting covenant embraced in the new and everlasting covenant which covers all things.

(Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957-1966], 1: 67.)

 

[Rescued One]

God Became God by Obedience to Law

It was late afternoon as we sat in my office, but I felt the time had been well spent. He sat silently now, obviously contemplating the ramifications of the things we had been discussing. We had talked of God, of how he had become God, and of what that meant in terms of our own exaltation. Finally he spoke,

"What is this law of exaltation of which you keep speaking?"

"Well, it involves the whole of the gospel law. Everything required of us by God is associated with this law which man must obey is eternal marriage. Therein lies the keys of eternal life or, as the Doctrine and Covenants puts it, 'eternal lives.' In other words, an eternal increase of posterity."

"Then what you're saying is that God became God by obedience to the gospel program, which culminates in eternal marriage."

(Achieving a Celestial Marriage Student Manual, p. 4)

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39

The Law Which Brings Eternal Life Is Temple Marriage



(Achieving a Celestial Marriage Student Manual, p. 5)

 

[Rescued One]

"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife."
(The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

 

[Rescued One]

Are there any single bishops, counselors, stake presidents, apostles or prophets? Have any in these callings not been sealed to a wife in the temple?

 

[guerrillajane]

What are you trying to get at? LDS know all this.

 

[bbbbbbb]

What are you trying to get at? LDS know all this.

Would you please answer Phoebe's questions in her post #4? All LDS may know the answers to these questions, but this is one non-LDS who does not know. Inquiring minds wish to know.

 

[guerrillajane]

Yes, most are married. There might be the rare exception, but yes it's the general rule that they be married.

Still, what is the point of the thread and the question?

 

[Rescued One]

Yes, most are married. There might be the rare exception, but yes it's the general rule that they be married.

Still, what is the point of the thread...

Marriage is a commandment. Leaders are chosen from those who are considered worthy and able to hold the position.

Didn't you say that marriage isn't a commandment in the thread LDS Saviours on Mount Zion?

http://www.christianforums.com/t7753710-8/#post63599077

 

[bbbbbbb]

Yes, most are married. There might be the rare exception, but yes it's the general rule that they be married.

Still, what is the point of the thread and the question?

Thank you. Is there a difference between a general rule and a commandment?

 

[guerrillajane]

Marriage is a commandment. Leaders are chosen from those who are considered worthy and able to hold the position.

Didn't you say that marriage isn't a commandment in the thread LDS Saviours on Mount Zion?

In the context of the discussion the person was implying that there are all these "rules" we have to keep etc., that it's a commandment in that sense.

Anything God commands can be considered a commandment, but not all commands are considered "Commandments".

Another way to look at it is that Baptism is a Commandment. It's a no if ands or butts. But, Temple Marriage is a choice. It's in a way commanded, but it's not a commandment.

Due you understand the slight difference?

 

[guerrillajane]

Thank you. Is there a difference between a general rule and a commandment?

Well, to be married was more or less God's first commandment to man.
So, in that sense it's a commandment. But, I'm not an expert on church policy, but if there isn't a worthy member to hold leadership that's married, or if the spirit directs, a single member can hold leadership positions.

I know generally they try to be married to follow the Lords plan however.
Counselor's for example can be single. LDS Singles wards for example have single counselor's in the Bishopric.

Man and woman as one and bringing children into the world is an important part of God's plan of salvation.

 

[Rescued One]

Well, to be married was more or less God's first commandment to man.
So, in that sense it's a commandment. But, I'm not an expert on church policy, but if there isn't a worthy member to hold leadership that's married, or if the spirit directs, a single member can hold leadership positions.

I know generally they try to be married to follow the Lords plan however.
Counselor's for example can be single. LDS Singles wards for example have single counselor's in the Bishopric.

Man and woman as one and bringing children into the world is an important part of God's plan of salvation.

What does the handbook say?

 

[ImLDS]

Eternal Marriage is required for Exaltation, so in that sense, it could be called a "commandment". A "commandment" in order to reach Exaltation. A requirement, an ordinance.

 

[joneysd]

the bible makes no such claim about having to be married, how is that even important.

 

[guerrillajane]

Actually it does. The first or so commandment from God was for man and woman to be one, also known as to be married.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Actually it does. The first or so commandment from God was for man and woman to be one, also known as to be married.

Actually, the commandment was to be fruitful and multiply - a commandment which, according to LDS theology, they were utterly incapable of obeying apart from committing mortal sin by disobeying the second of God's commandments to them.

 

[joneysd]

Actually it does. The first or so commandment from God was for man and woman to be one, also known as to be married.

to populate the world it doesn't ever put marriage in the concept of salvation.

so of God was not married in the temple ceremony while he was a man and Jesus never did get married so where are they.

 

[Rescued One]

Eternal Marriage is required for Exaltation, so in that sense, it could be called a "commandment". A "commandment" in order to reach Exaltation. A requirement, an ordinance.

It is a commandment according to Mormonism.

Scriptures declare that “it is lawful that [a man] should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation.” 18 Another affirms that “the man [is not] without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” 19 Thus, marriage is not only an exalting principle of the gospel; it is a divine commandment.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Celestial Marriage, General Conference, October 2008
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/celestial-marriage?lang=eng

Someone(besides an ex-Mormon) should have told you this by now.

 

[Rescued One]

If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life. Young men, serve a worthy mission. Then make your highest priority finding a worthy, eternal companion. When you find you are developing an interest in a young woman, show her that you are an exceptional person that she would find interesting to know better. Take her to places that are worthwhile. Show some ingenuity. If you want to have a wonderful wife, you need to have her see you as a wonderful man and prospective husband.
Richard G. Scott, The Blessing of Eternal Marriage, General Conference, April 2011

 

[ImLDS]

It is a commandment according to Mormonism.

Scriptures declare that “it is lawful that [a man] should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation.” 18 Another affirms that “the man [is not] without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” 19 Thus, marriage is not only an exalting principle of the gospel; it is a divine commandment.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Celestial Marriage, General Conference, October 2008
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/celestial-marriage?lang=eng

Someone(besides an ex-Mormon) should have told you this by now.

And if you don't fulfill that "commandment" but do all else you wont be exalted but will still be in the Celestial Kingdom. Again, what is the point of this thread?