Married at the Manti Utah
The concept of marriage in the Mormon Church is a restoration of the eternal marriage covenant practiced by all the ancient prophets and all covenant peoples, beginning with Adam. Marriage is a sacred union that can transcend mortal life and last into the eternities. The basis of this sacred contract is that men and women are eternal beings, and that, if sealed together through the authority of God on earth, they can enjoy a union that will be binding in heaven. Eternal marriages are performed only in Mormon temples and are called “sealings,” “celestial marriages,” or “eternal marriages.” Instead of “’till death do you part,” the covenant includes the words, “married for time and all eternity,” time relating to mortal existence, and eternity relating to the afterlife.
Marriage is ordained and even commanded of God and is the ideal state for all men and women. The Mormon Church does not elevate the principle of celibacy–not for lay members, nor for its leadership. In fact, eternal marriage is necessary to be saved and exalted in the highest mansions of heaven, where God Himself dwells.
Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:11).
And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18).
Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; . . . and if [they] abide in my covenant, . . . it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19).
“Every man who truly loves a woman and every woman who truly loves a man hopes and dreams that their companionship will last forever. But marriage is a covenant sealed by authority. If that authority is of the state alone, it will endure only while the state has jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction ends with death. But add to the authority of the state the power of the endowment given by Him who overcame death, and that companionship will endure beyond life if the parties to the marriage live worthy of the promise (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, July, 2003).
Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 15:06 
Read more...
