Eternal Marriage

-"There is no ordinance connected to the Gospel of Jesus Christ of greater importance, of more solemn and sacred nature, and more necessary to our eternal joy... than marriage." The fullness and blessings of the Priesthood and gospel grow out of Celestial marriage.

-When we are married in the temple we are making a covenant with the Lord. "A covenant is a sacred promise. We promise to do some things, and God binds Himself to do others. To those who keep the covenant of marriage, God promises the fulness of His glory, eternal lives, eternal increase, exaltation in the celestial kingdom, and a fulness of joy."

-As Latter Day Saints we believe that "Marriage is a covenant that is meant to be everlasting because it is the foundation for eternal exaltation, without eternal marriage there could be no eternal progression. The Lord intended marriage to endure forever. Our exaltation depends on marriage, along with other principles and ordinances, such as faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe that marriage is the most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman. This sacred relationship affects our happiness now and in the eternities."

-The world believes that marriage is a civil contract or agreement between a man and a woman that they will live together in the marriage relation. It ends at the death of their mortal bodies.

Blessings of Eternal Marriage in this life:

1. We know that our marriage can last forever. Death can part us from one another only temporarily. Nothing can part us forever, except our own disobedience. This knowledge helps us work harder to have a happy, successful marriage.

2. We know that our family relationships can continue throughout eternity. Having this knowledge should help us to show our family greater patience and love, and as a result we should have a happier home.

3. When we are married in God's ordained way are entitled to an outpouring of the Spirit.

Blessings of Eternal Marriage in the life to come:

1. We can live in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom of God.

2. We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy.

Eternal Marriage

6- As a husband and wife faithfully observe all the ordinances of the gospel their marriage grows sweeter.

-"If a man and his wife were earnestly and faithfully observing all the ordinances and principles of the gospel there could not arise any cause for divorce. In fact, the husband and wife would become more and more attached to each other as they days go by. The love for each other would not be impaired, and moreover the love towards our Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ would be more firmly rooted in their souls."

Thank you!

President Spencer W. Kimball said , "Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness but also with eternal joys. It affects not only the two people involved but also their families, in particular their children and their children's children, down through the many generations. In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions this one must not be wrong."

5-Help Children and Youth Prepare for Eternal Marriage

-It is our responsibility to help children understand that marriage is one of the greatest, most mandatory covenants they can make in this life.

-"An eternal marriage should be the goal of every Latter-Day-Saint."

4-Faithfulness to the marriage covenant brings joy and leads to blessings of eternal glory

-“Nothing will prepare mankind for glory in the kingdom of God as readily as faithfulness to the marriage covenant.” This covenant (If properly received) becomes the means of the greatest happiness.

-President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “Faithfulness to the marriage covenant brings the fullest joy here and glorious rewards hereafter”.

3- No righteous soul will be denied the blessings of Eternal Marriage

-Nothing is overlooked in God’s plan. If a person for any reason is denied the privilege of getting married then the Lord will look on the heart.

-President Howard W. Hunter described celestial marriage as “the crowning gospel ordinance” and clarified that “while it might take somewhat longer [for some,] perhaps even beyond this mortal life,” it would not be denied to any worthy individual.

-No one can be deprived of exaltation who remains faithful. All of Heavenly Father's children who are faithful to their covenants in this life will have the opportunity to receive all the blessings of the gospel in the eternities, including the opportunity to have an eternal family.

2- Eternal Marriage is Essential for Exaltation

-“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” (D&C 131:1–3).

-What is the Lord's doctrine of marriage, and how does it differ from the views of the world?

1- Celestial Marriage is the crowning ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ