Question
Hi Gramps,
I’ve heard that in the time of Noah the term “giving in marriage” back then meant that there was same sex marriage occurring during that time. Is that true? I also heard that it was the final straw before God sent the flood. And since Noah’s time mirrors ours I wondered if this was true?
Dev
Answer
Dev,
We don’t know what constituted the ‘final straw’ before the flood of Noah’s time, or when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
I notice that the term “marrying and giving in marriage” is used in several scriptures: Matthew 24:38 and Joseph Smith–Matthew 1:42 (which both mention Noah), and several others including 4 Nephi 1:11 which states:
“And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.”
Considering that it says they “were blessed”, it does not appear that the term “given in marriage” refers to anything sinful. A possible meaning would be that it refers to those that were betrothed or engaged but not yet married.
Related to your question, Pres. Hinckley has said,
““The traditional family is under heavy attack. I do not know that things were worse in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. … We see similar conditions today. They prevail all across the world. I think our Father must weep as He looks down upon His wayward sons and daughters.” “Standing Strong and Immovable,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, 10 Jan. 2004, 20.
We do live in interesting and perilous times. Do all you can to keep yourself and your loved ones close to the Lord.
Gramps
