Question
Dear Gramps,
I don’t understand how one can seal their marriage for all eternity when Matthew 22:30 says that we will be like angels, not married.
Marilyn
Answer
Dear Marilyn,
First the Pharisees and then the Sadducees tried to entangle the Savior by asking Him questions they felt would be difficult for Him to answer. The Sadducees’ question was concerning the resurrection, even though they did not believe in the resurrection. They proposed a situation where a woman was eventually married to seven brothers before she died herself. Their question was to know which of the seven brothers she would be married to in the resurrection. The Savior gave the following answer, found in Matthew 22: “29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” It is apparent that the woman was not sealed to any of the seven brothers, therefore the marriages were only binding on this earth. Both of the terms that the Savior used at this time are verbs meaning that no marriages will be performed for someone and no one will be given to another to be married after their resurrection. Only those who have been sealed here on this earth by one who has authority given him by the Lord will sealed or married after the resurrection.
This is in agreement with the revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith and found in Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord states: “16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. 17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever. 18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.”
Only those who enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage here on earth, either live or through vicarious service by proxies for those who have passed from this life, and have their marriage sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, will have their marriage sealed and binding after the resurrection. The Lord states this in verse 19 of Section 132: ” 19 And again, verily I say unto you, 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 it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection…and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.”
Gramps
