Why does the New Testament say there is no marriage in heaven?

Question

Gramps,

The New Testament says there will be no marriage in heaven. Yet we marry in the temple for time and eternity. What does the New Testament really say?

Shasta

Answer

Dear Shasta,

The verses which teach this principle are as follows:

Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

Doctrine and Covenants 132:16 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.

Note the parts I put in bold.  It does not say they are not in the state of being married.  It does not say no people are living within the bonds of marriage.  It says that the act or ceremony or ordinance of marrying is not performed.  For reasons that have not been revealed, this ordinance, like all others we are familiar with, must be performed in mortality, by mortals, either for themselves, or acting as a proxy for those who have died.

Now let’s look at the surrounding verses from Doctrine and Covenants 132:

13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.

 

14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

 

15 Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.

 

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.

These verses clearly teach the sealing power, that only those things which have been ordained of God, performed with priesthood authority via the proper ordinance, which must be done in mortality, and then sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, will be valid after death.

I hope this clarifies the meaning of the scriptures in question and helps you to see the importance of pondering exactly what is and is not being said in them.  I encourage you to study what the scriptures teach both about marriage and about the sealing power.

Gramps