Marriage: Foundation for Kingdoms

Readings: 

The Prophet Joseph Smith
The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Abrahamic Covenant
Teachings,  p. 171;  Journal of Discourses 6:238

... the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah ... in a familiar and friendly manner, [and in obtaining] the keys, the covenants, the power and the glory, with which [the Lord] blessed Adam at the beginning ...

This is why Abraham blessed his posterity--he wanted to bring them into the presence of God. ... In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing: and there were Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them: but they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul spoke of the dispensation of the fulness of times, when God would gather together all things in one, &c.; and those men to whom these keys have been given will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.

Elder Cree-L Kofford
Ratification by the Holy Spirit of Promise
“Marriage in the Lord’s Way, Part One”, Ensign, June 1998

[Every] blessing promised ... in the temple… is conditioned upon ... faithful obedience to the covenants [made] in the temple. If you cease to be obedient to those covenants, you lose blessings associated with the covenants. Of course, the repentance process may requalify you for those blessings. ...

The Holy Ghost can see into the heart of each of us and … discern deceit, half-truths, or misrepresentations. Thus, when a sealing ordinance is "sealed by the Holy Spirit," the Holy Ghost is satisfied that the parties to the sealing ordinance have been obedient in order to enter into the sealing ordinance and afterward obedient to the covenants they have made.

• The blessing of becoming a great nation
• The right to bless one's posterity
• The right to bear this ministry and priesthood unto all nations
• The right to bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of salvation, even life eternal
• The right to perpetuate (i.e. maintain or claim) these rights from generation to generation

The power and authority by which the administration of any of the blessings of the Gospel of Abraham made by a righteous mortal priesthood holder--which administration is made by means of ordinances and covenants--would be recognized (or validated) in eternity.

The Orders of the Priesthood (D&C 107:1, 5-8, 18-20)

Possible Scenarios Under the
New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage (D&C 132)

        Scenario #1:
         Righteous couple, married "till death do us part"
         but not married by the Lord's word, i.e. the NECM (D&C 132:15-17)

• Such marriage is not recognized in eternity; the parties will become separate and forever single after this life
• Parties in the earthly marriage relationship cannot be "enlarged" (Abraham 3:26)
• They are saved, but not exalted; by definition, they don't have eternal life (D&C 131:4; 132:22)
• They become angels--ministering servants for exalted beings

        Scenario #2:
        Somewhat righteous couple, married for time and eternity
        but without ratifying seal of the Holy Ghost (D&C 132:18)

• The marriage relationship becomes void in the next world--probably because these individuals were not valiant in their testimonies, or in other words, they never lived the high standards required by this order of the priesthood (D&C 76:79)

        Scenario #3:
        Righteous couple, married by the Lord's word
        and ratified by the Holy Ghost (D&C 132:19-20)

• Marriage is recognized in eternity; parties in the relationship on earth will still be together as a couple in the celestial kingdom
• They become exalted beings-gods--inheriting "thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths"
• All things will be subject to them (see also D&C 76:58-60)

        Scenario #4:
        Unrighteous couple, married by the Lord's word
        and previously ratified by the Holy Ghost (D&C 132:26)

• Marriage is recognized in eternity; parties in the relationship will still be together as a couple in the celestial kingdom
• However, because of their serious wickedness in mortality first they will be "destroyed in the flesh" and be subjected to the "buffetings of Satan" until full repentance is achieved

Brief Considerations about Gospel-Centered Relationships
Dr. Marcus Martins

Defining a Relationship Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
A relationship which is …

• Founded on Love
• Focused on Eternal Covenants and Eternal Perspectives
• Ratified by the Holy Spirit of Promise

Indicators of Love

• Do I feel a desire to share my life--my plans, dreams, aspirations, joys, disappointments, concerns, and fears--with this person?
• Do I feel that without this person my life cannot be complete?
• Is this the person I see as the best father/mother for my future children?

An Eternal Perspective on Relationships

• Can I imagine spending my life and all eternity with this person?
• Is this a person whose actions reveal a desire to achieve the highest blessings of the kingdom of God?

Obstacles to Gospel-Centered Relationships

• Search for Perfection in Potential Marriage Partners
• Fear of Decisions
• Fear of the Complexities of Modern Life
• Excessive Focus on Careers
• Fear of Commitment
• Avoidance of Responsibility

A Few Weak Bases for Relationships

• Pity
• Habit
• Obligation
• Haste
• Hormones