Eternal Marriage/Eternal Progression

By Douglas K. Hollen

To fully understand the law of eternal marriage, you must first understand its roll in eternal progression. Notice the following quotes from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. II, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie Chapter 4: “MARRIAGE: THE COVENANT OF EXALTATION. Marriage, as understood by Latter Day Saints, is a covenant ordained to be everlasting. It is the foundation for eternal exaltation, for without it there could be no eternal progress in the kingdom of God.” (p. 58, italics in original)

Let us focus on four words: “eternal exaltation” (become a god, or goddess), and “eternal progress” (the process by which one becomes a god or goddess), as they relate to the law of eternal marriage. The goal of every good Mormon is to become a god or goddess; and without eternal marriage, this would not be possible. Again notice the following quote from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. II, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie Chapter 4: “Marriage is the grandest, most glorious, and most exalting principle connected with the gospel. It is that which the Lord holds in reserve for those who become his sons and daughters; all others are servants only, even if they gain salvation. They do not become members of the household of our Father and our God, if they refuse to receive the celestial covenant of marriage.” (p. 59, italics in original)

In other words, if you are not married for time and eternity in a Mormon Temple, the best you can hope for is to be a servant to those who have received celestial marriage and progress to godhood. Continuing from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. II, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie Chapter 4: “CELESTIAL MARRIAGE MAKES GODS IN ETERNITY. But if we are married for time and for all eternity and it is sealed upon our heads by those who have the authority so to seal, and if we then keep our covenants and are faithful to the end, we shall come forth in the resurrection from the dead and receive the following promised blessings: ‘Then shall they be gods…’” (p. 62, also quoting Doctrines and Covenants 132:20.[D&C going forward] italics in original)

What does it mean, “Then shall they be gods”? They will have the ability to pro-create increase eternally. To become a god means to create a world and populate it with your spiritual offspring just like the Mormon god of this world has and is doing. “MARRIAGE AND BECOMING SONS OF GOD. The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and remain faithful to the end, that they shall ‘have no end,’ means that they shall have the power of eternal increase.” (p. 64, also quoting D&C 132:20, italics in original)

This may be the reason for the intense Mormon focus on family and marriage. To become a god requires one to be married in a temple and to become an eternal family. Note the following quote from “The Family is Central to the Creator’s Plan” Ensign Magazine, December 2004, Volume 34, Number 12: “‘The fulness of salvation is a family affair,’ said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorom of the Twelve Apostles. ‘The gospel plan originated in the council of an eternal family, it is implemented through our earthly families, and has its destiny in our eternal families.’” (p. 51, also quoting Parental Leadership in the Family, Ensign, June 1985, 7).

There you have it in a nutshell. The god of this world along with his goddess wives created this world and pro-created spirit babies. These babies came to earth. Those who chose the faithful path of Mormonism in this lifetime are destined to become gods and repeat the process.

Let us now observe a biblical response and a brief lesson on ‘hermeneutics,’ or the study of biblical interpretation. The Mormon Church uses the same text, Mark 12:18-27, to prove their position on eternal marriage as I would use to prove the traditional Christian view against eternal marriage. The differences lie in the methods of interpretation. Let’s take a look at the text; then a look at the Mormon interpretation of the text; and finally a lesson in hermeneutics and what the Scripture says in this text. Mark 12:18-27 is a story about the Sadducees asking about the husband of a woman who had married seven brothers. In verse 23 the Sadducees asked (quoted from the King James Version): “In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? For the seven had her to wife.” And Christ replied in verses 24-25, “And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 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.’”

Noting the subtitles on page 71, Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. II, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie Chapter 4: “MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN” and “APOSTATE TEACHINGS DENY ETERNAL MARRIAGE,” we see that the Mormon Church draws two conclusions. First, the reason Christ said, “they neither marry, nor are given in marriage” was a specific answer to the Sadducees. Since the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, there would be no marriage for them. This would be carried out in the modern teaching that unless you are a Mormon of good standing and married in a temple, your marriage is of this Earth and ends at death. Second, as quoted from page 72, “The very fact that they asked the question indicates that the doctrine of marriage for eternity was taught and accepted by those who were not of their particular faith.”

Now, a quick lesson on hermeneutics. One basic hermeneutical principle is to let Scripture interpret Scripture, focusing on the passage at hand, then expanding out until we view that passage in light of the whole Bible. For example, in this passage Christ clearly states there will be no marriage in heaven. The immediate context – other than this one question, there is no other mention of eternal marriage in the book of Mark. A little larger context – other than the other Gospel accounts (Matthew 22:23-33 and Luke 20:27-35) where this exact same event is recorded (3 times total), there is no other mention of eternal marriage – and in each of these accounts Jesus gives the same answer, “neither marry, nor are given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:35). Expanding this to the whole Bible, there is no basis anywhere supporting eternal marriage.

So then, how does the Mormon Church build their doctrine of Eternal Marriage? They fail in their ‘exegesis.’ That is, they fail to read from, or take out of Scripture their interpretation, but rather they use ‘eisegesis,’ or they read into Scripture their preconceived beliefs.

What do I mean? If you study the teachings of Joseph Smith, he clearly taught eternal marriage, but needed a passage of Scripture to support his theory. Thus, he read into Scripture his own meaning. Christianity on the other hand would take out of God’s Word simply what Christ said, “they neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Mark 12:25) and teach there is no marriage in heaven.

Witnessing point: Keep in mind, this article has less to do with disproving the Mormon doctrine of eternal marriage and more to do with demonstrating how Mormons will twist Scripture. So, when witnessing, make the assumption they don’t even know they’re doing it, and as a friend, give them a brief lesson in hermeneutics. Then, as if to make a point, ask the question, “If an astrology student had a theory that the sky was pink before the flood and found in ancient Greek writings this dialogue between a student and teacher: Student: “Was the sky ever pink?” Teacher: “What color is the sky?” Student: “Blue.” Does this question prove the sky was once pink, or does it prove that 2,000 years ago, a student had the same question as the astrology student today? If they are honest, they will say, “A question does not prove a theory.”

Then ask them how the Mormon Church can build a doctrine that is as foundational as their doctrine of eternal marriage based on a question, while ignoring the answer clearly given by Christ? The simple answer is: just as the astrology student’s question does not prove the sky was ever pink, neither does the Sadducees question prove the doctrine of eternal marriage. All the question proves is: there was a question. It is the answer upon which we should build our doctrine: “they neither marry, nor are given in marriage.” (Mark 12:25)

Note…though I did not quote directly from any of the following sources, they were of great value in my research and for further study, I would recommend; Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, 2002, Baker Books, and Grasping God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, 2001, Zondervan.

Douglas K. Hollen attends Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and takes the Gospel of Christ to Mormons in an effort to bring them to Christ. He is available to speak at your church or small Bible study group about Mormonism by contacting him at (314) 691-5418.