"Temporal Marriage and the Resurrection"

  This week I will be talking about what we learn in Matthew 22:23-33.
  In the beginning of these verses, the Sadducees ask Christ a question about marriage after the resurrection. We read in verse 23 of this chapter (and in Acts 23:6-8) that the Sadducees do not actually believe in the resurrection, so they were not sincere in their question at all. They ask Christ who would be married to a woman after the resurrection if, following the Law of Moses, 7 brothers married her and did not have any children (oldest marries her, dies, next brother is supposed to marry her, does, dies, etc. until she dies after the last brother). Christ knows that the Sadducees are trying to make Him preach false doctrine so they can catch Him, but He answers them perfectly. In verse 30, after He tells them that they do not really know the scriptures, He explains that those that are not sealed before the resurrection will be angels to God and not married anymore and that no more marriages will be preformed after the resurrection.
  This might be a little confusing. Elder James E. Talmage explains it better:

In the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage; for all questions of marital status must be settled before that time, under the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity (New Testament Institute Manual, p. 144).

Those people who are married for time and all eternity before the resurrection will still be sealed after. Those who are not will not be sealed and will instead be like an angel. In Doctrine and Covenants 132:15-16, we have a clearer understanding of what this means:

15 Therefore, if a ^aman 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 ^amarriage; but are appointed angels in ^bheaven, which angels are ministering ^cservants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

These verses make the meaning of what was taught in Matthew a little more clear. Those that are bound by the Priesthood will be bound forever, even after they die. Those who are not will be angels and will serve and minister to those who were sealed and who are enjoying a more glorious and happier eternity. Being married for time and all eternity is such a huge blessing. Being an angel is nice, probably. But spending forever with the person you love most and knowing that you truly will be together forever is so much better! 

  There are a ton of references to marriage throughout the scriptures. It is obvious that marriage is something that God wants for all of His children because He knows it will make them happy and because it is a necessary part of getting to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. Here are some things I have learned as I studied marriage a little bit more:

• Hebrews 13: 4- Marriage is an honorable thing!
• Doctrine and Covenants 49:15- Those that forbid to get married are not ordained of God because marriage is ordained of God.
• Genesis 2:18- God does not want us to be alone! He wants us to be married!
• Genesis 2:24- When a man and a woman marry, they need to leave everyone else and become one. To me this means that they are their own new family and they need to deal with things themselves instead of running to their mom when something goes wrong (unless it is serious, then it is important to have other family members there for support).
• There are also a lot of instances of people marrying people of other faiths in the scriptures. This is not recommended because they cannot be sealed. What is the point of falling in love if it can't be forever??
• 1 Corinthians 11:11 (one of my FAVORITES!)- Without a spouse, you cannot be exalted. We need to be married!!!
• 1 Peter 3:7- We need to honor our spouse and we will be "heirs together in the grace of life".
• There are also instances throughout the scriptures of men having more than one wife. This was also the case in the early days of the Church. This is only allowed when the Lord specifically reveals it to the prophet. It is no longer allowed.

  I know that our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. I know that He wants us to be married. I know that we need to be married if we want to enjoy all of the blessings of eternity and exaltation. I know that marriage is AWESOME! I am so grateful that we have the Priesthood on the earth today and that we have the sealing keys that allow us to be married for time and all eternity. I love my husband so much and I am so grateful that we were able to be married and sealed in the temple, meaning that we get to be together for forever and always!