The Restoration of the GospelWidtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Religion
The Restoration of the Gospel
Widtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(k.) The duty of the husband to the wife, and the wife to the husband
in this law of the Priesthood is explained. Verses 64 to 65.
(l.) Conclusion. More will be revealed hereafter. Verse 66.
It will be observed that the basic thought in this revelation is that
marriage shall be, not only for a time, but for all eternity. This is
the principle of the New and Everlasting Covenant. "All covenants,
contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections,
associations, or expectations, that are not made, and entered into, and
sealed, by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as
well for time and for all eternity--are of no efficacy, virtue or force
in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that
are not made unto this end, have an end when men are dead."[D] Applied
to the doctrine of marriage, this statement means that when two are
united in marriage outside of the authority of the Church, their union
can last only till death parts them. They are then not bound by any law
when they are out of the world. And in that other world which is to
come, they will be appointed angels, or ministering servants, to those
who are worthy of a greater glory. The marriage ceremony belongs to
this earth and must be accomplished here.
[Footnote D: Doc. and Cov. 132:7.]
If, however, a man marry a wife by the new and everlasting
covenant--and is sealed to her and she to him by the authority of the
holy priesthood--the covenant and contract between them will be of
force worlds without end. Death may part them for a passing time, but
it cannot separate them. In the resurrection they will meet again.
In the life to come they will resume their happy, sacred relations
as husband and wife. They will inherit the thrones and kingdoms,
principalities and powers, promised to the faithful. And they will
"pass by the angels, and the Gods, who are set there, to their
exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their
heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds
for ever and ever."[E]
[Footnote E: Doc. and Cov. 132:19.]
It must be remembered, however, that these promises can be claimed
only on the evidence of unimpeachable faithfulness. "The blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost," says the Lord in one part of the revelation
on marriage, "which shall not be forgiven in the world, nor out of the
world, is in that ye commit murder, wherein ye shed innocent blood, and
assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting
covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law, can in
no wise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord."[F]
[Footnote F: Doc. and Cov. 132:27.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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