AboutJason Expertise Please state your experience or current knowledge of the LDS faith so that I can better answer your question. I served a two-year LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. I have been a member of the LDS Church my entire life. I was married for eternity (sealed) to my beautiful wife just this year. I don't know all the answers, but any that require my perspective, I would be glad to try or help find the answer.
Experience I have been a member of the LDS Church my entire life. I served a two-year LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. I was married for eternity (sealed) to my beautiful wife just this year. My father has taught LDS religion classes as his profession most of my life. I have been somewhat aquainted with members of the Fundamentalist LDS faith and have some friends that were a part of that religion.
Organizations The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church)
Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Education/Credentials BS - Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
MBA - Currently enrolled, University of Utah
ANSWER: This is a great question. I wish I had more information on what you mean by it and/or your current understanding and situation, so forgive me if I err on the side of too much information just to be safe. :-)
This seems related to a question the sadducees posed to the savior concerning a woman married seven times during her life:
"In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven?" The Lord's answer was: "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matt. 22:23-30. See also Mark 12 and Luke 20)
Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "The Lord's meaning was clear, that in the resurrected state there can be no question among the seven brothers as to whose wife for eternity the woman shall be, since all except the first had married her for the duration of mortal life only. … 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" (Jesus the Christ, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982, p. 509).
You may be familiar with the ordinances we perform in holy temples. One of these ordinances is eternal marriage. When my wife and I were married there 7 months ago, we received the promise that if we remain faithful, our marriage remains valid into eternity, not just "till death do us part". If marriage is this rewarding and enriching during our mortal life, why would we not do everything possible to continue that on in an exalted state?!
These ordinances are also performed in behalf of those in the spirit world (not yet resurrected) so that they can have the opportunity to accept or reject them. If they accept the ordinance, have repented of their sins (relying on the atonement of Jesus Christ), and have abided the laws of the highest glory (1 Cor. 15:39-42), they may then at some point be resurrected and receive the glory for which they qualify. Only in the highest, Celestial, Kingdom can resurrected beings exist as husbands and wives, families. Those of the lower kingdoms receive a reward of glory, but this does not include eternal family relationships.
Now about angels or spirits. There are different kinds:
1. Spirits of people who have not yet come to this earth, but will.
2. Spirits of people who have died, but are not yet resurrected.
3. Resurrected beings.
Only those in the second category are in a state to receive the eternal ordinances. This may include those that did not have the opportunity in mortality to be married as well as those who were only married civilly or "for time". God, our loving Father in Heaven, will surely allow all of His children the opportunity to choose His highest blessings.
So the simple answer to your question is no... with some qualification: resurrected "angels" do not marry, but spirits of just men and women in the spirit world may receive sealing ordinances performed in earthly temples.
Some other scriptures that may be helpful:
1 Peter 3:18-20
1 Corinthians 11:11
1 Corinthians 15:29
Mathew 16:15-19
Doctrine and Covenants 132:15-20 (see scriptures.lds.org)
I hope this helps. I passed it along to some family members and we had a good time discussing it. Please feel free to clarify the reason for your question or ask any other questions. May the Lord bless you for your interest in Him.
-Jason
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QUESTION: thank you for your answer, though incomplete. I looked up all the scripture you gave, in context, none substantiated your doctrine.
You seem like a nice young man, seeking truth, Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Col 1:15 & 16 is pasted below in it's context)
From one sincere seeker to another, I would like to however, challenge some of the doctrine I read on your site. Your indulgence is very much appreciated.
I read in your doctrine, that God has a glorified body (true: Jesus does, but thats not who you were referring to) and that many gods got together and created the earth.
In Colossians 1 it says that God is invisible (v15), (not flesh and bone: see also John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.) and that Jesus Christ is His image, by which all things were created (v16). (see also Eph 3:9, Rev 4:11)
In light of this scripture, in Genesis you have a conversation between the trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), let us make man in our image (soul, spirit, body)
You seem to have a solid handle on the Tri-Unity of God, but then in your doctrine you deny it.
I will await your response.
Lisa
Colossians 1
12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Isaiah 44:6
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 45:5
I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Answer Lisa,
Thank you for your response. It is always nice to hear the reaction to my thoughts. I do need to make it clear that I have registered through allexperts in order to answer questions people may have about our faith, culture, or missionary work. I try to share my beliefs, the doctrines of the church, and my personal experience as best I can to help others get an inside view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I spend a lot of time on my answers in order to be as clear and complete as possible.
Your response appears to me to be more of a request to debate doctrines than insight seeking. It appears clear to me that we do not agree on several of these isssues, and I think you understand those differences before asking. I'm grateful that we are both able to exercise our God-given right to choose to believe as we see best. I don't however, feel it is productive to debate our incongruent beliefs. If you have specific, appropriate questions you would like answered, I'm here to help. If you tell me your religious experience, maybe I'll have questions for you to increase my learning. I do think it would be less productive to try to convince each other of our mis-beliefs.
