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CAROLINA - Question: In the bible why does Jesus say several times that there are no marriages in heaven?
JOEL - Actually He only said this once although it was recorded in both Matthew and Luke:
23 "The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his
brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 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)
The key in this is understanding that Jesus was only refering to civil marriages in these scriptures. The Saducees were trying to trap Jesus with this question. Since they did not believe in the resurrection(verse 23), neither did they believe in marriage for eternity; and they thought there could be no suitable answer to their question. The very fact that they asked the question indicates that the doctrine of marriage for eternity was taught(verse 28) and accepted by those who were not of their particular faith. Otherwise they never would have presented the question to the Savior. Christ, knowing they only believed in civil marriages, explained that such a marriage contract as they presented, would be fulfilled and ended at death and that all such people would be as the angels in Heaven, no longer married. And once a person dies they could not become married after the resurrection in heaven. The marriage must be performed here on earth, in this life.
However, Jesus also said regarding marriage:
"And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matt 19:5-6)
When people are married in a civil ceremony (the kind of marriage the Saducees refered to) they are pronounced married "until death do you
part". By this statement, and the belief that there is no marriage in heaven, man has "put asunder" the true eternal nature of marrriage
ordained by God. Therefore such marriages are not recognized in the next life. A couple who has truely been joined together by God under
His authority would last forever.
The prophet Joseph Smith received revelation on how there could be marriage union in heaven. D&C 132 states that if a man and women are
married "not by me nor by my word" It will not be in force after they are dead, and they will be "appointed angels in heaven" to serve and
attend those who do marry by His word (temple marriage). And for those who do marry by His word it "shall be of full force when they are out of the world".
Obviously it is important to have faith in latter-day revelation to be able to accept the above explanation.
CAROLINA - Do you think the Holy Ghost is what we refer to as our 'conscious'?
JOEL - Not exactly. The spirit or light of Christ which is given to all men can be refered to as our conscience. It provdies everyone with the basic ability to discern good from evil.
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;" (Moroni 7:16)
It can also help people recognize and be led to the truth and to Christ:
"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father." (D&C 84: 45-47)
This light or spirit is closely connected to the workings of the Holy Ghost and the entire Godhead and eminates from them, but is not the same as the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ is an influence or spirit that is in us and all things; it is around us and around all things; it fills the earth and the heavens and the universe (kind of like "The Force" :-). It is not an entity nor a personage, like the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and at times can impart revelation to people both before and after baptism and can be a constant companion after confirmation and bestowal of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but it is not our conscience or the light of Christ.
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