ETERNAL LIVES
Chapter Six
Eternal Marriage
One may ask: Why be sealed for eternity if there is reincarnation and we
will come back again anyway? What one often forgets is that we are living in
eternity now as Joseph Smith indicated: "The past, the present, and the
future were and are with Him (God) one eternal Now"'. History of the
Church Vol. 4 Pg. 597.
Let's examine carefully what is written on the sealing powers to see what
is unfolded. We are told that those who are sealed according to the New and
Everlasting covenant "shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if
it be after the first resurrection the next resurrection (A future life or
incarnation) and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, all heights
and depths - " D&C 132:19 Then we are told that as long as they do
not shed innocent blood they will come forth and be Gods sometime in the
future. We are told that "All things are theirs whether LIFE OR
DEATH." D&C 76:59 It is interesting indeed that a celestial being can
choose life or death. In other words he can choose a continuation of life in
the celestial world or sacrifice and take an incarnation in the lower worlds
where he will be subject to death. Many of the prophets in history as well as
other great men were celestial spirits who volunteered to come here to help
the race of men. They chose "death" for a season that they might
have more power to serve.
To understand the sealing more fully one must understand what the
scriptures mean when they speak of everlasting or eternal life. One should
understand that when God gave us the modern scriptures they were written
"after the manner of their language, that they might come to
understanding." D&C 1:24 Since Joseph Smith was unaware of all
mistranslations in the Bible they also carried over into some of his
revelations. For instance the word for the Lord "Jehovah" is
universally agreed to be a mistranslation. The word was invented by the
Catholic church many centuries ago. Most believe the word was at one time
pronounced "Yahweh". Even the word "Jesus" is not correct
today. In the Greek it was pronounced "Yaesu". But God did not
bother with trivialities and let the revelations come forth in a language that
Joseph and his followers were familiar with. If he did not do this much
difficulty would have been created, and the missionaries would have spent all
their time arguing over the meaning of words instead of preaching the gospel.
There were certain disadvantages, however, especially caused by the words
"eternal" and "everlasting". For the true meaning of these
words we must examine the original language of the Bible from whence they
came.
Contrary to popular belief, neither everlasting or eternal life means to
live forever just as eternal damnation doesn't mean that one will be damned
forever: "Nevertheless, it is not written there shall be no end to this
torment, but it is written endless torment. Again it is written eternal
damnation." D&C 19:6-7 And why did the Lord allow it to be written
this way: "Wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, THAT IT
MIGHT WORK UPON THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN altogether for my name's
glory." Verse 7.
Yes, in the past, and for many in the present the Lord has allowed a
misunderstanding of his words to work upon our hearts for our good, but the
truly honest in heart are always the most highly motivated by that which is
truest.
Much of the confusion comes from the Greek word AION and a comparable word
AIONIOS. These words are translated as eternal, forever, everlasting, world,
age and course in the King James Version. One does not have to look hard to
see that "age" and "course" certainly have a different
meaning than "eternal" or "forever". What is the true
meaning of these Greek words? It can be clearly shown from the scriptures that
the meaning is not forever: The disciples said "Tell us when shall these
things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the END of the
world "(Greek: AION) Matt 24:3 "I am with you alway, even to the END
of the world" (AION) Matt 28:20. Here the translators did not dare
translate AION as everlasting, eternal, or forever. We know that Jesus is not
coming at the end of forever. It can also be shown that AION has a beginning:
"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since THE
WORLD (AION) BEGAN" Luke 1:70; "Since the World (AION)
began..." John 9:32; Also Acts 3:21. Here we easily establish that AION
has both a beginning and an end, It's most correct translation is an
"age" which age has both a beginning and an end. Sometimes it is
used in the same context that we use the word "dispensation" today.
However, it sometimes refers to numerous dispensations. One has to read the
context.
The Greek AIONIOS is derived from AION and means approximately the same
except the word implies a quality not found in AION. The word
"eternal" in eternal life is generally translated from this word.
For instance this is eternal (AIONIOS) life, that they might know
thee..." John 17:3 This implies that one will have a high quality of life
that will last for an "age" if one comes to know God and Christ. We
find the same implication in other scriptures: "Whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting (AIONIOS) life." John 3:16
AION and AIONIOS were not meant to imply deathlessness or immortality. The
word meaning such is ATHANASIA and is only used three times in the whole
Bible. The three references are: I Cor 15:53 & 54; and I Tim 6:16. Joseph
Smith's teachings were in harmony with the above. He said over and over that
if a thing has a beginning it must have an end and if something did not have a
beginning then it will have no end. There is no such thing as a beginning with
no end. See History of the Church Vol. 6; pg 311
This was one of the most important statements Joseph ever made, as much
truth can be derived from it. For instance, if there is a beginning to a
punishment, then there must be an end. On the other hand, if there is a
beginning to a reward there must also be an end. If there is a beginning to
our entering into the telestial, terrestrial, or celestial kingdom, then
eventually there must be an end. If there is a beginning to us being a God
there will be an end. If there is a beginning to a marriage there will also be
an end.
When we apply this principle to various cherished doctrines, it may fill
the breast of a devotee with horror. For instance if there is a beginning to
having a body there will be an end. Yet Joseph Smith clearly stated that
"which has a beginning as God lives will have an end." Some of these
applications almost makes one declare that Joseph Smith must have been
mistaken in this point. But I believe the doctrine not only because Joseph
said it, but because of its simple logic. He is mathematically correct.
If Joseph Smith was right then what is the real meaning of eternal
marriage? Does it have an end?
First, if we use the Greek word AIONIOS for eternal or eternity, then
eternal marriage would imply a high quality marriage lasting for an age. Thus
one may be married in this world and the world to come, but keep in mind that
there's worlds to come after '"the world to come." How long your
eternal marriage will last is according to your free agency. If after ten
million years you decide to go separate ways who is there to take away your
agency??? If, after you become a God, you decide to step down and no longer be
a God for a while who is there to take away your agency? Remember "All
things are theirs whether life or death." D&C 76:59
To find out if there really is an end to marriage we must merely ask if
there ever was a beginning. We may be assured that the principle of marriage
is without beginning and is ever present in nature clear down to the atom
where we have a marriage of positive and negative forces creating something
greater than themselves through their cooperation. Joseph Smith said that
baptism was a symbol and it's quite evident that marriage is also. Marriage
merely symbolizes a union of souls or should I say a reunion for "Man was
also in the beginning with God..." D&C 93:29 "The mind or the
intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself. I know my
testimony is true." History of the Church Vol. 6: Pg 310. When humanity
were co-equal in the beginning there was a union of souls which was from
eternity which union, or eternal marriage, we are again attempting to
establish through the "New and everlasting covenant". This is in
fulfillment of the commandment: '"that they may be one as we are."
John 17-11. Thus since the oneness of Intelligences never had a beginning the
time will come when they will never have an end nevertheless there is always
an ebb and flow in all things. At this point one feels to exclaim: "The
mystery of Godliness, how great it is!" D&C 19:10 Eternal marriage is
symbolic of the eternal union all Intelligences will eventually have.
The new and everlasting covenant is also a binding force that brings
individuals together in the celestial kingdom as well as guarantees that you
will meet in future lives. Now we not only want to meet our mates in future
lives, but also our friends. This is why sealings were also done for
individuals who were faithful and friends. Men were sealed to men. See Journal
of discourses Vol. 9 page 269. Also Manuscript History of Brigham Young Jan.
16, 1847
This practice of sealing men to men and even groups was discontinued
evidently through lack of understanding. Joseph Smith told a group of saints:
He (God) has given you all to me and commanded me to seal you up to
everlasting life." Autobiography of Mary E. Rollins Lightner Ms. Joseph
also said: that "dominion and power in the great future would be
commensurate with the number of wives, children and friends that we inherit
(are sealed to) here, and that our mission to the earth was to organize a
nucleus of Heaven, to take with us, the increase of which there would be no
end." From MY LIFE'S REVIEW by Benjamin F. Johnson. Zion's Printing and
publishing Co.; Independence, Mo. Page 10. It is evident that Joseph was
married in his past lives. Mary Elizabeth Rollins said: "Joseph said I
was his before I came here and he said all the Devils in hell should never get
me from him." From JOSEPH SMITH, THE FIRST MORMON by Donna Hill. Page
351. Joseph Lee Robinson also gave an insight into Joseph's past lives:
"God revealed to him that any man that ever committed adultery in either
of his probations (lives) that man could never be raised to the highest
exaltation in the celestial glory." Donna Hill Page 344. Since we are
"judged according to the deeds which have been done in the MORTAL
BODY." (Alma 5:15) this other probation could not refer to a previous
spirit life, but only a previous mortal life.
Of course, any sealing ceremony has no effect without love for we are told
that "Charity (the pure love of Christ) never faileth." I Cor 13:8.
Love is the true sealing power whereas the ordinance is merely a symbol. If
one is under the law he must go through the ordinance, but if he is not then
the power of love itself will create a binding force so those two individuals
will meet in future lives. Interestingly hate also seals two individuals to
each other so they will meet again and work out their differences. The power
of love was expressed by Paul: "For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom. 8:38-39
The main advantage of the sealing powers of the Priesthood is that it seals
a commitment to meet again and once registered in two souls the future union
is assured. The future of those eternally progressing will be eventually to be
as Gods to evolving human lives on other worlds. This, of course, is just the
beginning. There are worlds and concepts above ours that we can comprehend no
more than a slug can comprehend us, but someday we will comprehend in our
future eternal lives and endless expansion of our consciousness.
More to Come . . .
