Reason 9 of 10
Exaltation through temple marriage is not the gospel
The Doctrine and Covenants says the highest degree of the celestial glory requires the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. Jesus said that in the resurrection people neither marry nor are given in marriage.
What Latter-day Saints are taught
Section 131 says that to obtain the highest degree of the celestial glory a man must enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. Section 132 calls this eternal marriage, sealed in the temple, the path to exaltation and godhood. The same revelation was the basis for plural marriage, which the Church practised until the 1890 Manifesto.
1In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; 2And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; 3And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-3 · read it at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
19And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which 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 forever and ever. 20Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20 · read it at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
What Jesus said
When the Sadducees asked whose wife a widow would be in the resurrection, Jesus answered that in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven. Marriage is a great gift for this life and a picture of something greater: Christ and his church.
29But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:29-30 (WEB) · context
31“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” 32This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and the assembly.
Ephesians 5:31-32 (WEB) · context
7Let’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let’s give the glory to him. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.” 8It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9He said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are true words of God.”
Revelation 19:7-9 (WEB) · context
Families are precious
The love of Latter-day Saint families is real and beautiful, and nothing here makes light of it. The Bible's hope for families is not that each is sealed by a temple ordinance, but that each member is found in Christ, where nothing can separate us from the love of God.
38For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (WEB) · context
What Latter-day Saints answer
Latter-day Saints answer that Matthew 22 only means marriages are not performed in the resurrection: they must be sealed in this life, by proper authority.
Why that answer falls short
Jesus' answer to the Sadducees would have been the perfect moment to say the woman belonged to whichever husband had the eternal sealing. He said nothing of the kind. He moved the question away from marriage altogether and said they will be like the angels.
Sources
- Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-3; 132:19-20 (churchofjesuschrist.org).