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What Is Marriage?

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Marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by God between a man and a woman, intended to be eternal and central to God's plan for the family.

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Marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by God between one man and one woman, designed to unite them in a selfless partnership that extends beyond mortality into eternity 12. It is not merely a civil agreement or a temporary emotional bond, but a divine institution that serves as the foundation for family life and spiritual exaltation 34. From the beginning of time, God established marriage as the pattern for human relationships, first with Adam and Eve and later through the restoration of the sealing power in the temple 35. Through this eternal covenant, couples are bound together in a union that transcends death, provided they remain faithful to their vows 65. In Latter-day Saint theology, marriage is viewed as the highest expression of love and devotion, enabling individuals to grow together in the gospel and prepare for their eternal destiny 78. It is a sacred trust that requires mutual respect, selfless love, and unwavering commitment 39.

Marriage as a Divine Covenant and Eternal Union

Marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by God that serves as the foundation for eternal family and exaltation. Ancient and modern revelation consistently establishes that this union is not merely a temporal arrangement but an eternal principle essential to the divine plan of salvation. The 1995 Proclamation by the First Presidency and [Quorum of the Twelve Apostles](What is the quorum of the twelve apostles) emphasizes that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children 9. This divine ordination is further affirmed in scripture, where the Lord declares, “And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man” 10.

The eternal nature of marriage is achieved through the sealing ordinance performed by proper priesthood authority in the temple. When a man and woman enter into this covenant for time and all eternity, their union becomes eternal, provided they keep their covenants. The Lord taught, “if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world” 5. President N. Eldon Tanner explained that this eternal marriage is the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, enabling families to endure beyond the grave 7.

Scriptural Foundations: Ancient and Modern Revelation

The biblical record establishes marriage as a divine institution from the very beginning of creation. In the Garden of Eden, God formed Adam and Eve, and when He brought them together, the angelic messenger announced, “Behold, this is one,” indicating that their union was intended to be inseparable (Genesis 2:24). This ancient pattern set a sacred template for how humanity is to live together. Later, in modern revelation, Joseph Smith received the teaching, “And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man” (Doctrine and Covenants 49:15) 10. This divine teaching underscores that marriage is not a human invention but a divine commandment with eternal significance.

In modern revelation, the Restoration restored the sealing power of the priesthood, allowing marriage to extend beyond temporal life into eternity. Joseph Smith taught that “the principle of the eternity of the family unit and celestial marriage, which is for time and all eternity” is central to God’s plan of happiness and the exaltation of families 11. The Church’s current understanding, as outlined in Church manuals, clarifies that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is central to God’s eternal plan for the salvation of His children” 12. This sealing ordinance, performed in sacred temples, binds couples together for all eternity, provided they keep their covenants 3. Without this sealing, marriages remain temporary and dissolve at death 6. Thus, marriage in Latter-day Saint theology bridges ancient biblical truth and restored modern revelation, offering a path to eternal family unity.

Teachings of Modern Prophets and Apostles on Marriage

Modern prophets and apostles consistently frame marriage as a sacred covenant rooted in divine order rather than social convention. Elder Russell M. Nelson, an Apostle of the Lord, declared that marriage between a man and a woman is sacred because it is ordained of God 8. He emphasized that this understanding is not shaped by worldly trends but by revealed truth. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, explained that the restored gospel gives a unique perspective on marriage, teaching that it is necessary for accomplishing God’s plan 13. He noted that marriage according to God’s plan provides the divinely appointed setting for mortal birth and prepares families for eternal life. This perspective stands in contrast to cultural shifts that redefine marital boundaries without divine authority.

Leaders also stress that marriage is a selfless partnership built on Christlike love and covenant fidelity. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recalled President Spencer W. Kimball’s teaching that without proper and successful marriage, one will never be exalted 14. This eternal dimension gives marriage its deepest significance. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles solemnly proclaimed that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children 2. In practice, this means marriage is not merely a legal or emotional arrangement but a divine ordinance that connects families to God’s eternal plan.

Historical Development and Clarification of Marriage Doctrine

The restoration of the sealing power marked a decisive turning point in the Church’s understanding of marriage, distinguishing between temporal unions and those intended to endure beyond death. Before the restoration, the principle of eternal marriage had been lost, and marriages were understood to terminate at death 6. Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration, received revelations that restored this lost doctrine, teaching that families could be reunited and that marriage could be established for time and all eternity 11. He emphasized that celestial marriage is for time and all eternity, providing a divine mechanism for the eternal expansion of the family 11. This restoration was not a new invention but a recovery of ancient truth, allowing the Church to properly administer the ordinances necessary for eternal progression.

Elder Boyd K. Packer clarified the significance of this restored doctrine, stating, “There is another dimension to marriage that we know of in the Church. It came by revelation. This glorious, supernal truth teaches us that marriage is meant to be eternal” 15. The distinction between temporal and celestial marriage is therefore foundational: while earthly marriage is a sacred covenant for the mortal life, it becomes eternal only when sealed by proper priesthood authority in the temple 16. President Spencer W. Kimball warned that a temporal marriage is merely a “legal coverall” and lacks the spiritual permanence of the eternal covenant 1. Thus, the sealing ordinance transforms a mortal union into an eternal bond, enabling couples to progress together toward exaltation and to fulfill God’s plan for the family across generations 12.

Marriage in Context: Connection to Family, Children, and Church Practices

Marriage is not an isolated institution but the structural foundation of the family, which Church teachings consistently identify as the central unit of God’s eternal plan. The 1995 proclamation by the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles declares that “marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan” 9, establishing the marital bond as the necessary vessel through which children are born and raised within sacred boundaries. Elder Boyd K. Packer (Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) emphasized this theological continuity, teaching that “there is another dimension to marriage that we know of in the Church. It came by revelation. This glorious, supernal truth teaches us that marriage is meant to be eternal” 15. This eternal dimension is realized through the temple sealing ordinance, which transforms a temporal union into a covenant that endures beyond death. President Dallin H. Oaks (President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) connected this directly to salvation, explaining that “the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. Essential to our doctrine on the family is the temple. The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly Father” 17.

Within this framework, the family serves as the primary setting for spiritual development and the fulfillment of divine purpose. The Church Handbook clarifies that “a husband and wife are intended to progress together toward eternal life” 3, a journey that requires mutual fidelity and shared commitment to gospel principles. The sealing ordinance in the temple joins a couple “for time and all eternity,” with promises to “cleave to each other,” “counsel and work together in love and righteousness,” and “fulfill their divinely appointed roles as husband and wife” 16. These covenants are not merely personal vows but sacred obligations that support the creation and nurturing of children, who are “entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” 9. By grounding marriage in temple ordinances and family-centered gospel teachings, the Church presents marriage as the divine mechanism through which individuals, families, and generations participate in God’s plan of exaltation.

Common Misunderstandings: What Marriage Is Not

Common Misunderstandings: What Marriage Is Not

Marriage is often misunderstood as a temporary legal agreement or a social convention that can be redefined by cultural trends. While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. In the very beginning, God initiated marriage between a man and a woman—Adam and Eve 18. He designated the purposes of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults to, more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared, and nurtured 18. The Church affirms that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children 19. It is not a legal coverall, nor is it merely a temporary arrangement for personal satisfaction 1. Instead, it is a sacred covenant designed to advance the ideal setting for children to be born, reared, and nurtured 18. The Lord designated the purposes of marriage to go far beyond the personal fulfillment of adults 18. Families are the treasure of heaven, and marriage is the foundation upon which these families are built 18.

Another common misunderstanding is viewing marriage as a relationship of convenience or self-interest. True marriage requires sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties 1. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that marriage means long, hard economizing, service burdens, care, and worry burdens 1. These burdens are balanced by the deepest and sweetest emotions of all 1. Marriage is not about selfishness; rather, it is about being completely devoted and faithful to one’s spouse 3. Physical intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman and is intended to be beautiful and sacred 3. Tenderness and respect—not selfishness—should guide the intimate relationship 3. When two individuals approach the marriage altar, they must realize that a happy marriage is not achieved through convenience but through selfless love and commitment 1.

Everyday Implications: How Marriage Shapes Daily Life and Spiritual Growth

Everyday life within a Latter-day Saint marriage is structured around daily choices that reflect covenant keeping and mutual upliftment. Rather than treating the relationship as a casual arrangement, spouses are called to view their home as a sacred space where they can grow together spiritually. As Elder James E. Faust observed, the enriching of marriage is found in the constant appreciation for each other and the thoughtful demonstration of gratitude 20. This means that ordinary moments—such as shared meals, honest conversations, and cooperative responsibilities—become opportunities to nurture the union. Elder Russell M. Nelson emphasized that marriage is “the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation” 21. When couples prioritize these principles, they create a stable environment in which their children can be raised and their own spiritual progress can be sustained.

The practical expression of this partnership involves daily cooperation and shared purpose. In a 2024 talk, Elder Dale G. Renlund explained that marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman—their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything.... They were to be “one flesh” in their life together 22. This merger is not achieved through perfection but through consistent, loving effort. Couples are encouraged to support one another in their roles, whether through providing, nurturing, or serving, and to remember that their union extends beyond the present life. As the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles declared, “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children” 9. By living out these responsibilities with integrity, couples model the values of the gospel and prepare their families for eternal life.

Further Resources: Talks, Scriptures, and Manuals for Deeper Study

For those who wish to explore marriage through the lens of sacred texts and authoritative teaching, several primary sources provide profound clarity. Scripture itself establishes the foundation, declaring that “whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man” 10. This divine mandate is echoed in the modern revelation, where Doctrine and Covenants 132:19 describes the sealing of marriage as a covenant that “shall be of full force when they are out of the world,” guaranteeing eternal continuity 23. For a concise yet comprehensive statement of the family’s role in salvation, the 1995 Proclamation from the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles in The Family remains essential reading 9. It outlines how marriage serves as the foundation for exaltation and the necessary context for children’s birth and upbringing.

Church manuals and talks from living prophets further illuminate practical and spiritual dimensions. The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected by President Boyd K. Packer explains how temple ordinances enable family unity beyond death 24, while Marriage is Honorable by Spencer W. Kimball clarifies that the “new and everlasting covenant of marriage” is the eternal law established in our day 25. President James E. Faust emphasized that marriage covenants are among the most important paths to happiness, noting that “from these covenants flow the greatest joys of life” 26. For deeper study, President N. Eldon Tanner’s Celestial Marriages and Eternal Families and Elder Russell M. Nelson’s Celestial Marriage and Disciples of Jesus Christ—Defenders of Marriage offer rich theological and cultural context 784.

Footnotes

  1. Kimball, Spencer W. (1976-09-07). "Marriage and Divorce". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  2. Packer, Boyd K. (2003-02-02). "The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character". ↩ ↩2

  3. "2. Supporting Individuals and Families in God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  4. Nelson, Russell M. (2014-08-14). "Disciples of Jesus Christ—Defenders of Marriage". ↩ ↩2

  5. Doctrine and Covenants 132:18. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  6. Doctrine and Covenants 132:15. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  7. Tanner, N. Eldon (1980-04-01). "Celestial Marriages and Eternal Families". ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  8. Nelson, Russell M. (2008-10-01). "Celestial Marriage". ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  9. Saints, The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day (1995-09-23). "The Family". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  10. Doctrine and Covenants 49:15. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  11. Tanner, N. Eldon (1979-10-01). "The Contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith". ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  12. "Lesson 5 Laws and Ordinances". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ↩ ↩2

  13. Oaks, Dallin H. (2020-04-01). "The Great Plan". ↩

  14. Oaks, Dallin H. (1993-10-01). "“The Great Plan of Happiness”". ↩

  15. Packer, Boyd K. (1981-04-01). "Marriage". ↩ ↩2

  16. "27. Temple Ordinances for the Living". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ↩ ↩2

  17. Oaks, Dallin H. (2025-10-01). "The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ". ↩

  18. Andersen, Neil L. (2014-04-01). "Spiritual Whirlwinds". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  19. "38. Church Policies and Guidelines". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ↩

  20. Faust, James E. (1977-10-01). "The Enriching of Marriage". ↩

  21. Nelson, Russell M. (2006-04-01). "Nurturing Marriage". ↩

  22. Renlund, Dale G. (2024-03-05). "Stronger and Closer Connection to God Through Multiple Covenants". ↩

  23. Doctrine and Covenants 132:19. ↩

  24. Packer, Boyd K. (2003-10-01). "“The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected”". ↩

  25. Kimball, Spencer W. (1973-09-30). "Marriage is Honorable". ↩

  26. Faust, James E. (1998-04-01). "“Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart”". ↩