Plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation

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Plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation

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Joseph Smith, Jr. Temples

Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.

—LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66, Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual (2013)

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For further information related to this topic

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Did Joseph Smith Teach Exaltation Requires Plural Marriage?: FAQ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responds to these questions

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual, (2013)

Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.

(Click here for full article)

"Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah," Gospel Topics, (2013)

During the years that plural marriage was publicly taught, all Latter-day Saints were expected to accept the principle as a revelation from God. Not all, however, were expected to live it. Indeed, this system of marriage could not have been universal due to the ratio of men to women. Church leaders viewed plural marriage as a command to the Church generally, while recognizing that individuals who did not enter the practice could still stand approved of God. Women were free to choose their spouses, whether to enter into a polygamous or monogamous union, or whether to marry at all. Some men entered plural marriage because they were asked to do so by Church leaders, while others initiated the process themselves; all were required to obtain the approval of Church leaders before entering a plural marriage.

(Click here for full article)

Charles W. Penrose,  "Peculiar Questions Briefly Answered," Improvement Era, (September 1912)

Question 4: Is plural or celestial marriage essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come?

Answer: Celestial marriage is essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come, as explained in the revelation concerning it; but it is not stated that plural marriage is thus essential.

For further information related to this topic

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Did Joseph Smith Teach Exaltation Requires Plural Marriage?: FAQ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responds to these questions

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual, (2013)

Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.

(Click here for full article)

"Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah," Gospel Topics, (2013)

During the years that plural marriage was publicly taught, all Latter-day Saints were expected to accept the principle as a revelation from God. Not all, however, were expected to live it. Indeed, this system of marriage could not have been universal due to the ratio of men to women. Church leaders viewed plural marriage as a command to the Church generally, while recognizing that individuals who did not enter the practice could still stand approved of God. Women were free to choose their spouses, whether to enter into a polygamous or monogamous union, or whether to marry at all. Some men entered plural marriage because they were asked to do so by Church leaders, while others initiated the process themselves; all were required to obtain the approval of Church leaders before entering a plural marriage.

(Click here for full article)

Charles W. Penrose,  "Peculiar Questions Briefly Answered," Improvement Era, (September 1912)

Question 4: Is plural or celestial marriage essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come?

Answer: Celestial marriage is essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come, as explained in the revelation concerning it; but it is not stated that plural marriage is thus essential.

For further information related to this topic

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Did Joseph Smith Teach Exaltation Requires Plural Marriage?: FAQ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responds to these questions

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual, (2013)

Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.

(Click here for full article)

"Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah," Gospel Topics, (2013)

During the years that plural marriage was publicly taught, all Latter-day Saints were expected to accept the principle as a revelation from God. Not all, however, were expected to live it. Indeed, this system of marriage could not have been universal due to the ratio of men to women. Church leaders viewed plural marriage as a command to the Church generally, while recognizing that individuals who did not enter the practice could still stand approved of God. Women were free to choose their spouses, whether to enter into a polygamous or monogamous union, or whether to marry at all. Some men entered plural marriage because they were asked to do so by Church leaders, while others initiated the process themselves; all were required to obtain the approval of Church leaders before entering a plural marriage.

(Click here for full article)

Charles W. Penrose,  "Peculiar Questions Briefly Answered," Improvement Era, (September 1912)

Question 4: Is plural or celestial marriage essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come?

Answer: Celestial marriage is essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come, as explained in the revelation concerning it; but it is not stated that plural marriage is thus essential.

For further information related to this topic

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Did Joseph Smith Teach Exaltation Requires Plural Marriage?: FAQ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responds to these questions

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual, (2013)

Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.

(Click here for full article)

"Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah," Gospel Topics, (2013)

During the years that plural marriage was publicly taught, all Latter-day Saints were expected to accept the principle as a revelation from God. Not all, however, were expected to live it. Indeed, this system of marriage could not have been universal due to the ratio of men to women. Church leaders viewed plural marriage as a command to the Church generally, while recognizing that individuals who did not enter the practice could still stand approved of God. Women were free to choose their spouses, whether to enter into a polygamous or monogamous union, or whether to marry at all. Some men entered plural marriage because they were asked to do so by Church leaders, while others initiated the process themselves; all were required to obtain the approval of Church leaders before entering a plural marriage.

(Click here for full article)

Charles W. Penrose,  "Peculiar Questions Briefly Answered," Improvement Era, (September 1912)

Question 4: Is plural or celestial marriage essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come?

Answer: Celestial marriage is essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come, as explained in the revelation concerning it; but it is not stated that plural marriage is thus essential.

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

Notes

Further reading and additional sources responding to these claims