Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Craig James Ostler and Charles C. Rich on Eternal Marriages being Performed in Temples

  

There is no specific revelation that the covenant of eternal marriage is to be performed only in temples. The Lord indicated that he wanted a house unto his name in Nauvoo, “for there is not a place found on earth that he may come to restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood” (D&C 124:28). If “the fulness of the priesthood” includes eternal marriage, then there is a direct connection to the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants. Over the last century, on the other hand, prophets and apostles have taught that eternal marriages are authorized only within the walls of a temple. Yet ample evidence might be cited that eternal marriages performed by proper authority have occurred outside the temple over the history of the Restoration. For example, see Charles C. Rich, in Journal of Discourses, 19:164. It is evident from Doctrine and Covenants 132:7 that the one man who holds the keys to this power, the President of the high priesthood and of the Church (see D&C 107:65-66, 91), directs the work of performing the eternal marriage covenants. Those individuals have emphatically taught that the covenants of eternal marriage and of temple marriage are one and the same. Marriages for eternity were performed in the Nauvoo Temple in 1846. It also appears that the restricting of authorized eternal marriages to the temple occurred during the administration of President Joseph F. Smith. The restricting of eternal marriages to the temple is spelled out in James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1924), 458. He repeated that explanation in his volume The House of the Lord (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1962), 57. (Craig James Ostler, “Salt Lake City: Founded upon the Doctrine and Covenants,” in Salt Lake City: The Place God Prepared, ed. Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford [Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History; Provo, Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011], 23 n. 6)

 

Charles C. Rich, references above, on November 11, 1877, spoke the following words concerning this issue during a conference in Paris, Idaho:

 

There is another matter important to the Saints, of which I would like to speak this afternoon; it is the subject pertaining to marriage. It was the first great commandment; given to our parents in the Garden of Eden. The Lord said: "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth." This principle, like the principle of revelation, should be properly understood and rightly and legally administered. Some persons rush into marriage hastily and inconsiderately, with no other consideration than that they call love, which frequently brings misery and unhappiness. We have to tell them what is wrong in relation to this principle. It would be unwise and unpleasant for an Elder in Israel to perform a marriage ceremony that could not be acknowledged in heaven. Since the endowment house has been closed in Salt Lake City, those wishing to be married according to the laws of heaven have had to travel down to St. George, where they can be sealed together for time and all eternity; for a Temple is the proper place in which to perform these sacred ordinances. We learn from our past history and experience that there have been deviations from this rule from time to time, according to the circumstances of the people, and the attention of the Twelve has been called to the subject, and it has been taken under advisement. We learn that although a Temple stood in Kirtland, still the Prophet Joseph gave endowments and performed marriages in Nauvoo before the Nauvoo Temple was built. The same was done in Salt Lake City for many years, and those endowments and marriages were legally administered; and the way may be opened by which these ordinances can be performed among us without having to travel to St. George for that purpose. This no doubt will be gratifying to the Saints, particularly to the young. There are ordinances that can only be administered in a Temple, hence the importance of completing the Temple so that these ordinances may be administered for the living and for the dead. In relation to this deviation from this rule pertaining to sealings and endowments, we understand that the Priesthood is greater than the Temple, and that which is sealed on earth by those holding the keys, is sealed in heaven. Many cannot go to St. George to receive their marriages and endowments, and should the way be opened by which they may be performed without going there, it will be appreciated, for all who understand the Gospel and the sacred ordinances pertaining thereto, would prefer to be married in the proper manner. I don't know how far these privileges may extend, whether they will extend to plural marriages or not; it will be as the Lord wills; should it be the easer that we obtain these privileges, it will be no cause for slackening our labors on the Temple. Our dead friends are waiting for their baptisms and other ordinances, which can only be administered in a Temple. I cannot say any more on this subject until arrangements are more fully perfected.

 

There is no blessing that our heavenly Father is not ready to bestow upon us on condition that we observe the laws and ordinances established for the salvation of his Saints. We are brought together from time to time that we may be instructed and learn our duties. There are many things to talk about, we have to select a few and pass by the rest. The principle of marriage is one of great importance; our young men and maidens are called upon to become united and to learn to live together and accomplish all the Lord has commanded. (JOD 19:163-64)

 

Blog Archive