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)