Gospel Principles
Unit 8: Family Salvation
Chapter 38: Eternal Marriage
Concept 2: Eternal Marriage Is Essential for Exaltation
"Many people in the world consider marriage to be only a social custom, a legal agreement between a man and a woman to live together. But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage. We believe that marriage is the most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman. This sacred relationship affects our happiness now and in the eternities.
Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so we can become like him. We must live this law to be able to have spirit children. The Lord has said:
"In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
"And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
"And if he does not, he cannot obtain it." (D&C 131:1-3).
Discussion
Why do we believe marriage is the most sacred relationship between a man and woman?"