When we think of the Savior, most of us envision Him within the stories we learned in primary, and think of His ministry teaching the Gospel. Most of us do not reflect on His personal life or consider His role as a husband. In fact, many – including Latter-day Saints, are not aware of the fact that the Savior did “fulfill ALL righteousness”, including the charge given us to live the law of Celestial Marriage.
The Savior was sent to atone for our sins and to live as an example in all things. We know that He is to inherit all things the father has – because He fulfilled the requirements essential for Him to obtain such blessings.
We are taught that there are certain requirements necessary for entry into the Celestial Kingdom that even the Savior Himself was not exempt from. This is evident considering the fact that even our perfect Savior fulfilled the requirement of baptism. In 2 Nephi 31: 6-7, Nephi explains:
And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
Just as all of us are required to enter into the waters of baptism to obtain the blessings of exaltation, the same was required of our Savior.
Another requirement for obtaining the highest degree of glory is for us to enter into and live the principle of Celestial Marriage. D&C 132:19-21 discusses the blessings of living this standard and admonishes:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
Again – even the Savior was required to enter into the covenant of Celestial Marriage if He was to ultimately “inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths…” as God affirms in D&C 132:19.
The marriage of the Savior was taught more often in early church history, by leaders like President Brigham Young, George Q. Cannon, President Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Jedediah M. Grant, President Joseph F. Smith, and President Heber C. Kimball, to name just a few. In a General Conference address on October 6, 1854, Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve discussed the Savior’s wedding recounted in the Bible:
“…Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and he told them what to do. Now there was actually a marriage, and if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell who was. If any man can show this, and prove that it was not the Savior of the world, then I will acknowledge I am in error. We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into the relation whereby he could see his seed, before he was crucified.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, p. 82, 83).
We now have the opportunity to learn more about a woman blessed enough to have been chosen as a companion and help-meet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and at the same time, discover more about Him on a personal level. In light of this, we must examine the interactions between Jesus and Mary of Bethany, which illustrate the intimate relationship between the two – that would have been inappropriate had they not been husband and wife.
John 12: 3-7 contains a very important account of one of the days He spent with Mary of Bethany:
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
The same story is relayed in Matthew 26, Mark 14 and again in Luke 7. What is the apparent significance of this story? An examination of a quiet ordinance called “The Second Anointing”, an extension of the initiatory “Washing and Anointing” performed in the temple will help to clarify;
The Second Anointing – overseen by the President of the Church, is a rite administered only to married couples. The first portion of this ordinance is carried out in the Holy of Holies within the Temple. The second part of the ordinance (implemented at the couple’s home), involves the act of the wife “washing the feet” of the husband, or rather anointing the feet of the husband, in early preparation for his burial, and to allow for her to have claim upon him in the resurrection. (The Mysteries of Godliness, pp. 87-90, Buerger).
Matthew 26: 12-13 elucidates that Mary of Bethany performed this portion of the Second Anointing for her own husband before His death:
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
These scriptures do not describe merely an act of “hero worship”, but a demonstration of an intimate and sacred ordinance taking place between the Savior and His wife! This offers us a clear understanding as to why His love for this particular woman was so great.
D&C 131: 1-3 is very specific about the importance of the marriage covenant:
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.
What an amazing opportunity we have to look deeper inside the life of the Savior Jesus Christ – via the scriptures – and to learn more of Him personally. Most importantly, we can see yet another illustration of the Savior’s example to us and how His life was a literal fulfillment of all God’s commandments, and how we too can obtain the highest degree of exaltation if we model our lives after His.
Very interesting thoughts on this…had never really thought of the things you mentioned as pointing to him being married.
The word of God is more than an marrage more than a mother,father,sister,brother children and this world!
The word of god became flesh and dwelt among us! became us is us is all and all! That is Jesus Christ our God our lamb our life our truth our everything!
John 1 King James Version (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
I think it would have been more appropriate to quote HCK’s journal citing the ordinance and it’s reference to the Savior’s thereof instead of quoting an apostate’s casting of pearls before swine.
Let’s not also forget the other ways he ‘fulfilled all righteousness’:
Both fulfilling the first commandment and the fullness of Celestial Marriage:
Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children
Elder Orson Hyde, JD 2:209
How many verses are there that actually discuss anything about his marriage relationship?
Zero.
Exactly. Zero. They use their own “sacred” books to prove their own made up point. Show any verse in the bible that proves without a doubt that Jesus was married. DO NOT take a verse, twist it with your own opinion and then present it as fact. That is just poor form and should not be tolerated.
Your wrong Dan.
“All they garments smell of myrrh and aloes, and cassia: when thou comest out of the ivory palaces where they have made thee glad, Kings daughters were among thine Honorable Wives: upon they right hand did stand the QUEEN in a vesture of gold of Ophir” Psalm 45: 8,9 compare to Hebrew 1:8,9 10,11 original text vs KJV wives changed to women.
psalms 45, proverbs 8
Jules is simply one of the very best Our Father has.
She writes the truth in this great article..yes indeed Our Savior is following the same path of exaltation as His Father had!
Amen Jules!!
It is obvious to me that Jesus must have had plural wives inasmuch as He provided the perfect example of a perfect life with perfect obedience. Jesus Christ hasn’t commanded anything which he has not demonstrated a willingness to do himself.
Great article. Thanks.
Excellent observation Jared!!
That’s probably why the Church hasn’t taken out the section in D&C, it’s for a future generation that can and will be obedient to plural marriage teaching again.
Do we have record of Joseph or Brigham saying anything about this? It has to be true, but I am just curiosity if the great.head of the dispensation said anything about this topic….
Orson Pratt Editor of THE SEER commissioned by Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards the Presiding Presidency of 1852 to write and teach to the Church he wrote about Christ marriage October 1853 Vol 1 in his treaties on Celestial marriage. I have a copy of it from a book republished by Eugene Wagner of Salt Lake the actual printing was done in Tubingen, West Germany.
Thank you, Jules, for your insightful article. I had never really thought about the Savior being married, but it is absolutely logical to me that in order to “fulfill all righteousness” he would have to have had a celestial marriage, besides being baptized. I think it’s a concept that the world is not ready for. I am so thankful that we have the basis of that knowledge. Good job! (Dan Brown was on to something, and he doesn’t even know it!)
According to this article, one has to be married to “fulfill all righteousness” and ergo Jesus must have been married. This is a strange assumption because Jesus himself said just the opposite and actually commanded men to NOT to marry and become eunuchs. His own words are, “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.” (Matt 19:12) Several of the early church fathers followed this recommendation such as Paul and Origen and were actually castrated to ”fulfill all righteousness.”
Paul writes at length on the topic of celibacy, calling it better than marriage, “But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Cor 7:8-9). And later he says again, “Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned…he who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.” (7:27-34).
Paul’s conclusion: He who marries “does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better” (7:38).
There certainly seems to be a problem with this assumption that in order to be righteous one must be married. And seeing that there is no direct evidence in favor of Jesus being married, it is pretty clear that Jesus was never married to one or multiple wives (LOL), nor did he have children.
Your conclusion is a pretty good example of what is called an argument from ignorance. The scriptures do not say he was married therefore he was not married. The only problem with that is the scriptures do not say that he wasn’t married.
Another example is; No one can prove that God exists therefore he does not exist. The problem is the conclusion is based on what is not known, instead of what is.
Latter-Day Saints who believe that Jesus was married understand that it is not expressly stated in the bible. That is not the basis of the claim, therefore to point it out is really meaningless to the argument. We also reject Catholic teachings on the virtues of celibacy and view Paul’s admonitions as temporary and directed at those called to missionary service.
Same can be said for your “argument”. The scriptures do not say Jesus was not married, so therefore he must have been. Can you read scripture and try not to torture it until it says what you want it to if you hop on one leg and close one eye. I hope you make financial plans for your family with a little more common sense.
Hi, I stumbled onto this website. I agree completely with you. I was a missionary years ago and as I’ve become, i think, a little wiser, this stuff that some members push, just seems absurd and irrational. It makes me question a lot of it. I do believe it is a can of worms. I wish members would just focus on living the basic commandments and especially Christ’s commandment for us to love one another. I think all that other stuff is way to murky and I don’t know why members feel the need to indulge in it. Thank you for your intelligent response.
You seem like someone who seeks truth and has their focus on Jesus. Not on opinions about things that will NOT help us with salvation. You I like because when you cut to the chase, what will really matter when we stand before God. Not a bunch of foolish questions that have no real meaning. Only our faith in God and his grace to cover our sins
If this were so, and asking this may expose my ignorance, what holder of the M. priesthood sealed them and in what temple were the endowments performed?
There is a long list of translated beings who could have performed the sealing. Elijah, for example.
I believe The Lord Jesus Christ is God, The Son of God, and The Messiah as clearly taught in the Bible. The stakes are too high to be wrong about this.
Good article! I recall that my mother read a book during the early 60’s that promoted the idea that Christ was married. She was not LDS but a very spiritual truth seeker. I read the book as a teenager. There are some who believe that he was married that are not LDS. As to “plural wives”, I will ponder that thought. I have also heard it stated by nonLDS Christian theologians that because Christ was a Jew he would have followed along with the Jewish Customs present during that day, which means that he most likely would have taken a wife.
Throughout the Book of Mormon we are warned about the “false traditions of our fathers”. Many people are so wrapped up in the “false traditions” concerning Christianity that they are unwilling to open their minds to anything new.
I am greatful for the Restoration and the knowledge that flows through our prophets.
We also know that Jesus was a Rabbi. It was requisite a Rabbi be married. The marriage in Cana, is the first miracle we have recorded of Jesus as he begins his ministry. Rabbis could begin to minister at age 30. Jesus’ mother is very intimately involved in this wedding, suggesting a familial tie.
Consider also the Apocryphal text the Gospel of Philip….It’s a text that speaks much of marriage sacraments; the Hebrew root words used infer an intimate relation between Jesus and Mary, and the text reads “Jesus loved Mary Magdalene more than all the disciples and used to kiss her on the mouth”.
If they were married, how fitting that Jesus shows himself first to Mary. Was her trying to touch him at the tomb her effort to “lay claim on him in the resurrection?”
While I have no problem speculating in the idea of Christ being married, I think it is a dangerous thing to present as complete truth simply because we do not know for a certain that he was married. In fact, there is a good chance that the wedding that Christ attends was, in fact, his own because of a Jewish tradition where the groom supplied the wine. But there is nothing to say that Christ didn’t simply get married in the afterlife. Any person that would put forth as a certainty that Christ was married is completely in error at this time. Chances are equally good that he did have multiple wives just as the chances are good that Mary was one of Joseph’s multiple wives. Still no evidence can be found for that and the prophets have remained quiet on the subject.
Be careful presenting such speculations as complete and whole truth. You are wrong when you do that.
I don’t see a whole lot of speculation here. As Jules, states Orson Hyde was one of Brigham’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He was also the one designated to dedicate the Holy Land for the return of the Jews. He also was one of Joseph’s inner circle (the Anointed Quorum). In other words, he is a very credible source. If Orson says that Jesus was married, I don’t see why we shouldn’t believe it (besides the many other reasons cited here).
Even Bro. Hyde shared that there was a chance he was wrong on this. I’m ok with him being right or wrong on the subject, since knowing the answer doesn’t really matter that much right now. If it mattered more, the current brethren would be addressing it a bit more than they do.
I’m happy to see someone write about truths that have been extrapolated from the scriptures. Sister Allred’s comments are based on scripture and logical thinking. Just because they aren’t explicitly stated in scripture does not make them false. One discovers such truths from studying, not merely reading, the scriptures. Through righteous living, each of us is entitled to personal revelation; however, we are not automatically entitled to publish those revealed truths to the Church. Take the example of Nephi. He saw the same vision as John, but he was forbidden to write the vision after a certain point because that had been assigned to John. Fine article.
Joseph Smith once lamented that some of the Saints would “fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions.” Are we guilty of this accusation? The reason that the early Brethren finally stopped talking about “mysteries” was probably because of the Saints’ spiritual immaturity. Thus the focus on the milk of faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. Of course, the proper application of these basic principles to our lives is a life-long endeavor.
You guys are off the wall, up the creek, & down the alley…
hehehehe…
No Mormon believes this stuff….
What did Mormons ever do to you to cause so much hatred?
Obviously, some do. You’re the one without a clue.
“Our first parents, then, were commanded to multiply and
replenish the earth.”
Actually, male and female were commanded collectively to multiply and replenish the earth, at the same time that animals, fishes, and plants were commanded. I see this as an instinct placed within us, more than an actual commandment. The first commandment to PHYSICAL man was for Adam not to partake of the forbidden fruit, and it was for violating this commandment that Adam was cast out. Had he not partaken, Eve alone would have been cast out. Apparently, he did not want to be alone. Notice the wording, “And I, the Lord God, said unto Adam: Who told THEE THOU wast naked? Hast THOU eaten of the tree whereof I commanded THEE that THOU shouldst not eat, if so THOU shouldst surely die?”
Hahaha! What do you expect Him to say?? Y’all?? Hahaha! We done got ourselves a SOUTHERN Heavenly Pappy!
Its not like anyone can say the prophets did not teach this. They did and there is no expiration date on the words of the prophets.
I don’t know about you but I am sick of being the milky church of jesus christ of latter-day saints. Ezra, myself, and a few other lay members makeup the meaty church of jesus christ of latter-day saints because we embrace all the words of the prophets.
I did not mean to sound arrogant. I was just saying that not as many members believe in the words of all the prophets as one might think and that just a few do. As a result the meat of the gospel is not preached just the milk.
Are you guys serious????
Do Mormons – Latter Day Saints REALLY HONESTLY believe & teach that Christ was married???
I really need to know because I am a new convert – just recently confirmed in June.
I have asked many questions that went unanswered…so I have nobody to turn to anymore.
This page here led me to research even the negative things online – which I was told by the LDS church to “Stay away from anyone or anything that says anything negative, rude, or that does not make sense!”
So, WHERE is this info about Christ being married written by the prophet in the D&C or the Pearl of Great Price please?
Thanks…
What else do I need to know?
I asked a friend from my own church who has been of great help to me about this…
She also uses FB. So, I sent her a message…
She says she has been a Mormon all of her life & she has never heard of anything like this…about Christ being married.
So, I sent her the link.
She replied that this is an anti-mormon site?
I am at a total loss on WHO to believe anymore?
I think maybe my husband & I should go back to our old church!
We have found out so much online that we were never told in the church. Then, when I do ask missionaries or LDS friends, they all say “We will talk about that at a later date.” or “Don’t believe anything you see online except on LDS.org or mormon.org!”
They ask me where do I hear different things?
I have seen so much that isn’t answered!
This is not an anti-mormon site. The article is not meant to be church doctrine, but simply presents a very plausible idea that Christ was married (would make sense if he’s suppose to fulfill all righteousness and mormon’s believe you must be married to receive the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom).
Also, you must realize that some people are just ignorant. That doesn’t make them bad.
And, this is Christ’s Church. That I know.
i know that jesus christ married
Thanks for your response. I agree, this is not doctrine, but speculation of what could be true, but has not been proven. I am trying to answer my daughter’s question on this subject. Also if Christ was or was not married really has no baring on our salvation. We need to focus on serving the Savior, not arguing over points that are not saving doctrine.
Why can’t we ask questions when we feel we would like to know more about something?
Jesus Christ is my Savior, too.
Of course I want to know these things…
Beth, I am so sorry that this has been your experience! As I joined the church at age 21 just 9 years ago, this is information that was presented to me. I don’t know why those around you are avoiding answering your questions.
To me, of course he was married! As stated several times, it is a commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, and to do that righteously, one should be married. I think mainstream Christianity shies away from thinking our Savior was married and had children because then that means it is very possible that some of Christ’s descendants might still be walking the earth and that would somehow elevate those people above themselves, and we live in a very competitive and selfish world.
To me, it is very comforting to think our Savior was married with children. Are you married? Being married is its own challenge, for sure! It is easier for me to put a neighbor’s needs above the needs of my husband sometimes. Living with someone, it creates challenges and obstacles and trials. To know that my Savior actually endured these trials himself (rather than feeling of my trials, but actually had the trial himself) is very comforting.
And it’s all logical, if you put the pieces together and study rather than just read, as someone else said.
I hope your experiences with the Church get better. Remember, the Church is perfect – its members are not. Pray when you’re unsure, but know that there are members that will answer your questions.
So, which Prophet said this or prophesied this?
He says he is sorry I don’t believe the words of the Prophets.
I am searching for this online & in my books…It would help me to know which Prophet did say this? Are you referring to Joseph Smith?
How can I find out more about this because it is important.
Thanks!
>>>Ezra said above to me:
“Every contributor to The Mormon Chronicle loves the Church, and have no hatred towards Mormons, because WE ARE Mormons ourselves. I am sorry you do not believe the words of the Prophets on this matter, but your disbelief does not mean that we hate.”
Beth, Weather Christ was married or not has no baring on our salvation. This doctrine was never adopted by the church as true doctrine even though it could be. If you will read the Disclaimer at the main site, it will tell you that these are only the writers opinions, or something like that. So these speculations are what might be, but has never been proven and so The Church has not accepted it as cannon or scripture. I hope this answer helps. The only scriptures we have are The Book of Mormon, D&C, Bible, and Pearl of Great Price. All other writings are speculations that mean that men are seeking to know more about God.
There are numerous LDS sources available for us to read about the Savior as a married man – aside from what we can learn about the topic right from the scriptures. In the early days of the church, the topic was taught openly. Here are a few talks that will give you some more information:
http://jod.mrm.org/1/53
http://jod.mrm.org/2/75
http://jod.mrm.org/14/147
http://jod.mrm.org/1/341
http://jod.mrm.org/2/202
http://jod.mrm.org/4/257
http://jod.mrm.org/13/300
http://jod.mrm.org/17/145
Great resource online! :-)
I think I need to get a hard copy somewhere!
Thankyou…
If the LDS members would share the truth of all of their beliefs when someone asks – it would make more sense.
To NOT answer or explain only confuses a person.
There is absolutely NOTHING that I have been told that shocked me.
I was completely at peace…delighted with my newfound faith.
Now, since nobody from my church seems to have answers – I ended up only researching “positive” pages online.
But, many times these Mormon sites or people are anti-LDS. They make an appearance as a true lDS church member who loves the church but suddenly you start getting a strange feeling that – oops, this is another fake. This is another one trying to cause me doubt.
So, the battle is whether the Holy Spirit is telling me something is truth or false.
It is hard!
Most Latter-day Saints have no idea what’s in the Journal of Discourses, Church History, Lectures on Faith, etc… as I study the teachings of early Church leaders it only strengthens my testimony, I hope it does the same for others. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.
In the middle of the day, my daily chores done, feeling the lonleyness of the empty nest, I watched the History channel. It was all about the “books of scripture” that was kept from the bible, and that the Catholic Church was in possesion of them, I found it most interesting that one of them was the book of Mary. I’m sure that it was inspired by our Father in Heaven for them to be kept away from the world. For me it was a spirital awakening to something I already knew but it was hidden deep in my mind. This information strengthen my testimony to what we belive ie. the 7th and 8th articles of Faith. I belive with out reading the book of Mary that it alone would cause the Catholic Churches foundation to crumbel, and we will be an event closer to, Our Saviors Return.
The official position of the LDS Church on whether Jesus was married is this: “The belief that Christ was married has never been official church doctrine. It is neither sanctioned nor taught by the church. While it is true that a few church leaders in the mid-1800s expressed their opinions on the matter, it was not then, and is not now, church doctrine.” Official LDS Church statement May 16, 2006, ldsnewsroom.org.
As it says, anything else is not sanctioned nor taught by the Church. It doesn’t mean it isn’t possible, it just means it’s not doctrine and need not be accepted. Read the official statement!
We don’t even need to read supplemental quotes or writings (canonized by the church or not) – this is ALL contained in the scriptures for those who have “eyes to see”.
Thanks for the great article! I LOVE the Church and the Savior. I know this is His church. I also know that there are many times when prophets and the righteous have known things that the world was not ready for and often the Lord forbade the sharing of that information. I think that is why President Lee counseled to “Stay close to the trunk of the tree.” It is obvious from the comments here that some are ready and some are not.
For my part, I feel great happiness to think of the Savior experiencing a full life with the joys of marriage and children. I think it makes sense if He was to descend below all things and know how to succor His people, being a husband and father would definitely build a better understanding! Thank you for the great research and insights!
Sister Allred, I realize that this is an old discussion, but I was looking for info on polygamy when I came across it. I am currently corresponding with a sister who found me by way of ldsfreedomforum. She is adamant that Joseph Smith did not teach or practice plural marriage, that in fact it was Brigham Young who introduced this “abominable” practice to the Saints. While I have found a number of statements by Joseph that strongly condemn plural marriage, I can’t find anything he said in support of it. This sister claims that sec. 132 of the D&C was actually written by Brigham Young many years after the death of Joseph to justify his carnal desires, which he was introduced to by the Cochranites in Maine while serving a mission there. Could you please help me? Thanks
William Law, Joseph’s first counselor had secretly organized about 200 saints in Nauvoo that would kill the Prophet if he were to teach anything about plural marriage. Joseph had introduced the doctrine of plural marriage to the high council, and several brethren denounced it. They called him a fallen prophet, which gave them grounds to take his life. Joseph in the spring of 1844 announced there was a Judas in the church.
This was the main reason he didn’t teach it.
He did have 2 young men who were invited to the secret meetings, they reported to Joseph who, and what their plans were. Joseph asked both young men to never talk about being present in these meetings for at least 20 years, to spare their lives from apostate members who came west. All this info is from “The Fate of the Prosecutors of the Prophet Joseph Smith ” N.B. Lundwall 1952.
Thank you for your prompt reply. However, I am deeply troubled by two things: Why would Joseph Smith say in public that he bitterly opposed plural marriage while secretly practicing it? But worse yet, how in the world was Joseph Smith justified in marrying women who were already married, especially those whose husbands were active LDS, some even on missions? This seems macabre to me. I just finished reading “Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith”, in which is chronicled a number of such marriages of his. How was this any different from adultery? If I had been living back then, and discovered that Joseph Smith or any other man was enticing my wife to be unfaithful to me, I’d have broken both their arms, if not worse. Census records indicate that there were
considerably more men in those areas than women, so why didn’t the early brethren encourage monogamous marriage rather than hog so many females for themselves? I have been an active member for 38 years, but I guess I just never looked into this as seriously as I should have. I have a difficult enough time trying to keep my one wife on an even keel. I can’t imagine having that aggravation doubled, or tripled, etc. I suppose I would put my shoulder to the wheel if the Lord commanded me to take another wife because she was in need of a home and protection, yet I doubt seriously that my wife would allow it. But there is just no possible way that I would so much as entertain the thought of wanting a married woman, much less marrying her. This is bizarre thinking. Where
in the scriptures are such unions taught or justified? Everything I read about the matter plainly condemns such thinking. If this is not what Jacob was writing about in Jacob 2, what was he writing about? I honestly don’t see any difference between such thinking and plain old adultery. My gosh, a man who would marry my wife while I was away on a mission serving the Church, sleep with her, then have her remain with her husband when he returned from his mission, not telling him she was secretly married to someone else, is an adulterer, a conniving, mind bending adulterer. I just can’t see it any other way. No wonder the saints had so many enemies back then, and were thought of as morally bankrupt. I really need some help here because this is the most reprehensible
practice I have ever heard of. My confusion is made the worse by my testimony of the truthfulness of the BOM. How could Joseph Smith be entrusted with translating those records if he was a serial adulterer? I don’t understand this. I really don’t.
Wow. I’ll be interested in the answers to this!
This link no longer works. Darn, I was really looking forward to reading it, after all that buildup in the comments! Does the article still exist elsewhere? Or an updated or revised version it?
Jesus was half mortal and half immortal. If he was married and had impregnated his wife, they together would have had children that would be genetically different from every other human on the planet- as they would carry these physical attributes as well. I suggest that this would create a difficult situation and, if in fact it did happen, could not have escaped the notice of ALL HISTORIANS OF THAT TIME!(?)
I find the idea that our Savior ‘had to be married’ or ‘must’ve been married’ because of your extrapolation of the ‘fulfill all righteousness’ idea to be as far-fetched as those who believe in rapture due to equally insubstantial scriptural support.
This does not mean his could not be married now in the afterlife. But that is an entirely different thing.
You are putting a lot of faith in ancient historians. You really think nothing got past them? I don’t see why it is crazy to think that Christ’s descendants wouldn’t live quiet unassuming lives. They probably participated in the early church prior to the apostasy, but its not as if we know everything about all of the ancient church members.
It may be safe to assume that they were spiritually inclined in a way that would be more impressive than the average person, but it is a pretty faulty assumption to think that therefore they must be remembered in the history books. I think it would be very faulty to think that they inherited the Savior’s power over death. They were probably just honorable people who spent their lives doing good.
Jesus Christ, the son of God, was sent to fulfill ALL righteousness and be an example in ALL things.
1. As we are commanded to marry, why would Jesus Christ himself not obey that commandment?
2. We are the literal sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. As Heavenly Father is married, it makes since that his Son would also be.
3. Several of the early church leaders stated that they are direct descendants of Jesus Christ.
4. Ancient Jewish tradition held that all male children must marry. To not marry would bring shame on the family. The groom was responsible for providing the wine at the wedding celebration. His mother, Mary, would not have come to him about the wine being gone if Jesus were not the groom and she was not the mother of the groom.
I would think that if Jesus was married, it would have been mentioned in the gospels. Conjecture is okay, and we all do it. However, opinions are just that, opinions. Trying to retrofit Jesus into a custom and maybe even doctrine without any sound evidence leads to error and is pretty weak. Heavenly Mother is another example of this. I fear God too much to play fast and loose with this. However, if it turns out that Jesus did marry and there is a Heavenly Mother, this in no way turns me off. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He died for my sins and through his sacrifice, believing on him and obeying his commandments I have a relationship with Jesus and eternal life. God is good!!!!!! We serve an awesome God!!!
Good points Lisa, I was just reading through “The life & times of Jesus the Messiah” by Edersheim of which book Elder Talmage quotes extensively in “Jesus the Christ” Edersheim a Jew who converted to Christianity tells us that Jesus would have followed all of the customs of his people.,& as you clearly state would have entered into marriage. As I was reading his description of the Marriage ceremony He talked about the bridegrooms, “friend”, or “groomsman” or into days language, “best-man” The custom between the people of Galilee & Judea were slightly deffrent, in that, the Galilean’s wouldn’t have a “stag” (in the UK) “bachelors dinner” or party, in case it would lead to sin. So there is no mention of the groomsman at the wedding feast. However the Saviour did
…..continued….. However the Saviour did have a Groomsman! & it was none other than John The Baptist….Jesus cosion. This we discover in the chapter right after the Wedding feast in Cana (Chap 2.) John Clearly tells his diciples in Chapter 3 verse 29 That Jesus is the Christ. the Bridegroom who took the Bride, & of whom’s wedding they just attended Where the Bridegrooms “Friend” rejoiced.
Anyway please tell me which of the early apostles are related to Jesus Christ….I’m so interested! :)
here thee verse……”He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom, which standeth & heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” (John chap 3:29).
We can oft forget how much the Bible may have been altered, not only for what is visible, but I think more so, what was taken out.
What we often neglect and never know about is personal revelation to individuals. I have come across some who are of the linage of Christ, as well, direct descendent of Nephi upon this American continent. I myself am a multi decedent of house of Israel. The Church has said many times, we may have multi linages, but only one is given in our Patriarchal Blessing. I would reveal more, but the Spirit bids me to stop.
How could Jesus judge us completely without being married. He would have to know the trust issues that take place in marriage. Common sense would dictate that he would need to be married.
I believe one main reason why the Bible does not speak of any wife or children of Jesus is because they would have became targets for the wicked after the death of Jesus.
Not just their identity, but their very existence had to be kept hidden.
The understanding given here by Jules is not required to know and understand in order to gain salvation. Still, believers do have the right to search out the mysteries for themselves.
Has anyone read Swanson’s book: ‘Dynasty of the Holy Grail: Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline” ?
https://www.amazon.com/Dynasty-Holy-Grail-Mormonisms-Bloodline-ebook/dp/B00GG4ZQU8/
Well the Savior was an obedient man and therefore heeded his Father’s warning that it is not good for man to be alone, as well as his Father’s commandments to cleave unto his wife and to multiply and replenish the earth.
But mostly, it makes me sad to see this tossed about like some difficult or obscure point of doctrine.
If the scripture is true, and eternal life is to know God, this witnesses poorly against our case for exaltation. This should be something we know without any particular hesitation because it tastes true.
Joseph Smith defended himself once, proving that he was not a fallen prophet, by teaching the people things in the King Follett discourse that had never entered their heart, and which seemed to contradict many ideas they had obtained from the scriptures. Joseph knew they could taste the truth even as he spoke things that most men would have accounted blasphemy, and thereby Joseph confirmed to the people that he was still every inch a prophet of the Lord.
Joseph Smith taught them far more surprising truths in that sermon than this little article of quotations contains, and by it he proved he was a prophet.
But what of ourselves?
If eternal life is to know God, what of ourselves, who cannot so much as determine whether or not Jesus obeyed the commandments that God the Father in Eden?