The Eternal Family
In the Premortal Sphere
George Q. Cannon – There are instances which all of us
doubtless have known which have proved to us that there has
been a spiritual acquaintance existing between us … We are
drawn together by this knowledge and this acquaintanceship
which, I have no doubt, was formed anterior to our birth in this
state of existence.” (Gospel Truth, v. 1, p. 4.)
Hugh Nibley – In the earliest Christian poem, "The Pearl,"
and in recently discovered [ancient documents], the Christian
comes to earth from his heavenly home, leaving his royal
parents behind, for a period of testing upon the earth. Then,
having overcome the dragon, he returns to the heavenly
place, where he is given a rousing welcome. The first person
to greet him on his return is his heavenly mother, who was the
last one to embrace him as he left to go down to earth. "The
first embrace is that which the Mother of Life gave to the First
Man as he separated himself from her in order to come down
to earth to his testing." (From his chapter in LDS Women’s Treasury:
Insights and Inspiration for Today’s Woman, p. 37.)
Brigham Young – While sick, and asleep, about noonday of
the 17th [of February, 1847] I dreamed that I went to see
Joseph. He looked perfectly natural, sitting with his feet on the
lower round of his chair. I took hold of his right hand and
kissed it many times, and said to him, “Why is it that we
cannot be together as we used to be? You have been away
from us a long time, and we want your society, and I do not
like to be separated from you.”
Joseph, rising from his chair and looking at me with his usual
earnest, expressive and pleasing countenance, said, “It is all
right.” I replied, “I do not like to be away from you.” Joseph
said, “It is all right; we cannot be together yet; we shall be, byand-by; but you will have to do without me awhile, and then
we shall be together again” …
Joseph stepped toward me, and, looking very earnestly, yet
pleasantly, said, “Tell the people to be humble and faithful,
and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and it will lead them
right. Be careful and not turn away the small, still voice; it will
teach what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the
kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to
convictions, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their
hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the
Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their
souls; it will take malice, strife and hatred, and all evil, from
their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring
forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the
brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord, they will go
right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord;
and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were
organized by our Father in heaven, before they came into the
world. Our Father in heaven organized the human family, but
they are all disorganized and in great confusion.”
Joseph then showed me the pattern, how they were in the
beginning. This I cannot describe, but I saw it, and saw where
the Priesthood had been taken from the earth, and how it must
be joined together, so that there would be a perfect chain from
Father Adam to his latest posterity. Joseph again said, “Tell
the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and follow
it, and it will lead them just right.” (Improvement Era, v. Xi, no. 8,
June, 1908.)
Challenges in Mortality
Russell M. Nelson – For those who are childless and those
without companions, remember that the eternal timetable of
the Lord is much longer than the lonely hours of your preparation or the totality of this mortal life. These are only as microseconds when compared to eternity. (The Power Within Us, p. 110.)
Neal A. Maxwell – We have special admiration for the unsung
but unsullied single women among whom are some of the
noblest daughters of God. These sisters know that God loves
them individually and distinctly. They make wise career
choices even though they cannot now have the most choice
career. Though in their second estate they do not have their
first desire, they still overcome the world. These sisters who
cannot now enrich the institution of their own marriage so
often enrich other institutions in society. They do not withhold
their blessings simply because some blessings are now
withheld from them. (Ensign, May 1978, p. 11.)
The sense of deprivation that can occur in the life of a single
woman in her forties who feels she has no prospects of
marriage is real. Yet some deprivations are but delayed
blessings, which, if endured well, constitute the readying of
reservoirs into which a generous God will pour "all that he
hath." Indeed, it will be the Malachi measure: "There shall not
be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10.) (We Will Prove Them
Herewith, p. 28-29.)
Ruth M. Gardner [regarding her authorship of hymn #300,
"Families Can Be Together Forever”] – I wanted the children
to express their desires to be with their families through all
eternity, just as I want to be with my family … [Fellow
members of the Primary General Board] voiced concerns
about the many children whose parents had not yet been to
the temple. So the second verse was written to let the
children know that, even though their parents might not have
had a temple marriage, they could prepare themselves to be
married in God's temple. (Quoted in Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories
and the Messages, Karen Lynn Davidson, p. 279.)
David O. McKay – I believe there are few, even temple
ordinance workers, who comprehend the full meaning and
power of the temple endowment. Seen for what it is, it is the
step by step ascent into the Eternal Presence. If our young
people could but glimpse it, it would be the most powerful
spiritual motivation of their lives. (Los Angeles Temple Meeting,
1952; cited in House of Glory.)
In The Realm of Departed Spirits
Joseph Smith – The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater
and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their
departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they
are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts,
feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 326.)
Jedediah M. Grant (as related by Heber C. Kimball) – He said
that the people he there saw were organized in family
capacities. …He said, “When I looked at families, there was a
deficiency in some, …for I saw families that would not be
permitted to come and dwell together, because they had not
honored their calling here.” (Journal of Discourses, 4:135-36.)
Heber C. Kimball – You are talking about heaven and about
earth, and about hell, etc.; but let me tell you, you are in hell
now, and you have got to qualify yourselves here in hell to
become subjects for heaven: and even when you have got
into heaven, you will find it right here where you are on this
earth.
[God] is near by, His angels are our associates, they are with
us and around about us, and watch over us, and take care of
us, and lead us, and guide us, and administer to our wants in
their ministry and in their holy calling unto which they are
appointed. We are told in the Bible that angels are ministering
spirits to minister to those who shall become heirs of salvation.
He [Willard Richards] has gone; and it will not be long before
Brother Brigham and Brother Heber follow after. He has gone
to the world of spirits to engage in a work he could not do if he
had remained in the flesh. I do not believe he could have done
as much work for the general good of the cause of God, had
he remained in the flesh, as he can accomplish now in the
spirit; for there is a work to do there—the Gospel to preach,
Israel to gather, that they may purify themselves, and become
united in one heart and mind …
It seems natural for me to desire to be clothed upon with
immortality and eternal life, and leave this mortal flesh; but I
desire to stick to it as long as I can be a comfort to my sisters,
brethren, wives and children. Independent of this
consideration I would not turn my hand over to live five
minutes. What else could give birth to a single desire to live in
this tabernacle, which is more or less shattered by the
merciless storms which have beat upon it, to say nothing of
the ravages made upon it by the tooth of time? While I cling to
it I must of necessity suffer many pains, rheumatism,
headache, jaw-ache and heartache; sometimes in one part of
my body and sometimes in another. It is all right; it is so
ordained that we may not cling with too great a tenacity to
mortal flesh, but be willing to pass through the veil and meet
with Joseph, and Hyrum, and Willard, and Bishop Whitney and
thousands of others in the world of spirits. (The Life of Heber C.
Perhaps the keynote statement of the Prophet in this sermon
was the following: "Sometimes the Lord expands our vision
from this point of view and this side of the veil, so that we feel
and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil
which separates us from that other sphere." This remark, both
penetrating and prophetic, set the stage for the next two and
one-half years.
…As finite man stands in the twilight of life, he is occasionally
able to view existence with divine perspective and is thus
capable of opening himself to the things of infinity. "If we live
our holy religion," President Brigham Young taught in 1862,
"and let the Spirit reign," the mind of man "will not become dull
and stupid, but as the body approaches dissolution the spirit
takes a firmer hold on the enduring substance behind the veil,
drawing from the depths of that eternal Fountain of Light
sparkling gems of intelligence which surround the frail and
sinking tabernacle with a halo of immortal wisdom." (Studies in
Scripture, Vol. 1: The Doctrine and Covenants p. 556 – 558.)
In The Glories Beyond
D&C 130:2 – And that same sociality which exists among us
here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with
eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.
Ephesians 3:14-15 – I bow my knees unto the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and
earth is named. (Amplified Bible: “every family in heaven and
on earth”.)
C.S. Lewis – There are no ordinary people. Instead we live in
a society of possible gods and goddesses. The dullest and
most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a
creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly
tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as
you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. (The Weight of Glory,
Kimball, p 459-466.)
p. 15.)
Ezra Taft Benson – Sometimes the veil between this life and
the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have
passed on are not far from us. (Ensign, June 1971, p. 33.)
Truman Madsen – On one occasion Brigham Young was
approached by two women who were asking for a divorce, and
he gave an idealistic response. He said to them: "If that
dissatisfied wife would behold the transcendent beauty of
person, the Godlike qualities of the resurrected husband she
now despises, her love for him would be unbounded and
unutterable. Instead of despising him, she would feel like
worshipping him. He is so holy, so pure, so perfect, so filled
with God in his resurrected body.
D&C 138:38-39 – … The eyes of my understanding were
opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw
the hosts of the dead, both small and great. (v. 11) Among the
great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast
congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient
of Days and father of all, And our glorious Mother Eve, with
many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages
and worshiped the true and living God.
Robert L. Millet – At the April 1916 general conference [2½
years before receiving D&C 138] President Smith delivered a
remarkable address, the thrust of which established a theme
for the next thirty months of his life, and most important for this
discussion, laid the foundation for his final doctrinal
contribution—the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead. In his
opening sermon entitled "In the Presence of the Divine,"
Joseph F. spoke of the nearness of the world of spirits, and of
the interest and concern for us and our labors exercised by
those who have passed beyond the veil. He stressed that
those who labored so diligently in their mortal estate to
establish the cause of Zion would not be denied the privilege
of "looking down upon the results of their own labors" from
their post-mortal estate. In fact, the President insisted, "they
are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with
greater capacity, with far more interest, behind the veil, than
they were in the flesh."
There will be no dissatisfaction of this kind in the resurrection
of the just. The faithful elders will have then proved
themselves worthy of their wives, and are prepared then to be
crowned gods, to be filled with all the attributes of the gods
that dwell in eternity. Could the dissatisfied ones see a vision
of the future glorified state of their husbands, love for them
would immediately spring up within you, and no circumstance
could prevail upon you to forsake them." Now, it also works
the other way around, that if the husband could only see his
wife in her glorified condition, he would be so moved he would
feel to worship. (The Radiant Life, p. 88.)
Jordan Vajda – I firmly maintain that the Latter-day Saints are
owed a debt of gratitude by other Christians because the
Saints remind us all of our divine potential. ("Partakers of the
Divine Nature”, reprinted by FARMS. Father Vajda was a Catholic monk .)
(By Zan and Misty Larsen, www.elarsen.net/lessons)
Extra Material
Spencer W. Kimball – [Regarding the single or childless] We
promise you that insofar as your eternity is concerned, that
no soul will be deprived of rich, eternal blessings for anything
which that person could not help, that eternity is a long time,
and that the Lord never fails in his promises… every righteous
[man or] woman will receive eventually all to which [he or]
she is entitled which [they have] not forfeited through any
fault of [their] own.” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 294.)
Ephesians 3:14-15, Amplified Bible – For this reason
[[a]seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built
together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on
earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes
its title and derives its name].
Genesis 25:8 – Abraham … died … and was gathered to his
people.
Genesis 35:29 – Isaac … died, and was gathered unto his
people.
Genesis 49:33 – Jacob … yielded up the ghost, and was
gathered unto his people.
Footnote to Genesis 25:8 in the Amplified Bible – This often
repeated expression forms a remarkable testimony to the Old
Testament belief in a life beyond the grave and to our
recognition and fellowship with our loved ones there.
Teaching Notes
A good way to start is to write on the board something we
hear occasionally in the church: “Friends come and go but
families are forever.” The purpose of expression is to focus
our priorities. However friends can be wonderful soul-mates
on our journey through life. The church talks only about
families, such as sealing parents to children and family
history. Will we be able to be with our friends in the
hereafter? [Note that quote on the board actually subtly
teaches a falsehood.]
Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
Back in the time of the patriarchs many of these “fathers”
would be around at the same time. What would that be like?
We couldn’t find anything that expands very well on the word
“sociality” (D&C 130:2) in the 1830 dictionary or on the
Gospelink CD.
A nice expansion of this lesson would be to summarize great
fathers blessings from the scriptures and The Testaments Of
The Twelve Patriarchs.
Joseph Fielding Smith – When everything gets finished, we
will all be one family – every member of the Church a
member of one family, the family of God. And we will all be
subject to our first progenitor, Adam, Michael, the archangel,
who has been appointed and given authority under Jesus
Christ to stand at the head and preside over all his posterity.
We are one family. And we all have to be joined to that
family. So it is not merely enough that we be baptized for our
dead or for ourselves, but also we have to be sealed to our
parents. We must have the parents sealed to their parents
and so on, as far back as we can go, and eventually back to
Adam.
There will be cases where some of our ancestors will not be
worthy and will drop out, but the links will have to be joined
without them. So when the Prophet says we cannot be saved
or exalted without our dead, he had this in mind. Suppose
we do not do any work for our ancestors. Then where are
we? We are out on a limb. We leave ourselves on the
sidelines. We are not joined into this great family. We may
be born under the covenant and thus belong to our parents,
but where there are breaks in that lineage we are not united.
(Doctrines of Salvation, v. 2, p.173)
“After watching my kids fight with each other constantly I
understand why some animals eat their young.” – AA quoting
LB in a talk in the NC 6th Ward, 9/14/08.
Why do we call each other brother and sister? By an amazing
coincidence , all the people on earth are of the same family.
We have the same Heavenly Father plus a few earthly fathers
such as Adam and likely Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and likely
some of us share others back into our European or other
heritages.
“I can’t do this one o’clock [Sunday block] schedule. By that
time I already hate my kids and then I go to church and hate
everyone else’s kids.” – MML, who is a young mother and
serves in the presidency of a Primary with over one hundred
twenty children, 1/22/12.
Interestingly the scriptures do not talk about grandfathers,
great-grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers, etc. but merely
calls them all “fathers”. Is this just a twist of language or does
it convey additional meaning?
Brigham Young – But the whole subject of the marriage
relation is not in my reach, nor in any other man's reach on
this earth. It is without beginning of days or end of years; it is
a hard matter to reach. We can tell some things with regard
to it; it lays the foundation for worlds, for angels, and for the
Gods; for intelligent beings to be crowned with glory,
immortality, and eternal lives. In fact, it is the thread which
runs from the beginning to the end of the holy Gospel of
salvation-of the Gospel of the Son of God; it is from eternity
D&C 107:53 – Three years previous to the death of Adam, he
called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and
Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his
posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-
to eternity. When the vision of the mind is opened, you can
see a great portion of it, but you see it comparatively as a
speaker sees the faces of a congregation. To look at, and talk
to, each individual separately, and thinking to become fully
acquainted with them, only to spend five minutes with each
would consume too much time, it could not easily be done.
So it is with the visions of eternity; we can see and
understand, but it is difficult to tell. May God bless you.
Amen. (Journal of Discourses, v. 2, p. 90.)
provide for ourselves and those dependent upon us.
But success at that effort can easily escalate into
materialism. This happens through carrying the virtue
of “providing for our own” to the point of excessive
concern with accumulating the treasures of the earth.
I believe this relationship identifies materialism as a
peculiar Mormon weakness, a classic example of how
Satan can persuade some to drive a legitimate
strength to such excess that it becomes a disabling
weakness. (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign,
No Other Success
Church News – Another well-remembered maxim from
President McKay is "No other success can compensate for
failure in the home." This was actually a quotation from J. E.
McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization (1924). Apostle
McKay first quoted it in a conference address of April 1935.
As president of the Church, he repeated the statement in
general conference of April 1964, at a time when family home
evening was being revitalized as a practice in the Church.
(“David O. McKay: His countenance radiated the righteous life that he led”
by R. Scott Lloyd, Nov. 27, 2004.)
Oct. 1994, p. 11.)
Not Emphasized in Previous Decades
Sometimes it seems that the concept of the eternal family is
the core doctrine of our church, and that it is the first and
most important point to share with people outside of our
faith. This emphasis appears to be relatively new however.
How often was the term “eternal family” used in General
Conference in the past?

From the 1850s through the 1920s it appears only
once.

It was used once again in the 1930s, twice in the
1940s, and so on through the 1960s.

In the 1970s it jumped to 30+ times and has been
that way each decade since. (http://corpus.byu.edu/gc/)
List: Going Too Far?
1. Assume that Mormons are family oriented while the
rest of the world is not.
2. New missionaries assume it is our greatest message
and it will be welcomed and treasured.
3. Sabbaths – big family dinners, “time with the family”,
farewells, baby blessings, etc. to the point that no
time is left for inner worship namely searching the
scriptures and meditating upon them.
Spencer W. Kimball –The Sabbath is a day on which
to take inventory—to analyze our weaknesses, to
confess our sins to our associates and our Lord. It is a
day on which to fast in ‘sackcloth and ashes.’ It is a
day on which to read good books, a day to
contemplate and ponder, … a day to study the
scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and
rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach
the gospel, a day to proselyte … a day to drink at the
fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to
seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment
of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our
spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of
his sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the
glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day
to climb high on the upward path toward our
Heavenly Father” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 216,
quoted by Earl C. Tingey, “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign,
Feb 2000, p. 49.)
4. Materialism – In providing for our families we go
beyond the mark.
Dallin H. Oaks - We are told to be self-reliant, to
What about other sources in the Church?

The concept is not included in The Articles of Faith.

The term “eternal family” does not appear in
scripture. Nor does “eternal marriage”. Of course
the concept of eternal marriage is in D&C 132 but not
explicitly stated elsewhere (as far as we are aware).

The Book of Mormon does not cover the idea of the
family beyond mortality, except in Lehi’s dream and
in Mormon 3:20 with “the whole human family of
Adam” at the judgment seat.

The section on family in the Encyclopedia of Joseph
Smith’s Teachings is only a little more than two pages
out of 730 total pages. That section does not
mention the family in the eternal sense. The section
on resurrection contains two brief quotes on family
members greeting each other as they rise from the
grave at the resurrection.

The term does not appear in any of the 84 missionary
tracts and pamphlets written by General Authorities.
The tract “What the ‘Mormons’ Believe” by President Charles
W. Penrose, who was a counselor to Presidents Joseph F.
Smith and Heber J. Grant, was published by the Church and
sent to all missions. Its fourteen pages contain the word
“family” in only one sentence –
The family, the home, the relation of parents and children
are thus the basis of present and future happiness, and
the increase thereof being perpetual, therein is the glory
of the redeemed, who dwell in the presence of God and
the Holy Ones, continued forever.
While President Penrose’s statement establishes the family in
the eternal scheme, it is odd to us nowadays that it is not
elaborated further. Even odder is that there is no mention of
family in The Articles of Faith, which was Joseph Smith’s
response to an editor asking what the Mormons believe.
Joseph certainly loved his family and looked forward to being
with them in the hereafter, but the eternal family was not an
overall topic of his sermons.
Of course from time to time the Lord inspires his servants to
emphasize something to meet a need, in this case it is the
degradation of the family unit. There is however a problem
when we mortals take the point too far. Examples might
include:
1. We teach it with such frequency that it can crowd out
other doctrines, especially in advancing from milk to
meat in them, such as a deeper understanding of the
nature of the Godhead, the creation, and the Savior’s
resurrection.
2. In our missionary efforts we assume that nonMormons will flock to the good news of families
being together forever.
rest of the world had gone mad and we would rarely see such
things outside of blessed Utah or the western USA, where of
course is the only place that people of true hearts and true
grit would want to live. : )
The more we observed families in their activities the less we
could see a difference from back home. The museums and
parks had young couples pushing strollers, older kids were
being herded around by parents, and teenagers were herding
their parents. Stand-up comedians bemoaned the “scrum”
(clog) of parents with video cameras at school plays, trying to
get the best shot of their little ones. A common traffic
problem on the streets is the “school run” when parents pick
up their kids, because they do not have as many school
busses like in the USA. Politicians constantly wrangled over
getting enough funds for education. Companies took it as
given that employees need to get home for quality time with
the family. Holidays were spent with the family and family
vacations were the norm.
Jeremy Hardy – People treat children as though there is
something wrong with them because they’re ignorant and
small. They say, “I’m so worried about Alexander’s
development. He has no grasp of bonded numbers, no
concept of phonics, his hand-to-eye coordination is all
over the place. I mean, goodness knows what he’s going
to be like when he’s born.” (British comedian quoted in Grumpy
Old Men, p. 161.)

Some people do not relish the doctrine because it
brings to mind a grouchy uncle or a crazy old
aunt.
Q. As long as the parents are sealed in the temple and are
righteous, they will have their children with them forever,
even if one of them is wayward, right?

A small but growing percentage of couples opt to
never have children. (“None Is Enough”, Time
A problem with that is the idea of “neither root nor branch”
in scripture.
Magazine, 12 Aug. 2013, p. 40-45.)
Malachi 4:1 – For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as
an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall
be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith
the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor
branch. (Repeated in 3 Nephi 25:1, D&C 133:64, and JSH 1:37.)

Other religiously-minded people already assume
that being with loved ones hereafter is a given,
and that it requires no ordinances, authority or
anything else special for now.
While we instantly disagree with both points, we
need caution in assuming that the doctrine holds the
same appeal to them, and thus that it serves as the
lure that we think it does.
3. Because we preach so much about families we
assume that Mormons, with the exception of a few
good people scattered here and there, are the only
people worldwide who care about families.
While #3 sounds extreme, it may be present in our psyches
more than we are aware, especially if we live in a
predominately Mormon area.
For example, when we (Z&M Larsen) went on a mission to
England in 2003 we were each genuinely surprised to see
parents with kids out doing things together. We thought the
Institute Manual – This expression [leave them neither root
nor branch]”simply means that wicked and indifferent
persons who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ will have no
family inheritance or patriarchal lineage—neither root
(ancestors or progenitors) nor branch (children or posterity).
Such persons cannot be received into the celestial kingdom of
glory of resurrected beings, but must be content with a lesser
blessing.” (Doctrine and Covenants manual, p. 342, quoting Theodore M.
Burton in Conference Report, Oct. 1967, p. 81.)
Leland H. Gentry – Malachi undoubtedly understood his own
proclamation in the same way that we do, for he also spoke
of those who, in the end, will be left with “neither root nor
branch.” (Mal. 4:1.) When one is neither sealed to his
forefathers nor his posterity, this is precisely his condition: he
has neither root nor branch. (“Questions and Answers,” Ensign, June
1982.)
Harman Rector, Jr. –[Commenting on Malachi 4:1.] Tithing is
necessary in order to receive the blessings of the temple. If a
man were to keep all of the Lord’s commandments with the
exception of tithing, he still could never be married for time
and all eternity in the temple; thus, he would have neither
roots nor branches at the last day. (“That Ye May Have Roots and
Branches,” General Conference, April 1983.)
James E. Talmage – Let it not be assumed that this doctrine
of vicarious labor for the dead implies even remotely, that
the administration of ordinances in behalf of departed spirits
operates in any manner to interfere with the right of choice
and the exercise of free agency on their part. They are at
liberty to accept or reject the ministrations in their behalf;
and so they will accept or reject, in accordance with their
converted or unregenerate state, even as is the case with
mortals to whom the Gospel message may come. (House of the
Lord, ch. 3.)
Spencer W. Kimball – There is no guarantee, of course, that
righteous parents will succeed always in holding their
children, and certainly they may lose them if they do not do
all in their power. The children have their free agency.
(Ensign, November 1974, p. 111-112.)
Bruce R. McConkie – I knew a man, now deceased, not a
member of the Church, who was a degenerate old reprobate
who found pleasure, as he supposed, in living after the
manner of the world. A cigarette dangled from his lips,
alcohol-stenched his breath, and profane and bawdy stories
defiled his lips. His moral status left much to be desired.
His wife was a member of the Church, as faithful as she could
be under the circumstances. One day she said to him, “You
know the Church is true; why won't you be baptized?” He
replied, “Of course I know the Church is true, but I have no
intention of changing my habits in order to join it. I prefer to
live the way I do. But that doesn't worry me in the slightest. I
know that as soon as I die, you will have someone go to the
temple and do the work for me and everything will come out
all right in the end anyway.”
He died and she had the work done in the temple. We do not
sit in judgment and deny vicarious ordinances to people. But
what will it profit him?
There is no such thing as a second chance to gain salvation.
This life is the time and day of our probation. After this day
of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, then cometh
the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor
performed.
For those who do not have an opportunity to believe and
obey the holy word in this life, the first chance to gain
salvation will come in the spirit world. If those who hear the
word for the first time in the realms ahead are the kind of
people who would have accepted the gospel here, had the
opportunity been afforded them, they will accept it there.
Salvation for the dead is for those whose first chance to gain
salvation is in the spirit world.
There is no other promise of salvation than the one recited in
that revelation [D&C 137:7–8]. Those who reject the gospel in
this life and then receive it in the spirit world go not to the
celestial, but to the terrestrial kingdom. ("The Seven Deadly
Heresies" in Speeches of the Year, 1980, p. 77–78. Quoted in the institute’s
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, p. 165.)
Matthew 10:35 - For I am come to set a man at variance
against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and
the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Luke 12:53 - The father shall be divided against the son, and
the son against the father; the mother against the daughter,
and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law
against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against
her mother in law.
Matthew 8:21 – And another of his disciples said unto him,
Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. (See also
Luke9:59.)
Kenneth E. Bailey – The phrase “to bury one’s father” is a
traditional idiom that refers specifically to the duty of the son
to remain at home and care for his parents until they are laid
to rest respectfully … [I have] heard this specific language
used again and again among Middle Easterners discussing
emigration. At some point in the conversation someone will
ask, “Are you not going to bury your father first?” The
speaker is usually addressing the would-be emigrant who is in
his early thirties. The father under discussion usually is
assumed to have some twenty years to live. The point is,
“Are you not going to stay until you have fulfilled the
traditional duty of taking care of your parents until their
death, and then consider emigrating?”
Here we are dealing with community expectations, which can
be roughly translated into Western terms as peer pressures.
The recruit on the side of the road is saying, “My [family and
my] community makes certain demands on me and the pull
of these demands is very strong. Surely you do not expect
me to violate the expectations of my community?” Yet this is
precisely what Jesus requires. … Jesus says the spiritually
dead can take care of the traditional responsibility of your
local community … (Through Peasant Eyes, p. 26-27.)