The Lord's concept of marriage is unique among the teachings and practices of the world, for His Church alone provides a way for marital bonds to extend beyond the grave.

In Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord reveals that eternal family relationships are possible if they have been created under His law of marriage.Elder Bruce R. McConkie has compared this law to a gate leading to exaltation: "It opens the door. Those who have a continuation of the family unit in eternity have exaltation. If the family unit does not continue in eternity, there is no exaltation. . . . The process of going up that path is the process of keeping the covenant made in connection with this holy order of matrimony." (BYU Speeches of the Year, 1960)

As a young man, Heber J. Grant recognized the importance of making these covenants. In 1877, 16 years before the Salt Lake Temple was completed, he traveled from Salt Lake City to St. George to be married in the temple there.

It was an arduous trip in those times, made with horse and buggy, and the journey each way required several days. Many had advised him not to make the effort, reasoning that he could be sealed with his wife and children once the Salt Lake Temple was completed. The young man was firm in his decision to go to St. George.

"Why did I not listen to them? Because I wanted to be married for time and eternity - because I wanted to start life right. Later I had cause to rejoice greatly because of my determination to be married in the temple at that time rather than to have waited until some later and seemingly more convenient time." President Grant's wife died before the Salt Lake Temple was completed in 1893. (Gospel Standards, p. 359.)

"I believe that no worthy young Latter-day Saint man or woman should spare any reasonable effort to come to the house of the Lord to begin life together," he said. "The marriage vows taken in these hallowed places . . . are proof against many of the temptations of life that tend to break homes and destroy happiness."

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the gospel doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Elayne Wells and John Hart

Sources: Sacred Truths of the Doctrine & Covenants by L.G. Otten and C.M. Caldwell, volume 2; Discourses of Brigham Young arranged by John A. Widtsoe; BYU Speeches of the Year (April 1960); Gospel Standards by Heber J. Grant; The Ensign (June 1975); A Companion to Your Study of the Doctrine and Covenants by Daniel H. Ludlow, Vol. 2.