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Gramps, I don’t understand about polygamy. Are women just eternal baby factories for the men? Even if they are righteous, this is a hard doctrine to understand. I understand the law was given here on earth for raising up a people to the Lord. I just have a hard time wanting to be a baby factory for all eternity. Please explain this for me. It is something I have questioned for years. Thank you. Joni, from Wilmington, Delaware |
Dear Joni,
It’s curious how we tend to propagate into the eternities the emotions, feelings and mental and physical conditions with which we are surrounded in mortality. We live now in a telestial kingdom, the lowest of the three kingdoms of glory. Not only that, but we live in the most wicked telestial kingdom in the universe. There is no more sin, unrighteousness or rebellion in all the universe than that which surrounds us in the world in which we now live. The Lord said on one occasion,
“Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.” (Moses 7:36)
There has been a little revealed to us on what the celestial kingdom will be like. We read the following:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
“The [celestial] glory revealed to our view, and which we seek, is tangible—it can be felt, seen and heard; but its length, its breadth, its majesty, peace, joy and happiness, surpass all understanding: tongue cannot express it—language fails to portray the vastness of its extent.” (Eliza R. Snow, Biography of Lorenzo Snow, p.195)
We understand that in the celestial kingdom there are three degrees or glories. The highest degree is reserved for those who have been sealed as husband and wife for time and eternity and who live in accordance with the covenants that they have made which bind them together.
“In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; 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. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.” (D&C 131:1-4)
“Marriage, as has been said before, is a covenant to aid husbands and wives to attain the exaltation in the celestial kingdom. If properly received this covenant becomes the means of bestowing upon men and women the greatest happiness.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things, p.259)
“Sometimes having faith in God means having faith that the Father's plan will do what it is designed to do—to bring maximum happiness to human beings. Nevertheless, Latter‑day Saints believe, in contrast to some other views, that the Father will never violate individual agency by forcing his children to exaltation and happiness. Coercion in any degree, even in the form of predestination to the Celestial Kingdom, is abhorrent to the nature of the Father. All relationships to him or associations with him are voluntary.” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2)
All those who refuse to accept the exalting ordinance of celestial marriage will forever after throughout all eternity remain as single individuals without the blessings of a family relationship and without the opportunity or ability for procreation.
“For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.” (D&C 132:17)
On the other hand, those who enter into the celestial order of marriage and who maintain fidelity to their covenants,
“...shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.” (D&C 132:19-20)
If you don’t want to continue bearing children in the eternities that will be your privilege. But by rejecting that opportunity you will forfeit the greatest happiness God has designed for his children. The concept of bringing forth children in sorrow was a curse given to Eve for her disobedience to God’s command, and became a condition of the telestial world into which she and Adam were cast. However, in the state of exaltation in the celestial kingdom there will be no sorrow, and the propagation of the family will be an act of godhood, and integral part of the creative processes reserved for the gods. As you look past the constraints of mortality into the glories of eternity you will find that the concept and status of eternal motherhood to be the most noble, sacred, satisfying and joyful experience that will be possible for anyone to experience.
Gramps