The Timing Of Adam And Eve's Marriage

[theplains]

According to the July 2015 Ensign article, "God's Plan for Families", Adam and Eve were

not married until after they ate the forbidden fruit.

 

"President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained: Marriage as established in the

beginning was an eternal covenant. The first man and the first woman were not married

until death should part them, for at that time death had not come into the world. The

ceremony on that occasion was performed by the Eternal Father himself whose work

endures forever."

 

I had a few questions on this.

 

Were they therefore married outside the Garden of Eden after their banishment or were

they married whilst still in the Garden but just before their banishment?

 

Are there other publications of the LDS Church where this teaching is found?  Does

the Temple Endowment reflect this? (this may or may not be a permitted question to

answer ...).

 

Prior to Heavenly Mother and Father (of our Planet Earth) becoming exalted, did they

also have to be mortal in order to be married by their Father?

 

Thanks,

Jim

[CV75]

 

According to the July 2015 Ensign article, "God's Plan for Families", Adam and Eve were

not married until after they ate the forbidden fruit.

 

"President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained: Marriage as established in the

beginning was an eternal covenant. The first man and the first woman were not married

until death should part them, for at that time death had not come into the world. The

ceremony on that occasion was performed by the Eternal Father himself whose work

endures forever."

 

I had a few questions on this.

 

Were they therefore married outside the Garden of Eden after their banishment or were

they married whilst still in the Garden but just before their banishment?

 

Are there other publications of the LDS Church where this teaching is found?  Does

the Temple Endowment reflect this? (this may or may not be a permitted question to

answer ...).

 

Prior to Heavenly Mother and Father (of our Planet Earth) becoming exalted, did they

also have to be mortal in order to be married by their Father?

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

I think the quote is saying that they were not married in the "until-death-do-you-part" sense because the marriage took place before the fall. Since marriage was established "in the beginning," I would think they were sealed as soon as can be reasonably expected after their introduction to each other.

 

OTHER REFERENCES:

Adam and Eve were married in Eden (see History of the Church, 2:320).

 

Adam and Eve are married by the Lord. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/2?lang=eng

 

God brought Adam and Eve together in marriage because “it was not good that the man should be alone” (Moses 3:18; see also 1 Corinthians 11:11). https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-6-the-fall-of-adam-and-eve?lang=eng

 

He was joined with Eve in marriage (Abr. 5:4-19), but in their premortal condition "they would have had no children" (2 Ne. 2:23). http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Adam

 

You can easily Google more!

 

I think it is reasonable to assume that we are invited to follow the same pattern that our Heavenly Parents have been following.

[cinepro]

Why would God command them to "multiply, and replenish the earth" if they weren't married yet?

 

When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were not yet mortal. In this state, “they would have had no children” (2 Nephi 2:23). There was no death. They had physical life because their spirits were housed in physical bodies made from the dust of the earth (see Moses 6:59; Abraham 5:7). They had spiritual life because they were in the presence of God. They had not yet made a choice between good and evil.

 

God commanded them to have children. He said, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over … every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Moses 2:28). God told them they could freely eat of every tree in the garden except one, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of that tree God said, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Moses 3:17).

 

(Emphasis added)

 

https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-6-the-fall-of-adam-and-eve?lang=eng

 

[Guest]

Adam and Eve were married from the beginning were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, marriage was the first institution and having children the first commandment. Of all things God could have done after the act of creation was completed, this was his first act and commandment. "From the Beginning", this is why marriage and it's purpose means so much to the believing...it is not hate as so many want to argue...it is the will of God. Because he found it the most important, we find it the most important, and he will judge us based on our defense of it, this and the defense of the life created by that union.

[Tacenda]

I thought the Adam and Eve story was an allegory, parable or symbol according to some on this board.

[Guest]

I thought the Adam and Eve story was an allegory, parable or symbol according to some on this board.

Not since it has institutions, commandments and serious doctrines attached. Also if some view it as such according to their opinions does not make it so.

[MDalby]

The first marriage was performed by God in the garden when Adam and Eve were not subject to death.

(Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Sep 2008, 4–9)

[Calm]

I thought the Adam and Eve story was an allegory, parable or symbol according to some on this board.

And others on the board believe they existed in the Garden etc.

And many see their story as both.

Why would the fact that some posters may see the story only as an allegory (I am assuming that is what you are saying as otherwise your comment makes little sense to me) inhibit a discussion of their marriage by other posters who see them as individuals who lived in the past?

Edited August 2, 2015 by calmoriah

[Tacenda]

And others on the board believe they existed in the Garden etc.

And many see their story as both.

Why would the fact that some posters may see the story only as an allegory (I am assuming that is what you are saying as otherwise your comment makes little sense to me) inhibit a discussion of their marriage by other posters who see them as individuals who lived in the past?

I don't know, maybe I was thinking aloud posting style, sorry to have added that. Wasn't at all contributing much to the discussion.

[BCSpace]

I thought the Adam and Eve story was an allegory, parable or symbol according to some on this board.

 

 

To some maybe.  But official LDS doctrine requires them to be historical people though of course some of the details we have may indeed be allegorical, etc.

[Tacenda]

To some maybe. But official LDS doctrine requires them to be historical people though of course some of the details we have may indeed be allegorical, etc.

Well that's what I have believed.

[Sanpitch]

I don't know, maybe I was thinking aloud posting style, sorry to have added that. Wasn't at all contributing much to the discussion.

 

Tacenda, you have as much right to add your thoughts and opinions as anyone on this board so don't apologize or be sorry.

[Freedom]

From my perspective, the garden story is a temple and culminates in their marriage. Eating of the fruit is analogous to going through puberty and becoming sexually aware. They then get the lesson on the birds and the bees so to speak, and on their respective duties. Going out into the world is them effectively beginning their life together as a married couple, away from the protection of their parents care. 

 

The sealing ordinance is not specifically referenced in the Adam and Eve record so therefore there is no official doctrine on when this took place. The timeline depends upon how you interpret the story. When reading it as a temple story, it requires it to take place at the end just as it does in our own temples. 

[CV75]

From my perspective, the garden story is a temple and culminates in their marriage. Eating of the fruit is analogous to going through puberty and becoming sexually aware. They then get the lesson on the birds and the bees so to speak, and on their respective duties. Going out into the world is them effectively beginning their life together as a married couple, away from the protection of their parents care. 

 

The sealing ordinance is not specifically referenced in the Adam and Eve record so therefore there is no official doctrine on when this took place. The timeline depends upon how you interpret the story. When reading it as a temple story, it requires it to take place at the end just as it does in our own temples. 

Today, sealings occur after we enter the celestial room, or come into the Father’s presence. The only time (of scriptural record) that Adam and Eve were in His presence was before the Fall. Now they could have re-entered His presence as we do, by covenant in a temple, after the events in Moses 6:51-68, and after that sealed as husband and wife, but these same verses (and the rest of the chapter, and chapter 5) indicate that they had been having children well before then, which I think would have been out of the order God established for human life coming into the world. It seems these verses have more to do with setting up His earthly kingdom by covenant than with organizing Adam and Eve as husband-and-wife stewards over all creation, which was done while they were yet in His literal presence.

[theplains]

The article also states, "Satan proposes alternative lifestyles that are rooted in

sinfulness and selfishness. He is cursed to never marry or have a family, and he

entices us to live like him instead of like our Heavenly Father. He lies to us,

telling us that marriage and family are an inconvenience and a bondage. He promises

us that we will find greater joy and fulfillment in some other way or through some

other arrangement. He tempts us not to marry and, if we do marry, to not have

children."

 

The above teaching is contrary to the Bible.  Jesus taught that singleness can glorify God

(Matthew 19:12).  Paul likewise.  See http://www.gotquestions.org/single-Christian.htmland

http://www.gotquestions.org/eunuch-eunuchs.html

 

Regards,

Jim

 

[Zakuska]

Actually. Your above interpretation is contrary to the Bible. "Multiply and replenish the earth" and Pauls other teachings as well:

 

1 Cor 9:5

 

Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

 

The writings of Methodius gives us a proper look at the fine line between eunuchs by nature (only exception to the rule) and those who are selected by God to propagate the species. (all others who are not Eunuchs by nature)

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=tslFAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=propagation+of+the+species+peter+married&source=bl&ots=A2aBG7h9bp&sig=5hO4_Q7587wt1-__d_ZUkfrOpKQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ6AEwA2oVChMIvYvOtuaNxwIVCjaSCh3CAg6B#v=onepage&q=propagation%20of%20the%20species%20peter%20married&f=false

Edited August 3, 2015 by Zakuska

[stephenpurdy]

I thought the Adam and Eve story was an allegory, parable or symbol according to some on this board.

 

 

I think that it is both true AND symbolic. 

 

Let me give you another example. 

 

In the wilderness, the Israelites needed water.  God instructed Moses to strike a rock with his staff and water issued forth. Afterwards, it was only necessary to speak to the rock in order to obtain water. 

 

This is symbolic of Christ.  Christ was broken and beaten for our sins (struck by the staff) one time.  Now it is necessary to speak/relate to the Savior.  He does not have to perform the atonement again, but instead the waters of life flow from this thereafter.  This story is both true AND symbolic.

 

Here is a very candid discussion of the Fall, speaking about it as being both true AND symbolic

 

3 parts, but admittedly the last part is very technical:

 

 

 

 

-Stephen

[theplains]

Actually. Your above interpretation is contrary to the Bible. "Multiply and replenish the earth" and Pauls other teachings as well:

 

1 Cor 9:5

 

Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

 

The writings of Methodius gives us a proper look at the fine line between eunuchs by nature (only exception to the rule) and those who are selected by God to propagate the species. (all others who are not Eunuchs by nature)

 

We have a right (a freedom) to take a husband or wife but it is not mandatory.  I would prefer to read

what Jesus and Paul said.  Singleness is a gift and so is marriage. You can serve God in both cases,

but singleness gives you undivided attention.  This is the context of the scriptures - it is not that one

must be married in a temple ceremony to obtain exaltation and eternal increase.  It's no wonder why

some Mormons are made to feel so much pressure to get married.  For without exaltation, they will

never live in the kingdom of the 'Mormon' Heavenly Father.

 

Thanks,

Jim

[Zakuska]

You must not understand Mormon Doctrine very well then because even the D&C tells us there will be exalted singles in the CK with heavenly father.

D&c 131:1-4

Edited August 8, 2015 by Zakuska

[stephenpurdy]

We have a right (a freedom) to take a husband or wife but it is not mandatory.  I would prefer to read

what Jesus and Paul said.  Singleness is a gift and so is marriage. You can serve God in both cases,

but singleness gives you undivided attention.  This is the context of the scriptures - it is not that one

must be married in a temple ceremony to obtain exaltation and eternal increase.  It's no wonder why

some Mormons are made to feel so much pressure to get married.  For without exaltation, they will

never live in the kingdom of the 'Mormon' Heavenly Father.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

You must not understand Mormon Doctrine very well then because even the D&C tells us there will be exalted singles in the CK with heavenly father.

D&c 131:1-4

 

 

Remember that the three degrees of glory may have tiers within them.  For example, the Celestial Kingdom may have three tiers within it. 

 

While being single during mortality can be a gift, that does not necessarily mean that an individual will remain single in eternity. 

 

Having spiritual offspring in eternity, I assume, requires being on the upper tier of the Celestial Kingdom, which I believe includes those who are married/sealed.

 

That is my understanding of it anyways.

 

-Stephen