Celestial Marriage - Relationship To Plural Marriage

Relationship To Plural Marriage

There is substantial doctrinal dispute between the LDS Church and its offshoots as to whether celestial marriage is plural or monogamous. Sealings for "time and eternity" (i.e. Celestial marriages) were being performed for monogamous couples long before 1890. The great majority of temple sealings were between one man and one wife throughout all time periods of the LDS Church's history.

Some argue that the official LDS scripture, Doctrine and Covenants Section 132, specifies plural marriages only. Others argue that the text indicates "a wife", which would mean that any temple sealing ordinance of marriage is considered Celestial Marriage. The latter view is supported by the official History of the Church, which indicates that marriage for eternity was monogamous except in "some circumstances" (emphasis added):

"...it is borne in mind that at this time the new law of marriage for the Church — marriage for eternity, including plurality of wives under some circumstances— was being introduced by the Prophet, it is very likely that the following article was written with a view of applying the principles here expounded to the conditions created by introducing said marriage system."

In the following quote, Lorenzo Snow, a later President of the LDS Church, specifies "celestial plural marriage", not simply "celestial marriage":

"He knew the voice of God—he knew the commandment of the Almighty to him was to go forward—to set the example, and establish Celestial plural marriage. He knew that he had not only his own prejudices and pre-possessions to combat and to overcome, but those of the whole Christian world…; but God...had given the commandment". Nevertheless, it is correct and can be demonstrated that "celestial marriage" was often used to refer to plural marriage.

Mormon fundamentalists cleave to the view that there is no celestial marriage that is not plural, while the LDS Church says otherwise. As viewed by the LDS Church, plural marriages in the early church, when properly authorized and conducted, were, in fact, celestial marriages; but celestial marriages need not be plural marriages. In addition, since celestial marriages must be performed by someone with proper priesthood authority, and since plural marriage is no longer authorized by the LDS Church, no authorized celestial, plural marriages can be performed today. Mormon fundamentalists argue, in return, that they hold the priesthood authority to perform these marriages. However, while plural marriage is eschewed by the LDS Church today, it continued to be practiced, even after The Manifesto (the 1890 Official Declaration by then LDS President Wilford Woodruff, by which he counseled the Saints to discontinue plural marriage). The practice continued to be passively sanctioned until 1904 and the issuance of the Second Manifesto under Joseph F. Smith.

Marriage between man and wife is viewed by the Church to be ordained by God and essential for his plan. Plural marriage was discontinued by President Woodruff in 1890. If members continue to practice plural marriage, they lose their church membership.