LDS Necessity of Eternal Marriage: What About 1 Cor 7?

[ParkerD]

… All of the Apostles were called directly and personally by Christ. Paul is a clear example of this. You are narrowly defining “calling” here. But “calling” in a spiritual sense is something much more life-altering, like in the case of Paul’s dramatic conversion. (Acts 9, 22, 26)

Really? Isn’t that exactly what Paul did when commanded directly by the Lord - without any third-party revelation to Peter or James, and without a vote being taken by the Apostles? (Acts 26:14-20)

…
Peace,
Robert

Robert,
I agree totally that Paul experienced a conversion by revelation, and later he was called by revelation to preach to the people in at least two different callings (see Acts 9:30, Acts 12:25, Acts 13:2, Acts 15:22 and 40)–finally as an apostle.

Christ had chosen Paul to bear witness of Him and of His resurrection. Paul did not choose himself, nor did he lay hands upon himself when he was set apart to preach. He did indeed preach and bear testimony (Acts 9:20-22) before he was set apart in an official calling and capacity to preach with authority and to baptize, which seems exactly correct to me. Generally, he was sent, and then he also sent others.

One can testify of Christ because the Holy Ghost confirms the witness of Christ, or in the case of Paul because he had the vision he had. But to preach with authority and be sent forth to teach and baptize, I don’t see that happening by a self-calling situation in the New Testament.

 

[pablope]

The rule is similar to baptism for the dead. Just as everyone needs to be baptized to be exalted, everyone needs to receive all the other sacraments of the gospel to be exalted, such as confirmation, ordination to the priesthood, and eternal marriage. And since this can only be performed here on earth, and by those having proper authority from God, God has arranged it to be performed vicariously on their behalf if they did not have that opportunity during their lifetime. It is then up to them to accept or reject the work that has been done on their behalf in the next life.

Please explain what you mean by “to be exalted”?

Does this mean to be like an almighty God, and with the attributes of God?

 

[ParkerD]

Please explain what you mean by “to be exalted”?

Does this mean to be like an almighty God, and with the attributes of God?

Pablope,

According to John, it means:

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 2:26
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

 

[zaffiroborant]

Robert,
I agree totally that Paul experienced a conversion by revelation, and later he was called by revelation to preach to the people in at least two different callings (see Acts 9:30, Acts 12:25, Acts 13:2, Acts 15:22 and 40)–finally as an apostle.

And this is just what happens with priests and nuns. They are called by God to serve in those “callings”.

 

[ParkerD]

…But I would ask you to consider whether or not you feel some lacking in your spirituality for not having those human beings among your members who live out a life of complete self-giving to the Kingdom of God - and if so, whether that lack arises from LDS theology on the subject we’ve been discussing.

Peace,
Robert

Robert,

Going with the complete train of thought regarding receiving personal revelation, I assure you that I don’t feel such lack as you asked about, at all, having been completely familiar with the concept of personal revelation and the concept that some people may be “called another way” meaning feel inspired to do something that I don’t feel inspired to do. (This would apply to those whom you mentioned. That is fine that they felt so inspired.)

The LDS have plenty of examples of people who live lives of “complete self-giving to the Kingdom of God on earth”–we simply don’t lack for those examples. They are all around us in wards, in stakes, in temples, as missionaries, as humanitarian service missionaries–all as devoted followers of Christ, and all familiar with personal revelation that guides their service and their lives of devotion and consecration.

 

[pablope]

Pablope,

According to John, it means:

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 2:26
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Thanks, Parker…but these verses do not answer my query.

I am asking for, in layman’s words, not biblical or BOM verses, what is meant by “to be exalted” by the LDS?

Cite or paste an official explanation from LDS doctrine. Verses are subject to differenct interpretations.

 

[ParkerD]

Thanks, Parker…but these verses do not answer my query.

I am asking for, in layman’s words, not biblical or BOM verses, what is meant by “to be exalted” by the LDS?

Cite or paste an official explanation from LDS doctrine. Verses are subject to differenct interpretations.

Pablope,

Below is a link to a whole set of articles that detail how the LDS view the glimpse we have of what we are striving to obtain when we talk about striving to become “exalted”, or to gain “exaltation and eternal life”. (It really is pretty much a “glimpse”, just as those verses in John provide just a “glimpse”, but those verses provide the foundation for understanding the LDS view of what “inherit all things” and “shall be my son” mean).

lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=exaltation

Have a blessed and joyful day.

 

[campeador]

Here is the lds.org Exaltation page: lds.org/study/topics/exaltation?lang=eng

 

[Robert_in_SD]

Robert,

Going with the complete train of thought regarding receiving personal revelation, I assure you that I don’t feel such lack as you asked about, at all, having been completely familiar with the concept of personal revelation and the concept that some people may be “called another way” meaning feel inspired to do something that I don’t feel inspired to do. (This would apply to those whom you mentioned. That is fine that they felt so inspired.)

The LDS have plenty of examples of people who live lives of “complete self-giving to the Kingdom of God on earth”–we simply don’t lack for those examples. They are all around us in wards, in stakes, in temples, as missionaries, as humanitarian service missionaries–all as devoted followers of Christ, and all familiar with personal revelation that guides their service and their lives of devotion and consecration.

Once again, I think you are failing to acknowledge the obvious difference between the two paths. As Paul says, one cannot be totally devoted to the Kingdom and to a spouse. There is a unique quality that arises from such people being part of the Church. And that is not taking anything away from persons who are married AND life wonderful spirit-filled lives within that calling. But even Paul readily acknowledges the distingtion.

Peace,
Robert

 

[ImChristian]

Hello again all;

During another discussion an LDS poster suggested that Paul’s advice re: marriage and celibacy in 1 Cor 7 was not really about condoning and encouraging the practice of celibacy, but meant something else? While I disagree, the assertion brought to mind what I understand to be the necessity of being sealed to a spouse for time and eternity for eternal progression in the LDS church. So, my question for charitable discussion is:

How does the LDS Church harmonize the statements of Paul in 1 Cor 7, with the LDS doctrine that marriage is essential to realizing the fullness of God’s plan of eternal progression? It would seem to be bad teaching on Paul’s part if he were condoning a practice that would prevent one from progressing in the afterlife as mormons understand.

I’m sure there’s been something written about this. Links or explanations would help.

To assist, here is a link to the text of 1 Cor 7.

Peace,
Robert

The LDS church believes that if you chose not to marry then it’s your choice and marriage will not be forced upon you. Also, maybe the word celibacy meant something different back then it does today…maybe it meant chastity where you stay within the bouneries of what you are (if your married, dont commit adultery, if your not married…etc)