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"Whatsoever Thou Shalt Bind on Earth Shall be Bound in Heaven"
By Joseph S. Peery

Recently, as usual, a company of tourists was escorted from the Bureau of Information, and after visiting the Assembly Hall and the Tabernacle, gathered on the south side of the Temple, anxious to learn something of the important work performed therein.

Among other topics, the subject of marriage was introduced. The guide explained that a majority of the "Mormon" people prefer to be married in one of our temples. He explained the difference between marriages thus solemnized and those usually performed elsewhere.

Continuing, he said, "The same authority is recognized as that given by Christ to Peter, 'Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' We believe that this authority was held by the early apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we also believe that centuries later Peter, James and John, resurrected beings, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and conferred the same authority upon him. In turn, Joseph Smith conferred this authority upon his followers who were ordained to the priesthood, and thus it continues with us today. When a couple gets married in these holy temples, they are married, under that authority, for all time and all eternity, and when death comes the married relationship contitnues; they will remain husband and wife, and will have their children with them. Is not that a good thought, you happily married people?"

The consensus of opinion in the company was that there is no married relationship in the next life. One lady answered, "No, that is not a good thought." Another remarked, "Christ said, in heaven there will be no marriages." Another thought, "In heaven we will all be one whole." Another, "We will know each other in heaven, but not as parents and children." The thought, however, appealed to some in the company as being good and right and proper.

One lady was so impressed that she asked, "Why, do not all 'Mormons' marry in the Temple?" The answer was, "Not all are worthy to enter the holy temples, and some, who are worthy, do not seem to realize the importance of securing the blessings coming from marrying therein. Those who are married outside the temples are united for life only, until death parts them, and when death comes, of course, the marriage agreement ends."

Then the guide appealed to the reason and experience of the tourists in this life, in behalf of the eternal family relationship: "You tourists know that the best relationship in this life is that of husband and wife, and parent and child. You know that the home is the strength of any community. Is it not?" Several spoke, "Yes." "Then if the marital relationship is the most elevating, the most inspiring, the most noble, the best relationship that we know of in this life, why should it not be the best relationship in the life to come? Why should those loving, tender ties be closed forever through death? Such a thought must have appealed to Stonewall Jackson, for he is reported to have said: 'Heaven would not be a heaven to me, without my wife.' I endorse that remark, and add, without my children also, heaven would not be a heaven to me."