Marriage between a Man and a Woman Is Ordained of God
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newlywed couple gazing at the temple
Many false ideas and traditions existed as the Restoration began to unfold. The Savior lovingly corrected false ideas and clarified points of doctrine essential to our salvation, such as marriage and family. This lesson is intended to help students understand the importance of marriage and family in Heavenly Father’s plan.
Possible Learning Activities
The purpose of the earth
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earth
To begin class, consider showing images that communicate what you love about the earth. Ask students questions like the following:
What are some reasons Jesus Christ created the earth?
Students will likely have several different answers to the last question. Acknowledge and thank them for their responses. If students don’t talk about marriage or family, mention that President Russell M. Nelson provided an additional reason for the creation of the earth. Share the following statement. After reading the statement, consider asking students to share their thoughts about it. Encourage them to look for evidence that supports this statement throughout the lesson.
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President Russell M. Nelson
Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 85)
“Marriage is ordained of God”
This lesson will focus on Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 and the doctrine of marriage and family. If students could benefit from discussing other topics contained in the section, consider using the “Supplemental Learning Activities” portion of this lesson.
Soon after the Saints began settling in Kirtland, Ohio, a recent convert named Leman Copley wanted missionaries to preach the gospel to members of his former religious group, the Shakers. The Shakers believed that the Second Coming had already happened and that Christ had appeared as a woman named Ann Lee. They rejected marriage and some Shakers forbade eating meat. The Prophet Joseph Smith asked the Lord for clarification and received Doctrine and Covenants 49. The Lord instructed Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley to take the revelation to the Shakers and preach the truth to them.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider inviting students to mark doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so they can locate them easily.
How might we summarize the Savior’s teachings from these verses?
Consider giving students a few moments to think of summary statements. Then invite a few to list their statements on the board. For students to have success, you may need to help clarify some of the phrases from the verses. Help them identify truths like marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and wives and husbands are commanded to become one and to have children.
Why were these truths important for the Shakers and others in Joseph Smith’s day to understand?
You may want to point out that the Shakers believed in total celibacy, or abstaining from marriage and sexual relations. Then you could discuss common beliefs in our day that cause people to reject marriage. You could use one or both of the following questions.
What are some worldly beliefs that cause people to reject marriage in our day?
What evidence have you seen of Satan trying to alter or destroy the sacredness of marriage and family in Heavenly Father’s plan?
The following handout can help students better understand the Savior’s teachings on marriage and family. You may want to invite students to seek a spiritual witness of the importance of marriage and family as they study. You could divide the class in half and assign each half to study one section of the handout on their own. After sufficient time, pair each student with someone from the other half of the class. Invite them to share what they learned with each other and to talk about the discussion questions.
Marriage and Family Are Ordained of God
Marriage between a man and a woman
Study:
Read Mark 10:6–9; 1 Corinthians 11:11; and the following statement by Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President. Look for teachings about marriage between a man and a woman.
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President Bonnie L. Oscarson
We are taught in the scriptures, “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” [1 Corinthians 11:11]. For anyone to attain the fulness of priesthood blessings, there must be a husband and a wife sealed in the house of the Lord, working together in righteousness and remaining faithful to their covenants. This is the Lord’s plan for His children, and no amount of public discourse or criticism will change what the Lord has declared. … Let us be defenders of marriage as the Lord has ordained it while continuing to show love and compassion for those with differing views. (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Defenders of the Family Proclamation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 15)
Discuss:
How does marriage between a woman and a man help fulfill “the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children”? (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
How can we show compassion to those with differing views while still defending the Savior’s doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman?
“Multiply and replenish the earth”
Study:
Read Genesis 1:27–28; Psalm 127:3; Mark 10:13–14; and the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for the Lord’s teachings about children.
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Elder Neil L. Andersen
As we look into the eyes of a child, we see a fellow son or daughter of God who stood with us in the premortal life.
It is a crowning privilege of a husband and wife who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for these spirit children of God. We believe in families, and we believe in children.
When a child is born to a husband and wife, they are fulfilling part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to bring children to earth. The Lord said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” [Moses 1:39]. Before immortality, there must be mortality. (Neil L. Andersen, “Children,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 28)
Discuss:
How could viewing children and family with an eternal perspective help a married couple prioritize some of their decisions?
What can we learn from the Savior’s example concerning how we treat and interact with children?
Consider giving students time to explain the role of marriage and family in Heavenly Father’s plan. They could select one of the worldly beliefs about marriage discussed earlier and use the Savior’s doctrine taught in Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 to correct that belief.
You may want to share your testimony about how the Savior’s doctrine on marriage and family has blessed your life. Students could also share experiences and testimony.
Consider inviting students to record impressions they’ve had about the importance of marriage and family in Heavenly Father’s plan.