Doctrinal Mastery

Men, Women, and Marriage

“Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 11:11.

Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man

In the Lord’s plan, men and women can’t fulfill their greatest potential without each other (see Genesis 2:18). Only by entering into and faithfully keeping the covenant of celestial marriage can a man and a woman truly become like Heavenly Father (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4).

Imagine trying to cut a piece of paper with only half of a pair of scissors. How successful would you be? How can the two blades of a pair of scissors represent a husband and wife working together?

“Our Church doctrine places women equal to and yet different from men. God does not regard either gender as better or more important than the other.”

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Men and Women in the Work of the Lord,” New Era, Apr. 2014, 4.

In the Lord

“Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and … the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 145.

“Righteous marriage is a commandment and an essential step in the process of creating a loving family relationship that can be perpetuated beyond the grave.”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign, June 2006, 83–84.

Watch the video “What Is a Temple Wedding Like?” at youtube.com/watch?v=gA6aTiMDYho.

What do Church members say about marriage?

• “For Latter-day Saints in India, temple marriage brings a depth of understanding, a sense of fulfillment, and a commitment to keep covenants forever as they cherish the promises of eternity” (Richard M. Romney, “Choose the Temple,” Ensign, July 2010, 18).

• “God made man and woman to complement each other (see Genesis 2:18). He created us to bless, help, and learn from one another in our quest for perfection. He doesn’t expect us to become perfect before we get married in order to have a successful marriage” (Jason S. Carroll, “Delaying Marriage: The Trends and the Consequences,” Ensign, Mar. 2017, 28).