Why is temple marriage important?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

In our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, the only way to obtain exaltation is through the new and everlasting covenant of celestial marriage (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–3). When a man and a woman are sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the temple, they have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if they are true to their covenants. They know that nothing, not even death, can permanently separate them.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

Doctrine and Covenants 49:16–17 (Marriage helps fulfill the purpose of the Creation)
Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:15–21 (Eternal marriage is required for exaltation)
L. Tom Perry, “Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 39–42
Richard G. Scott, “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 94–97
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 145
“Marriage,” True to the Faith (2004), 97–101
“Elder and Sister Bednar—Love” (video)

3:37
“Face to Face: Why is marriage sacred to Heavenly Father?” (video)

2:13

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

Why is temple marriage important to you? What blessings does this ordinance provide for you and your family?

What righteous examples of temple marriage do the young women have? How can you help instill in them a greater desire to be sealed in the temple?

What can the young women do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

Our class: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?
Our responsibilities: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?
Our lives: Remind the class of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a class presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the class; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help class members understand the doctrine.

Invite the young women to imagine they have a friend who wonders why they have the goal of a temple marriage instead of simply a civil marriage. Ask them to read the scriptures suggested in this outline or “The New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage” in True to the Faith (page 98) and look for words and phrases they could use to write a letter to their friend. Encourage them to explain in the letter the importance of eternal marriage. Invite them to share with the class what they wrote in their letters.
Bring two or three objects (or pictures of objects) that demonstrate different levels of durability (for example, a plastic spoon and a metal spoon). Ask the young women to discuss why the more durable object is better than the less durable object. How does this relate to marriage? Ask the young women to read, watch, or listen to portions of Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk “Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World” or watch the video “Face to Face: Why is marriage sacred to Heavenly Father?” Ask the young women why they want to have a temple marriage.

2:13
Give each young woman a copy of Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage.” How did Elder Scott feel about his eternal companion? What impresses the young women about his relationship with his wife? Ask them to ponder what it would take to achieve a relationship like Elder and Sister Scott’s. Young women might also enjoy watching the video “Elder and Sister Bednar—Love” to learn about Elder and Sister Bednar’s marriage.

3:37
As a class, read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and “The New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage” in True to the Faith (page 98), looking for answers to the question “Why is temple marriage important?” If necessary, help the young women define any unfamiliar words or phrases. Ask class members to list some things that might keep young women from marrying in the temple. What can they do now to make sure they marry in the temple?

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Ask the young women to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a class to apply what they have learned?
Give the young women a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.
Remind the young women that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.

Related Youth Activities

Plan a Mutual activity that will help the young women apply what they learned in this lesson.