Why Latter-day Saints Emphasize Eternal Marriage and Temple Sealing

An explanation of the foundational belief in marriage extending beyond death and the sacred ceremony that makes it possible.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jul 25, 2026

Branched from How Latter-day Saints View Single Life and Parenthood Beyond Traditional Marriage

Quick take

Eternal marriage is a core Latter-day Saint belief that families can be together forever.
Temple sealing is a sacred ordinance performed in temples, uniting spouses and their children for eternity.
It's rooted in the doctrine that God is a loving Heavenly Father who wants His children to return to Him in family units.
This emphasis shapes their worldview and daily choices, focusing on strengthening family relationships.

Eternal marriage, often referred to as "celestial marriage," is a foundational doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's the belief that marriage covenants, when made in sacred temples and sealed by God's authority, can extend beyond death into the eternities, allowing families to remain together forever.

The Temple Sealing Ordinance

The "temple sealing" is the specific sacred ordinance that makes eternal marriage possible. It's performed in dedicated temples by authorized priesthood holders. Unlike civil marriages that typically state "until death do you part," a temple sealing covenant is made for "time and all eternity." This means that the marriage relationship, and the family unit it creates, is believed to be eternal, not just for mortal life.

Authority and Covenants

Latter-day Saints believe that after Jesus Christ's death, the authority to perform ordinances that bind on earth and in heaven was lost for a time. They believe this authority, called the Melchizedek Priesthood, was restored through Joseph Smith. Temple sealings are performed under this restored authority, which is believed to be the same power Christ gave to His apostles. Participants make sacred covenants (promises) with God to live according to His commandments. In return, God promises eternal blessings, including the continuation of their family unit beyond mortal life. Children born to parents who are sealed in the temple are automatically "sealed" to them. Children adopted or born before a sealing can also be sealed to their parents through a separate ordinance, connecting the entire family unit eternally.

This doctrine is central to the Latter-day Saint understanding of God's plan for His children. It provides immense hope and comfort, especially in times of loss, believing that relationships with loved ones are not severed by death but can continue eternally. It shapes their approach to marriage, family life, and daily decisions, encouraging strong, loving, and righteous family relationships as the foundation for eternal progression and happiness. It also emphasizes the importance of temple worship and living a life worthy of these sacred covenants.

Can someone be eternally sealed if their spouse isn't a Latter-day Saint?

A temple sealing requires both individuals to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to meet certain worthiness requirements. While a member can marry a non-member civilly and still attend the temple for other ordinances, a sealing for eternity requires both spouses to be temple-worthy members.

What happens if an eternal marriage ends in divorce?

Temple sealings are serious covenants, and the Church encourages great effort to maintain them. If a divorce occurs, the sealing covenant is not automatically nullified. A "cancellation of a sealing" can be requested through Church leadership, which requires careful consideration and approval, usually granted only after a civil divorce and when an individual wishes to be sealed to another person.

Do Latter-day Saints believe people who aren't sealed in a temple can't be with their families after death?

Latter-day Saints believe God is loving and merciful. While temple sealing offers the highest blessings and the promise of eternal family units, they believe all people will experience a glorious resurrection, and many will live in various kingdoms of glory. The specifics of family relationships for those not sealed are understood to be under God's loving discretion, but the core teaching is that the temple sealing provides the *opportunity* for families to be together eternally in the highest degree of heaven.

Is a civil marriage required before a temple sealing?

Yes, in most countries where civil marriage is legally recognized, a couple must first be legally married before they can be sealed in the temple. The temple sealing is considered a sacred ordinance that builds upon the legal union.

Sources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints official website (Gospel Topics essays)