What is Eternal Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

A central doctrine of Latter-day Saint faith, eternal marriage is a sacred covenant performed in temples, uniting families beyond death.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from The Three Degrees of Glory in Latter-day Saint Theology

Quick take

Eternal Marriage is a temple ordinance believed to bind a husband and wife, and their children, for eternity.
It is a sacred covenant with God, requiring faithfulness to specific commitments and commandments.
This sealing allows families to continue as a unit in the afterlife, central to Latter-day Saint teachings on exaltation.
It requires temple worthiness and is distinct from a civil marriage, which is considered valid only for this life.

Eternal Marriage, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a sacred ordinance performed in dedicated temples, believed to seal a husband and wife together not just “till death do us part,” but for all eternity. This covenant also extends to their children, forming an eternal family unit that can continue beyond mortal life.

How it Works: The Temple Sealing

Unlike a civil marriage, which is generally understood to be valid only for this lifetime, an eternal marriage is performed by an authorized priesthood holder within a Latter-day Saint temple. During this sacred ceremony, known as a sealing, specific covenants are made between the husband, wife, and God. These covenants include promises of faithfulness to each other, to God’s commandments, and to the principles of the gospel. The participants believe that by living up to these covenants, their marriage and family relationships can endure forever.

A Covenant for Eternity

The concept of eternal marriage is rooted in the belief that God is a God of families and that the family unit is central to His plan for His children. When a couple is sealed in the temple, they are making a solemn promise to God to love and sustain each other, raise their children in righteousness, and strive for spiritual growth together. In return, God promises that their family relationships can continue eternally, allowing them to progress together in the afterlife and, ultimately, achieve exaltation.

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, eternal marriage offers profound hope and purpose. It provides comfort in the face of death, as it teaches that relationships with loved ones need not end. This doctrine underscores the eternal nature of the family and emphasizes the importance of building strong, loving relationships that can withstand the tests of mortality. It is seen as an essential step toward achieving the highest blessings God has for His children, allowing individuals to live as families in His presence forever.

Who can receive an eternal marriage?

Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are deemed worthy by their local leaders, hold a current temple recommend, and have made other temple covenants can be sealed in an eternal marriage.

What if one spouse is not a member or isn't worthy?

If one spouse is not a member or doesn't meet temple worthiness standards, an eternal marriage cannot be performed. However, a civil marriage is still honored, and there is hope that a sealing can occur later if both individuals become worthy.

Can an eternal marriage be dissolved?

While intended to be eternal, in cases of severe marital breakdown, an eternal sealing can be canceled by Church leadership. This is a rare and serious decision, made after careful consideration and counseling.

Are children automatically sealed to their parents?

Children born to parents who have already been sealed in an eternal marriage are considered 'born in the covenant' and are automatically part of that eternal family unit. Children adopted into an eternal family can also be sealed to their adoptive parents.