In the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marriage is not only a sacred institution but one that can extend beyond death and into the eternities. This belief in eternal marriage is one of the most distinctive aspects of Latter-day Saint theology and offers a profound hope and understanding of the nature of relationships, family, and the afterlife. While many other religious traditions hold marriage as an important part of life, none teach the continuation of marriage beyond death in the same way that the Latter-day Saint faith does.

In mainstream Christianity, marriage is viewed as a sacred covenant, but it is not believed to continue beyond death. The Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and most Protestant traditions teach that after death, individuals experience a direct union with God and cease the marital relationship held with one’s spouse on earth.. 

Passages like Matthew 22:30, where Jesus states that in the Resurrection "they neither marry nor are given in marriage," are often cited to support the idea that marriage does not persist in the afterlife. However, Latter-day Saint defenders have noted, as have non-Latter-day Saint scholars, that this passage does not say that marital unions do not exist in the eternal worlds. Rather, no marriages are performed in the eternal worlds. As explained by Latter-day Saint Kevin L. Barney:

The expressions “marry” [gamousin] and “given in marriage” [gamizontai] translate forms of the related Greek verbs gameō and gamizō, which have to do with the act of becoming married. The first verb is used here to refer to men and the second to women. If Matthew had wanted to report that Christ had said in effect “Neither are they now in a married state (because of previously performed weddings),” the Greek in which he wrote would have let him say so unambiguously. He would have used a perfect tense [gegamēkasin] or a participial form [gamēsas] of the verb. He did not, so that cannot be what he meant.¹⁵⁵

While other Christian traditions honor the importance of marriage on earth, they do not offer the hope that families and spouses can be together forever in the presence of God. This is demonstrated further by examining the marital vows exchanged by partners of various faiths.¹⁵⁶

Catholic: I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.

Episcopalian: In the name of God, I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Anglican: I [Name] take you [Name] to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law.

Anglican (The Declaration of Consent from the Book of Common Prayer): The Celebrant says to the woman “N., will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?” The Woman answers “I will.” The Celebrant says to the man “N., will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?” The Man answers “I will.”

Orthodox: I will be with you in bad days and in good, in times of prosperity and in times of poverty, in sickness and in health, until I am separated from you by death according to the ordinance of God the most High. And I give my word in oath before God and before the congregation of the Holy Orthodox Church.

Presbyterian: I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband/wife in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

Generic Protestant: I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

Quaker: In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee to be my wife/husband, promising with divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live.

Interfaith: I,___, take you, ___, to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.

Nondenominational: ___, I now take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live.

In Judaism, traditional beliefs generally do not include the idea of marriage continuing after death. Both Orthodox and Reform Judaism emphasize the soul’s journey with God, but marriage is seen as a temporary, earthly institution rather than something that endures in the afterlife. While certain mystical traditions, such as Kabbalah, may suggest spiritual connections across lifetimes, they do not support the concept of eternal marriage as a permanent, divine ordinance.

In Islam, while marriage is a significant and respected bond, it is not believed to endure after death. Sunni and Shia Islam both emphasize that in the afterlife, believers are rewarded with spiritual union with God, and relationships in paradise, though promised, are not necessarily tied to earthly marriages. The focus is on the eternal love and relationship between the individual and God, rather than the continuation of marital bonds.

As explained by Islamicist Daniel C. Peterson, “[i]n Islam, as opposed to Christianity, marriage isn’t seen as a religious sacrament.  It is a this-worldly contract.”¹⁵⁷ Peterson then provides a Muslim marriage vow to illustrate:

I, (bride’s name), offer you myself in marriage and in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife.

The groom responds: “I, (groom’s name), in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband.”¹⁵⁸

In Hinduism, marriage is part of the cycle of life, karma, and reincarnation, and while marriages may have significance in multiple lifetimes, they are not generally believed to persist beyond death. The goal of life is spiritual progression and liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth, and marriage is often seen as a part of that earthly journey.

Some traditions within Vaishnavism and Tantric Hinduism might emphasize spiritual unions that transcend lifetimes, but these are not equated with the concept of eternal marriage as understood in Latter-day Saint doctrine.

Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism focus on the impermanence of all things, including relationships. The ultimate goal is enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of samsara (rebirth), and attachment to worldly things—including marriage—is seen as something to transcend. Marriage does not continue after death, and earthly relationships are regarded as temporary attachments.

In Sikhism, while marriage is considered a sacred partnership, it is not believed to extend beyond death. The focus is on the individual’s devotion to God and the ultimate goal of merging with the divine.

Like Buddhism, Jainism teaches that marriage is a part of the impermanent cycle of life. The goal is liberation (moksha) from the cycle of reincarnation, and relationships are seen as part of that earthly journey.

In Zoroastrianism, marriage is a key aspect of life, but the afterlife is centered on spiritual purification and reunion with the divine, rather than the continuation of human relationships.

Many indigenous belief systems honor the connections between family and ancestors, but the concept of marriage continuing beyond death is not generally present. These traditions focus on the interconnectedness of life, death, and the spiritual world, but marriage is not typically seen as an eternal bond.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, the concept of eternal marriage is central to understanding God’s plan for His children. Latter-day Saints believe that marriage is not only a sacred and vital relationship on earth, but that it can endure beyond this life and into eternity. Through the power of the priesthood, couples can be “sealed” in sacred temples, and this sealing ordinance binds them together forever, provided they remain faithful to God’s commandments.

This teaching is rooted in the Bible, where Jesus Christ speaks of eternal life and the importance of sealing power (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18). Latter-day Saints believe that families can be together forever, and that marriage is not just an earthly institution but a divine covenant that has eternal significance.

In Doctrine & Covenants 132:19, Latter-day Saints are taught that those who are sealed in marriage for time and all eternity will inherit exaltation in the presence of God. This belief gives a unique and profound perspective on the importance of marriage, allowing individuals to view their relationships as part of a larger, divine plan that extends beyond mortal life.

For Latter-day Saints, this doctrine provides not only hope for a future with loved ones but a deeper understanding of the purpose of marriage in this life. Marriage is seen as a key aspect of God’s eternal plan, one that allows couples to progress together, support each other in their spiritual journeys, and ultimately enjoy the blessings of eternal life in God’s presence.

The doctrine of eternal marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a unique and deeply significant belief that sets the faith apart from other religious traditions. While many religions view marriage as an important institution for life on earth, only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that marriage can continue beyond death, offering the hope that families can be united forever. This doctrine of eternal families provides a foundation for Latter-day Saints to live with a perspective of faith, love, and hope for the eternal nature of their relationships, knowing that marriage can be an eternal bond, sealed by God’s power.