objection
Eternal marriage
Objection
Families can be together forever.
What is true
The hope of redeemed fellowship is emotionally powerful.
Why it is not enough
The issue is whether highest salvation depends on restored sealing ordinances and eternal marriage as LDS doctrine teaches.
Key question: Is temple sealing necessary for the highest celestial exaltation?
The emotional appeal is understandable
The promise that family bonds can endure beyond death is one of the most compelling parts of LDS teaching. It should be treated with seriousness, not mockery.
The doctrinal issue is more specific: LDS sources tie highest celestial exaltation to the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and temple sealing.
The New Testament does not teach the system
Jesus' answer about marriage in the resurrection does not give the LDS sealing exception. The apostles do not teach that temple marriage is required for the highest form of salvation.
That doctrine comes through later LDS revelation and restored priesthood authority. It therefore belongs under the same apostolic test as other restoration claims.
Primary references
These are the public sources behind the answer, with LDS doctrine cited from LDS material where possible.
Matthew 22
BibleRef
Later temple-sealing claims must supply what Jesus and the apostles do not teach.
Doctrine and Covenants 131
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Canonical LDS text saying the highest degree of celestial glory requires entering the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.
Doctrine and Covenants 132
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Canonical LDS text tying exaltation to covenant sealing and saying the exalted shall be gods.
Marriage, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source teaching that eternal marriage by temple sealing is necessary for exaltation in the highest celestial glory.
Sealing, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source defining sealing as a temple ordinance that eternally unites spouses and family relationships.
Eternal Life, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source identifying eternal life with exaltation and connecting it to priesthood, endowment, and marriage sealing ordinances.