(April 2005 TG Entry: Eternal Marriage)

From: Kip M Twitchell Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 3:30 PM

To: joseph_mcconkie

Subject: Request

Brother McConkie:

I am in the middle reading the biography of your father for the second time.  I have learned a great deal from it, and am trying to implement what I have learned in my own life.  Thank you for taking the time to write and publish it.  I served as your Stake financial clerk when I lived in Wymount in 1985 – 1987 (my wife Kari is from Monticello and you assured me her salvation was sure, and asked what was I planning to do).  I have fond memories of your talks at Stake Priesthood meeting, particularly when you shared your father’s journal about the revelation on the Priesthood.

I have a gospel question that I have pondered and studied for quite a while now, but haven’t found an adequate explanation for it.  It may not yet have an answer, and if not, that is fine.  I am more interested in being able to teach the answer than overcoming some personal issue.  It deals with eternal marriage, and in the book you indicated it was one of your father’s favorite teaching subjects.   I must admit I have not done much research in his writings on the topic.  So in a sense I am being lazy, (which, I understand from the book, should dictate the depth of response you should be willing to provide).  I wondered if you could point me to a source where your father may have answered the following question:

Joseph Smith, in explaining the eternal nature of the soul used his ring to say that it has no beginning, and thus no end.  I have wondered then, how it is possible to actually “start” an eternal marriage.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

“Joseph McConkie”

04/11/2005 11:23 AM

To:  Kip M Twitchell

Subject:  RE: Request

Dear Kip,

In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith on pages 181 and 354 (page numbers could vary according to edition) the prophet uses a ring to symbolize or illustrate that which is without beginning and without end. Teaching the truth that which has a beginning will have an end.  In section 132 in the D & C, the great revelation on eternal marriage, the Lord states that those are married for time and all eternity and who have in the fullest sense lived up to their covenants shall “be from everlasting to everlasting,” (132:19) which is to say that in the covenant of marriage, they become as a ring or as that which is without beginning and without end, from everlasting to everlasting.  All illustrations have their bounds and limits.  The concept in this instance is simply that when you become as the ring, what you are represents that which is without beginning and without end.  JFM