"Whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever."--_Eccl. 3:14._
David and Rachel were out walking when they saw another couple whose
lovelike actions were noticeable. As they met, the couple stopped and
the man said, "Pardon me, but we are somewhat strange in this new world.
May we ask you some questions?"
"Let us sit down here together," suggested David, and he led the way to
a place where they could sit quietly. "Are you in trouble?"
"Well, I hardly know," replied the man. "Anna and I are together, and
perhaps we ought to be satisfied; but somehow we are not. There is
something lacking."
"Yes?"
"You see, we left the earth-life, so suddenly--we were so poorly
prepared for this." His companion clasped his arm as if to be protected
from some impending danger. "We were boating on the lake, the boat
overturned, and here we are.... We were to have been married the next
day, but now--now what is our condition? We are not husband and wife;
neither, I suppose, can we be, for we were taught back in that world
from where we came, that there is no married condition here. Yet you
two are husband and wife, are you not?"
"Not yet," replied David, "but we expect to be."
"I don't understand; you seem to know; teach us. May we be married
here?"
David explained the principle of celestial marriage as it had been
revealed to them in earth-life, and contrasted that doctrine with what
was usually taught. "So you see," said he, "even if you had been married
on that day appointed in mortality, it would have been only until death
did you part. You have passed through death, and so, the contract
between you would have come to an end, and you would not now be husband
and wife."
"But you said that you two were to be married. How?"
"Had we been married in earth-life, it would have been for time and
eternity, because it would have been performed by the authority of the
Lord. What God does, is forever. Marriage must be solemnized on the
earth. As our earth-days are past, we cannot go back, so the ceremony
must be done for us by someone else living on the earth. Sister Rachel
here, while in earth-life, did for thousands who had gone before what
they could not do for themselves. Now, someone, in the Lord's own due
time, will stand for her, and do for her what she did not do for
herself."
The two new acquaintances listened attentively while David and sometimes
Rachel instructed them on the principles of the gospel, and their
application to those who were in the spirit world. They spoke to them
of faith and repentance, principles which all men everywhere could
receive and exercise. They explained the ordinance of baptism for the
remission of sins, an earthly rite, which could be believed in and
accepted by those in the spirit world, but would have to be performed
for them vicariously by someone on earth. Marriage for eternity was also
further explained.
"It is true," concluded David, "that in the resurrection there is
neither marrying nor giving in marriage. All that must be attended to
before the resurrection, which for all of us--luckily--is yet in the
future. We know for a surety that if we do our part the best we know,
the Lord will take care of the rest."
These four people did not part until David and Rachel had promised to
meet their friends again soon, and continue the talk which had so
favorably begun. When the two had left, David turned to Rachel and said:
"Did you see the lovelight glowing in their eyes when their hearts were
touched with the truth?"
"Yes, as it did in yours when you were speaking."
"And in yours, too, my dear, when it was your turn."
"It's good to be a missionary--always a missionary, isn't it, as long as
there is one being in need of guidance and instruction."
"It is very good, indeed, David."
"Rachel, glad news for us. We, you and I, are soon to follow our
parents and our older brothers and sisters, up through the gates of the
resurrection, which our Lord so graciously opened.... Yes, yes, it is
true.... Into the celestial kingdom, with bodies of celestial glory and
go on to our exaltation.... And, dear, the work is being done for us in
the Temple of our God.... Yes, right now, it is being done. Come,
Rachel, let us go and be as near as we can.... Yes, we have
permission.... This is the Temple. God's messengers are here, and His
Spirit broods in and around the holy place. That Spirit we also in
common with mortality, may feel. You, Rachel, ought to be at home here,
more so than I. Let us follow the man and the woman who are doing the
work for us.... Do you see them clearly, Rachel?... Yes; we shall not
forget them when they, too, come to us in the spirit, but we shall give
them a welcome such as they have never dreamed of.... Now they are by
the altar. Kneel here by me, Rachel,--your hand in mine, like this.
Listen, can you hear? 'For and in behalf of,'... you and me.... It is
done. We are husband and wife. You are mine for eternity, mine, mine....
O, Eternal Father, we thank Thee!"
David holds the fair form of his wife in his arms. He kisses her cheeks,
her eyes, her lips. Then there is silence.