Righteous marriage is a commandment and an essential step in the

“Righteous marriage is a commandment and an essential step in the process of creating a loving family relationship that can be perpetuated beyond the grave.” — David A. Bednar

In this sacred and timeless teaching, David A. Bednar, a modern apostle and teacher within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks not merely of marriage, but of eternity — of the divine design that binds love, duty, and spiritual growth together in a covenant that stretches beyond the boundaries of mortal life. His words remind us that righteous marriage is not a human invention born of convenience or desire, but a commandment, ordained of God since the dawn of creation, when Adam and Eve were joined not just as companions, but as co-heirs of eternal glory.

From the beginning, the Creator declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” In that moment, the pattern for all generations was established: man and woman, united not for pleasure alone, but for purpose — to build, to nurture, and to bring forth life. Bednar’s phrase “beyond the grave” gives voice to one of the most profound doctrines of faith — that love, when sanctified by God, does not perish with death. In this vision, marriage is not a fleeting contract but an eternal covenant, a joining of souls that echoes the divine harmony of heaven itself.

Throughout history, this belief in eternal union has inspired both reverence and courage. Consider the faith of Mary and Joseph, who faced uncertainty, sacrifice, and exile, yet remained steadfast in divine trust. Their partnership, built not on comfort but on righteousness, gave the world its greatest gift — the Savior Himself. In them we see that righteous marriage is not free from trial, but it is purified by it; not sustained by ease, but by shared holiness and obedience to a higher will.

Bednar’s words also carry a quiet rebuke to the modern world, which often treats marriage as temporary — a contract of convenience rather than a covenant of commitment. He reminds us that true unity cannot exist where selfishness reigns. The loving family relationship he describes is not born of emotion alone, but of sacrifice, service, and faith. To build a family that endures both in life and beyond requires humility — the daily labor of love, forgiveness, and loyalty. These are the stones with which eternity is built.

In the ancient world, it was said that a man plants a tree not for his own shade, but for his children’s. So too is righteous marriage — a planting of roots that reach far beyond one’s lifetime. The fruits of such unions are not only children and grandchildren, but generations blessed by the example of faith-filled love. For when a husband and wife walk together in righteousness, their legacy becomes more than lineage; it becomes light, guiding their descendants through the storms of time.

And yet, Bednar’s statement is not one of mere duty, but of joy. For what greater comfort can there be than the assurance that the bonds of love need not be severed by death? That the laughter shared at the hearth, the prayers whispered in the night, and the sacrifices made in silence all weave into a tapestry that endures beyond the veil? This is the promise of eternal marriage — that love, sanctified through Christ, becomes immortal, transcending the decay of the flesh and the sorrow of mortality.

Let this be the teaching passed down: marriage is sacred, family eternal, and love divine. Cherish the covenant that binds your hearts, for it is not only the foundation of your home but the seed of your eternity. Serve one another with patience, forgive with humility, and build your union upon faith rather than pride. For when love is anchored in righteousness, it endures — not only through the storms of life but into the boundless dawn of forever. In such a union, heaven and earth meet, and the soul finds its truest home.