Are the following OFFICIAL LDS Church citations any more authoritative for you?
I have TWO copies of the official Lds publication: Gospel Principles. One was published 1978; the other was a revision published in 2009. For 37 years, this book has served as THE basic primer Lds have used as an assimilation class for newbies. IoW, it's no "average" Lds church curricula book.
Chapter 47 in both is simply titled "Exaltation."
On p. 291-292 of '78 version it lists 18 "Requirements for exaltation" (that's the heading the book gives).
For some reason in the '09 version, this list was shortened to 10 "Requirements for Exaltation" ... found on pp. 277-279 [Maybe it's "Exaltation Lite" for lowering the standards so more Mormons can live with Heavenly Father eternally?]
No matter, on this particular matter under discussion, the versions are nearly the same:
1978 version:
(Perhaps StormPrepper, you'd like to parse the word "MUST"????)
Earlier in this "Gospel Principles" publication a chapter 38 excerpt reads:
HEADING: 'ETERNAL MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXALTATION' "...But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage...Our Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so that we can become like him. We MUST live the law of eternal marriage to become as he is--able to have spirit children." (p. 231)
In the 2009 version, it reads:
Tell us Stormprepper, why would the Lds powers that be add in the 2009 version "must be married for eternity...in the next" when Joseph Smith taught in D&C 132 that no marriages are done in the "next life?"
"Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever ... when they are out of the world it [the marriage covenant] cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God".
Chapter 38 in the 2009 version:
HEADING: 'ETERNAL MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXALTATION' "...But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage...Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so that we can become like him. (p. 219)
What, Stormprepper? These Lds leaders who oversee this book are in "error" too? They also are "wrong" -- not even "remotely true"???
And what? Since the very book this is found is entitled "Gospel Principles," are you confirming for us all that the Lds church can't even define what its "gospel" is? It changes? It varies by mere edit?
What also have the Lds "prophets" taught?
1973-74:
"ONLY those who enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in the temple for time and eternity, only those will have the exaltation in the celestial kingdom. That is what the Lord tells us” (President Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 120; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 100; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 193).
So you've, StormPrepper, by extension, then ALSO labeled Harold B. Lee, the Ensign magazine, and Lds curricula as a "false prophet" here? Are they liars? Half-truthers? Deceivers? Mistaken? Out of tune with the Lord's teaching all as "Prophet" Lee claimed, "That is what the Lord tells us."
1913:
"No man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God without the woman, and no woman can reach perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God, alone. . . . God instituted marriage in the beginning. He made man in His own image and likeness, male and female, and in their creation it was designed that they should be united together in sacred bonds of marriage, and one is not perfect without the other” (President Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, Apr. 1913, p. 118; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 175).
* "Exaltation grows out of the eternal union of a man and his wife. Of those whose marriage endures in eternity, the Lord says, ‘Then shall they be gods’ (D&C 132:20); that is, each of them, the man and the woman, will be a god. As such they will rule over their dominions forever” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, 1966, Mormon Doctrine, 613; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 168).
"No woman can reach the perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God alone" (Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 77).
* "The Lord has prescribed REQUIREMENTS for eternal life in the celestial kingdom. We MUST COMPLY with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, page 90).
After reading these, will you repent of your accusations? Or will you stiffen?
Is Lds.org good enough for you as a source?
Go there. Click on the original link. Read the entire message if you want to.
But let's see if you label Harold B. Lee with the same accusations you've tossed my way...
* Chapter 47: Exaltation [Requirement #5: 'We MUST be married for eternity...']
* Chapter 38: Eternal Marriage ['Eternal Marriage Essential for Exaltation' (living with) Lds god]
So thank you, StormPrepper, for your persistent accusations on this thread.
It allows people to not simply take my word or take your word on these disputes, but go directly to Lds.org for their "official" renderings on these matters.