Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Two compelling doctrinal reasons help us to understand why
eternal marriage is essential to the Father’s plan.
“Reason 1: The natures of male and female spirits complete
and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress
together toward exaltation. …
“By divine design, men and women are intended to progress
together toward perfection and a fulness of glory. Because of their distinctive
temperaments and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage
relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman
contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be
achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the
woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen
and bless each other. …
“Reason 2: By divine design, both a man and a woman are
needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the
rearing and nurturing of children” (“Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,”
Ensign, June 2006, 83-84 boldface and italics removed).
