The website section on earthly families deals with the family that we have here on earth during our time in mortality. The broader and more eternal question is what will happen to our earthly families in the eternities? Will we still be a part of a family in heaven?

The Power to Bind on Earth as in Heaven
By the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which has the power in the holy temple to bind on earth and in heaven (see Peter’s commission from Jesus in Matt. 16:19), families can be sealed together for time and eternity. Death cannot separate those who remain faithful to the covenants they make in the temple. Mothers, fathers, children, and ancestors will be together forever in the eternities in the holy mansions of God the Father. Henry B. Eyring explains: “I am so grateful for the assurance I have that if we are faithful, the same sociality which we enjoy here in this life will be forever with us in the world to come, in eternal glory” (Henry B. Eyring, “The True and Living Church,” Ensign, May 2008, 20–24).

Understanding the True Meaning of Matthew 22
Before considering the Christian doctrine of being together forever as a family, one must first resolve the scripture from Matthew 22 where the Sadducees challenge Jesus on the subject of marriage in the Resurrection. Jesus answered, “For in the Resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matt 22:30). This scripture could be interpreted to mean eternal marriage is not to be. After close examination of this remarkable scripture one will come to understand that there will indeed be no marrying in the Resurrection, but rather all such matters are taken care of in mortality—specifically in the holy temples of the Lord on earth before the Resurrection. Thus the importance of sealing marriages in the Temple today!

Conclusion
Christians believe in eternal life as a result of faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement and resurrection. This eternal nature extends to families, not as a vague possibility discussed in the halls of churches, but rather a true Christian doctrine that should be embraced, taught, and looked forward to. Eternal families come as a result of temple ordinances, but more importantly in keeping covenants with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Doctrinal Study: Eternal Families: Eternal Families

  Download the Sword Series™ essay on Eternal Families