Was Jesus Married? Did He Have Children?

Official Church Position

The belief that Christ was married has never been official church doctrine. It is neither sanctioned nor taught by the church. While it is true that a few church leaders in the mid-1800s expressed their opinions on the matter, it was not then, and is not now, church doctrine.

(Dale Bills, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Bruce R. McConkie

In an address to CES faculty, Bruce R. McConkie referred to a July 1899 Solemn Assembly in the Salt Lake Temple, wherein statements were made that Christ was married:

Well, since we are quoting the brethren, let’s just say a little more — it’s not a bit uncommon. They had meetings where the brethren got up and spoke in the name of the Lord and said: “There are present in this congregation people who are the descendants of Christ.” Well sure! I know a man to whom a patriarch told this— not meaning adopted into the family of Christ. Now, George Q. Cannon was one of these who they announced, as I remember, was a man who was a literal descendant of Christ. Well, I know some others who are.

(Address to faculty of the Church Education System conducted during the first term of summer school, 15 June 1967 at Brigham Young University. This excerpt was transcribed from a tape of the lecture on file in the Recording Library of the Church Education System in Salt Lake City. Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 388.)

David O. McKay

On 10 October 1966 in a letter to a Sister Sharon Pokriots of Provo, the prophet David O. McKay gives a much less direct answer to her question. ‘Was Jesus married?” His secretary writes back on his behalf:

Dear Sister Pokriots,

President McKay, who is under a heavy schedule of duties and meetings associated with the general jurisdiction of the Church, in addition to doctor’s orders to curtail his activities as much as possible, has asked me to acknowledge from him your letter of September 29, 1966, wherein you ask if “Christ is Married.” I have been directed to tell you that there is no scripture or revelation on this subject. The wisest presumption upon this and related subjects mentioned in your letter is that the status of Christ, a member of the godhead, so far transcends the status of human beings and what they can attain in a lifetime of utter and complete faithfulness and perfection, that we should suspend and defer all concern about His [marital] status.

Secretary: Claire Middleness

(Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 387.)

Joseph Fielding Smith

In a letter written 17 March 1963 to the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Joseph Fielding Smith, J. Ricks Smith of Burbank, California, asked two questions. The first involves Isaiah 53:l0: “What is meant by “he shall see his seed?” On the original letter, near the quotation of the scripture, President Smith placed a single asterisk after the word “seed.” Then, below in the margin, in typical Joseph Fielding Smith fashion, he notes, “*Mosiah 15:10-12 Please read your Book of Mormon!” The letter continues: “Does this mean that Christ had children? In the temple ceremony we are told that only through temple marriage can we receive the highest degree of exaltation and dwell in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ came here to set us the example and, therefore, we believe that he must have been married. Are we right?” This time President Smith uses two asterisks just after the word “married.” Then below he notes “**Yes! But do not preach it! The Lord advised us not to cast pearls before swine!” He then signed the original letter and sent it back to Brother J. Ricks Smith.

(J. Ricks Smith, “Letter to Joseph Fielding Smith, March 17, 1963, with Reply.” This letter is in the BYU Special Collections. Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 386.)

On 18 October 1963 a number of new missionaries were being endowed in the Salt Lake Temple before departing on their missions. One missionary recorded: At the end of the session we were escorted to a large upper room and told to wait. [We] did not know what was happening. In a few moments, Joseph Fielding Smith walked in and stood behind the pulpit. He explained that since this was the first time through the temple for each of us, he was there to answer any questions that we may have had. The first question came from an elder who asked, “President Smith, was Christ married?” I was appalled at the brazenness of that elder, but Brother Smith just paused for a few moments, and then replied; “Yes, Christ was married, To Mary Magdalene. But don’t teach it.” I wrote that in my journal that day, and have treasured it ever since.

(Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 387.)

Joseph F. Smith

Now, my little friends, I will repeat again in words as simple as I can and you talk to your parents about it, that God, the Eternal Father is literally the Father of Jesus Christ. Mary was married to Joseph for time. No man could take her for eternity because she belonged to the Father of her Divine Son.”

(Conference address, 22 September 1914; published in Box Elder News, 28 January 1915; also in Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, 4:330)

LDS president Joseph F. Smith spoke that the “patriarchal order of marriage” was “the same law that Our Heavenly Father” has kept. “The word of the Lord to us was that if we did not obey we could not go where our Heavenly Father dwells. A man obeying a lower law is not qualified to preside over those who keep a higher law.”

(Wilford Woodruff Journal, (14 October 1882), 8:126)

“Joseph F. Smith did not think that Jesus who descended through polygamous families from Abraham down and who fulfilled all the Law even baptism by immersion would have lived and died without being married.”

(Quoting Joseph F. Smith in Wilford Woodruff Journal, 8:187 (22 July 1883))

“Joseph F. Smith spoke one hour & 25 minutes. He spoke upon the marriage in Cana at Galilee. He thought Jesus was the bridegroom and Mary & Martha the brides. ... [He] spoke upon these passages to show that Mary & Martha manifested much closer relationship than merely a believer which looks consistent.”

(Quoting Joseph F. Smith in Wilford Woodruff Journal, 8:187-88 (22 July 1883))

George Q. Cannon

There are those in this audience who are descendants of the old Twelve Apostles—and shall I say it, yes, descendants of the Savior Himself. His seed is represented in this body of men.

(Journal of Rudger Clawson (2 July 189), 74-75 quoted in Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 372.)

Lorenzo Snow

Following Pres. Cannon, President Snow arose and said that what Bro. Cannon had stated respecting the literal descendants among this company of the old apostles and the Savior Himself is true—that the Savior’s seed is represented in this body of men.

. . . .

There are men in this congregation who are descendants of the ancient Twelve Apostles and shall I say it, of the Son of God Himself, for He had seed, and in the right time they shall be known.

(Anthony Ivins Journal (2 July 189), LDS Archives; quoted in Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 372.)

Brigham Young

The man Joseph, the husband of Mary, did not, that we know of, have more than one wife, but Mary the wife of Joseph had another husband. (Journal of Discourses, 19 August 1866, 11:268) “Also, the bridal feast at Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine, was on the occasion of one of his own marriages.”

(Young (Denning), Wife No. 19, 307. Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 81.)

Brigham Young’s nineteenth wife wrote, “Jesus Christ was a practical polygamist; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, were his plural wives, and Mary Magdalene was another.”

(Young (Denning), Wife No 19, 307. Dynasty of the Holy Grail, Mormonism’s Sacred Bloodline, Vern G. Swanson, Page 85.)

The scripture says that He, the Lord, came walking in the temple, with His train; I do not know who they were unless His wives and children.

(Journal of Discourses (13 November 1870) 13:309.)

Orson Hyde

It will be borne in mind that once upon a time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that occasion.

(Journal of Discourses, 4:259.)

Then you really mean to hold to the doctrine that the Savior of the world was married; do you mean to be understood so? And if so, do you mean to be understood that he had more than one wife? . . . For I tell you it is the chosen of God, the seed of the blessed, that shall be gathered. I do not despise to be called a son of Abraham, if he had a dozen wives; or to be called a brother, a son, a child of the Savior, if he had Mary, and Martha, and several others as wives: and though he did cast seven devils out of one of them, it is all the same to me.

(Journal of Discourses (6 October 1854) 2:80-83.)

How was it with Mary and Martha, and other women that followed him [Christ]? In old times, and it is common in this day, the women, even as Sarah, called their husbands Lord; the word Lord is tantamount to husband in some languages, master, lord, husband, are about synonymous. In England we frequently hear the wife say, “Where is my master?” She does not mean a tyrant, but as Sarah called her husband Lord, she designates hers by the word master.’

(Journal of Discourses (6 October 1854) 2:81-82.)

Orson Pratt

Indeed, the Psalmist, David, prophesies in particular concerning the Wives of the Son of God. We quote from the English version of the Bible, translated about three hundred and fifty years ago: All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia: when thou comest out of the ivory palaces, where they have made thee glad, Kings’ daughters were among thine honorable wives: upon thy Right hand did stand the Queen in a vesture of gold of Ophir.

(Orson Pratt, The Seer 1, 11 (November 1853): 170.)

Next let us enquire whether there are any intimations in Scripture concerning the wives of Jesus. We have already, in the 9th no. of this volume, spoken of the endless increase of Christ’s government. Now, we have no reason to suppose that this increase would continue, unless through the laws of generation, whereby Jesus, like His Father, should become the Father of spirits; and, in order to become the Father of spirits, or, as Isaiah says, “The Everlasting Father,” it is necessary that He should have one or more wives by whom He could multiply His seed, not for any limited period of time, but forever and ever: thus He truly would be a Father Everlastingly, according to the name which was to be given Him.

The Evangelists do not particularly speak of the marriage of Jesus; but this is not to be wondered at, for St. John says:

There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. (John 21:25)

One thing is certain, that there were several holy women that greatly loved Jesus—such as Mary, and Martha her sister, and Mary Magdalene; and Jesus greatly loved them, and associated with them much; and when He arose from the dead, instead of first showing Himself to His chosen witnesses, the Apostles, He appeared first to these women, or at least to one of them—namely, Mary Magdalene. Now, it would be very natural for a husband in the resurrection to appear first to his own dear wives, and afterwards show himself to his other friends. If all the acts of Jesus were written, we no doubt should learn that these beloved women were us wives.
(Orson Pratt, The Seer 1 (October 1853): 159-60.)

From the passage in the forty-fifth Psalm, it will be seen that the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a polygamist, as well as the Patriarch Jacob and the prophet David from whom He descended according to the flesh. Paul says concerning Jesus, Verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Abraham the polygamist, being a friend of God, the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of wives under the Christian dispensation, as well as under the dispensations in which His polygamist ancestors lived.

(Orson Pratt, The Seer 1, 11 (November 1853): 172.)

We have now clearly shown that God the Father had a plurality of wives, one or more being in eternity, by whom He begat our spirits as well as the spirit of Jesus His First Born, and another being upon the earth by whom He begat the tabernacle of Jesus. . . . We have also proved that both God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ inherit their wives in eternity as well as in time; and that God the Father has already begotten many thousand millions of sons and daughters. ... it being expressly declared that the children of one of His Queens should be made Princes in all the earth.

(Orson Pratt, The Seer 1 (1853): 172.)

Jedediah M. Grant

He [Celsus] says, “The grand reason why the Gentiles and philosophers of his school persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives; there were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a host of others that followed him.” . . . tie grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were “Mormons.”

(Journal of Discourses (7 August 1853), 1:345-46.)

Heber C. Kimball

In his biography on Heber C. Kimball, Stanley Kimball quoted the Apostle as saying “that Christ was married—indeed that Christ was married to both Mary and Martha and that the famous wedding of Cana was in reality Christ’s own wedding.”

(Kimball, Heber C. Kimball, 274 (citing Mary Ellen Kimball Journal, 54.))

Satan's Influence in Government

Joseph Fielding Smith

The present turmoil and contentions in the world are due to the fact that the leaders of nations are getting their inspiration from Satan, not from the Lord. His Spirit is withdrawn from them, according to his promise, in spiritual things. The Lord would be glad to direct them, but they seek not his counsel. The spirit of the evil one is placing in their minds vain and fantastic notions and leading mankind farther away from the truth as they boast in their own strength, while the Almighty sits in the heavens and no doubt laughs at their folly.
(Answers to Gospel Questions. vols. 1-4. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957-1966. Pg. 156)

Joseph Fielding Smith

Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, and confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the President of the United States; it is not Hitler; it is not Mussolini; it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself.”
(Doctrines of Salvation. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. 3 vols. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1954-56. 3:315)

Ezra Taft Benson

I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14-16; D&C 84:49-53.) It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. (See Ether 8:18-25.)”
(General Conference, Oct. 1988)

Mormon Leaders on Population Control

Russell M. Nelson 

Another excuse some use to justify abortion relates to population control. Many in developing nations unknowingly ascribe their lack of prosperity to overpopulation. While they grovel in ignorance of God and His commandments, they may worship objects of their own creation (or nothing at all), while unsuccessfully attempting to limit their population by the rampant practice of abortion. They live in squalor, oblivious to the divine teaching-stated in the scriptures not once, but thirty-four times-that people will prosper in the land only if they obey the commandments of God. (General Conference, April 1985)

Harold B. Lee 

Satan turns great issues of the day into concerns for the Church. Do you realize that Satan has decreed that he will use all of his considerable power to thwart the work of Jesus Christ on the earth? That power enables him to turn some of the great issues of the day into the challenges of the Church. The women's liberation front, at least the extremist areas, challenges the teachings of the Church concerning the sister's role as homemaker and her key role as supporter and thus to share in the blessings of the priesthood. This whole movement strikes at the heart of one of the great and the most fundamental teachings pertaining to your lives. We hear so much about this world ecology. Experts develop theses around fully justified pollution problems, then all too often conclude that the solution to these problems lies in birth and population control—again, a direct challenge to the word of God as revealed by his prophets. (Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 43)

Ezra Taft Benson 

The precepts of men would have you believe that by limiting the population of the world, we can have peace and plenty. That is the doctrine of the devil. Small numbers do not insure peace; only righteousness does. After all, there were only a handful of men on the earth when Cain interrupted the peace of Adam's household by slaying Abel. On the other hand, the whole city of Enoch was peaceful; and it was taken into heaven because it was made up of righteous people. And so far as limiting the population in order to provide plenty is concerned, the Lord answered that falsehood in the Doctrine and Covenants when he said: "For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves." (D&C 104:17.) (General Conference, April 1969)

Knowledge Beyond Faith

Richard G. Scott

Use Jesus Christ as your example for life. Use His teachings as your handbook and never make exceptions to them. When I was your age I tried with all my heart to grow in faith and testimony of Him. What I tell you now is not based on faith - I know He lives.

Speech at BYU-Hawaii Graduation, July 2, 1994.

Brigham Young's Prophecy of Labor Saving Devices

"Cars, planes, telephones, computers, and so forth enable us to do so much more than ever before. But they can also distract us from doing what, eternally, really matters most. Susa Young Gates once asked her father, President Brigham Young, how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that needed to be done. 'He told her there would be many inventions of labor-saving devices, so that our daily duties could be performed in a short time, leaving us more and more time for temple work. The inventions have come, and are still coming, but many simply divert the time gained to other channels, and not for the purpose intended by the Lord.'"

W. Jeffrey Marsh, “Training from the Old Testament: Moroni’s Lessons for a Prophet,” Ensign, Aug. 1998, 10; quoting Archibald F. Bennett, “Put On Thy Strength, O Zion!” Improvement Era, Oct. 1952, 720.

Farrar on Death & Self-Importance

The world hardly attaches any significance to any life except those of its heroes and benefactors, its mighty intellects, or its splendid conquerors. But these are, and must ever be, the few. One raindrop of myriads falling on moor or desert or mountain—one snowflake out of myriads melting into the immeasurable sea—is, and must be, for most men the symbol of their ordinary lives. They die, and barely have they died, when they are forgotten; a few years pass, and the creeping lichens eat away the letters of their names upon the churchyard stone; but even if those crumbling letters were still decipherable, they would recall no memory to those who stand upon their graves. Even common and ordinary men are very apt to think themselves of much importance; but, on the contrary, not even the greatest man is in any degree necessary, and after a very short space of time—

"His place, in all the pomp that fills
The circuit of the summer hills,
Is that his grave is green."

A relative insignificance, then, is, and must be, the destined lot of the immense majority, and many a man might hence be led to think, that since he fills so small a space—since, for the vast masses of mankind, he is of as little importance as the ephemerid which buzzes out its little hour in the summer noon—there is nothing better than to eat, and drink, and die. But Christ came to convince us that a relative insignificance may be an absolute importance. He came to teach that continual excitement, prominent action, distinguished services, brilliant success, are no essential elements of true and noble life, and that myriads of the beloved of God are to he found among the insignificant and the obscure. "Si vis divinus esse, late ut Deus," is the encouraging, consoling, ennobling lesson of those voiceless years. The calmest and most unknown lot is often the happiest, and we may safely infer that these years in the home and trade of the carpenter of Nazareth were happy years in our Saviour's life.

Frederic W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, Chapter VII, pages 88-89.

Near Death Experiences and Visions of the Last Days

Much ado has been made over books that give titillating and detailed descriptions of near death experiences and last-days events. Such books are heavily advertised and rumored to be terrific sellers. I have serious reservations about such books for several reasons.

First, the acceptance of these books as revelations violates the doctrine found in Doctrine and Covenants 43:1-7:

1 O hearken, ye elders of my church, and give ear to the words which I shall speak unto you.
2 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations from my hand.
3 And this ye shall know assuredly—that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me.
4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead.
5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments;
6 And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me.
7 For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed.

The gate referenced in verse seven is the established organization of the Church, not Amazon.com, Cedar Fort Inc., Sprinkcreek Books, or even Deseret Book. The second reason I have reservation about such books is that it violates the principle of keeping spiritual confidences. I have assembled quotes from authoritative sources on this principle here. Associated with this principle is the scripture in Alma: “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” (Alma 12:9.) By publishing sacred experiences, one is certainly not imparting according to the heed and diligence of another, rather, one is casting sacred pearls before swine.

The third reason I have reservation about these books is that it seems strange for one to seek to monetarily profit from a real revelation. When Paul wrote the Corinthians, he said, “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33) If those who publish these books wish to simply benefit their brothers and sisters with the content of their supposed revelations, I do not see the reason they charge more than their cost of publishing the revelation. Moreover, they are not sharing the revelation online, where others could access it at no cost. Rather, they are charging market prices and heavily marketing their books.

Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves what they will receive as truth. “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:5)