Procreation-God’s Power to Give Life for Husbands and Wives

Procreation is God's unique power

What sets God apart from angels and all other heavenly beings? One answer is his power of procreation, his ability to create beings like himself—in other words, to create children.

We wanted the power of procreation to become like God

As spirit children of heavenly parents, we wanted to become like them in every way, and, as children we inherited the potential to become like them--married and capable of having a family. But marriage and family require a physical body. Therefore, to become like God, he sent us to Earth for the purpose of receiving a physical body, which we had wanted throughout the vast ages of eternity.

God's condition for using the power of procreation

Among the body’s infinite abilities is God’s power of procreation. But there is a condition that govern the power of procreation: God has declared that the power of procreation must be used only in the covenant relationship of marriage.

If we abuse the sacred power of procreation in any degree, and remain unrepentant, we will never again through all eternity have the opportunity or ability to use the power of procreation. The extent of our progression will be limited to being:

“angels in heaven, which are ministering servants for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide may law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation in their saved condition, to all eternity….” 1

Misery results in abusing the power of procreation

Misusing the power of procreation never results in happiness, for wickedness never was happiness; 2 rather sexual sin--with or without a partner--always results in misery.

Moreover, sexual relations outside the covenant of marriage is not an expression of true love and most often drives a couple apart rather than uniting them. President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“It is my observation that a young man and a young woman who violate the principles of morality soon end up hating one another.” 3

The prophet and apostles' proclamation concerning the proper use of the power of procreation

“We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” 4

Questions about 'Procreation-God’s Power to Give Life for Husbands and Wives'

• The power of procreation makes God a unique being. What is the power of procreation?



• Throughout the ages that we lives as spirit children of Heavenly Father we desired to become like him. To receive and exercise the power of creation what did we need and where did we have to come to get it?



• What condition did God set for using the power of procreation?



• If we misuse the power of procreation in this life and remain unrepentant will we ever be able to use the power of procreation in the life to come?



• Because wickedness never results in happiness, what can we expect for misusing the power of procreation?



• What does the prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, say about so-called love and a couple that misuses the power of procreation?



• What do the prophet and apostles proclaim about the proper use of the power of procreation?

References for 'Procreation—God’s Power to Give Life for Husbands and Wives'

1. D&C 132:16-17 – 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.
2. Alma 41:10 – Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
3. "True to the Faith", Ensign, June 1996, 5
4. The Family: A Proclamation to the World