The mystical union of male and female as the birth of spiritual awakening has been a core teaching of many ancient spiritual traditions. Unlike many “modern” religions, Mormonism reflects this ancient teaching by having celestial marriage as its highest ordinance. Sadly, this ordinance and the teachings surrounding it remain centered on the eternal relationship of a man and a woman—when the highest expression of the oneness of male and female is found in Knowing God as Jesus knew him. Through his parable of The Ten Virgins, Jesus invites all of us, both male and female, to become his brides through a wonderful spiritual seduction and into an intimate relationship in which we can “know as we are known.

Philip G. McLemore