Burbank, California

March 17, 1963

President Joseph Fielding Smith

47 East South Temple Street

Salt Lake City 11, Utah

Dear President Smith:

In a discussion recently, the question arose, "Was Christ married?" The quote of Isaiah 53:10 was given, which reads,

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see His seed,* he shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

What is meant by "he shall see his seed"? 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?

Sincerely,

[Signature]

J. Ricks Smith

1736 N. Ontario Street

Burbank, California

* Mosiah 15:10–12 Please read your Book of Mormon!

** Yes! But do not preach it! The Lord advised us not to cast pearls before swine!

[Signature]

Joseph Fielding Smith