BOY AND GIRL RELATIONSHIPS

BOY/GIRL RELATIONSHIPSMAKING RIGHT DECISIONS BEFORE MARRIAGE 

ENGAGEMENT, OBLIGATIONS, MARRIAGE, FORNICATION, ADULTERY

REMEMBER - RIGHT OR WRONG - YOUR DECISION IS FOR LIFE

As parents one of the most pressing concerns we have in this Age is the Spiritual and Physical well-being of our children. No other Age has witnessed what the young men and women of this generation have witnessed and are witnessing. That which was done in secret and in darkness is now open for all to see. Never was there such an Age of open permissiveness and perversion - not just isolated events here and there - it is world-wide, leaving no country, city, village, home or hut untouched. All tables are full of vomit - there is no place clean - from the most simple dwelling to the Palace of so-called Royalty.

We live in the age of the "people's rights"- Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). Enticing spirits run rampant in the earth causing men and women (young and old), to do that which is right in their own eyes. Politicians are intimidated into legalizing evil and putting restrictions on that which is good. Disguised as a government Anti-hate bill, it is NOW forbidden to "criticize" sin; and absolutely illegal to condemn sin - no matter how sinful and perverted it is. If those who practice it are recognized as "an identifiable group", we cannot, in any way criticize or condemn it - in the eyes of the government we would be breaking the Anti-Hate laws.

All these things make it increasingly more difficult for parents to teach and discipline their children. As Believers, standing for righteousness, our Scriptural ideas about child discipline, courtship, engagements and marriage, are ancient and out-dated in the eyes of this modern, wicked and adulterous generation. Yes, out-dated, even in the eyes of many so called Christian Churches. Secularism reigns supreme in our Governments, our Educational System and our Churches.

In the area of courtship, and marriage, today's society takes its cue from Holywood's movie and Hellevision stars, sports personalities and worldly singers - including many so-called Gospel singers, who dress and act like the world. They're leading souls to hell by the millions. This generation "will NOT have the WORD of God to rule over them", especially in the area of their personal lives. They will NOT allow the WORD to tell them how to act, dress, sing, discipline their children, or choose a husband or wife. Their attitude is the attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day - "Away with the WORD; let Him be crucified".

In 2nd. Corinthians 6:14-18 we find these Words:

14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

In counselling young men and women today, concerning engagements and marriage, very few clergy reference this Scripture. Fewer still, are the young men and women who will allow the Holy Spirit to burn this portion of the Word into their hearts to prevent them from making a most serious mistake in their choice of a husband or wife. Intellectual and/or Carnal emotions and feelings take precedent over the "This Saith The Lord" of the Bible.

But the true Believer stays with the WORD of God regardless. It is most important that we stay with the Counsel of Scripture, especially in this area of courtship, engagements and Marriage. Failure to abide by the Word in these things will cause us to eventually reap a whirlwind of heartache, sorrow and sin. I encourage Mom and Dad to consider and stay with the Word-based counsel of God's servant and prophet, Bro. William Branham. Don't allow your "phileo (human) love" to usurp "Agapo (Divine) Love" when counselling and/or disciplining your child, especially in the area of courtship, engagement and marriage. Remember, "Agapo Love" is corrective - It is not governed by human emotion or feelings - It stays with the WORD.

I encourage our young Brothers and Sisters in Christ to excerise Divine Wisdom when seeking out a life-time companion. Outside of Salvation, your choice of a mate will be one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. PLEASE, learn from the mistakes of others. DON'T EVER think that you will NEVER make such a mistake - walk softly and humbly, asking the Lord Jesus to guide you each step of the way.

In your search for a mate you begin with Christ. Sit at His feet awhile in prayer and meditation, making your own calling and election sure, and asking for His guidance and wisdom in finding the "right" companion. Marriage is not meant to be "horzontal" only - just between a man and a woman. There is a vertical aspect to marriage. It is this aspect which brings a balance in any relationship. That vertical aspect is God. A Christian Marriage is 'two hearts' united in faith toward 'One God', who alone is able to keep them from falling into the snare and trap of the Devil.

Take some time to seriously consider what "qualities" you feel are necessary in the individual whom you expect to live closely with for the rest of your life. NEVER judge his or her Christian testimony or experience by church attendance, knowledge or enthusiasm during Bible/Message discussions - watch their actions and/or re-actions to the challenges of everyday living - Do you see genuine humility, faith and absolute trust in God? Are they seeking to please God, first and foremost in all they do?

These qualities are very important if your relationship is to experience love, joy, peace and victory in the midst of the trials and challenges which comes with marriage. Know what you expect to find in your partner after the initial burst of romance and the excitement of being "in love" has settled down to "normal" everyday living of raising the children, balancing the budget and expressing love for one another in more mature ways..

Remember, this is a union that MUST continue so long as life shall last. If you choose a house and afterwards feel it is not suitable, you may sell and buy another; if an employee fails to meet the expectations of the employer, that employee can be replace. But should husband or wife find that they have been mistaken in their choice, there is no alternative open to them. They may deeply and bitterly regret their decision, but there is no place for repentance. "Marriage, according to God's original plan, is a world-without-end bargain". This is God's perfect will.

The Bible clearly states that "God hates divorce". In Malachi 2:16 (Amplified) we read, "For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, "I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence, Therefore, keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by my Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate]." Based on this Scripture, I think we can safely say that there will be no divorce in the world to come.

In this present evil world the only Biblical justification whereby a man is "permitted" to "put away" [divorce] his wife is "for the cause of fornication" (Matthew 19:9). If, after marriage the man discovers that his bride is not a virgin, he is, according to the words of Jesus in Matthew 19 and other Scriptures, permitted to divorce her. If she repent of her sin then the man would be obligated to "forgive" her as Christ forgives His Bride. Remember, according to the Bible, the man can divorce the woman [only because of fornication], but the woman cannot divorce the man. The Bible further states in Matthew 19 that "whosoever marrieth her that is divorced doth commit ADULTERY." We're talking SERIOUS things here.

In Matthew 19:8 Jesus, reminds us that "from the beginning it was not so". From the beginning it was "one" man and "one" woman; and divorce wasn't even in the picture.

Concerning the revelation given to the prophet regarding "Marriage and Divorce" many people today take "one" aspect of what he preached and build a doctrine, attempting to justify divorce and re-marriage, appeasing the conscience of those who want "out of a marriage" for reasons other than what the Scriptures allow. They fail to take into consideration what he said BEFORE and AFTER he preached the Message entitled "Marriage and Divorce". There are things he mentioned BEFORE that he DID NOT CHANGE during or AFTER the February 22nd, 1965 Revelation on the Marriage and Divorce issue.

Notice the following quotes from two messages by Brother Branham, preached 3 months and 10 months AFTER preaching on "Marriage And Divorce". The first quote is from the Message entitled "Choosing A Bride", preached April 29th. 1965; and the second quote is from the Message entitled "Things That Are To Be", preached December 5th. 1965:

Now, it's a serious thing when we go to choose a wife. For the vows here is until death do we part. That's how we should keep it. And you take that vow before God that only death will separate you. ... A man in his right mind that's planning a future, that he should choose that wife very careful; be careful what you're doing. And a woman choosing a husband, or accepting the choice of a husband, should be real careful what she's doing and especially in these days. A man should think and pray before he chooses a wife.

If God could give a man anything better than salvation, He give him a wife. See? And so then, if He could give anything better, He would've done it. And then, to see some of them turn and don't even act like a wife, unloyal to their marriage vows and their husbands the same. You remember, you're bound as long as you live to one another. What God joins on earth is joined in heaven also. See?

It would be great agony indeed to wake up after the matrimonial knot has been tied and find that a life-time mistake has been made. Unfortunately, some make their mistake 'before' the matrimonial knot has been tied. I, therefore, advise every young man and woman to reflect prayerfully upon the sort of person likely to prove "suitable for life". As Believers, standing for righteousness, we MUST act with wisdom, lest we bring reproach on the Gospel. Therefore it is of utmost importance that you NOT RUSH into any relationship. "Wait on the Lord.....Wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalms 27:14).

You must look beyond the initial "best foot forward" relationship and observe your potential companion in the different situations and circumstances of life to make sure he/she possesses genuine, out of the heart, Christian (Christ-like) qualities. Above all other characteristics a life-time mate must possess:

1. .....a "living" relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, a Spiritual mind, even the mind of Christ, with all humilty.
2. .....a heart controlled by the Love of God, always putting God first, the body of believers second, themselves last.
3. .....a godly life, lived by the power of the Holy Ghost, endeavouring [by Grace] to daily exercise themselves unto godliness (holiness and reverence toward God and the things of God).

For a Believer to knowingly enter into a relationship with a make-believer or a non-spiritual, lukewarm church goer is religious insanity. Such a union cannot be sanctioned by God. I remind you again of the Scripture quoted above wherein Paul admonished the Believers in his day: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:;"

Never allow yourself to be cajoled by unconverted would-be mates, persuaded by worldly relations, or led by sentimental fairy tale fantasy, or, worst still, animal passions, into a union with the 'wrong' companion. You put your relationship with God at risk. Christless unions produce Christless families, living Christless lives, traveling to a Christless destiny. Remember, in mixed marriages (believer with unbeliever), more often than not the Believer goes over to the enemy. Error is contagious but Truth is not. Let the Love of God anoint your phileo love and let the dove of Divine Love lead.

Please, seriously consider the following counsel and allow it to govern your decisions. Remember also that in this link we are not discussing the subject of "Marriage And Divorce", but rather making right decisions before marriage. Remember, there is more to the revelation of Marriage and Divorce than that which is found in Bro. Branham's 1965 message entitled "Marriage and Divorce". To fully understand this issue we must take what he said "before" and "after" the "Marriage and Divorce" message. We will discuss the subject of "Marriage and Divorce" in another link.

Life Story Of William Branham - 08/20/50a
And notice this one thing now. Later on down through life, I had girlfriends like all boys. And I remember I was a little skeptic of girls; I seen the way women act. And frankly, I never did have very much use for women. I don't mean you sisters, now, but just to see how untrue they were, some of them. I was around, watched my father drinking and hung around those places, and maybe I'd be around, and I'd see how women come out and living untrue. And a lot of them women's done gone on to meet the judgment now, and will have to stand there in that day.

Life Story Of William Branham - 08/20/50a
And I said I'd never get married; never want nothing to do with one [women]. I'll be a trapper and a hunter all my life, and I'll never have nothing with the girl. When I was even seventeen, eighteen years old, I'd pass down the street. I'd see a girl on one side, and I thought she was going say something, I'd cross over and go over on the other side, because I just didn't want nothing to do. That's all, didn't want to hook up - caught up with it or anything, I wanted to keep away from it. And so I went ahead. But finally I found a girl that was a real girl. She was a Christian. She afterwards become my wife.

(Editor's note: Here's an example for our young men and women to follow - be on your guard, don't be over-anxious - wait on the Lord! Because of worldly influence too many of our young people push and race into relationships which are contrary to the will of God. Many young people attend youth conventions with the single motive of looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend. In this age there is much emphasis put on relationships and the "enticing spirit" of peer pressure is forcing many of our young people, in looking for a mate, to compromise their faith.

Questions And Answers - 01/03/54e
We've got to get in the spirit of the last days when the last days are here. You go to a dance hall, you've got to get in the spirit of dancing, or they won't dance. You go to the church, you've got to get in the Spirit of worship before you can worship. The world's got to get in the spirit of the last days before the last days can come, and we're in the spirit of the last days. And God's promised that these things would be here, and that's what we've got. We're in the last days. And men and women are setting asleep and don't realize it.

And the morals - I met a young boy here the other day - Oh, it was sometime ago; it was this last fall. And we were coming into a city. And he was telling me, a young high school boy that was married. He said, "I married this girl, 'cause she was a good girl, and had to marry her before she completed high school." Said, "We haven't had a one turned out a virgin, as far as I know in high school for years around here." See? Just so demoralized...

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part One - 09/15/57
What a blessed privilege that man has that challenge to follow the Lord Jesus, to separate himself from all his carnal associates to follow the Lord. And if any person seems not to behave themself rightly and to present themselves as Christians but love the carnal things, it's best for you to hunt another partner right away. That's right. And if no one will walk with you, there's One Who promised to walk with you: that's the blessed Lord Jesus. He will walk with you.

(Editor's Note: The context from which this quote was taken was on the subject of the separation of Believers from undebelievers, regardless of whether they be family or friends. I suggest you get the "Hebrews Series" book and read the previous four paragraphs - Pages 294-295. But the above paragraph is included here because it can serve as a warning to Believers seeking a life-time mate or companion - don't be deceived by a young man or woman who has a Christian "profession" with no "possession.

(Editor's Note: On Pages 349-350 of the Hebrews Series Book Brother Branham makes the following important comments regarding "boy-girl" relationships and "entering into marriage".

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
How we went through it. I said, "If I said to [or] about my wife, 'Oh, well, I'd like to have two wives. I'd like to run around with this one, and do this and that. But, if I do, my wife will divorce me and my kids will be... And my ministry would be lost,'" You dirty, rotten hypocrite. That's right. You don't love her right in the first place. That's exactly right. If you loved her, there'd be no law about it; you love her, anyhow, and you stick with her. That's exactly right. And you women will do the same thing to your husband. That's right.

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
.....Men see some little Jezebel all painted up, you know, and he'll go around fall for her, maybe you got a good wife. And then you call yourself a Christian. Shame on you. You need another dose of the altar. That's right. And some of you women look around at some little old guy with his hair slicked down, enough Vaseline on it to open his mouth. And then you.......

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
.....There's fine boys here, Christian boys. A long time ago, when I was pastor here, we used to have just young men's classes. And I'd speak to the young women on Sunday afternoon about sex and things, then the next Sunday afternoon speak to the young men, and try to get those things curbed out. Some little old girl started going with some little old shrimp downtown here, smoked cigarettes, and had a flask in his pocket, and he drove a little roadster car around town. I couldn't see what she seen in that boy. He wouldn't come to church. He'd set out there, put her in church out here, and then he'd set out there on the outside in his car and wait, wouldn't come in church. She lived in New Albany.

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
I said, "I want to ask you something, girlie. What in the world do you see in that boy? .....he hates the very religion that you have. He despises your Christ. He'd never make you a husband; he'd make you miserable all your life." And I said, "Why, there's fine little Christian boys here that you could go with... Your daddy and mother despises the thoughts of you going out. But you go anyhow, and you think, 'I'm sweet sixteen.'"

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
She started wearing makeup and running out, and first thing she was in roadhouses. She's gone on to eternity now. But then, she stood here, ...and You know what the excuse that girl give me back there that she loved that boy? She said, "He's got such cute little feet and he smells so good." Could you imagine that? Perfuming hisself up, that's a sissy, not a man. "Look," I said, "Sister, I'd rather go with a Christian boy that had feet like gravel cars and smelled like a polecat, if he was absolutely a Christian." That's right. True. Yeah, that's excuse, "Such cute little feet and smells so good." The little roadhouse runner finally ruined the life of the girl. It's a shame, disgraceful.

Hebrews, Chapter 7, Part Two - 09/22/57
Marriage is honorable, but it should be entered prayerfully and reverently. And genuine love for that woman will bind you together forever. "What you bind on the earth, I'll bind in heaven." When you walk down the street yonder, she may get old, and gray, and wrinkled, but that same love you had for her when she was a young beautiful woman, you'll still have it. You may get stoop-shouldered, baldheaded, and wrinkled-faced, and everything else, but she'll love you just like you did when you stand with wide shoulders and curly hair, if it's really God. For you're looking to the time when you've crossed the river yonder, when you'll spring back again to young men and women to live together forever. That's God's eternal promise. He said He would do it. Not only that, we'll get to it in a minute, He swore He'd do it.

Why Are We Not A Denomination? - 09/27/58
I'll stop on my subject just a minute if it's possible. I was reading in a piece of Scripture where that a illegitimate child will not enter the congregation of the Lord for fourteen generations. How many knows that? That's right, Deuteronomy 23, an illegitimate child. If a woman is caught in the field, that's away from the protection of man, and a man overcomes that woman, that man will have to marry her. And regardless if she becomes a prostitute, he has to live with her till he dies. And if this woman marries him, pretending that she is a virgin, and she isn't, then she can be killed for it.

(Editor's Note: Brother Branham later clarified the issue of the illegitimate child stating that the blood of Christ atone's for the child. In genuine repentance the Blood of Christ catches that sin, preventing it from being laid to the charge of that individual. The same applies to the judgement of "visiting the iniquities of the mothers and fathers to the 3rd. and 4th. generations" - genuine repentance annuls the judgement for the repentant individual.)

The Serpent Seed - 09/28/58E
Adam had done named all of the creation, everything else. But he wasn't nothing for himself, so He made Him a helpmate: took a rib from his side, closed up the gash, and made a helpmate to him. And man in his spirit was both man and woman. And "a" woman is just a part of "a" man. And when a man takes to himself a wife, and if she's correctly his wife, a God-given wife, she'll be just to him as part of him.

That's the reason you have so many scruples in the marriage. Is because you go out and see some girl with pretty brown eyes, or blue eyes, or something like that, some pretty figure, and you fall for her. First time she has her first baby them teeth comes out, and she gets wrinkled and old, and then you want to kick her out.

And some of you women find some little boy with his hair slicked down, his mammy's lard can half dumped on it, and curly; it'll all fall out. I know that by experience. But what happens? What is it? You fall for that. You ought to pray first, 'cause a woman is part of you.

And if you've embraced a woman to your bosom, and taken her for your wife, and she makes an imprint on you... (We'll say it like this so you'll understand) and any other woman against that bosom won't fit that print. And God will hold you responsible for it. You just remember that.

Be Certain Of God - 01/25/59
And then in his wedding, instead of marrying among his [Ahab's] own people, he went over and married a sinner, an idolater, worship of idols. He married Jezebel. And she was not a believer. And no believer should ever marry an unbeliever, under no circumstances: should always marry believers. But Ahab had done this evil thing. And no doubt but what Jezebel was a beautiful woman. And he'd fell for what she looked like in the stead of what she was. So many people make that same mistake to this day. And she had brought idolatry in the nation, among the people. And the people, the priests, their ministers, had fell victim to this great popular demand.

(Editor's note: Please note that Brother Branham said: "No Believer should ever marry an unbeliever". That is common sense! The Bible is clear in this matter. But should a boy or girl have already committed fornication with, or promised to marry an unbeliever prior to entering into a relationship with the Lord, God holds them to their promise to that "unbeliever".

In an attempt to justify the "unscriptural" actions of certain Brother's and Sister's, some have taken this quote "out of the context" of the entire message. They focus on the words "under no circumstances", failing to take into consideration all that the prophet said - especially after the "Opening of the Seven Seals". When we take "all" he said then we understand that "under no circumstances" to mean under no "normal" circumstances. But the quotes above and below show that "other than normal circumstances" can prevail which "obligate " one individual to another because of prevailing circumstances such as:

1. A verbal agreement (commitment) to another - whether that one be a believer or unbeliever - God holds the individual(s) to that commitment. Scripturally, the father of a girl can annul an engagement - if the girl is living at home and he annul it as soon as he has knowledge of it.
2. Fornication, intimate contact by mutual consent [even the seemingly simple act of kissing] also obligates a boy and girl to each other "for life" - they have "consummated" a marriage.
It is written: "And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.")

Kinsman Redeemer - 10/02/60
And when a man loves a woman and marries her because she's just pretty, there'll be an end to that. But when a man finds a woman that he loves, he don't know why, but he loves her. And she finds the man that she loves, no matter what he looks like - He loves her. She loves him. That's an eternal mate in glory. Death nor nothing else can ever separate them. Because they are from eternity, and they stepped out into space of time, and will return back to eternity. Eternity has dropped down in a body called time, then it goes right back up into eternity again. It cannot perish.

(Editor's Note: Make SURE your marriage is "made in Heaven" and NOT in hell. Sincerely pray for God's leadership in finding a mate.

End Time Evangelism - 06/03/62
God wants His people to be separated from unbelief and unbelievers. So many of you people make a mistake in this, sometimes letting your children play out here [with] a little Oswald. See? I don't mean to be different now, and starchy, and so forth, and be some kind of a fanatic. I don't mean that. You be sure who your daughter goes out with at nighttime. See? Maybe you raised her a godly little old girl around the church, and the first thing you know she gets out with Oswald or some of them, and he's an atheist, unbeliever, and her life will come up ruined and you don't know what he is. You see? Then he'll marry her, and look where your kids are, your grandchildren then. You see? Be careful. God wants His people to be separated.

(Editor's Note: The above quote is a WARNING to parents. While a son or daughter is living at home the parents are responsbile for what they allow their children to do or not do. Parents need to take Joshua 24:15 as a motto for their homes: "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord". Know what kind of music your child is listening to - even much of the so-called "contemporary Gospel" is unchristian; know what books they are reading; watch the "desires" of your son or daughter in the area of clothing, hair styles and friends - all this will give you an indication of the "anointing" that's on them.

End Time Evangelism - 06/03/62
You read Exodus 34:12 once, and see what God told Israel. "When you go over in that land, clean out everything's there. Don't you have one thing to do with it." Joshua also, 23rd chapter and 12th verse, watch what Joshua said, "Now God's brought you to this good land," like the Church now, "and has brought you to this good land. Do you enjoy it?" They say, "Amen, we enjoy it."

Said, "Now there's some remnant of these unbelievers out here, and don't you associate with them. Don't go with them." Don't you, sister,[associate with unbelievers] - if that boy wants to take you to a barroom somewhere, just to have a friendly little drink, stay away from him. And the same thing, you boys, to that girl that would do the same thing. Stay away from them. Now you're going to say, "Brother Branham's an old crank." But one of these days you'll find out. You'd been along the trail that I been along, you'd know that that's right. Yes, sir.

End Time Evangelism - 06/03/62
How many times have I seen in the confession rooms, where the young girls would come in disgrace. That mark will go with her till she dies, and the things that she said. Once raised in a fine Christian home, but here's what happened; she went out with this boy. He was just so cute she just couldn't keep away from him, and all like this. And the first thing, he smoked cigarettes and had a flask in his pocket, and they got to drinking, and here you are. See? And there she is in disgrace and that. Oh, it's a pitiful thing. You see it on both sides. So just stay away, separate yourself. Be nice and kind to everybody, but don't be partakers of their sin. Stay away from it. Yes, sir.

Key To The Door - 10/07/62
By the way, I have a letter here that just come in the mail.....and this comes from the ministerial association that's got a lot of things. That's what gets things scrupled up. You see? That they claim in here that some brethren up there that said that I sent them up there, and they're preaching that men should leave their wives and hunt for their spiritual mate, and tthat I am perfectly infallible, .....And, oh, some of the awfullest things you ever heard. And the ministerial association got ahold of it, and they're writing me a letter about it, and that I sent them up there and it's causing a lot of confusion. And some of them prophesying and saying that one man should leave this wife and go marry that one.

Now, this church knows that we don't stand for no such tommyrot as that. We believe in the Bible. We believe that when man takes a woman that's his wife, and death only can separate them. .......We don't believe in "free love" either. We don't believe in that stuff. We absolutely believe the Bible and That alone.

End Time Evangelism - 06/03/62
And it's always, friends, the leaders, each time through the change of these dispensations, has got the people all messed up. It hasn't been so much the people. If the Gospel would've stayed in the pulpit where It belonged...

Stature Of A Perfect Man - 10/14/62m
I might say something here. Now, someone got me all wrong here not long ago. I got a letter from the Ministerial Association that said that I believed that there we were soul-mated; and we must leave our companions if we're not soul-mated to them, to marry another one that we were soul-mated to. Oh, my. I said, "I'm not guilty of a heresy like that." I've always been against that. I don't believe in that. And certainly not. I believe that God gives us a mate; that's true. And then we become part of each other. That's right. And before a man gets married, he should think these things over; study it.

A young man asked me the other day, said, "You think I could - ought to get married, Brother Branham, to such-and-such a girl?"
I said, "How much do you think of her?"
He said, "Oh my, I just love her."
I said, "Well, if you're not going to live without her, you'd better marry her then. But if you can live without her, you better not, But if it's going to kill you, you better go ahead and get married." I said. And so what I was trying to get to him, this: .....Now, right now before you're married, everything's just fine and dandy. But after you get married, then the toils and trials of life come in. That's when you've got to be so in love that you understand one another. When you're disappointed in her, or she's disappointed in you, you still understand one another.

Why I Am Against Organized Religion - 11/11/62m
I believe in holiness and purity. I believe that man is bound to his wife as long as they live. You shouldn't take her without praying first.

The Absolute - 03/04/63
When a young man is going to get married to a young woman, he must know the character of this young woman. Or the young woman must know the character of the young man, something that she can hold to. Will this man be a just man? Will he make me the right type of husband? Will this woman give to me in life what I expect out of her, of loyalty and so forth? And then it's got to be somewhere that they can base their vows upon, knowing that there's something that will hold. And that's the reason we bring them to the church, and to the Word of God, to get this absolute tied.

The Third Exodus - 06/30/63M
The Life of the Messiah manifested making a church ready, a Bride... A woman marry a man and disagreeing with him, it would be some kind of a fuss continually. But when a man and his wife, his girlfriend, his espoused, when they're in perfect harmony like one soul and one mind, because they're going to be one flesh... Then when the church can get in such harmony with God until the manifestation of the Bridegroom is manifested in the Bride, because they're going to be One... Oh, what a great lesson.

We Have Seen His Star - 12/16/63
.....but there's ways that God can reveal Himself to you. You see? Whether it might be dreams, it might be in some other way, if you'll just submit yourself like Joseph did. No doubt he said, "O great Jehovah God, I come through the lineage of David. And I'm a righteous man; I hope I am. I'm trusting in what You said to be the Truth. And my beloved little sweetheart here, that I'm espoused to - I mind to put her away otherwise, I'm guilty of committing adultery. And she's to be mother, and I don't know her as a wife. What is these things, Lord?"

Editor's note: Joseph was assuming that Mary was with child by another man. And Brother Branham is saying that 'if Joseph consummated a marriage with Mary who was already with child he would be committing adultery.' WHY? Because the man to whom any womanm gives herself in an intimate affair resulting in conception or non-conception, that man becomes her husband - a marriage has been consummated and God holds them legally obligated to each other till death parts them.

Editor's note: If after having an affair with one woman that a man marries another, he is committing adultery; and causes her to do the same. One doesn't need great revelation insight to see this scenario - In the Light of the simple teaching of Scripture this is easily understood - IF ONE WANTS TO UNDERSTAND IT. Unfortunately, many who become emotionally involved allow self-will to take preeminence over God's Will and approach the situation in a way that is contrary to Scripture).

We Have Seen His Star - 12/16/63
Now, Joseph was a good man; he was the son of David, and he was espoused to Mary. I'd like to pass this on before we go further. Espousing in the east was the same as marriage: is betrothal. As soon as they were espoused, they were married. When that sacred vow between them was taken, read Deuteronomy 22:23, and you'll find out that when this woman and man agreed to be married (yet they did not take the vows for months later), if they even broke that vow, they were guilty of adultery. That's right. When they was espoused, they were just the same as marriage. The law had not give them rights to live together as husband and wife yet, but before God, when they promised one another, their words were sealed in God's Kingdom. And to break that was just committing adultery. .....minister brothers, if you'd study that right good, it'd clear you up on this marriage and divorce case that's so hard and different amongst the people today. .....Now, we find out that this could not be broken.

Editor's note: Over a year before he preached on the subject of Marriage and Divorce Brother Branham is again dropping a hint relating to the true Bible teaching on this very important subject.

The Oddball - 06/14/64e
I went to a certain place the other night to get something to eat, and the little boys and girls up there hugging and kissing like I don't know what. And do you know, my little sister, that that's potentially an adultery? When a man kisses you, he's potentially committed adultery with you. You should never let him kiss you until you're married, for the glands, both male and female glands, is in the lips. Do you understand? And when male and female glands come together, let it be where it may be, you have potentially committed adultery. And you shouldn't let a boy kiss you until that veil is raised on your face and you're his wife. Don't do that. It's committing adultery. It's mixing male and female glands.

The Oddball - 06/14/64e
Why don't a man kiss a man, woman kiss a woman in the lips? Because it don't cross the glands. Children is born by crossing glands. So it's almost a public adultery again, everywhere. Look on the screens and everything you see, a slobbering and a carrying on. No wonder immorality is on the incline [increase]. How can they do it and spurn themselves all up by kissing those women in the mouth, knowing that that's adultery. God won't forgive it unless you repent.

Questions And Answers - 08/23/64e
QUESTION: Brother Branham, what is the meaning of a annulment? Are people free to marry or is this just another word for divorce? I would like some information on this.

ANSWER: Sure they're married. As long as they take that vow, they're married. Just like a boy, if a boy promises a girl to marry her under good faith, he's obligated to that girl. He's just as good as married her. The only thing the law does, is give you a bill of rights to live together to keep from being common-law husband and wife. But when a man tells a woman, "I will marry you, Honey; I will take you for my wife. Will you take..." he's married. Your vow is sacred; that's what marries you anyhow. There's not no preacher can marry you, no magistrate, or nothing else; it's your own vow to God "and" to this man. When you promise, you are married.

Questions And Answers - 08/23/64e
And little lady, if you promised to marry that boy, you're obligated to do it. If you marry another after that obligation, from now on anyhow [after receiving this knowledge] - you'll be living in adultery. And notice, the same thing to a boy promising to marry a woman... Don't you make your vow to anybody unless you mean to stick with it. Remember, there's the Bible for it. Joseph promised to marry Mary. And God said that was that...

Questions And Answers - 08/23/64e
Read the Old Testament laws on that. See? The Old Testament law, if you promised to marry a woman, and you married another one, you was committing adultery; and it throwed you out of the camp. Yes, sir. You have to keep your vows when you promise a woman that. She's a sacred little vessel, and that's to bring child life into the world again. So when you promise her, you must marry her.

God's Provided Place of Worship - 04/25/65
Did you know any man that kisses a woman is morally obligated to marry her? Potentially it's a sex act. Sure, it is. Yes, sir. What is it? It's the male glands in a man's lip and the female glands. When male and female glands comes together, it's sex. Look on Hollywood; look at the little girls laying out here in the parks and the boys wallowing around over these girls, and things like that, and even singing in choirs.

Editor's note: THIS IS SERIOUS! In no uncertain terms the Prophet says that kissing is a "potential" sex act, thereby making it "potential" adultery or fornication. In the kissing and other acts, such as necking, petting, etc. the "potential" or power and force for adultery and fornication is there. If one continues to do it, it will eventually become the spark that flames the fires of adultery and fornication, which eventually trap a person(s) into unfortunate and irreversible relationships. Jesus said, "That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Here Jesus warns us to guard our thoughts of or about intimate things. We can't stop the birds from flying over but it's important that our thoughts not evolve into uncontrolled lust. James said, "when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Questions And Answers - 08/23/64m
Now, on this here, Here's what I say. Let me say this, not the Lord, let me say it. If you are married at this time, and you both are saved, and you're filled with the Holy Spirit, and you love one another, and you've got little children (Now, remember this is me, not the Lord. See?), go ahead and live together; be happy; 'cause you couldn't live with your first wife or you wouldn't have married her. Then if you leave this [second wife] and go back to your first one, you're doing worse than you did in the first place. See? So you see, you're all messed up; there's no way of getting out of it. There'd only be one way truly that I can say from the Bible: both of you live single. See?

Editor's note: This is a hard pill for many to swallow. In situations dealing with Marriage and Divorce many will take only what Brother Branham said in his Message entitled "Marriage And Divorce" (1965), failing to see that prior to preaching that Message the prophet was dropping hints about the "Truth" of the Bible teaching on this very serious subject. We'll get into these things in a separate link.

Questions And Answers - 08/30/64m
QUESTION: We were married twenty-one years ago by the justice of the peace. Was it wrong?

ANSWER: Yes, it was wrong for you to do that. Marriage belongs in the house of God. But being that you are married, here's when you're really married: you're married when you vow one to the other, when you promise one another that you're, that you'll take one another. The justice of peace could give you license; that's legal terms of living together as husband and wife without being common law husband and wife. But when you promise this girl and this [girl] - you promise that man that you'll live true to him, and you take him to be your husband, you're married then. You remember, I explained that last week, I believe it was. See? When you promise her... See? Even in the old Bible, if a man was betrothed to a maid, and... You know the laws on that. Why, it was just the same as an adultery. Certainly was, when he promised, that was it.

Questions And Answers - 08/30/64m
The question was asked the other day, "Was an annulment the same as a divorce?" See? When you ask me those questions, friend, you don't know what that does to me. I've got many friends setting here that's married two or three times. Did you realize I'm talking to my own son, Billy Paul? Would I spare Billy Paul? No, indeedy. Billy Paul got married to some little girl, and come up, and said, "Daddy, I'm going to get married."

I was washing my car; I said, "Butt your head against the wall," just kept on washing my car like that. He said, "I'm going to get married."

I said, "Oh, go on," just kept on like that. He goes around and tells his mother, and his mother laughed at him. You know what he done? Run off with some little kid still in common school and got married. We annulled the wedding, the father of this girl and myself. We annulled the wedding, but he was married just the same. He's my boy setting here listening at me now. That's exactly.

He come to me with the girl that he lives with now, my daughter-in-law. He said, "Daddy will you marry me?" I said, "By no means." That's my own son. You think that don't cut me to the core when I packed him in my arms and done everything I could do, and I've been both father and mother to him? You think that don't kill me to say that? But it's the truth. Certainly. My boy setting here listening... My daughter-in-law and my little grandson setting right here now... But I tell him it's wrong (See?), because I've got to. I'm duty bound to that Word.

Editor's note: I have been given to understand - perhaps through Brother Billy Paul Branham's own testimony - that, after preaching on "Marriage And Divorce", Bro. Branham walked off the platform and the first one he met was his son, Billy Paul. Looking into his son's eyes, he said, "Son, Don't ever forget the mercy of God to you." Brother Branham would not compromise on the Truth - not even for his own son.

Questions And Answers - 08/30/64m
And I say, you got married by a magistrate? You should've been married by the church, by the minister. That's the decent thing to do for a Christian. But being that you have already made that promise, and vow, and been married twenty-one years ago, I think it's all right. The question might be, "Should I come and be married again?" If you wish to. Don't have nothing in your mind that bothers your faith, because if anything's there, you can't go no further than right there; you stop right there. When that question mark come, that's where you end, right there. But I, for me it would be all right. The man that baptized me in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ finally run me out of the church, because I wouldn't agree with him on women preachers. That didn't make me be rebaptized again. See? Surely not. See? That's all right.

Editor's note: Brother Branham certainly DID NOT agree with being married by a Magistrate or Justice of the Peace. In the above statement he says that it is "indecent" for Christians to be married in that way. When asked the question; "Was it wrong to get married by a Justice of the Peace?", he clearly stated "YES, IT WAS WRONG For You To Do That."

Questions And Answers - 08/30/64m
But just remember, these things are cutting to me. I got bosom friends setting here, men and women that would pull their eye out and give it to me if I'd ask them for it (Yes, sir.), and they're married twice, sometimes three times, setting right here now. And my own boy, my own grandson, my daughter-in-law that I love... Look at Billy, how I stood by him and how he stood by me, but to say truth or truth, it's truth's truth.

I could go out here today and call up some of these Assemblies of God or some of these people and tell them, "I was all wrong; I ain't going to stay with that Word, I'm going to stay with you." I'd probably be a very popular person pretty soon with a gift of God. To throw all my influence to one of those organizations, I'd probably have a big name among them. I ain't caring about my name among them. I love them; that's the truth. But I got to be truthful. I'd be a hypocrite if I did that.

Questions And Answers - 08/30/64m
And I'd be a hypocrite if I stood here because my own son setting here that was promised to a girl, and I said... If he never even had the ceremony said over him, no matter if he ever lived with the woman, or slept with her, the girl, or whatever it was, when he made that vow, he's married, Billy Paul or no Billy Paul. That's exactly the truth. He's married when he made that promise. If it's me, it's the same. We've got to be honest. If I can't be honest with my boy, I can't be honest with you. If I ain't honest with you, I won't be honest with God. And I want you to believe what I tell you to be my honest-to-goodness opinion. Don't make anything else out of it; just say it the way I said it (See?), 'cause I'm going to tell you the truth.

(Editor's note: Brother Branham wasn't quick to give Bro. George Smith consent to "engage" Sister Rebekah; and when he did consent to an "engagement" he told Bro. George, "Don't even think about marriage till you got the Holy Ghost". Remember, don't assume a young man or woman got the Holy Ghost, just because they're professing to follow the Message of Malachi 4. You watch their life, their attitude, motives and objectives in life.

Questions And Answers - 08/23/64e
QUESTION: .....if you're in a second marriage where both parties are divorced... is repentance enough, or do you have to end your marriage relationship to be right?"

I wish we didn't have to go through these things, people. I got friends setting right here, out in this audience here that I know... It just nearly kills me to say that, but I got to say it. See? And the world is in such a corruptible condition. Some poor, little, old woman make a mistake and marry some alcoholic and they turn that way, or some poor man married some streetwalker and not know it, and then be bound to that woman or man as long as they live. That's a horrible thing. Marriage is a sacred thing. Many times sinner kids run in and do those things, and then they wonder what it's all about. I believe, if the Lord will permit me to explain this marriage and divorce the way it should be, I believe it'll clear up a whole lot of that.

(Editor's note: Men and Women, young men and young women, do you realize HOW SERIOUS these relationships are? It's not to be played with or taken lightly. Remember, once a "decision" to marry a certain individual, or the "mistake" of pre-marital sex (etc.) has been made - you're obligated to each other "till death" makes a separation. There are serious circumstances (physical abuse, etc.) which might allow a "separation" but neither patrner can marry again. It was hard for Brother Branham to say these things in 1964 and it's just as hard for me to have to remind people today.

Questions And Answers - 05/27/62
Or the woman say to her husband, "I'm not going to mix up with that bunch of holy-rollers. I'm not going to do this. I'll separate and leave you." Don't you leave the church, you let her leave. See? A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such case, that is, if your companion is putting you away and wants to depart for it. You don't have to just hold onto them. If they're wanting to leave you and they're going to leave you for the cause of Christ, let them leave. BUT YOU CAN'T REMARRY. "But God has called us unto peace." See? Now, NOT that you can remarry again; he's already stated that, but you don't have to live with an unbelieving husband or an unbelieving wife if they are not willing.

Questions And Answers - 05/27/62
If they're willing, say, "Now, you go on to church. Now, if you want to go down there, that's your business. You want to go to your church, you go ahead. For me, I don't believe It. And I'll do anything for you; I'll not stand in your way, you go ahead," then you just remain there, knowing not that your sanctified life will sanctify that believer, cause them to believe. See? Either side, man or woman... See?

But now just to say, "Brother Branham, I got married and my wife's an unbeliever, and here's a sister over here I can marry. I'm going to leave this one and marry that one." Oh, no. No, indeedy. Your vow is until death you separate, and there's nothing else in the world will permit you to marry in the Bible until your companion is dead. That's right. The only grounds - There's no remarrying nowhere at all, except a dead companion. That's all. See?

He That is In You - 11/10/63e
A good man taking a bad woman, she'll either become a good woman or he will become a bad man. Show me your company; I will tell you who you are. See? Birds of a feather, flock together. Keep away from shiny stuff.

Thus Saith The Lord!!!!!

It Is Written.....

...Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously [deceitfully or faithlessly] against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce]:

Malachi 2:15-16

From Nathan website

See the following quotes also:

CHOOSING OF A BRIDE                   LOS ANGELES CA 65-0429E

V-2 N-28

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  4-5    Now, tonight, I want to turn to Genesis the 24th chapter, and I want to read the--beginning with the 12th verse of the 24th chapter of Genesis.

And he said, O LORD God... my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down the pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou has appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed me kindness to--unto my master.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  5-1    And then in the book of Revelations... That's the first of the Bible: Genesis. Now, in the last of the Bible, I want to read in the 21st chapter of Revelation and the 9th verse. We know what this Scripture of Genesis here... You read the whole chapter if you wish to. It's God sending out Eliezer--or Abraham sending out Eliezer (pardon me) to select a bride for Isaac. And the beautiful Rebekah came out and was perfect answer to the prayer that--that Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, had just prayed. Now, in the 9th verse of the 21st chapter of Revelation:

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, and I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  5-2    Now, I want to take for a subject tonight for that: "The Choosing of a Bride." And this is a... If my brother that records here will... This is the tape that you can go ahead and let out.

  5-4    Now, choosing a bride... In many things of life we are given a choice. The way of life itself is a choice. We have a right to make our own way, choose our own way that we want to live. Education is a choice. We can choose whether we are going to be educated, or whether we are not going to be educated. That's a choice that we have. Right and wrong is a choice. Every man, every woman, boy, and girl has to choose whether they are going to try to live right or not live right. It's a choice. Choice is a great thing.

  6-2    There's another choice that we have in life. That's a life's companion. A young man or a young woman, stepping out on life has a--has been given a right to make a choice. The young man chooses, the young woman has a right to accept or reject it, but it's still a choice on both sides; both man and woman, they have a right to choice.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  8-1   …Now, it's a serious thing when we go to choose a wife. A man... For the vows here is until death do we part. That's how we should keep it. And you take that vow before God that only death will separate you. (Romans 7:1-6; I Corinthians 7:39)

      And I think we should... A man in his right mind that's planning a future, that he should choose that wife very careful; be careful what you're doing. And a woman choosing a husband, or accepting the choice of a husband, should be real careful what she's doing and especially in these days. A man should think and pray before he chooses a wife.

  8-3    I think today what's got so many divorce cases now, that we lead the world in America, in divorce cases; we lead the rest of the world. There's more divorces here than anywhere else (this nation), and supposed to be, and thought of, a Christian nation. What a reproach: our divorce courts. I think the reason of it is because that men has got away from God, and women's got away from God. (Malachi 2:14-16; I Corinthians 7:10-11)

And we find that if a man prayed and a woman prayed over the matter, not just look at a pretty set of eyes, or big strong shoulders, or such as that, or some other worldly affection, but would look first to God and say, "God, is this Your plan?" (Proverbs 31:30; Ecclesiastes 7:25-29)

  8-5    I think today there's so much cheating, just like in school…

  8-6    And if we would study what we were doing when we were going to get married, when we choose our wife or husband, if we'd study it over... A man should pray earnestly, for he could ruin his entire life. Remember the vow is "Until death do we part." And he could ruin his life by making the wrong choice. But if he knows what he's making the wrong choice and is marrying a woman that isn't fit to be his wife, and he does it anyhow, then it's his fault. If the woman takes a husband and knows that he's not fit to be a husband to you, then that's your own fault after you know what's right and wrong. So you shouldn't do it until you thoroughly pray through.

 10-2    So you must make the right choice.

     Again, the kind of a woman that a man would choose will reflect his ambition and his character. If a man chooses the wrong woman, it reflects his character. And what he ties himself to shows truly what's in him. A woman reflects what's in the man when he chooses her for wife. It shows what's down in him. No matter what he says outside, watch what he marries.

… What say if he would marry a chorus - girl, or what if he'd marry a sex queen, or just a pretty modern Ricketta? It reflects; it shows what he has in his mind of what his future home's going to be, because he took her to raise his children by, and whatever she is, that's the way she'll raise those children. So it reflects what's in the man. A man that takes a woman like that shows just what he is thinking of the future. Could you imagine a Christian doing a thing like that? No, sir, I could not.

A true Christian will not look for such beauty queens, and chorus girls, and sex queens. He'll look for Christian character.

  10-4    Now, you can't have all things. There might be one girl that's real pretty, and the other girl maybe she's a--her statue looks better than this one. And you might have to sacrifice one for the other. But if she's not the statue of a lady, of a woman, and she's... I don't care whether she's pretty or not, you'd better look at her character, whether she's pretty or not pretty.

Now... For it is becoming if a Christian would choose a wife,

-he ought to choose a genuine borned again woman.

-Regardless of what she looks like, it's what she is what makes her.

-And then again, that reflects his own godly character and reflects what's in his mind and what's going to be in the future, for his family will be raised by such a woman, for the future plans for his home.

-If he marries one of these little modern Rickettas, sex queens, what could he expect? --What kind of home could a man expect to have?

-If he marries a girl that ain't got enough moral about her to stay home and take care of a house and wants to work out in somebody's office, what kind of a housekeeper will she be? You'll have baby-setters and everything else. It's true.

  11-2    … When God gave a man a wife, He gave him the best thing He could give him outside of salvation; but when one goes to trying to take a man's place, then she's about the worse thing that he could get ahold of.

Now, that's right. Now, we can see the spiritual application. I--I know that's bad. You think it's bad, but it's the truth. We don't care how bad it is; we've got to face up to the facts. That's what the Bible teaches. See?

  11-5    … If a man marries a sex queen, you see what he's looking for for the future. If a man marries a woman that won't stay home, you see what he's looking for in the future.

Example

And I, one time... This sounds awful, and I--I just feel to say it, and I--I... Usually if I feel to say the thing, I ought to say it, and it--it's usually God's way.

I--I used to go with a rancher that I worked with to buy cattle. And I noticed the old fellow always looking right in the face of a heifer before he went to bidding. Then he turned her head and looked back and forth. I followed him along and watched him, and he looked her up and down. And if she looked all right in statue, then he'd turn and look her in the face, and sometime he'd shake his head and walk away.

I said, "Jeff, I want to ask you something."

He said, "Say on, Bill."

And I said, "Why do you always look that cow in the face?" I said, "She looks all right, a good--a good heavy cow."

He said, "I want to tell you, boy; you got a lot to learn." And I--I realized it after he told me. Said, "I don't care how she's made up; she might be beef plumb to the hoof; but if she's got that wild stare in her face, don't you never buy her."

I said, "Why so, Jeff?"

"Well," said, "the first thing is," said, "she'll never stay put." And he said, "The next thing is, she'll never be a mammy to her calf." And said, "They put her in a pen now, the reason that she's fat. You turn her loose with that wild stare, she'd run herself to death."

And I said, "You know, I kind of learned something. I believe that applies to women too."...?... That wild, starey, Ricketta look, better stay away from her, boy. All that there blue stuff over the top of her eyes, and I didn't--I wouldn't want that; I don't think that's becoming to a Christian. I don't care how much the television and paper says it's pretty; it's the most horrible looking, hideous sight that I ever seen in my life.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  12-4    When I first seen that here at Clifton's Cafeteria one morning at a breakfast, I seen some of them young ladies come up. Brother Arganbright had just come in and I. And he'd went downstairs. And I looked, and I--that girl come in. I thought, "Well, I--I don't know." I never seen it before. It was some kind of... Oh, it looked like she was cankered, You know, just kind of a funny looking... I--I'm not saying that to be funny. I'm--I'm saying it to... You know, I've seen leprosy. I'm a missionary. I've seen all kinds of freaks, you know, of how diseases... And I was going to walk up to the young lady and tell her, "I'm--I'm a minister; I--I pray for the sick. Would you like for me to pray for you?" And I--I'd never seen anything like that. And then here come two or three more in, and I kind of stepped back then and waited. And Brother Arganbright come by...?... I said, "Brother Arganbright (He may be here)," I said, "what's the matter with the woman?"

And he said, "That's--that's paint."

I said, "Well, my, my." See? I thought they ought to have her in a pesthouse somewhere, you know, to keep it from breaking out all over other women.

Reflection of his character

  13-2    But you know, you have to plan, and look, and pray when you're choosing.

-For we see by this, the Word of promise, she, the bride that a man would choose is going to reflect his character. It reflects what's in him. Now, could you imagine a man filled with the Holy Ghost take something like that to be a wife? I--I just don't see it, brother. Now, maybe I'm just an old crank, but you know, I--I just can't understand that. See?

Notice, for it's going to reflect what is in him. She's going to help him make his future home.

  13-4    Remember now, a man and his wife are one. Would you join yourself to a person like that? If you would, it would certainly kinda disappoint my faith in you.

Lesson from two couples wedded

  14-4    I've married many couples, but I--always reminds me of Christ and His Bride. One of the weddings that I performed here some time ago, it--it was quite an outstanding thing in my life. It's been several years ago when I was just a young minister.

First couple

My brother was working on the--the P. W. A. I don't know where anybody ever remembers that yet or not, anybody as old as me. And that was a project that the government had, and my brother worked up about thirty miles. They were digging out some lakes, a project for the conservation.

And there was a boy that worked up there with him from Indianapolis, about, oh, about a hundred miles above Jeffersonville where I--I live, or lived. And there was a... He said to my brother one day; he said, "Doc," he said, "I--I want--I'm going to get married if I can just have enough money to pay the preacher." He said, "I--I got enough money to get my licenses," but said, "I haven't got enough money to pay the preacher."

Doc said, "Well, my brother's a preacher, and--and he--he may marry you." He said, "He never charges people for things like that."

He said, "Will you ask him if he'll marry me?"

  15-1    Well, that night my brother asked me. And I said, "If he's never been married before, either one of them, and they're--everything's all right."

He said... Well, he will ask him.

And I said, "If it is, tell him to come on down."

So when Saturday come along and the boy came down... It's been a great thing for me to always look back upon this. I'd... Rainy afternoon, and an old Chevrolet car with the headlights wired on with baling wire, that drove up out front. It was just awhile after I'd lost my wife, and I was batching, two little rooms. And--and Doc was up there with me waiting for them. And--and the boy got out of the car, and he certainly didn't look like a groom to me or would to anybody, I guess. Yet I could barely--buy a pretty good pair of shoes for a dollar and a half, and he had on a pair was run over, and his trousers was real baggy. And he'd on one of these old moleskin jackets. I don't guess some of you older people would remember. It looked like it'd been run through a washing machine without being rinsed, and it was streaked, and tied up like this, and the corner up.

  15-4    And a little lady got out on the side with a little, oh, some of them little checked looking dress... I don't know. I made a mistake on calling that kind of goods one time. Gingham, I believed it's called. And so it was a... I said it wrong again. I--I always do that. And I said... She got out of the car, and they come up the steps, and--and when they walked in, the poor little thing, she... I guess she just, about all she had on was a skirt. And she didn't have no shoes hardly on. She'd hitch-hiked from Indianapolis down, had a little hair hanging down back in long kind of plaits down her back, looked very young.

And I said to her, "Are you old enough to get married?"

She said, "Yes, sir." And she said, "I have my written permission from my father and mother." She said, "I had to show it to--to the court here to get my license."

I said, "All right." I said, "I'd like to talk to you a little bit before we perform this wedding." They set down. The boy kept looking around the room. He needed a haircut real bad. And he kept looking around the room. He wasn't listening to me. I said, "Son, I want you to listen to what I'm saying."

Said, "Yes, sir."

And I said, "You love this girl?"

And he said, "Yes, sir, I do."

I said, "You love him?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

I said, "Now, have you got a place to take her after you're married?"

Said, "Yes, sir."

I said, "All right. Now," I said, "I want to ask you something. I understand that you are working up here on this P. W. A."

And he said, "Yes, sir." (That's about twelve dollars a week.)

And I said, "You think that you can make a living for her?"

He said, "I'll do all I can do."

And I said, "Well, that's all right." And I said, "Now, what if he gets out of... What if he loses his job, sister? What are you going to do, going to run back up home to mama and papa?"

She said, "No, sir, I'm going to stay with him."

And I said, "What, sir, if you have three or four children and nothing to feed them, and you haven't got any work, what are you going to do? Send her away?"

He said, "No, sir, I'll struggle right on. We'll make it some way."

I felt little, and I seen that he really loved her, and they loved one another. I married them.

  17-2    And then I wondered where he taken her. A few days I asked my brother Doc, "Where it is?"

Said, "Go down to New Albany (a little city below us)." And down on the river where I had some tin laying up, where I went everyday when I was--I was a lineman, so when the rest of the fellows, they all set around and told jokes and things, I'd get in the truck and run down on the river and pray during that...?... or read my Bible under a big piece of tin where an old ironworks used to be. There's a bunch of old boxcars setting down there. And this fellow had went down there and got one of them boxcars and sawed him a door in it, and had taken newspaper and tacky buttons... How many knows what a tacky button is? Then there is no Kentuckians then. You take a piece of cardboard, put a thumbtack in it, a little sprig, and then push it in the... That's a tacky button.

  17-3    So they had put it all over. And he'd went up there to the ironworks, and got him some stuff, and made a step. They come up, then got some old boxes and had him a table. And I thought one day, "I'll go down and see how they're getting along."

Second couple

About six months before that, I'd married E. V. Knight's daughter to E. T. Slider's son. E. V. Knight is one of the richest men there is on the Ohio River. And he runs a great factories through there making these prefab houses and so forth. And--and Slider, Mr. E. T. Slider is a sand and gravel company, millionaires' children. And I had married them.

And I went back in a place, practiced it for about two weeks, and going back in a booth and kneeling on a pillow, and all the pomp and everything I ever went through nearly, had to go through to marry that couple. And when they come out, why, they was... This other little couple just stood there in a little old room where we had a little couch and a folding bed, but they both was married by the same ceremony.

PAYING A VISIT TO THE RICH COUPLE TO SEE HOW THEY WERE GETTING ALONG

17-6    And then one day, I thought I'd go down and visit this rich couple. They didn't have to work; their fathers were millionaires. They'd built them a nice home. Frankly, this E. V. Knight up here on the hill, his doorknobs are fourteen carat on his big palace, so now, you can imagine what kind of home they lived in. They didn't have to work. They'd had a nice Cadillac give to them every year, and just only children. And they had just everything they wanted.

I walked up one day... Now, how I got acquainted with them, one of their friends was a good friend of mine; we all kind of chummed together. That's how I got acquainted when they wanted me to marry them. So I went up to visit them. And I got outside, my old Ford outside, walked up the steps. And--and I got up a little bit too close, and I heard them.

  18-2    And they were really fussing. They were jealous of one another. They'd been to a dance. She was a very pretty girl, and she was kind of one of these beauty queens. She took many prizes around there, and won some cars and things for being beauty queen. And I looked at them, and one was setting in one corner and one the other, fussing about some boy that she'd danced with or some girl or something.

When I come up, they jumped up real quick and grabbed one another across the floor, their--their hands across the floor, come walking over towards the door. Said, "Why, hello there, Brother Branham. How are you getting along?"

I said, "All right. How are you all getting along?"

And "Oh," he said, "I--I... We're very happy, aren't we, honey?"

And she said, "Yes, dear." See?

PAYING A VISIT TO THE POOR COUPLE TO SEE HOW THEY WERE GETTING ALONG

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  18-5    "Well," I thought, "You know just down over the cliff there and over on the river, there's where this other couple wound up." I thought one Saturday afternoon I'd slip down there and see how they was getting along. So I, dirty on the face and dirty overalls on, and my tools on. I thought I'd slip up on them. And I slipped on like I was watching for insulators being cracked by the lightening or something and--as I walked along by the side of the telephone wire--the electric cable along the river. And the old Chevrolet was setting out front; was about a year later after I'd married them, and there was a... The door was open, and I could hear them talking. So this sounds--sounds like a hypocrite, but I walked up close enough that I could listen, see what they was saying, stood there; and I just wanted to know for myself.

I like to find out and be sure I know what I'm talking about. That's the way I do about God's Word. Is it the Truth, or is it the Truth? Will He keep His Word, or doesn't He keep His Word? If He doesn't keep His Word, then He's not God. See? If He does keep His Word, He's God. See?

  19-2    And so, I wanted to see how they was getting along, and I slipped along the side real easy. I heard him say, "Well, honey, I wanted to get that for you so bad."

She said, "Now, look, sweetheart," she said, "this dress is all right." She said, "Why, this is just fine." Said, "I appreciate that, but you see..."

I slipped around so I could look in through the crack where the door had been shoved open there in the boxcar. And there he was setting in there, and her on his lap, and his arm around her, and her arm around him. And he had one of these old slouch hats and had put a little hole, and mashed it down in the top, and poured out his paycheck in that. He--he was laying it out on the table. He said, "So much for groceries, and so much for insurance, and so much on the car," and they couldn't make their ends meet. Come to find out, he'd seen a little dress up there in a window; he'd been looking at it for a couple of weeks, that cost a dollar and something. He wanted to get it. He said, "Why, honey, you'd look so pretty in it."

And he said... She said, "But, honey, I--I got a dress. I--I don't really need it." See?

  19-5    And that little queen... And I backed off and looked up. I could see the--the steeple on the top of the other house, and I stood there and looked a few minutes. I thought, "Who is the rich man?" I thought, "If... Bill Branham, if you want to take which place, where would you go?" For me, I'd take, not the--that pretty thing up on top of the hill, but I's take this character down here that is a real homemaker, somebody that loved me and stayed with me, somebody that tried to make a home without bleeding you for everything for fineries, and somebody that was with you--part of you.

******  20-1    That's always stuck with me of how that was. One chose a beautiful girl; the other one chose character. Now, that's the only way you can choose. First look for character, and then if you love her, fine.

Notice, God's first Adam didn't have any choice for his wife. He didn't get a choice. God just made him one, and he didn't get to choose her. So we find out that she led him astray from God's Word. He didn't get to pray over the matter. He--he--he isn't like you or I. He didn't get a choice. And again, by doing that, she led him from his rightly position as being a son of God, and she did it by showing him a more modern way of living--something that they really shouldn't have done, but the character of her showed that she was wrong; her motives and objectives were simply wrong--and persuaded him by her reasoning that the modern new light that she'd found, which was contrary to God's Word, was a better way to live.

YOU CAN BE PULLED AWAY FROM GOD OR CLOSE TO GOD BY A WIFE/HUSBAND

  20-3    And how many women today, and vice versa, men, that could pull a good woman away from God, or pull a good man away from God by trying to tell him this religion (you Pentecostal boys)... "That religion," they say, "oh, that is old fashion; it is old fogy. Don't you believe that." You'd better pray hard before you marry that girl. I don't care how pretty she is: same thing to a man.

She persuaded him out of the will of God and caused him to do something that he should not have done, and by it caused death to the whole human race. That's why the Bible forbids her to teach, or to preach, or to handle God's Word in any manner.

I know, sisters, many of you say, "The Lord called me to preach." Now, I'm not going to argue with you. But I'm going to tell you; the Word says you're not to do it. "She shall not teach or usurp any authority, but to be in silence."

"Well," you say, "the Lord told me to do it." I don't doubt that one bit. Did you hear my message the other night about Balaam? Balaam got the first straight cut decision of God, "Don't do it." But he kept on fooling around till finally God told him to go do it. God might permit you to preach. I don't say He didn't. But it's not according to His original Word and plan, for she's to be under obedience as also saith the law. True. Therefore, she's not supposed to do it.

She was made for man  . 1 Cor. 11:10

21-1    Now, notice again how the natural bride types the spiritual. The Word says that she was made for man and not man made for her. Now, I'm going to speak on why in a few minutes on the Bride of Christ, but I'm trying to show you the background of it.

Woman was made for man and not man for woman. That's the reason under the old laws that polygamy was legal.

Look at David setting down there with five hundred wives. And the Bible said he was a man after God's Own heart with five hundred wives, and Solomon with a thousand, but not one of them women could have another husband.

  21-4    You get my tape on "Marriage and Divorce" that up on top of the mountain at Tucson, here not long ago, I was up there praying about it. They dismissed the school to watch that Pillar of Fire circling the mountain and going in a funnel back and forth, up and down. People right here knows it: there and saw it. And it...

When He told me the truth of this marriage and divorce questions... If there's one side going this way, and one going that way, there's got to be a truth somewhere. And after those seven seals, He showed what was the truth of it.

  21-5    Notice now, she could not have but one husband, because woman was made for man and not man for woman. That whole five hundred women was just David's wife. It was a type--when Christ sets on the throne in the millennium, His Bride will be not one person, but it'll be tens of thousands, the Bride, all in one. And David had many wives as individuals but only--all of them together was his wife. Like the whole body of believers is the Bride of Christ. Because it was she, the woman; He was the man.

Now, we were made for Christ; Christ wasn't made for us. That's what we try to do today in our text books, is try to make the Word, which is Christ, suit us, instead of us trying to make ourselves to suit the Word. That's the difference.

Polygamy's wrong; we know

SEVENTY.WEEKS.OF.DANIEL_  JEFF.IN  DA 89-141  SUNDAY_  61-0806

  209    The divorce courts of America produce more divorces by our women than all the rest of the nations. The morals in our country is lower, and divorces, than it is in France or Italy, where prostitution's on the streets so... But they're prostitutes; ours is married women trying to live with several men, and several married men trying to live with other women.

In the nations where they have polygamy, it's a thousand times better. And yet, polygamy's wrong; we know.  

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

22-1    When a man chooses a certain girl out of a family, he must not rely upon beauty, for beauty is deceiving, and beauty, modern worldly beauty is of the devil. Oh, I hear someone say out there, "Be careful here, preacher." I say that these things on this earth that's called beautiful is absolutely of the devil. I'll prove it to you. Then in the light of this remark, let's search God's holy Word to see if it's right or not. And some of you women wants to be so pretty, see where it comes from.

In the beginning we find that Satan was so beautiful till he deceived angels, and he was the most beautiful angel of all of them. Shows it lays in the devil. Proverbs said... Solomon said, "Beauty is vain." That's right. Sin is beautiful. Certainly it is; it's attractive. (Proverbs 31:30 Ezekiel 28:13-19)

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  22-3    I want to ask you and say something here to you, and I want you to notice in a few minutes. Of all of the species in the world (birds, animals), we find that on the animal life, all besides humans, it's the male that's pretty and not the female. Why that? Look at the--look at the deer--the--the beautiful big buck with his horns and the little muley doe. Look at the--the hen, the little speckled hen and the big beautiful feathered rooster.

There's nothing, no female, besides a woman could be immoral. You call a dog a slut; you call a hog a sow; but morally they got more morals than half of the movie stars there is out here. They cannot be nothing else but moral. And the woman was the one that was changed over for the perversion. That's right. See where the beauty takes her to? Now, that's why that today we find that women is on the increase of beauty.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  22-5    You take Pearl Bryan. Did you ever see her picture, was supposed to be America's great beauty? There isn't a school kid out of any school but what would have her in a back row. Did you know it's suppose to be that way? Did you know the Bible speaks that that's the way it's going to be?

Do you know the fall came by women at the beginning? And fall... The end is going to wind up the same way, women coming into authority and ruling over men, and so forth. Do you know the Scripture says that? You know the day that she puts on man's clothes and bobs her hair, all of those things are contrary to God's Word and... You know she represents the church? When, you watch what women are doing, and you'll see what the church is doing. That's exactly right. (Genesis 3; Genesis 6; Matthew 24)

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  23-1    Now, now, that's just as true as the Word of God is true. No other female is made that can stoop like a woman can. And yet, through that, being made an off... She was not in the original creation. All other females is in the original creation: bird, male and female; animals, male and female. But in human life, God only made a man. And He took from him. And a woman is a byproduct of a man, because God did not institute such a thing. Search the Scriptures. It's exactly right. God... No, sir. In His original creation she was put out there, but if she can hold herself right, what a greater reward she has than man. She's put on a testing ground.

Through her come death. She's guilty of all death. But then God turned around and used one to bring Life back again: brought His Son through the woman, an obedient one. But a bad one is the--the worse there is. There's nothing that can be as low.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  23-3    Cain, Satan's son, thought that God accepted beauty. He does today. Cain was Satan's son.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  24-3    …Now, let us compare the natural bride of today with the so-called church bride of today. Compare a woman going to get married today... Now, just look what science has done for her. She comes out first with her hair chopped off, with one of these Jacqueline Kennedy hairdos (See?), or something like that. And you know what the Bible says? The Bible actually gives a man, if he wants to, the right to put her away in divorcement if she does that. She's a dishonorable woman that'll cut her hair. The Bible said so. That's right. Didn't know that, huh? Oh, yeah, I preached too much in California for you not to know that. That's right. No. What good does it do me? They do it anyhow. You can't take the pig and change his--make him a lamb.

****  24-5    Notice. You're going to hate me after this, but you're going to know the truth. See? Let's--let's compare it. Here she comes up with a whole lot of paint, something that she's not, a modern bride. Wash her face and you'd run from her, maybe: scare you to death, take all that stuff off of her. And so is the church with the big painted front, a complete theological Max Factor. Both has a beautiful false face on: manmade beauty, and not God-made beauty, not much character in either one.

Notice, just like Satan, enough to deceive by. Compare the modern bride now with her: wears shorts, wears paint, cuts off her hair, wears clothes that look like men, and listen to a pastor that told her that was all right. He's a deceiver. He'll suffer for it in the regions beyond. That's right. Doing that to deceive, to be something that she's not.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  25-2    That's the way the church does: gets big D.D., Ph.D., L.L.D. so you can say, "Our pastor's this, that, and the other." Maybe know no more about God that a Hottentot knows about an Egyptian night. That's right. Some theological seminary experience out there, and knows no more about God than nothing.

Modern church and their theological paint, have their women all with their glory shaved off by their some Ricky added pastor that they got, like a Jezebel if there ever was one: bobbed-hair, shorts, paint, and all fixed up in a theological taste. That's the way the church stands. That's right. But her spiritual character is far from that being the homemaker that Jesus Christ is coming to receive.

  25-4    If any Christian would marry a woman like that, it shows he's fallen from grace. His taste of God and his taste of a home (what a home ought to be) is far when he choose a woman like that. No, sir, she sure wouldn't fit a Christian's taste. Her spiritual character is the lowest ebb: dead in denominational beauty and lust of the world.

  37-2    Let us stand to our feet in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you never hear my voice again... If God willing, I'm sailing to Africa in a few hours; I may never return. I don't know. But I tell you with all my heart; I've told you the truth. I haven't shunned to declare to you everything that God has told me to say, and I've said it in the Name of the Lord.

It's a solemn moment. I don't know how to express it. I've tried to leave the pulpit three or four times, and I can't do it. This is a solemn hour. Don't you never forget it. This is a time that maybe God may be making His last call. I don't know. He'll make His last call someday. When? I don't know. But I'm telling you, according to that vision, it looks like that that Bride's about finished.

Look at the nominal churches coming in. When the sleeping virgin come for oil, she failed to get it. The Bride went in. The rapture went up. While they went to buy oil, the Bridegroom come. Are you asleep? Wake up quickly, and come to yourself, and let us pray each one like we were dying at this minute, in the Name of the Lord. Let's each one pray in your own way.

CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE_  LA.CA  V-2 N-28  THURSDAY_  65-0429E

  38-1    God Almighty, have mercy upon us, Lord. Have mercy on me. Have mercy upon us all. What good does it do, no matter what we do, if we fail in these things. I stand and ask for mercy, O God, before this great city sinks beneath the sea and judgments of God sweep this coast; I pray, God, that You'll call Your Bride. I commit them to You now in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Conduct and vows

Did you know any man that kisses a woman is morally obligated to marry her?

GOD'S.PROVIDED.PLACE.OF.WORSHIP_  LA.CA  V-18 N-2  SUNDAY_  65-0425

  199    The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The same sun rises in the east sets in the west; civilization's traveled with it. It traveled over three bodies of water, three forms of baptism. Oh, yes, from Asia over into Europe; from Europe over into England; and from England over into the United States.

And now, we've come right straight back again, and here we set this afternoon on the west coast, where the sin barrier of all the powers of darkness heaps in here. These movies and television casts, and men kissing women on there, and poisoning the minds of little girls...

GOD'S.PROVIDED.PLACE.OF.WORSHIP_  LA.CA  V-18 N-2  SUNDAY_  65-0425

  201    Did you know any man that kisses a woman is morally obligated to marry her? Potentially it's a sex act. Sure, it is. Yes, sir. What is it? It's the male glands in a man's lip and the female glands. When male and female glands comes together, it's sex.

Look on Hollywood; look at the little girls laying out here in the parks and the boys wallowing around over these girls, and things like that, and even singing in choirs. And these Elvis Presleys, and so forth, that we have today, it's a disgrace to the name of America, to what our forefathers fought and bled and died for.

I KINGS 16:29

  29     ¶  And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.

  30    And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that [were] before him.

  31    And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

PROVERBS 31:10

  10     ¶  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

  30    Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

PROVERBS 19:14

  14     ¶  House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

PROVERBS 18:22

  22     ¶  [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

As long as they take that vow, they're married.

QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_  JEFF.IN  COD  SUNDAY_  64-0823E

  1036-Q-313    313. Brother Branham, what is the meaning of a annulment? Are people free to marry or is this just another word for divorce? I would like some information on this. (Annulment = Cancellation, termination, dissolution, invalidation, withdrawal)

Sure they're married. As long as they take that vow, they're married. Just like a boy, if a boy promises a girl to marry her under good faith, he's obligated to that girl. He's just as good as married her. The only thing the law does, is give you a--a bill of rights to live together to keep from being common-law husband and wife. But when a man tells a woman, "I will marry you, Honey; I will take you for my wife. Will you take..." he's married.

Your vow is sacred; that's what marries you anyhow. There's not no preacher can marry you, no magistrate, or nothing else; it's your own vow to God and to this man. When you promise, you are married.

QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_  JEFF.IN  COD  SUNDAY_  64-0823E

  1036-195    Looky. You say, "Brother Branham, is that...? You say... You said you'd only answer that by the Bible." Did you want the Bible on it? Raise your hands if you want it. Now, we got about six or eight minutes. All right.

"Joseph, her husband, being a just man (her espoused husband, already called her husband)... Joseph, her husband, being a just man, was 'mindedly' to put her away privately on this wise; but before they came together, she was found with a child of the Holy Ghost. (See?) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and saying, 'Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee, Mary, thy wife.'" Already married, he'd already promised her. (Matthew 1:18-25)

QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_  JEFF.IN  COD  SUNDAY_  64-0823E

  1037-197    And of... And little lady, if you promised to marry that boy, you're obligated to do it. If you marry another after that obligation, you will--from now on anyhow--you'll be living in adultery. And notice, the same thing to a boy promising to marry a woman...

Don't you make your vow to anybody 'less you mean to stick with it. Remember, there's the Bible for it. Joseph promised to marry Mary. And God said that that was...

Read the Old Testament laws on that. See? The Old Testament law, if you promised to marry a woman, and you married another one, you was committing adultery; and it throwed you out of the camp. Yes, sir. You have to keep your vows when you promise a woman that. She's a sacred little vessel, and that's to bring child life into the world again. So when you promise her, you must marry her. (Deuteronomy 22:23-25)