SpiritualFamily.Net

2-15. According to the 5th Epochal Revelation what does the UB say about marriage, marrying one wife, one husband?

According to The Urantia Book (the 5th Epochal Revelation), marriage is presented as an evolving social institution rooted in biology, society, and spiritual ideals, with monogamy (pair marriage: one husband and one wife) explicitly upheld as the highest, idealistic, and most advanced form of marriage.

The revelation devotes three full papers (82-–83–84) to the topic in Part III ("The History of Urantia"), tracing marriage's evolutionary development from primitive promiscuity and group mating through polygamy/polyandry to modern monogamy, while affirming monogamy as the goal and measure of social progress.

Core Teachings on Monogamy and "One Wife, One Husband"

• Monogamy as the idealistic goal —
  From Paper 83: The Marriage Institution (83:6.6–83:6.7):
  "Monogamy always has been, now is, and forever will be the idealistic goal of human sex evolution. This ideal of true pair marriage entails self-denial and self-control... Monogamy is the yardstick which measures the advance of social civilization as distinguished from purely biologic evolution."
  It describes "true monogamy—pair marriage" as the union of one man and one woman in an exclusive, affectionate partnership for home-building, child-rearing, mutual growth, and character development.
• Pair marriage as the ideal partnership —
  From Paper 84: Marriage and Family Life (84:7.8):
  "But the home as an institution, a partnership between one man and one woman, dates more specifically from the days of Dalamatia, about one-half million years ago..."
  The text notes that monogamous practices appeared early (e.g., with Andon and his descendants) but were often abandoned, then advanced through influences like Adam and Eve (who modeled cooperative family life). Advances toward monogamy have liberated women and elevated family stability.
• Polygamy and other forms as evolutionary stages —
  Polygyny (one man, multiple wives), polyandry (one woman, multiple husbands), and concubinage are acknowledged as historical practices driven by economic, social, or survival factors (e.g., in pastoral or caste-restricted societies), but they are portrayed as inferior or transitional. Polygamy is linked to earlier "female-slavery" elements in marriage, while monogamy represents the "slave-free ideal" of equal partnership (Paper 82 and 83).

• Jesus' teachings on marriage —

• In Part IV (Jesus' life), Jesus exalted marriage as the highest human relationship, emphasizing fidelity, mutual respect, and disapproval of lax divorce practices (e.g., Paper 167 and 173). He taught positive ideals of lifelong commitment without rigid legalism, focusing on love, wisdom, and family responsibility. No support is given for polygamy; his era's Jewish customs allowed it in limited cases, but the revelation aligns with monogamous ideals.

• Spiritual and social value —

• Marriage (ideally monogamous) fosters character, love, home stability, and civilization's progress. It is not a sacrament or divine mandate but a human institution blessed by evolving mores, religion, and love. The book warns against distortions (e.g., over-romanticization or economic exploitation) but encourages intelligent, affectionate wedlock as superior to casual or multiple unions.

In summary, The Urantia Book strongly supports monogamy—the exclusive union of one husband and one wife—as the evolutionary pinnacle and spiritual ideal for marriage. It views "marrying one wife, one husband" as the measure of advanced civilization, promoting equality, fidelity, self-control, and family-centered life over polygamous or promiscuous alternatives.

Primary sources are Papers 82 ("The Evolution of Marriage"), 83 ("The Marriage Institution"), and 84 ("Marriage and Family Life"), with Jesus' views in Papers 160–173.

Full text is on spiritualfamily.net or urantia.org or urantiabook.org or truthbook.org and UAI.