It must not be inferred, however, from what has been said, that natural relationships are necessarily incompatible with spiritual; or that those who have been closely related on earth, cannot also be internally related, and so dwell together forever. On the contrary, we are taught that those who have been near and dear to each other in the flesh—members of the same family on earth—may, if they become regenerated, become still nearer and dearer to each other in heaven, and forever dwell together in the same angelic society. We are taught that marriages may take place in this world upon a deep spiritual ground—that is, between parties who are the spiritual complements of each other. Where this is the case, the union is a truly conjugial one—is at once both spiritual and natural. And because it is a union of souls as well as of bodies, therefore the death of the body will not dissolve it. They will remain united forever, being the complements of each other. And their union in heaven will be more full and complete, and attended with delights as far superior to those that accompany marriage here below, as heaven is superior to earth or angels superior to men. This, however,
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affections which are not properly his own, nor, consequently, to put on looks which are contrary to his real love. All in the spiritual world, therefore, whoever they may be, are brought into such a state as to speak as they think, and to express by their faces and gestures the inclinations of their will. Hence the faces of all become the forms and images of their affections. And hence it is that all who have known each other in the world, know each other also in the world of spirits, but not in heaven nor in hell." —H. H. n. 457.
