Mormon Wedding
Mormon weddings, when performed civilly, like in churches or other venues, are no different than other denominations’ wedding ceremonies in western cultures. The only difference arises when Mormons are married in Latter-day Saint (LDS) temples.
Mormon doctrine teaches that families are eternal units and have the potential to remain together forever, when they are sealed together by the proper power and authority. Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church) are the only place in the world where these sealings can be performed. In order to be married, or sealed, in a Mormon temple, a person must have been a faithful member of the Mormon Church for at least one year. Then, after an interview with one’s bishop and stake president (which interview is necessary for anyone entering the temple), if a person is found to be living a worthy life, he or she is given a temple recommend which lasts two years.
If a person wants to get married in the temple, this often requires sacrifice. Mormon doctrine teaches chastity before marriage and complete fidelity inside of marriage. This means abstinence from sexual relations before marriage. While the world is saying that sexual activity is normal and acceptable, the Mormon Church maintains that all sexual acts should only be exercised within the bonds of marriage. Thus, if a couple chooses to participate in this behavior before they are married, it will make it much more difficult to be married in the temple, though certainly not impossible. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for each of us to repent of our sins and mistakes. If this process is gone through correctly, then individuals may become worthy to go to the temple.
Another sacrifice for those who choose to get sealed in the temple is that only those family members and friends who are also worthy members of the Church may enter the temple to attend the marriage ceremony. This may be particularly difficult for any people who have family members who are not members of the Church or who are not worthy to go inside the temple. This may also exclude many friends from being able to attend the ceremony. Most family members who cannot enter the temple wait outside and gather for photographs when the wedding party exits the temple. Since a ring exchange is an optional part of the temple ceremony, some couples schedule a ring exchange at their reception, thus making family members not able to attend the temple feel more a part of the union.
Temple sealings are very simple ordinances. There is no fanfare, no organ playing, no bride walking down the aisle and being given away by her father. The priesthood holder performing the ordinance does just that; he performs the ordinance. He may choose to say a few words to the couple, but the ordinance itself takes only a few minutes. The couple kneel at an altar and look into reflecting mirrors, which cast infinite reflections. This symbolizes the eternal nature of the covenant they make to God and to one another to commit to their spouse forever. It is a unique and wonderful experience.
Reading this, one may wonder what the big deal is and why anyone would choose to get married in a Mormon temple if it would exclude any loved ones from attending such an important event. The answer is simple. Those who have a true understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ recognize that there is no greater blessing than an eternal family. If that blessing can be obtained in no other way and in no other place, it is worth any sacrifice to be the recipient of that blessing. All civil marriages are performed for the balance of this life only. Mormon temple sealings are the only marriages which have the bond placed upon them, by power and authority of the priesthood, for time and all eternity.
When a couple is sealed in the temple, all children born to them afterwards are automatically part of that covenant and are sealed to them eternally also. If a couple decides to get sealed after having been married civilly, any children they had previous to the ordinance must be sealed to them in an additional ceremony in the temple. The blessings which come to those who choose to get sealed in Mormon temples are numerous and powerful. Any family who is sealed has a bond of protection among them, if they are faithful to the covenants they have made. It is easy to see, when one understands the sealing power, why Mormons choose to be sealed in the temple. Read more…
