The officiating authority will utter some phrase such as “until death do you part” or “for the duration of your mortal lives.” Such contracts are binding only until the death of one of the partners. There is another explanation, that I think warrants some attention. Some of them struggled at first... Temples are often some of the most beautiful buildings in any city, and many people would like to visit them to see what they are like inside. Answer. One of the great benefits of eternal temple marriages is its focus on eternity. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Latter-day Saints believe that all mankind were spiritually created by God before the creation of the earth. This is why Mormons feel such a pull to be married in the temple. The scriptures call the authority to unite families forever the sealing power. Deciding to get married in the temple was not difficult for me (I explain why in a minute), but facing the reality that people I love would not be able to be there with me was hard. Eternal families are the end result of Christ’s work as our Redeemer. What is a reasonable amount of time to forgive a spouse for being unfaithful? That is a fair question. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org. When my wife and I got engaged, I knew there would be some difficult decisions. He provides temples so that families can be together forever” (. I cannot explain the relief that brought. In a temple marriage, usually, the bride and the groom enter the sealing room together where their temple-recommend-holding family and friends are already gathered. The views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of those users and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. The thing that made it easier was how understanding my family was when we announced our marriage. Your email address will not be published. You may hear your Mormon guy or gal refer to a "Temple Marriage". We call those weddings “sealings” because the husband and wife are “sealed” for time and for eternity and they are only performed in Mormon Temples. M. Russell Ballard said, “It is within the Church that we form the commitments and covenants of eternal families that become our passport to exaltation” (source). Exaltation, for Latter-day Saints, is made possible through the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. Just in the spirit of understanding your spouse and their background. Should Prayers Be Memorized or in One's Own Words? This is the same authority that Jesus gave the Apostle Peter to declare blessings on earth that will continue in heaven.” (source). The rest of the furniture in the room includes a large chandelier hanging over the altar, three specific chairs for the sealer and the two witnesses, a love seat for the bride and the groom, and then a number of chairs for the wedding guests. Peter was told, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19). This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). But don't be surprised if they want the standards of the church to be respected (which include chastity before marriage, avoiding alcohol, no smoking and other teachings). I believe the room we had seated 50 people and it was one of the larger sealing rooms in that temple. The keys of the kingdom refer to the Priesthood or the authority of God. How would you explain or describe spiritual maturity? If the contracting parties are true to the covenants thus entered into, they will be raised from the dead in the morning of the first resurrection and will inherit the glory of exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom, which represents the greatest and highest blessing that our Father in Heaven has prepared to give to any of his children as they pass from mortality into eternity. It made the day even sweeter. Latter-day Saints believe that marriage is meant to last forever and into the eternities. In his free time he chases deer and eats Oreos. So, can anyone visit a temple? He established His Church to exalt families. I already mentioned that several members of my family were not able to come to my wedding. In that ordinance, the sealer pronounces certain blessings upon the heads of the couple according to their continued faithfulness to Christ and His gospel. Like Elder Hales says, eventually a choice has to be made, and sadly, the choice of church, or any religious activity, usually loses. The question how to maintain a sense of sacredness regarding important rites and passages is crucial. “Families are central to God’s plan for our happiness. Check out this article t0 learn more about how long temple marriages last compared to a national average. Trust me. I have heard the reason that polygamy was practiced was because the 1/3 who followed Satan were all men and that left more women than men on this earth. Temple marriages, or sealings, are at the core of LDS teachings. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Weddings are one of the most significant events in our lives and we naturally want those we love to be a part of that important day. The long answer is much longer because we have to cover why people think we can’t. Are General Authorities making a lot of money doing what they do. Purpose In Christ is owned and operated by Income School LLC. You can also subscribe without commenting. Yes, they can marry outside their faith, although they are discouraged from doing so. The short answer is a resounding yes! They supported me and participated in other ways throughout the day. That meant he would not be able to come to our wedding. That marriage, whether performed by a civil authority or an ecclesiastical authority, including a bishop in the Mormon Church, is authorized only for the mortal duration. I think this is where my family provided me with the greatest wedding gift. M. Russell Ballard said, “It is within the Church that we form the commitments and covenants of eternal families that become our passport to exaltation” (, “With the Lord, families are essential. If you've never heard that term, it will sound confusing. When I was a missionary, I worked with hundreds of people who had never really prayed before and helped them to learn to communicate with their Heavenly Father. A marriage between a Mormon and a non-Mormon is like any other marriage solemnized under the authority of the State. Only members of the Church with current temple recommends can attend the actual wedding ceremony. My wife and I were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. Long answer: First of all, Mormons are Christians, but I’ll respond to the question: can a Mormon marry a non-Mormon?. Latter-day Saints believe that, if weddings are performed by someone with the appropriate authority, marriage and family can endure beyond death. Throughout time, the devoted to every religion (that I am aware of) has had parts of their worship which they regarded as sacred. Any marriage between two members of the Mormon Church that is performed outside the temple must be performed by a bishop of the Mormon church or by some civil authority and is, of course, the same as explained under item 1. So these marriages may be said to contain from the outset a built-in divorce. Brian Ricks is a father of 6 living in Saratoga Springs, Utah. To have a marriage performed in the temple, the contracting parties must be members of the Mormon Church, and must be living pure lives in full accord with all the principles of the gospel. He is the author of a soon-to-be-released book on James E. Talmage, and has a doctorate in theology from Brigham Young University. Absolutely! I served as a full-time missionary for the church in Brazil for two years, and have been active in the church all my life. Mormon marriages are all performed in a “sealing room” in the temple. A Mormon can marry a non-Mormon. 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