mormon weddings?

Question

what exactly goes on at a mormon wedding that they don't talk about? i've had friends that are mormon and they wont say anything about what happens. what's so secret about it?

Answer 1

As an ex-mormon, I will explain as much as possible without disparaging the church. Even though I don't believe the church to be true any longer, I still have a great degree of respect for believing LDS members. I have undergone the marraige process in the temple. It's not as mysterious as people blow it up to be. To be completely honest- it probably seems quite drab and boring to the average person. I suspect the main reason the church keeps this ordinance so "sacred" is because most people would not find meaning in the ceremony, without the proper education to understand it.

There is quite a bit to this, but here is a quick summary-

Before marraige, there are important ordinances that must be passed including:

*Baptism by immersion (at age 8, or upon conversion to the church)
*Confirmation by the laying on of hands (right after baptism)
*Ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood (for men- at age 12)
*Ordination to the Melchezidek Priesthood (for men, usually around age 18 or so)

After a man is ordained to the Holy Melchezidek Priesthood, he pursues a "temple recommend". This is a series of interviews by his Bishop and Stake President regarding his worthiness to enter the Temple. Women undergo the same interview prior to attending the temple (also usually around age 18-25, or just prior to marraige).

The first temple session is called the washing and annointing- This is a ceremony (the ceremony is similar for men and women, allthough both are segregated within the temple walls). During this ceremony, all parts of the body (which is covered by the way) are washed with water, and then annointed with concecrated olive oil- (the olive oil is symbolic for it's purity).

After being wahsed and annointed, one is given a new name. It is important to know that this name does not replace your real given name, but it serves a spiritual purpose. A man is never to reveal his name, but a woman is to reveal her name only to her husband- and is only allowed to do so within the walls of the temple.

When you go to the temple for yourself (as opposed to going to the temple for the deceased) you are performing a "live ordinance". The next step is to go through the "endowment",

During the endowment, there is lots of information given- It is far too much for me to go into, and it is not really appropriate to discuss. Nobody gets naked, nobody does anything crazy or anything like that. There is a temple ordinance worker who gives instructions for how to receive certain ordinances. Trust me- it is not interesting to the average person, but for LDS it is extremely beautiful, spiritual, fulfilling and important. The same discourse is taught each time one enters the temple and covers a lot- a great portion of the ceremony has to do with the creation of the earth and also about the fall of Adam. There is more too it, but it's too lengthy and complex to explain here.

After completing the endowment for oneself, a marraige "sealing" can take place.

Latter-day saints marry for "time and all eternity" (hence the mirrors on each side of the "sealing room" that go on forever). Not like the phrase "til death do you part" in most other weddings. The most beautiful part of the sealing ceremony is when the man stands on one side of the veil and the wife stands on the other. There are symbolic phrases spoken to each other through the veil, and then the man pulls the wife through the veil (the veil is kind of like a curtain). Man and wife are then together in the "Celestial Room". The Celestial room is incredible- extremely intricate crown moulding on the 40 foot ceilings (which are lined with gold) there are crystal chandiliers and it is really quite beautiful. You can see the inside of a celestial room next time there is a "temple open house" near you. These take place just prior to when a temple becomes operational- ask one of your mormon friends... I'm sure they will be all to eager to tell you about it.

There are special clothes that LDS wear in the temple, but it is not really appropriate to discuss- suffice it to say that they are fully-clothed.

Anyway- If you need more info, you can probably find it online somewhere.

Believe me--- You would not understand it, unless you went to LDS church services for a few years. If you managed to sneak into the temple to observe one of these ordinances, you would probably be bored out of your mind... It's seriously nothing big- but it is beautiful and meaningful to a believing mormon.

I hope this helps. AND I don't think I said anything that would anger your LDS friends either...

Good Luck!

Ex-Mormon 4 years.
LDS Member 25 years.

Answer 2

they're no longer truly wierd, although they're no longer precisely classic, both. Mormons who're married in a civil ceremony may have classic weddings (besides the actuality that "classic" skill to the couple, besides), yet Mormons believe that marriages done by using the right authority can very last always and under no circumstances only till demise. those always marriages are done in our temples, and they are somewhat diverse, certain. instead of having the bride walk down the aisle to the waiting groom, both bride and groom meet in what we call a sealing room. There, they kneel at an modify and are married (sealed) for time and eternity by using someone with the authority to take action. the perspective is somewhat diverse, which signifies that the words can now and again be somewhat diverse (there is no factor out of demise or the 'in sickness and in health' component), notwithstanding it truly only relies upon on the single appearing the ceremony. we do no longer have predetermined words for a wedding ceremony. and those in attendance might want to be worth Mormons themseleves, yet i does no longer say that is extraordinary, may you? There are not any unusual rituals or chanting or some thing like that, and that i do not comprehend the position your first commenter's "slit throat" component comes from, yet temple weddings are very beautiful and straightforward. Your classmate must have heard some thing incorrect, that is why he made that statement. And in order that that you comprehend, we are no longer a cult. we are Christians.

Answer 3

Are you talking about when they get married in the temple?? If so I don't believe anyone who hasn't gone through it knows. I know there is a room that the walls are all covered with mirrors to represent the eternal bond they are making, It is all very "sacred " to them. I grew up in the Mormon Church and was never told what happened.

Answer 4

I am not Mormon but my Fiance's family is, he isnt either thank God. Its a sealing ceremony that only the bride and groom are in. It comes from a bible verse that states, "what is binded here on earth is also binded in heaven." Its done in a sealing room and children are also sealed to their parents. They believe if you are not sealed to each other you wil not be together in heaven. They are also given "undergarments" These are huge white and ugly underwear they have to wear at all times unless they are showering, swimming, or having sex with their spouse. It originated in the Victorian Era to prevent masterbation and infidelity.

If there is a new Temple opening in the area they will have an open house where you can view the entire Temple. You must be Mormon to even enter the temple, its a very exclusive religion. My wedding will be the first normal one in their family, I love my fiance and we both share a love and knowledge of God and he knows I have NO intention of raising my kids that way. They do believe in Jesus Christ but they also believe the Book of Mormon in addition. They are Christians with a twist. His family is very nice but its not for me.

Answer 5

It's not so much secret, as it is "sacred." There isn't anything strange that happens, it's just like any wedding really, but the wording and promises made are different. Family and friends are welcome to attend, as long as they are LDS, and in good standing in the church.

Answer 6

Maybe they get to peek at them "golden tablets".

Answer 7

hmm not sure what to tell u there im not familar.


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