lighting a unity candle is it religious?

Question

The grooms family is mormon, would it be accepted to light a unity candle, the wedding is in a lds church? Im to chicken to ask his family.

Answer 1

Will the wedding be held in the LDS temple or a church? Since it will be a Mormon wedding, you need to ask the bishop or an Elder in the Priesthood.

I was raised Mormon, my father was Mormon and my mother was a Luthern. So, basically I kinda had double citizenship. Since, I ended up marrying a Luthern Minister's daughter, I've decided to raise my family in the Luthern faith. We had a unity candle at our wedding, but if we were married in the LDS temple, I'm not sure if it would have been allowed.

I don't believe that the unity candle is any more religious than the exchanging of rings. But it ultimatley boils down to what the church requires and allows. It's like photography during the services, some churches allow this and some don't. Photography has nothing to do with religion, it's just a matter of reverence and respect.

If you're still too chicken to ask your boy friend's family, why don't you call your local LDS Ward and just ask them the general question about the unity candle. They'll be glad to let you know I'm sure.

Don't freak out it's not all that big of a thing. Mormons, despite popular (Ignorant) beliefs, the Mormons aren't much different than most Christian denominations. By the way, for any one else reading this, yes Mormons are Christians, and very much so. No, they (the church) do not believe in polygamy

I still have to say that the nicest people I've ever met have been Mormons. If you're planning on a family, there's one thing for sure, your husband being a Mormon almost guarantees that he'll be one awesome father and you'll be respected like very few wives are. Okay enough of the Mormon bandwagoning.

Aren't you going to do any pre-marriage counseling with whoever's conducting the wedding? This is pretty common in all faiths. That would be the perfect oppurtunity to ask any and all questions without any parental interference.

Good Luck and congratulations.

Answer 2

Lighting of the unity candle is not religious, its symbolic of two single beings joining and becoming one.

If you're not Mormon, you're not allowed to go to the actual Mormon wedding, EVEN IF YOU ARE THE PARENTS OF THE BRIDE!

My son was going thinking about marrying a Mormon girl. We spoke to the Elders about the ceremony and asked if this was true and they confirmed that if you are not Mormon and you have not acquired a certain level within their church you are not allowed into the wedding ceremony, even the parents of the groom or bride, whomever that may be. Everybody in their church can come, but unless you're a Mormon (and they will be happy to convert you prior to the wedding :) you won't be allowed in to see those unity candles or vows.

Answer 3

the way i see a unity candle... it's just a symbol of you two becoming one (two separate flames join to light a new flame)... so i wouldn't see why they would have a problem with it. there's also something called a sand ceremony (that's what me and my husband did)... i actually liked it better because i've been to weddings where the unity candle has taken forever to light...
the sand ceremony is where you have 3 containers (usually glass), one container is empty and the other two are filled with colored sand. (he had the blue sand and i had the white sand... you can get any different colors... just make sure you don't get the same color.) you and your groom pour the sand into the empty container, and it ends up looking really pretty. the perk to a sand ceremony is that you can keep it in your house! :) i like it... there's not the chance of there being a delay... and you get to keep it! but yeah, either one you choose, it's just a symbol of becoming one with your husband. that is a verse in the Bible... genesis... that says "the two shall become one flesh"... but i believe mormons also read the Bible, don't they? i'm pretty sure they do, so it shouldn't be a problem. :)

Answer 4

If the wedding is in an LDS Church Building, there would most likely not be any candle being lit. It has NOTHING to the ceremony or the religious beliefs - it has everything to do with a FIRE HAZARD!

In most every LDS Church Building there is a rule to not have any open flames whatsoever to prevent any accidental fire. You can still have candles, just none of them can be lit.

Answer 5

It can have a religious undertone or it can be done as a joining of family Have both sets of in-laws light one as they are taken to the seats then you and the groom take and light your unity the only thing the minister has to say is something like with the blessing of the parents may your two lives become one or something along those lines

Answer 6

I am not positive, but I do know that this practice is used in several different religions--not to say that it's religious though. I've seen unity candles at Baptist, Methodist, and non-denominational weddings. I'd love to have one at my wedding for the sheer symbolism of it. Why don't you ask your fiance? He could run the idea by his mom and see if it pushes any buttons. It is, after all, just a candle, and symbolic of two becoming one....surely you couldn't step on too many toes with that. :) good luck.

Answer 7

Lighting is NOT religious. It is a ceremony that is used to signify two lives becoming one. I don't see why it would be a problem. If the church won't allow it, then have the candle lighting at the reception. The candles will make for a beautiful centerpiece for your head table.

Answer 8

Our families are not religious, and my daughter and son in law lit a unity candle. It represents unity, the blending of two people, a visual representation of marriage.

My daughter and son in law had candles with clover leaves in it(both families are of Irish decent), and their names and date. His mother and I lit the two candles representing our children and then in the ceremony(non religious) they joined families by lighting the single candle from the two separate ones.

Answer 9

if unsure ask the preist who is going to marry you or ask him if he has seen a unity candel at other mormon weddings if you can have it done one great way to do it is have your mom and his mom light the candel cause a unity candle represents 2 seperate lives becoming one and both moms would feel like a big part of the wedding good luck and congratulations on your up comming wedding

Answer 10

I'm not much of a fan of lighting candles.