What is ritual about getting married in a Mormon temple?

Question

When couples get married in a Mormon temple, they do rituals that makes them nervous to discuss. They refuse to talk about it and they seem scared when I ask what went on. Can anybody tell me what goes on in a temple when a couple gets married?

Answer 1

Mormon temples, as mentioned, are sacred buildings of worship. Mormons believe temples represent an abode from the world and are holy places to commune with God. It is true that only Mormons with a "recommend" (a symbol of worthiness) are able to enter; however, the term sacred is not synonomous with secret. Mormons reverence the temple and consequently do in fact keep many sacred things secret, but you should not let your imagination conjure up untrue ideas regarding temples as many often do.

Simply put, Mormons believe that temples are buildings in which Mormon members can make covenants, or promises with God, many of which extend even beyond this mortal life. Among these is the covenant of "temple marriage". Mormons believe that marriage performed by "priesthood authority" within a Mormon temple is not merely "till death do you part", but rather an eternal union between husband and wife that extends even beyond the bonds of death.

Having been married in a Mormon temple, I can assure you it is not a strange or cultish experience - on the contrary it is a special event. Family and friends attend and promises of love and loyalty are made between spouses.

These are of course my thoughts, but if you would like to know more regarding Mormon temples, a warm and authoritative church leader name Boyd K. Packer wrote an excellent book entitled "The Holy Temple". You can find out about it at the link below. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Most people don't know this, but you can find the temple ordinances in the library of Congress. They are copy-righted by the church, so a copy is available to those who want to see them. It isn't that we are trying to hide things from others, it's that it is so sacred that we don't talk about it outside the temple. There are people on this earth that if they were to get a hold of all the words and things that happen in the temple would use it for evil purpose. We want people to ask questions about our religion, but there are certain things that can only be understood when you know other key doctrine before understanding what goes on in the temple.

To me, it is very sacred and special. I don't feel any greater peace then I do at the temple. My temple marriage was the happiest day of my life, and just knowing that the man I'm with will be with me and our kids forever, not just until we die, means a lot to me. It shows me that God loves his children enough to have a way that we are together, with the people we love, even after this life. To me, it's a comforting thought. And kneeling across the alter, looking at your sweetie, is the most amazing experience ever!! All your family that is temple worthy is with you, and it's the closest I've felt to my husband. It's wonderful and special, and very spiritual.

Answer 3

I think that the answers that you received above give you a good list about what is ritual. You mentioned though that when you ask people about it they become nervous. I want to assure you that there is nothing that makes me scared or anxious in the temple, rather that it has been people's reaction to me and the most sacred memory of my life.

I love my wedding day inside the temple. I felt horrible as I entered with the worst cold I had ever caught, but the kind temple workers and my mother helped me dress in my wedding gown and make sure that I looked beautiful as I waited to meet my husband. By the time we were done I felt beautiful, too. Everyone was so sweet, there were soft hymns playing, and they had encouraged me to be there early enough I wasn't rushed. My husband saw me for the first time and it was arranged for us to have a few moments together. We were able to speak softly and enjoy the time before our sealing started without worrying if someone was running late or if the decorations were perfect. We were with our closest family and friends and it was beautiful.

I think the other posters have done the best job explaining what happens, but I wanted you to know how I felt. I wouldn't have down it any other way.

Answer 4

Indeed, both of you need to talk to your Bishop and get this situation cleared up. I doubt that you wll be getting married in the Temple for some time. First off, your present Temple Recommend isn't any good for getting married in the Temple, that takes a special Temple Recommend especially for that purpose. There is a possibility that the Bishop might recommend a marriage ceremony in the local chapel with a Temple sealing when both of you are ready. At least that will suffice the immediate situation which will allow you to live together at the same institute of learning. Lots of luck.

Answer 5

Nothing scary about it. You already have some great answers here. For an idea of what a Mormon temple wedding is like, you can rent "Little Women," the 1949 version with June Allyson starring in it. The oldest sister, Meg, gets married kneeling before an altar (with her sweetheart), and it is simply a wonderful scene. Even though the movie itself isn't made by Mormons, it comes pretty close to what the setup is like. The only reason people won't talk to you about it is because it is considered sacred and not common-day conversation. Have a happy day, and I send you a gummy bear.

Answer 6

Having been married in the Temple, I won't tell you that it's "just the same" as being married anywhere else. It's a little different; more special you might say.

If people seem apprehensive to talk about the Temple in detail, it's because it is sacred and holy, and like God always said in the Bible, holy things aren't to be taken lightly. In the Bible, you will find other instances where God didn't want people to speak of things openly for fear that sacred things would be taken lightly (Mount of Transfiguration, etc.)

That being said, everything about a normal ceremony is there. There is a "priest" (we call him a "sealer", since he "seals" the marriage for eternity, and not just 'till death do you part), there is an exchange of rings, there is family, tears, hugs, etc., and afterward, there are photos in the Temple grounds like there normally is in front of a church when a non-LDS couple marries (or when an LDS couple decides to marry outside of the Temple).

Because of the sacredness of the sealing prayer, that is the part that we don't discuss outside of the Temple. Be aware though that it is every bit as beautiful as you might expect it to be, and because it is pronounced by a chosen sealer of God, it seals the couple's union so that they will still be married after this life. Hope that answers it for you!

Answer 7

It's not much different then any other marriage. You are across from your honey and the person administrating says some kind words, then a prayer, and states, with the authority of the priesthood, that you are sealed/married for time and all eternity (rather then til' death do you part). You then kiss, exchange a ring, family gathers around and hugs you, etc. Really, it isn't any different or odd. I've been to a few, although I got married at a winery.

Answer 8

What goes on in the temples of the Lord are sacred and not meant for discussions outside the edifice. Curiosities over what goes on in them do not merit answers here.

Only those Mormons having a temple recommend may learn of the ordinances that occur in the temples. This information is never denied anyone, provided they are willing to join the Church, be baptized, and are found worthy to enter a temple. Worthiness is determined between the person and his or her bishop and stake president.

Answer 9

We kneel across from one another at an altar and make covenants with God and with eachother. They are very sacred, that is why only those who are worthy to enter the temple do so and that is also why we do not talk much about the ordinances, they are too sacred.
I was married civilly then later sealed to my husband in the temple. I cannot express in words the "complete"-ness and holiness of the temple covenants. There is nothing as comforting in the world as the knowledge and promise of an eternal marriage and family.

Answer 10

When we get married, the vows usually say 'til death do us part', when we get married in the temple, it's for all time and all eternity, so we can be with our partner when we are dead. There are lots of things to learn about the mormon religion and it's important to learn the basic beliefs first, otherwise the more 'in depth' stuff can be very confusing. It's not that we want to hide stuff, we want to share our religion with everyone, but things must go one step at a time x