What happens during a Mormon sealing ceremony at a wedding?

Question

I was watching Engaged and Underage on MTV and I am just wondering what happens during a Mormon sealing ceremony, like how are you sealed, and why its so secretive. Anybody wanna share that with me??

Answer 1

Like it has been stated, a 'sealing' is simply a 'marriage for God' in addition to being a 'marriage for the law'. A 'sealed' marriage is said to be in force even in the afterlife. In other words, a woman who marries a man for time and eternity in the Mormon temple will still have him as a husband when they both die.

Having been married myself in the temple and having seen other couples do so, here is what happens:

Friends and family who are temple-worthy (practicing Mormons who keep the LDS commandments) are admitted into the sealing room (like a chapel) to witness the wedding. In the room there is an altar, usually white in color to signify purity. The couple is dressed in white, as is the Sealer. The couple kneels across this altar (to show humility to God) to exchange their wedding vows, which are eternal in nature. They basically promise to be loyal to each other, to have and to hold, and other similar things. The Sealer (like a priest or reverend) offers counsel and advice for the couple's new journey as man and wife, pronounces them married, offers them blessings of God, and suggests that the couple exchange a kiss ('you may kiss the bride').

The reason people don't talk much about it is not because it's really much different than any other type of wedding, but because the vows/promises are seen as much more sacred since they are three-way. In other words, I as a husband didn't simply commit to my wife to be faithful to her, but I committed to God that I would be faithful to her. She did the same, and God, in return, promises us happiness and eternal life through His son if we keep these vows/promises, as well as all of the other promises that we make to Christ in being baptized in His name and becoming Christian.

Answer 2

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RE:
What happens during a Mormon sealing ceremony at a wedding?
I was watching Engaged and Underage on MTV and I am just wondering what happens during a Mormon sealing ceremony, like how are you sealed, and why its so secretive. Anybody wanna share that with me??

Answer 3

Mormon Sealing

Answer 4

We don't share to talk casually about the ceremonies that occur inside the temple because they are sacred and special to us. It is much more simple than a civil ceremony (no flowers, orchestras, etc) But is still very touching and beautiful. But a temple ceremony, unlike a civil marriage, is where a husband and wife are sealed for "time and all eternity" as opposed to "until death do you part." It isn't so much that the ceremony is "secret" or exotic, it's just that we consider it consecrated and holy, and do not want it held in any less regard or respect. You must be an endowed member of the church to enter the temple, meaning that you have already made other sacred covenants to God. You also need a temple recommend, which can be obtained by an interview by an authorized priesthood holder. This is why the grrom's family was not able to attend the wedding ceremony.

Answer 5

Not that secretive, just sacred. It is also not much different than a civil marriage being conducted by a priest, pastor, minister, etc. The couple kneels across from each other, hand in hand, and the person officiating (like the pastor) give some words of advice and then states a prayer. In the prayer the couple is "sealed" for time and all eternity, as opposed to the words "til' death do you part" that you often hear in the civil ceremonies. The person officiating has the Priesthood, which Mormons believe is necessary to seal in heaven that which is sealed on earth. Because what goes on in the temple is special and sacred only worthy members can enter. I've been to these marriages, but had a civil marriage myself. They are nice, but certainly not wierd, secretive, or anything like that.

Answer 6

First you have to realize members who are married in the temple must first receive their temple recommend, then receive their temple endowment, then can be married. The sealing is basically a way of saying "forever binding"... that the marriage does not end with death, it can be eternal if the covenants made are kept. One person mentioned that if a person gets divorced, they still have to be "sealed" to that person, that's not true. A person can get a temple divorce usually when they are ready to marry again...my parents were married in the temple, divorced and then my mom remarried and was sealed to her 2nd husband so I know it's possible...
It is different from a civil wedding, there is no walk down an aisle, no line of bridesmaids, and usually not a large crowd, I think there were about 35 people at my temple ceremony... we kneel across one another at an altar and the sealer (like a pastor or bishop, but holds higher authority to "seal") usually gives some advice to the couple then performs the ceremony where we basically make covenants with eachother and with God pertaining to our marriage and the gospel.
It is very simple, sacred, and beautiful. I once attended a ceremony where the sealer said "The temple is the place where heaven and earth touch." And I truly believe that.
The temple is beautiful, holy and wonderful. I love to go as often as I can.

Answer 7

The couple can invite anyone to the ceremony who has received a recommend to enter the temple.

Their friends and family enter the "sealing room" and wait for the couple. The sealing room has an altar in the middle and mirrors on each of 2 sides creating an "eternity" effect.

They are married in front of this group. They kneel at an altar and make promises to each other and to God. Afterwards they're invited to kiss and exchange rings.

Answer 8

It's not so much that it is a secret but rather that we consider it to be very sacred. The Sealing ceremony is not that unusual. Except the couple kneels at an altar during the ceremony. They listen to the counsel of the one conducting the ceremony, and at the end he "seals" them. They then do the whole first kiss thing and can exchange rings if they want.

Only those who are worthy to enter the Temple are allowed in. To be considered worthy, you must be a memeber of the Church, and live up to certain basic standards and principles. Nothing wierd...just very sacred.

Answer 9

There are some very good answers here, and some not so good...my personal favorite is Laptop Jesus. What he says is exactly what I'd say...only better! :)
But to answer back to Wanderer, there IS such a thing as a "temple divorce". I am married to a divorced man....and here's how it goes...
A divorcee has to write and request a "cancellation of sealing" from the First Presidency (the leaders of the Church). The person's bishop (pastor) helps with this...there is a form to fill out, and the former spouse is given the opportunity to write a letter, stating his/her side. However, the ultimate decision rests with the First Presidency, and their decision is heavily weighted on what the bishop believes is best. (A man who has been abusive to his wife--or vice versa--a person not paying child support, etc...will not be allowed to remarry in the temple until the situation is sufficiently rectified...in the case of abuse, maybe never.)

Answer 10

If you really want an answer to that, then I suggest you turn towards two separate but connected sources. The Bible and God. In the Old Testament the Lord restricted who could and could not enter into the temple. In New Testament times there were several occasions when the Lord imposed various restrictions about knowledge of certain events. Several of these were completely ignored by the people the Lord commanded. My suggestion is to study about the temple talked about in Old Testament, and then maybe the stories of the Lord telling people to not talk about certain things, and then take that to the Lord to gain an understanding of why the Lord did what he did in the Bible, and when you find that answer, you will also find the answer to this question.