If you're curious about the challenges of an LDS marriage, rest assured, you're in good company. There are numerous aspects to consider, such as the prerequisites for a Temple marriage and strategies to keep your marriage enjoyable. Additionally, incorporating flexibility and spontaneity is key - even a bit of planning can make a significant difference!
Making marriage fun involves planning and being flexible and spontaneous
When planning your marriage, make sure you include some spontaneity. Marriage should be an exciting and fun time for the two of you. People tend to take the good things for granted, so make sure you plan for fun and adventure. Being flexible means trying new activities and being open to your spouse's ideas. It also means adjusting the amount of time you spend doing each activity.
Loving your wife regardless of what is returned
Loving your wife regardless of what she gives you is the essence of marriage. Marriage is the union of two people in love, and it has the supreme value of glorifying God. No other relationship has the same divine meaning. Marriage is the highest communion of love, a union that requires giving yourself fully to your spouse.
The scriptures are clear on this. In Ephesians 5:25-33, the Lord teaches husbands how to treat their wives. The basic command to love your wife is to desire and work for her happiness. This is a form of agape, which is God's love. You must desire her happiness and strive to give her all the love you can. This includes sacrifice, as well.
In a LDS marriage, a husband must serve his wife and family with the same level of love as Christ did to his Church. It is important to remember that the wife is the head of the household, and she will respond to the leadership you give her. A good husband is consistent, loving, understanding, and kind.
To have a successful chartered LDS marriage, you must love your wife more than yourself. This requires sacrifice, love, and loyalty, and will result in fidelity and confidence in your marriage. There is no room for extramarital romance in a LDS marriage.
Temple marriages are top-secret affairs
Temple marriages are strictly private affairs and cannot be performed by just anyone. Couples are required to have "temple recommends" from the church and be morally pure. Without such a recommendation, a couple is forced to have a civil ceremony and wait an entire year to get married in a temple.
The temple wedding ceremony once included a re-enactment of biblical stories, but this has been changed since 1990 and some sources indicate the re-enactment is no longer included in the video. In addition, participants learn a secret handshake and secret handshakes. In some ways, the temple wedding ceremony and its secrets are reminiscent of Joseph Smith's involvement in Freemasonry. Many of the secrets of the temple marriage ceremony parallel Masonic secret rituals, including the use of severe penalties.
To get a temple marriage, the couple must be members of the Mormon church. There are about 230 temples worldwide, and most couples choose to wait for a long time to avoid the expense. They also have to reserve a sealing room and obtain a temple recommend. After the temple ceremony, the couple must get a marriage license from the state of their residence.
Mormon temple marriages are very private affairs. People outside of the church are not allowed to attend. Non-Mormons will be asked to wait outside. This can be heartbreaking for the LDS couple.
Chastity is a requirement
If you are considering marriage with a LDS member, one of the requirements is to maintain chastity. The law of chastity requires that you remain celibate until the marriage is consummated. If you break this rule, you will have to undergo a repentance process. It is important to follow the instructions of your bishop, who can help you through this process.
Mormons believe that sexual relations between husband and wife are purely a demonstration of love. They also believe that the knowledge of faithfulness before marriage provides emotional security to the couple. Thus, the law of chastity is considered a blessing for the couple. It provides peace and love.
While chastity is a requirement for marriage in the LDS Church, the law is flexible. It does not prohibit kissing, holding hands, and cuddling. But it does not allow the couples to have any sex outside of marriage. Moreover, it does not prohibit married men from kissing a non-married woman.
However, if a couple breaks this law, the consequences are often inconsequential. People who know God well will not violate the law of chastity. And if they do, they will divert themselves from the eternal love that God's way can offer.
Teen marriage is a significant “risk” contributor
According to research, a significant "risk" factor for lds marriage is teen marriage. Children born into non-marital families are more likely to experience poverty, be abused by their parents, use illegal drugs, and launch into premature sexual activity. They are also more likely to commit suicide, have physical illnesses, and have lower career success than those born into married families.
Temple recommends aren’t deemed worthy of a “temple recommend”
A temple recommend is an honor bestowed upon only members of the LDS church. During the interview, a candidate must answer questions about temple chastity, sustaining church leaders, tithing, and their testimony. If they can't answer all the questions, they may not receive a temple recommend.
The principles behind blood atonement and temple recommendations have been altered over time. One example is that members are no longer permitted to touch each other until the endowment ceremony is completed. Other changes were made after Joseph Smith's death. The priesthood robes are no longer changed every two minutes, and the ceremony is no longer followed by congregational singing.
The process is also complicated and confusing. People are under tremendous pressure from friends and family to become a temple recommend. This peer pressure is immense, and they have no choice. Especially when they don't know anyone who has left the temple before the ceremony has even begun. There's also the pressure of curiosity. This is often too strong to resist.
The chances of making it to the temple are slim. The average church member will not make the top 1/3 of the Celestial Kingdom. But many families have one spouse who is worthy of one.
