Should you be contemplating marriage down the line, think about opting for a wedding at an LDS temple. This hallowed ceremony is imbued with greater meaning than a regular civil marriage, representing the pinnacle of dedication and loyalty. However, orchestrating an LDS temple wedding comes with its own set of hurdles. One of the foremost challenges is the lengthy wait for the temples to resume operations. Schmidt and Andrus are eager to tie the knot the moment the temples are operational again, yet it remains uncertain when their wedding will take place.
Anavey and Mitchell were sealed in the LDS Portland Temple
The ceremony was conducted in the LDS Portland Temple. The bride and groom were joined by their parents, sisters, and closest friends. The bride and groom wore temple-approved white clothing. Because the temple does not have dressing rooms, they must arrive in their formal temple attire.
The ceremony was a rite of passage for the couple. The church emphasized the importance of marriage. The temple was a place of spiritual growth, allowing a couple to become one. The sealing ceremony was a special occasion for the couple.
Carolee Waddoups Teuscher dreamed of a temple wedding
Carolee Waddoups Tescher was 38 years old when she received her temple endowment. Although she had spent more than a decade away from the Church, she never gave up her desire to be sealed. She even gave birth to two daughters during this time. But despite the difficulties she faced, she had faith that one day she would return to the temple to marry her husband Tyler.
Despite her parents' objections, she and her husband planned a wedding in the temple. However, the temporary closure of 112 temples caused many couples to reevaluate their plans. The COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible for Latter-day Saint couples to be sealed in a temple on the original date.
Carolee’s family was excluded from the temple ceremony
Carolee and her family were shocked when they learned that Carolee was not able to invite her parents, who are non-LDS, to the temple ceremony. Many Latter-day Saints are reluctant to let people from the other side of the aisle participate in their temple weddings. They might not have thought things through enough to see how it might be from the other side.
The LDS temple ceremony policy prohibits non-LDS parents from attending their children's weddings. Parents of non-LDS children must meet the membership requirements of the church. They also may be prevented from entering the temple. However, Carolee's family was not only disgruntled about the LDS temple policy but also was upset with her parents' reactions.
The church has been considering a new policy that will allow anyone to attend the ceremony. This will allow everyone to attend a civil wedding and minimize the hurt feelings of those locked out of the temple ceremony. It currently requires newly baptized Mormons to wait a year before they are allowed to marry in the temple.
Mormons have been advocating for more transparency regarding the endowment. The online General Handbook lists specific covenants for endowment. However, they were not discussed publicly in the 1990s. In the past, this covenant would have been called a penalty.
The LDS temple is a sacred place that binds the husband and wife for eternity. The temple sealing ceremony promises glory and joy for the couple throughout eternity. However, the sealing is not an automatic process, and the couple will have to be faithful to the covenants. The temple is a sacred place where members can receive guidance and comfort from God.
Carolee’s parents opted for a civil ceremony instead of a temple ceremony
One reason Carolee's parents opted for an alternative wedding ceremony is because she and her fiancé have different religious beliefs. The Latter-day Saint church, for instance, prohibits non-members from attending temple weddings. This policy can cause abuses between non-LDS spouses. One example is the situation of an LDS child who marries a Southern Baptist. The child dated non-LDS people, joined a Southern Baptist church, and decided to get married in that church.
In 1980, Sue Bergin was only 22 years old when her brother was married in a temple. Church authorities had emphasized that civil ceremonies should be simple and dignified. Nonetheless, Latter-day Saint couples were allowed to perform civil ceremonies in their own churches. The Church also owns chapels where they can conduct such ceremonies.
