You've received an invitation to a Mormon wedding, and the issue of alcohol is causing you some worry. It's likely you're already familiar with the religious reasons why alcohol might be frowned upon at such an event and are eager to sidestep these concerns. There's no need for guilt - converting a Mormon wedding into a secular celebration without offending religious sensitivities is entirely possible. To achieve this, consider the following suggestions. 1. Avoid pressuring guests to consume alcohol during the reception.
Religious objections to wedding alcohol
Religious objections to Mormon wedding alcohol are nothing new. The religiously conservative Latter-day Saints, for example, often exclude non-members of the church from their temple weddings. But they may not have thought through the viewpoint of the other side of the aisle. They may have thought that only members of their own faith can be married in the temple. If you're planning a Mormon wedding, you should understand the religious policy before deciding how much alcohol you should serve.
Latter-day Saints’ commitment to an alcoholic and drug-free lifestyle
Although the Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is not known for its revolutionary views and has consistently fallen short of the standards of the Christian world, the Addiction Recovery Program, or ARP, is considered to be a groundbreaking initiative. In fact, the Addiction Recovery Program is required reading for all LDS members and is based on the strict guidelines found in the Word of Wisdom, the basic text of LDS faith.
Latter-day Saints' commitment to a drug-free lifestyle is also strongly rooted in their understanding of the afterlife. According to Mormon scripture, men and women will go to "their place" after death. Alcohol and other drugs, including heroin and prescription drugs, rob us of this ultimate pleasure. Therefore, the Lord expects us to live as if we will spend eternity with Him.
Changing a Mormon wedding to a civil ceremony without religious shame
Many part-member families have wondered why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not allow part-member couples to marry in civil ceremonies. While it is not uncommon for couples to have a civil ceremony and then attend a temple to be sealed, the Church's lack of civil authority has caused heartache for many Mormons. Here are some tips on how to change a Mormon wedding to a civil ceremony without religious shame.
First, consider the religious consequences of changing a Mormon wedding. If you have children and would like to have the wedding outside the Mormon community, you may find that the Mormon temple has stricter rules. If you are having a civil ceremony and are not a member, the church might not allow you to marry outside of the temple, or may even disapprove of your choice. In either case, you will have to avoid embarrassing your parents or your children by getting married outside of the church.
Another consideration is the timing. A Mormon wedding must be performed at least one year before it is deemed valid. The church requires that couples wait a year after the civil wedding before they can enter the temple to be sealed. However, couples who marry outside of the Mormon community should avoid this requirement unless they are getting married in an isolated area. The temple sealing ceremony is sacred, so it should not be a hindrance to the civil ceremony.
Changing a Mormon wedding to a civic ceremony without religious shame requires some preparation and understanding on the part of the couple. If you plan to have a civil ceremony, you can choose to have your bishop perform the wedding instead of the temple ceremony. However, there are certain limitations on the timing. Some countries require that you go through the civil ceremony before the temple ceremony. Therefore, it's important to make sure you have the right paperwork for your civil ceremony.
Changing a Mormon wedding to a non-Mormon civil ceremony may also save you from the year penalty. However, if you're getting married outside the church and your family are non-LDS, a civil wedding may be the best option. You don't have to feel shamed by this, because a civil ceremony can be performed in many European countries.
Many couples choose to get married outside the temple for several reasons. A civil ceremony may not be the most convenient choice for them. In many cases, it is possible to have a civil ceremony and a sealing ceremony at a temple. But in some cases, this is not an option for the couple. If you have a good reason for wanting to get married outside of the temple, you should consider changing your marriage to a civil ceremony.
