Mormons place a strong emphasis on the bonds of marriage and the commitments made within temples. The practice of having multiple spouses was discontinued in 1890. Additionally, Mormons hold a belief in the sanctity of same-sex marriages. However, some uncertainties regarding this practice still linger. Is it deemed holy within the Church? Explore further in this article.
Celestial marriages
The LDS believes that marriage is a sacred act. It is ordained by God. Without marriage, a man and a woman cannot be exalted. A marriage brings about the crowning glory of the Father's kingdom and brings children into the world. This is why a celestial marriage is so important.
Celestial marriages are performed in temples and last for time and eternity. They require both participants to abide by the priesthood order and live in a celestial world. The marriage also ensures the continuation of the family unit in heaven. It is important to understand that celestial marriage is necessary in order to achieve exaltation, and exaltation is based on the continuation of the family unit through eternity.
The doctrine of Celestial Marriage was first presented in 1852 by Joseph Smith. Other hints of the doctrine had been incorporated into the church years before. But the only woman who publicly opposed it was Mrs. Smith, who knew her husband too well to believe in the Divine origin of the system. Nevertheless, she was determined to fight against it even during his lifetime.
The Mormon Church believes that plural marriage is important, and it is practiced through temple sealings. Many Mormons believe that polygamy will be reinstated at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, but this does not mean it will return immediately. It is also possible for widowed and divorced men to be sealed to several wives.
Covenants of eternal marriage
A marriage covenant is an obligation of faithfulness and is a sacred promise. It was intended to mirror the union between Christ and His church. In Ephesians 5, we read about Christ giving Himself for the church. This covenant includes a promise of faithfulness and life with His bride. The promise is eternal and must be kept.
Covenants of eternal marriage are sacred if the priesthood performs them and the Holy Ghost seals them. The covenant continues even after death, as the scriptures affirm. This is one reason why the phrase "until death do us part" is often considered a tragic phrase and a warning of the end of the marriage. However, this phrase is not stated in a temple marriage ceremony.
Children born under a covenant belong to their parents for all eternity. However, they can break the covenant by committing sin unto death. If the children do not commit sin unto death, their parents may still feel after them and eventually bring them back to be near them. However, a child not raised according to the covenant does not inherit celestial glory.
Marriage vows are sacred in the Church, and the sealing of the covenant requires obedience to the Lord's commandments. This means keeping a pure life, abstaining from impure things, and offering sacrifices. The sealing of the covenant is a sacred oath between the man and the woman before God and for the rest of eternity.
The priesthood has the authority to invoke the covenants of eternal marriage. The priesthood performs this sacred ceremony for the husband and wife to unite them in their love and the hope of eternal life.
Lawful union of a man and a woman
The Catholic Church holds that marriage is the only legitimate relationship between a man and a woman. This teaching is based on human reason, but is also confirmed by the divine revelation in Sacred Scripture. It is also a fundamental right that all humans possess. A man and a woman are naturally complementary. Marriage is the only natural way for two people to cooperate with God in the creation of a new life. In contrast, a gay union is contrary to marriage, and cannot be equated with it.
According to the Church, marriage is a sacrament, or a sacred union. It has the power to transform a person's life by bringing him or her closer to God. It is also the basis for the family, which is the basic unit of society.
Legalization of same-sex marriage
Many people in favor of legalizing same-sex marriages use the argument of tolerance and equality before the law. However, the church holds that human beings have no right to change the moral standards set by God. Moreover, the laws of men do not have the power to alter the biological relationship between a man and a woman, which is the essence of marriage and procreation.
It is therefore necessary for the legislature to legalize same-sex marriage, since the courts do not offer a more appropriate venue. For example, when the first gay couple tried to marry in the 1970s, they were unable to get married and lost in the lawsuit. Despite the Catholic Church's position on same-sex marriage, the Pope argues that gay couples have the right to be a part of the family, because they are children of God.
In spite of the difficulties of the church in handling the same-sex marriage debate, it is necessary to note that legalizing same-sex marriage will have practical and ethical implications for society. For instance, it will most likely lead to a range of public policies, which should be of concern to Christians and other societal members.
The Church's warning is similar to that of Anglican conservatives in North America. In 2003, they founded a rival church, called the Anglican Church in America, in protest of the consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson. This indicates that the Church is under pressure from within. While liberal Democrats are insistent on full integration of gay marriage into Church rituals, conservatives are staunchly resisting the trend.
The United States has not yet reached a consensus on same-sex marriage, but many other countries have. Countries like the Netherlands and Canada have granted equality in marriage to same-sex couples.
Effects on children
Mormon doctrine does not promise a lifetime together in the celestial kingdom. Rather, it states that families can live together for as long as they meet the criteria to be admitted. Regardless of their age, children should never be forced to join the church or feel like they've failed.
Joseph Smith's early marriages to teenage women were a controversial topic. Many critics of the church viewed these marriages as pedophilic. The term pedophilia denotes sexual interest in prepubescent children. Although Joseph Smith did not specifically engage in pedogamy, his early marriages to women who were still in their adolescence could be viewed as pedophilic.
