Tuesday, August 12, 2008

LDS Temple Weddings


I was asked a question about my posting of David and Jill's "sealing" in Mesa. Sometimes I forget that our "Mormon" vocabulary sounds really weird at times. I wanted to answer her questions and thought I could do it better HERE. Besides, maybe others have questions and didn't ask.

One of the most important things in the LDS faith is our family. We believe the connection and responsibilities we have as mothers and fathers last beyond this earth-life. We believe families are forever; we will be together after this life. Our children will have children and they will have children and we will all still be able to visit and associate together. It's like a great big expansion of what grandparents have now, without the illness, sorrow and conflict we have here, in my mind.

LDS couples can be married civilly or in an LDS temple. The goal for most of us to be have our marriage made eternal (be "sealed" together) in the temple. In civil weddings the term of the contract is given within the ceremony as being "as long as you both shall live," or "until death do you part." A temple wedding takes out that limitation. We believe Christ had the power, as he said in Matthew, to bind things here on earth and have them be bound in heaven as well. The greatest treasure we have here on earth is our relationships with our families. Why would that end here? As much time and effort as we put into these relationships, is seems to me that they have lasting value. I believe the Bible teaches the families are eternal.

A couple who want to be "sealed" (have an eternal marriage), have to be members in good standing in the church. They meet before the wedding with their bishop to get the form which allow them to go to the temple. It isn't a commitment to be taken lightly, given the sacred nature of the promises given. Wedding couples are asked to keep the number of guests small, usually their immediate family and a few close friends; this allows the service to remain reverent and sacred. The ceremony is very simple and beautiful. It lasts about 30-45 minutes.

The sealing takes place in a small room, called a "sealing room."
The room has chairs for the family and friends. It is always beautifully decorated. There is an alter in the center of the room. The bride and groom kneel at the alter and make promises to each other and God to live Christian principles and make God part of their life as a couple. They are looking into each other's eyes. There are mirrors behind each - the bride and the groom. The symbolism is in the repeating series of images reflected. You can stand before the mirrors and see telescoping images of yourself going on forever. Which is how we see our lives together - forever.

This site gives a list of all the temples - pictures, facts, history. Probably more information than you would ever need. Cool site. This site give more info about our temples purpose. All new temples have an open house after construction, usually for several days. At that time, anyone who is interested can take tour and see the building. When older temples are re-furbished, they do the same thing. Once the temple is dedicated to the service of God, only members who are in good standing may enter.
This link shows all temples announced or under construction, down at the bottom of the page. Hopes this answers some questions.

No comments: