Mormon marriages, also known as temple sealings or celestial marriages, are a sacred part of the beliefs and practices of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon marriages differ in some ways from traditional Christian weddings or civil marriages, reflecting the unique doctrines and theology around family and eternity in the LDS faith.
What is a Mormon Temple Sealing?
A temple sealing is a marriage ceremony that takes place in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This ceremony is available only to faithful Latter-day Saints and binds the couple together not only for this life but for eternity. The sealing is considered one of the most sacred ordinances in the LDS Church.
In a temple sealing, the officiator pronounces the couple as being sealed together for time and all eternity in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. This covenant is believed to allow the family unit to remain intact after death, provided the individuals live according to LDS teachings. Children born to the couple after being sealed are considered “born in the covenant” and part of their eternal family.
Temple sealings can only be performed in designated LDS temples. There are over 150 operating temples worldwide. In order to enter a temple and be sealed, Latter-day Saints must be deemed worthy by church leaders through faithfulness to church teachings and principles.
Key Differences from Traditional Weddings
There are some key differences between a Mormon temple sealing and a traditional wedding ceremony:
- Location – Temple sealings take place inside LDS temples, which are considered the most sacred places for Mormons. Only certain worthy members can enter.
- Officiator – Sealings are performed by someone holding the LDS priesthood, usually a temple sealer or temple president.
- Vows – While vows are made, there is no formal exchange of wedding vows as in other weddings. The officiator reads the sealing ordinance.
- Legal Marriage – Being sealed in a temple alone does not constitute a legal civil marriage. A separate civil ceremony is still required.
- Guests – Only certain worthy LDS members can attend the sealing ceremony itself, including close family and friends.
- Wardrobe – Participants dress in white temple clothing instead of wedding attire.
- Rings – The exchange of rings is not part of the temple sealing ordinance.
So while a temple sealing is a profound religious event for Latter-day Saints, separate civil marriage proceedings are still necessary to be legally recognized as married. For this reason, Mormon couples desiring a temple marriage will have both a temple sealing and a civil ceremony, either on the same day or separately.
Civil Wedding Ceremonies
As temple sealings do not provide legal marriage status, Mormon couples will often have a civil wedding ceremony in addition to being sealed in the temple. This way, the legal marriage requirements for their jurisdiction are fulfilled.
These civil ceremonies can be held at a church, home, or any other wedding venue. They can take place before or after the temple sealing. Who is able to attend will depend on when and where the civil ceremony takes place.
If done separately from the temple sealing, civil wedding ceremonies offer the chance for non-temple recommend holding family and friends to participate in the marriage celebration.
Two Types of Civil Ceremonies
There are generally two options for civil ceremonies:
- Public wedding ceremony – The couple is legally married at a public ceremony with all invited guests. This precedes the temple sealing.
- Private legal marriage – The couple is legally married at a small private event before the sealing. A public reception follows.
Many Mormon couples opt for the second option so they can be legally and lawfully married before being sealed together in the temple. This private civil ceremony often takes places in the days prior with just close family and is followed by the temple sealing. A larger public wedding reception is then held afterwards for all friends, extended family, and other invited guests.
Temple Sealing Ceremony
The actual temple sealing ceremony is a beautiful and symbolic occasion for LDS couples and their families. Here are some key elements:
- Location – Sealing rooms inside dedicated LDS temples. Decor is simple and elegant.
- Officiator – A designated sealer who holds the sealing authority performs the ordinance.
- Attendees – Only worthy LDS members with valid temple recommends for that temple can attend. Includes close family and friends.
- Wardrobe – The bride, groom, and guests dress in white temple clothing. The bride often wears her wedding dress in the temple for photographs.
- Ceremony – The sealer leads the couple through making covenants and being sealed together for eternity. No formal vow exchange.
- Rings – While rings may be worn if already exchanged civilly, they are not exchanged as part of the temple ceremony.
- Pronouncement – The officiator declares the couple as being joined in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage for time and all eternity.
- Sealing of children – Children from prior sealings can also be sealed to the new couple.
The language used in temple sealings comes directly from scriptures in LDS canonized doctrine and revelations. The sealing power is believed to bind family relationships eternally, not just until death, contingent upon the couple’s continued righteousness.
Celebrations and Receptions
Depending on their circumstances, Latter-day Saint couples often have some kind of religious ceremony and celebration in addition to their temple sealing and civil marriage. These give family and friends unable to attend the sealing itself the chance to celebrate with the couple.
Some options for additional celebrations include:
- Religious ceremony at an LDS meetinghouse or other venue open to all guests
- Ring ceremony exchanging wedding rings
- Formal wedding reception
- Informal luncheon or dinner
- Wedding breakfast, brunch, or dinner
These ceremonies and celebrations take many forms. The most common is a large formal wedding reception held after the temple sealing and civil ceremony. Wedding receptions may include touching cultural traditions, dinner, dancing, photo booths, and other typical reception activities.
Having a subsequent religious ceremony and celebration allows the couple to involve more loved ones. Non-LDS family members and friends excluded from the actual sealing can still come support the couple on their big day.
Getting Sealed after Civil Marriage
When Mormon couples civilly marry first, they can get sealed in a temple anytime after. Couples might do this if:
- They are in a country without a nearby temple
- One or both needs time to become temple worthy
- They want a destination wedding not near an LDS temple
Whatever the reason, couples can have a civil ceremony first and then travel to a temple for the sealing at a later date. Some temples even perform sealings by proxy after a couple is civilly married and one or both spouses have passed away.
Sealing Children after Civil Marriage
When couples are civilly married first, any children born before being sealed in the temple are not considered “born in the covenant.” However, once the parents are sealed, these children can also be sealed to the couple in the temple.
Children do not need to be present or consenting for this sealing ordinance. Mormons believe the sealing blessings and bind families together eternally, no matter when the sealing is actually performed.
International Temple Marriages
For Mormons outside the United States wishing to be sealed in a temple, the options used to be limited. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has aggressively expanded its number of temples worldwide. There are now temples spread across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America.
Some key benefits of international temples for Mormons include:
- Being sealed in their own country and language
- Involving extended family and friends able to attend
- Blending cultural wedding traditions from their homeland
- Reduced cost and travel to reach a temple
International Latter-day Saints no longer have to travel halfway around the world to places like Utah or Idaho for a temple wedding. They can now enjoy temple sealings and civil weddings all within their native countries that align with local laws and cultural expectations.
| Continent | Number of Temples |
|---|---|
| Africa | 8 |
| Asia | 25 |
| Australia/Oceania | 5 |
| Europe | 24 |
| North America | 82 |
| South America | 13 |
| Caribbean | 2 |
This table shows the number of LDS temples in operation around the world as of October 2023. While North America still has the largest concentration, temples are now spread across six continents allowing access to sealings for Mormons globally.
Weddings in Different Cultures
Mormon couples in different parts of the world often incorporate elements of local culture and tradition into temple sealings and surrounding events. Some examples include:
- Japan – Temple sealings may be followed by a traditional Shinto ceremony.
- Tonga – The bride and groom wear a kiekie and ta’ovala (woven mat and sash).
- India – Brides often wear a red sari for the temple sealing ceremony.
- Fiji – Sealing ceremonies incorporate iSevusevu welcoming rituals.
- Ghana – Traditional kente cloths are worn by participants.
These cultural additions make Mormon temple weddings unique and special for international members while still maintaining the sacred sealing ordinance.
Legal Requirements
Mormons worldwide must comply with all legal requirements for valid marriage in their country. Temple sealings alone do not satisfy civil marriage regulations. That is why an additional civil ceremony is necessary.
Some countries require religious ceremonies to be performed by approved ministers for the marriage to be valid. LDS sealers in temples do not usually meet this requirement, hence the need for authorized clergy or government officials to perform the civil ceremony.
Mormons deeply respect local laws and conditions. They seek to have joyful cultural weddings and eternal temple sealings within the legal frameworks of each nation.
Conclusion
What is a Mormon marriage called? In short, temple sealings or celestial marriages. These sacred ceremonies within LDS temples bind couples and families together not just for mortal life but for all eternity. Temple sealings are the capstone ordinance toward which Mormon couples orient their whole lives.
However, additional civil ceremonies and celebrations are also key elements of Mormon weddings. The desire is to involve as many loved ones as possible while fulfilling all legal requirements. Mormon weddings around the world creatively combine temple sealings, civil marriages, and local cultural traditions into a meaningful new beginning for couples and families.