Deborah Chan
The wedding vows of the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), are a highly private affair. Only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter the temple and witness the vows, which are considered sacred. During the ceremony, the couple kneels at an altar and joins hands, promising to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding vows | To be sealed, to honour and love each other, and commit to the teachings of the church |
| Wedding attire | Modest, traditional religious garments symbolic of Biblical text |
| Wedding location | Temple |
| Guests | Only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter the temple and must have a temple recommendation issued by a church leader or bishop |
| Wedding type | Civil ceremony and/or temple wedding |
| Marriage type | Believed to be for eternity, including into the afterlife |
| Wedding ritual | Couple kneels and repeats the vows of commitment |
| Wedding blessing | Couple pronounced husband and wife and receive a blessing from the Church |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding vows are part of a sealing ceremony
Wedding vows are an important part of a sealing ceremony in the Mormon Church. The sealing ceremony is a sacred ritual in which a couple is married for eternity, including in the afterlife. The ceremony is believed to be a vital part of salvation in the Mormon faith, and it is thought to join families across generations.
During the ceremony, the couple kneels in front of each other at an altar and joins hands. They recite vows of commitment, promising to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity.
Only those who follow the Mormon faith are allowed to enter the temple and witness the sealing ceremony. Guests must have a temple recommendation issued by a church leader or bishop. Due to the secrecy surrounding the ceremony, details are not widely known, and photographs are forbidden. However, ex-Mormons have shared their experiences, providing some insight into the ritual.
Some have noted that the traditional vows do not include the word "love," and there may be some differences in the wording of the vows for the man and woman. While the sealing ceremony is valued for its simplicity, some couples choose to have a civil ceremony in addition to, or instead of, the temple wedding to include all their loved ones.
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The couple pledges themselves to each other and God
The wedding ceremony is a sacred moment for Mormons, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). It is believed that marriage is a sacrament ordained by God and that a couple pledges themselves not only to each other but also to God.
During the wedding ceremony, the couple joins hands and kneels in front of each other at an altar. They promise to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity. The couple may also wear green aprons with a fig leaf pattern, symbolising the fig leaves that Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the Garden of Eden.
The wedding vows are considered a sacred part of the ceremony and are not shared outside of the temple. While the exact words may vary, the vows typically include a pledge to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to uphold the teachings of the church. It is believed that couples married in an LDS temple are married for eternity, including into the afterlife.
The sealing ceremony is a vital part of salvation in the Mormon faith, and it is believed that marriages solemnized in this way join families across generations. While some couples choose to have a civil ceremony to include all their loved ones, a temple wedding is considered essential to be sealed for eternity. The secrecy surrounding the temple sealing ceremony is intended to respect the deeply held beliefs of LDS members and to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.
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The ceremony is based on Bible verses about marriage
The wedding ceremony of the Mormon Church, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), is steeped in tradition and based on Bible verses about marriage. The faith holds that marriage is a sacrament and an integral part of God's plan for his people.
During the wedding ceremony, the couple pledges themselves not only to each other but also to God. They promise to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. The ceremony often includes traditional wedding vows, such as "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. And they twain shall be one flesh, so they are no more twain but one flesh" (Mark 10:9). The couple may also clasp hands and kneel in front of each other at an altar during the ceremony.
The attire at a Mormon wedding is also symbolic of Biblical text. The bride and groom wear bright white clothing, which symbolises purity. Additionally, they may wear green aprons with a fig leaf pattern, representing the fig leaves that Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the Garden of Eden.
Mormon wedding traditions are deeply rooted in their faith, with temple sealings, or temple marriages, believed to bind two people not only on earth but also in heaven. This belief is central to the wedding ceremony and shapes the vows and rituals that are a part of this sacred occasion.
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The bride and groom wear traditional white clothing
The bride and groom's attire is an important aspect of a Mormon wedding. The couple is expected to wear traditional white clothing during the ceremony. This attire is symbolic of purity and is derived from Biblical text. The colour white is chosen to represent the purity of the bride and groom as they enter into a sacred union.
The bride typically wears a white gown, which can be accompanied by a bonnet and a veil. These additional accessories further emphasise the religious nature of the ceremony and the bride's commitment to her faith. The groom also adheres to the traditional dress code, donning white temple clothing, which includes symbolic elements.
In some instances, the couple may choose to incorporate another symbolic element into their attire. They might wear green aprons with a fig leaf pattern, tied around their waists over their temple clothing. This fig leaf pattern harkens back to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they covered themselves with fig leaves.
The bride and groom's choice to wear white extends beyond mere tradition or aesthetics. It symbolises their commitment to each other, to their faith, and to leading pure and virtuous lives. This choice of attire is a powerful statement of their beliefs, and it sets the tone for the solemnity and sacredness of the wedding ceremony.
After the ceremony, the couple changes out of their white temple clothing and into their regular wedding attire before exiting the temple. This change of clothing marks the transition from the sacred ritual to the celebration that follows.
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Couples may choose to have a civil ceremony
A temple sealing is a vital part of salvation in the Mormon faith, as it binds two people together not just in this life but also in heaven. It is believed that couples married in an LDS temple are married for eternity, including in the afterlife. The sealing ritual takes about 20 to 30 minutes, while the marriage lasts forever.
During a temple sealing, the couple kneels around an altar and repeats the vows of commitment recited by the church member performing the sealing. The traditional wedding vows include a promise to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church. However, some sources claim that the vows do not include the word "love".
Until 2019, couples in the United States who chose a public civil ceremony faced consequences for their decision. They were forced to wait a full year before holding a temple wedding to re-establish their worthiness to enter the temple. This year-long wait was not universal within the LDS Church and was only enforced in the US, Canada, and South Africa. Other countries with large Mormon populations, such as the UK, have allowed civil ceremonies to be followed by same-day temple weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
Mormon wedding vows are part of a sacred temple wedding ceremony, also known as a temple sealing. The vows are considered top secret and are not shared with those outside of the faith.
The vows are recited by the couple, who kneel around an altar and join hands. They promise to be sealed, to honour and love each other, and to commit themselves to the teachings of the church.
The bride and groom wear traditional white temple clothing, symbolic of purity. They may also wear a green apron with a fig leaf pattern, symbolising Adam and Eve.
Only those who follow the Mormon faith can enter the temple. Guests must be over 18 and have a temple recommendation issued by a church leader or bishop.
Yes, but the ceremony would have to take place outside of a Latter-Day Saints temple.
