Sealing Question?

[SQUARE]

Can a Woman who is still alive, be sealed together in the temple to her Common Law husband who has been deceased for many years??.

[Gwen]

common law? not sure. she can be sealed to a deceased husband (usually has a marriage certificate that goes with that). If she lived in an area that recognizes common law marriages then I would guess she could use the legal criteria to prove they were married and then yes.

[Guest Sachi001]

You ask a complicated question. Common Law marriage is recognized in some states but not others.

If your state has such laws then a document can be obtained. How you can obtain such documentation you will have to research by contacting your local government authority.

The Temple rules require that a husband and wife who were married outside a temple may be sealed after one full year from the date of their civil marriage.

It does not state anything about Common Law marriage.

Temple rules also state that a deceased man may have sealed to him all women to whom he was legally married during his life if they are deceased or if they are living, and are not sealed to another man.

Therefore the question of if the marriage is considered legal by the First Presidency. I would suggest that you counsel not with just your Bishop, but the Stake President and possibly the Temple President in that area. I tend to think a letter of appeal of approval by the First presidency will need to be in order to approve. Any documentation by the local government recognizing the legality of your Common Law marriage will greatly help.

If this is not possible then I would not fret too much. Joseph F. Smith in his vision of Temple work in the Spirit World should overcome your sealing problem as such will be allowed should you two desire such in the hereafter.