Marriage

[Dr T]

Hello all,

I believe that marriage is a blessing. Amongst LDS, there appears to be a similar sentiment. How far would you all take the importance of marriage? It is sort of a rite of passage in your church to be married in the temple. What of those not married? Would you see them as committing a sin?

Thank you,

Dr. T

[Saab900man]

I was sealed to my wife just a few days ago in the Columbia S.C. temple. Couples who are not married in the Temple are not commiting a sin and I don't think it should be viewed that way. For those who are married with a civil union they just don't have the blessing of being married for time and all eternity that is all. The marriage is still a marriage it is veiwed by Heavenly Father that way too. If this were not the case I am sure one of the modern day prophets would have spoke about the subject. The Lord would have directed him to tell the Church about it. I have been married to my wonderful wife since 02' I was baptized in 05' and sealed in 06'. I was never told other wise so I have to assume and use the brain (how every slow it maybe ) that it is not a sin.

[Traveler]

Hello all,

I believe that marriage is a blessing. Amongst LDS, there appears to be a similar sentiment. How far would you all take the importance of marriage? It is sort of a rite of passage in your church to be married in the temple. What of those not married? Would you see them as committing a sin?

Thank you,

Dr. T

I agree with Ryan that not being married is not necessarily a sin but I would add that it depends on why a person is not married. To know to do good and to not do it is a sin. I would also add that marriage is more than a blessing it is a commandment for those that would live the highest laws of G-d. In the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS we are taught that not all that is possible is always completed in this life. Therefore we believe that G-d has granted for some an opportunity in the next life to complete things desired and commanded in this life that for whatever reason were not completed for no reason to the individual. In other words those that do not have opportunity to marry in this life can be married by proxy (because once leaving this life there is no other way to marry - it must be done by the living). This is one of the primary reasons for the 1000 years or rest (rest meaning to do G-d's work).

The Traveler

[Dr T]

Hi Traveler,

Thanks again for peaking my interest. "Married by proxy." That is a new concept to me. What specifically is it and who says you can marry someone to someone else that do not consent? What if they don't like the person with whom others are making them marry? Thanks for the thought provoking post.

Dr. T

[Saab900man]

Hi Traveler,

Thanks again for peaking my interest. "Married by proxy." That is a new concept to me. What specifically is it and who says you can marry someone to someone else that do not consent? What if they don't like the person with whom others are making them marry? Thanks for the thought provoking post.

Dr. T

Proxy marriage is done in the Temple... A man and a Woman would stand in "proxy" for a deceased couple. For instance maybe grandparents who died without joining the Church. They are never forced to marry anyone it is there decision to accept the work done for them. The same is done with Baptisms for the dead they have to accept the work. The proxy work is merely done to allow the person to accept the ordinance not to force any thing.

Jesus himself did proxy work for all mankind when he died for everyones sins.

[Dr T]

Hi RyanH,

That makes more sense now. People have already been married… Thanks for the lesson.

[MBASS]

I was sealed to my wife just a few days ago in the Columbia S.C. temple. Couples who are not married in the Temple are not commiting a sin and I don't think it should be viewed that way. For those who are married with a civil union they just don't have the blessing of being married for time and all eternity that is all. The marriage is still a marriage it is veiwed by Heavenly Father that way too. If this were not the case I am sure one of the modern day prophets would have spoke about the subject. The Lord would have directed him to tell the Church about it. I have been married to my wonderful wife since 02' I was baptized in 05' and sealed in 06'. I was never told other wise so I have to assume and use the brain (how every slow it maybe ) that it is not a sin.

Get out of town! I live in SC too! Were you sealed on tuesday the 11th? I went to the 7 o clock session and noticed tons of people in the waiting room?! My in-laws are in the Temple Presidency as well.... The Bass's

[Dr T]

Small world MBASS! I know someone from SC. He never had an accent but after moving there the word "chip" turned into Chhhheeeee...uppp.

[MBASS]

LOL! It happens to the best of us!

[Jason]

I actually seem to recall that LDS leaders in the early Utah period taught that marriage without priesthood authority was just fornication.

Anyone else remember this? I'd have to do some digging...

[MBASS]

No I dont remember seeing that, I was married by my bishop...does that count or am I just fornicating?

[Dr T]

Thanks Jason. You keep bringing up a lot of stuff that I've never heard. So, that person, whoever it was, was saying that marriage requires more than the typical ceremony to be legit in his eyes?

[Jason]

While this is not exactly what I was looking for, here's a bit from Mormon Doctrine:

"President Joseph F. Smith expressed the feelings of those who believe and know the truth when he said that he would rather go himself to the grave than associate with a woman outside the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (a temple marriage)." (under Civil Marriage, 146)

[Dr T]

His "repulsion/resistance" is related to what? If not done in that way, he is held back from a step in the eternal progression path?