Why do couples have to wait a year to be sealed in the temple if they were first wed civilly? The Mormon Church believes in the idea of marriage for time and all eternity.  This is made possible through a temple marriage or sealing ordinance performed in a Mormon temple. Church rules state that you have to wait a year to be sealed in the temple if you choose to first get married civilly outside of the temple. Why is this?  Is it a question of worthiness?  Not necessarily.  You can