Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are known for their strict adherence to religious beliefs and behavior. So what is it like inside a Mormon marriage? Can Mormons marry outside their religion? Can Mormons divorce? Learn the expectations and rules for marriage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
LDS Temple Marriage
Mormons are allowed to marry someone outside of their faith if they choose, but they are strongly encouraged by church leaders to marry within the LDS church for two reasons:
- Differences in faith are believed to lead to marital conflict, particularly as the couple raises children; and
- Only couples where both parties are Latter-day Saints can be married in the Mormon temple.
Temple marriage is viewed as the highest earthly goal for faithful Mormons, and choosing to marry a non-Mormon results in a civil marriage performed outside of the temple. It is believed that a civil marriage lasts until death, while a temple sealing is recognized by God through the eternities even after the couple dies.
Mormon Marriages and the Law of Chastity
Mormon marriage rules are mostly prescribed in the law of chastity, which prohibits any physical intimacy outside of marriage. In the temple, LDS couples make promises of complete fidelity to one another.
Couples are also taught that a close relationship with God and obedience to LDS teachings is another important ingredient in marital success and happy family life. There is no teaching in the LDS church that sexual intimacy in marriage needs to be restricted to procreation.
LDS Marriage and Family Life
In the LDS church, marriage is seen as the foundation of a family. Not only are spouses "sealed" to each other for eternity in a temple marriage, but their future children are also automatically sealed to them, as well. The LDS church doesn't forbid the use of birth control, but Mormon husbands and wives are encouraged to avoid postponing the decision to have children for selfish reasons.
Mormons believe in traditional gender roles, where the wife's main responsibility is to nurture the children and the husband's main responsibility is to be the provider and the head of the household. The 1995 LDS document entitled "The Proclamation on the Family" teaches that "in these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
Mormonism and Divorce
Divorce in the LDS church is seen as an absolute last resort, and is believed not to be necessary for the majority of marital problems that couples face. Though it may take months or even years of work, LDS couples are counseled to save their marriages whenever possible rather than divorcing.
Former president Gordon B. Hinckley told Latter-day Saints in 1996 that "there may be now and again a legitimate cause for divorce. I am not one to say that it is never justified. But I say without hesitation that this plague among us, which seems to be growing everywhere, is not of God, but rather is the work of the adversary of righteousness and peace and truth. You need not be its victims."
For LDS couples who have been previously sealed in the Mormon temple, getting a civil divorce does not automatically dissolve the temple sealing. They must request a cancellation of their temple sealing from the first presidency of the LDS church.
Polygamy in Mormon Marriages
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practiced polygamy for a period of about 50 years in the 19th century. The practice was discontinued in 1890and Mormon temples today do not perform polygamous marriages. (See A History of Mormon Polygamy for more information.)
If any Latter-day Saint is found participating in a plural marriage they may be subject to excommunication. Openly polygamous faiths are not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon marriages are seen as a very serious spiritual commitment, governed by the law of chastity and following LDS teachings related to personal behavior. The LDS temple ceremonies are centered around the sealing (marriage) ordinance because of its importance in Mormon theology.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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