Elizabeth Smart married her Scottish fiancé, Matthew Gilmour, last Saturday (February 18, 2012) in a private ceremony in the Laie, Hawaii temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes misnamed the “Mormon Church” by the media). Elizabeth and Matthew, who are both Mormons, chose the Hawaii Mormon Temple because of the time Elizabeth spent on Oahu with her family recovering from her 9-month kidnapping ordeal as a young teen. Elizabeth, who was only 14 years old at the time, was abducted from her home at knife-point and forced into a polygamous “marriage” by Brian David Mitchell, a deranged man who raped Elizabeth repeatedly during the time he held her prisoner. After being rescued and reunited with her family, Elizabeth spent several months in Hawaii with them, and it has become a special place to her that she wanted to share with her new husband.

A Wedding for Time and for All Eternity

It is a wonderful thing to see Elizabeth’s amazing recovery from her horrifying ordeal crowned by such a beautiful moment as her wedding. Elizabeth and Matthew met while they were both Mormon missionaries in Paris, France. Although missionaries do not date, after their missions the two of them began seeing each other and fell in love. Because of their Mormon faith, Elizabeth and Matthew wanted to be married in the temple. In Mormon temples, faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have qualified by keeping God’s commandments make covenants, or promises, with God. One of the blessings they receive in return is that a couple who remain faithful to each other and to God can be married not just for this life, but for time and for all eternity. Their marriage will endure forever.

Preparing for the Temple Ceremony

When they arrive at the temple on their wedding day, a bride and groom are taken to special rooms to prepare for their wedding. The bride’s room is one of the most lovely in the temple. There, escorted by her mother or another female family member or friend, the bride dresses in her wedding gown and adds finishing touches to her hair and makeup. The groom likewise changes from his street clothes to all white. After they are ready, the bride and groom are often escorted to the Celestial Room, which is the central room of the temple, designed to remind those who are there of the highest heaven. The bride and groom spend a few moments together in this beautiful room to gather their thoughts prior to the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the wedding guests arrive at the temple. Only adult members of the Church who qualify can enter the temple proper, so other guests and young people remain in the temple waiting rooms until the ceremony is over. The guests who will witness the ceremony are escorted to a room where they remove their street shoes, just as Moses removed his shoes when he approached the burning bush. Then, dressed in their Sunday best and stockinged feet, they are shown to the room where the wedding will take place.

The Sealing Room

The room inside the temple where weddings occur is called a “sealing room.” This room features an altar in the center, covered by a lacy altar cloth. Chairs are distributed in one or two rows along opposite side walls. Above the chairs are mirrors, which reflect the image of the beautiful chandelier hanging over the altar back and forth until it fades into the distance. Along a third wall is a bench where the bride and groom will sit; opposite the bench at the head of the altar are three chairs. One is for the “sealer,” who has priesthood authority to perform the ceremony, and the other are for each of the two witnesses, who are usually the fathers of the bride and groom.

A temple wedding is a form of “sealing,” which binds in heaven that which is bound on earth. It is the authority to perform a sealing as well as a civil and religious ceremony that sets a temple wedding apart from one held outside the temple. Jesus bestowed the sealing power upon Peter during His mortal ministry:

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:9).

The authority to perform sealings, which was lost during the period of apostasy following the deaths of the early apostles, was restored to the earth and bestowed upon Joseph Smith by the prophet Elijah, who visited the Kirtland Temple of the Church in 1836 for this purpose (see The Doctrine and Covenants section 110). Since that time, the priesthood authority to perform sealings has been passed down to certain men, known as sealers, who have the specific assignment of performing ceremonies binding husbands and wives, parents and children in Mormon temples throughout the world.

A Mormon Temple Wedding Ceremony

The wedding guests wait in complete silence for the bride and groom to arrive. Mormons believe that the temple is the House of the Lord, and the most sacred place on the earth. Any conversation is kept to a whisper. The quiet atmosphere allows all those present to feel the presence of God, and to contemplate the great blessing which is about to be bestowed. The parents of the bride and groom arrive quietly and are seated, with the mothers sitting next to the bench where the bride and groom will be and the fathers sitting in the witness chairs. Then, the bride and groom enter and are seated next to each other on the bench.

Like most weddings, Mormon weddings begin with the sealer offering words of counsel to the bride and groom. In addition, he explains the nature of the wedding ceremony, and reviews the promises they will make to God along with the blessings God is promising them. He invites the bride and groom to kneel at the altar. The sealer then performs the ceremony. Afterwards, the bride and groom may kiss and exchange rings if they desire. Wedding guests are invited to congratulate the bride and groom quietly as they leave the sealing room.

A Dream Come True: A Mormon Temple Wedding

One unique feature of a Mormon temple wedding in today’s world is that the bride and groom have had no sexual relations before the wedding. Only those who refrain from sexual activity outside of marriage are allowed to be married in the temple. It is thus certain that Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour did not move the time of their wedding ahead for any reason other than that they wanted it to be a private, personal day, sheltered from invasive media attention. A day when a couple makes such a sacred covenant with God and with another person should be one of the crowning days of their lives, and it appears that Elizabeth Smart’s special day lived up to her hopes. May all her dreams continue to come true.

Yes, for just as Jesus empowered his apostles that “whatsoever ye bind (seal) on earth shall be bound (sealed) in heaven,” so too he declared “and whatsoever ye loose (unseal) on earth shall be loosed (unsealed) in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

Marriages in Mormon temples are meant to be eternal covenants.  Children born into those marriages are meant to be sealed to their parents for eternity.  Mormon temple sealings are also meant to seal the participants into God’s eternal family.  Those who continue in worthiness and charity (defined as the “pure love of Christ”) may inherit the highest kingdom of heaven, where God dwells, and where marriages and families can continue.

The divorce rate for Mormon temple marriages is about 7%, too high, but much lower than the divorce rate for religious people of all faiths (25%) and the general American population (about 50%).  Any divorce is lamentable, as the break-up of families causes devastation to both spouses and their children, but the break-up of a temple marriage is even sadder.  Grounds for the break up of a temple marriage must be more serious than irreconcilable differences, and sometimes the break up is due to serious sin without repentance.

If a temple-married member of the Church believes he or she has grounds to be unsealed from his or her spouse, he or she must first meet with the bishop (like a pastor) of the ward (congregation) to determine, through discussion, fasting, and prayer, if alternatives to unsealing might be appropriate. If no appropriate alternatives are found, the bishop refers the member to the stake president (who administrates a regional group of wards) for further consultation. Should the stake president and the member be unsuccessful in finding alternatives, the stake president prepares the necessary documentation to refer the matter to the First Presidency of the Church, consisting of the president and prophet of the Church and his two counselors, who are also apostles.

If the First Presidency concurs that the reasons for unsealing the couple are legitimate, the president places his signature on a document entitled “Cancellation of Temple Sealing,” which is then mailed to the stake president, who then conveys it to the member. The member is thereby officially unsealed from his or her spouse. The unsealing of the parents as spouses does not necessarily affect the sealing of the children to each of their parents. The disposition of the sealing of the children to their parents will ultimately be decided by the Lord himself, since only he has all knowledge of the persons and circumstances concerned.

Often the sealing is left in place until the complaining party has the opportunity to wed again in the Mormon temple, because the power and blessings that accompany this temple covenant are so desirable, that they should stay in place as long as possible.

It is certain that the Lord will decide such issues with perfect love, justice, and mercy. No child or adult will be unfairly treated in the Day of Judgment when the Lord Himself will determine the status of all sealings. On Judgment Day, no person will remain sealed to someone who doesn’t truly love that person nor whom they do not truly love, nor will any worthy person who was single on the earth remain unsealed in eternity if he or she desires to be united in matrimony. For each of these worthy persons, the Lord will provide an equally worthy and loving companion for eternity.

*This article has been adapted from Mormons Under a Microscope, by D. Lauritsen, Cedar Fort, Inc., Springville, Utah, 2010, pp. 15, 16.

Additional Resources

Mormon Temple Covenants

Basic Mormon Beliefs

Life Before Life

Mormons and the Bible

Challenging Questions

The union of a man and woman in marriage brings together God’s greatest creations. Marriage and sealing in the temple of our Lord is for time and all eternity. This is the ultimate ordinance and covenant that makes possible exaltation and eternal life. If we are true and faithful to the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, we can become co-heirs with Christ and share in His attributes, including the ability to create  (see Doctrine and Covenants 131; 132:19). Each spouse should make his or her primary concern the well-being and happiness of their companion. In this union, the purpose is to create a family. The family should strive to live in love and harmony so as to help each member become a disciple of Jesus Christ and build up the Kingdom of God here upon the earth.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

• Moses 3:24—Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.
  • The unity of husband and wife brings a oneness like unto the Godhead—one in purpose, cause, and action. President Marion G. Romney provided the following commentary on the meaning of one flesh: “They [husband and wife] should be one in harmony, respect, mutual consideration. Neither should plan or follow an independent course of action. They should consult, plan and decide together”  (Ensign, Dec. 1978, p. 2.). Unity is the key. If we are not one, we are not the Lord’s” (see Doctrine and Covenants 38:27).

• Doctrine and Covenants 49:15-16—”And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.  Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;…”

Marriage is not only ordained of God but is the very institution without which the plan of salvation and the purpose for which the earth was created would have been in vain. The earth is the venue for the physical creation and testing of Heavenly Father’s children.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

Perhaps our greatest concern is with families. The family is falling apart all over the world. The old ties that bound together father and mother and children are breaking everywhere. We must face this in our own midst. There are too many broken homes among our own. The love that led to marriage somehow evaporates, and hatred fills its place. Hearts are broken, children weep. Can we not do better? Of course we can. It is selfishness that brings about most of these tragedies. If there is forbearance, if there is forgiveness, if there is an anxious looking after the happiness of one’s companion, then love will flourish and blossom (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Look to the Future,” Ensign, November 1997, 67).

If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier goal, you will be happy, and your marriage will go on through eternity. (“A Three-Point Challenge,” BYU Commencement Address, April 27, 1995.)

(Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 328-329.)

Marriage, designed to be an eternal covenant, is the most glorious and most exalting principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the marriage covenant brings the fullest joy here and glorious rewards hereafter. The abuse of this sacred ordinance despoils the lives of individuals, wrecks the basic institution of the home, and causes the downfall of nations. (So Shall Ye Reap, p. 106.)

Marriage, the home, and family are more than mere social institutions. They are divine, not man-made. God ordained marriage from the very beginning. In the record of that first marriage recorded in Genesis, the Lord makes four significant pronouncements: first, that it is not good for man to be alone; second, that woman was created to be a helpmeet for man; third, that they twain should be one flesh; and fourth, that man should leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife. (See Genesis 2:18, 24.)

(Ezra Taft Benson, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 534.)

Settle for nothing less than a temple marriage. In the temple we receive the highest ordinance available to men and women, the sealing of husbands and wives together for eternity. We hope our young people will settle for nothing less than a temple marriage. We hope you who are married will remember the feelings of love which led you to the altar in the house of the Lord. Our hearts are saddened as we learn of many whose love has grown cold or who through reasons of selfishness or transgression forget or treat lightly the marriage covenants they made in the temple. We plead with husbands and wives to have love and respect for each other. Indeed, it would be our fondest hope that each family would be blessed with a mother and father who express love for each other, who are deferential to each other, and who work together to strengthen the bonds of marriage. (94-11)

Eternal marriage is the most powerful principle in promoting stable homes. There is no more powerful principle of life to promote love, forbearance, and devotion in the home than that of eternal marriage. Good adjustment and performance in adult life depend largely on the quality of home life. The principle of eternal marriage is a most powerful stabilizing influence in promoting the kind of home needed to rear children who are happy and well adjusted. (72-03, p. 65)

(Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 131.)

The prime purpose of marriage is to provide mortal bodies for God’s children. You young men must ever keep in mind that your lovely companion is possessed of finer sensibilities than you, and if your private conduct is brutal or beastly, bitterness and even disgust may drive out of her heart the affection and regard she once held for you. Both of you must remember that the prime purpose of your marriage under God’s command is to build the bridge from the eternity of spirits to mortality, over which God’s spirit children might come into mortal bodies. Your failure to remember that revealed truth will be your failure to attain the highest bliss in married life. (45-20, p. 174)

(Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 239.)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here is a checklist of ten helpful hints for a successful marriage:

1. Love—Show your love, both verbally and by your actions.

2. Vision—Share with your spouse a common vision for your marriage. Counsel together often.

3. Flexibility—Always be willing to accommodate each other. Remember, if it is important to your mate, it is important to you.

4. Respect—Always remember that selfishness is the destroyer of all relationships; mutual respect is built on trust, commitment, and love.

5. Togetherness—Do things together—pray together, search the scriptures together, eat together, read together, play together, shop together, work together, raise your children together—in essence, whenever possible, do all things together.

6. Admiration—Look for the good in each other. You might even write a love letter listing all the reasons why you love your spouse.

7. Enjoyment—Go on a weekly date; have fun together.

8. Communication—Talk to each other: communicate your needs, desires, and wishes rather than experience unrealized expectations, which often results in negative feelings.

9. Joy—Write a list of things you and your mate can do that will bring joy and happiness to your marriage.

10. Goals—Set some goals and make some plans to achieve the “vision” of your marriage.

SOME MORE THOUGHTS ON CELESTIAL MARRIAGE

• “Commitment to one another makes a marriage strong. Love—the concern and service one gives—will make your marriage blossom.” —Anonymous
• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”  —Mignon McLaughlin
• “The Vital C’s in Marriage: Communication, Consideration, Cooperation, Companionship, Commitment.” —Anonymous
• “The highest happiness on earth is marriage. Every man who is happily married is a successful man, even if he has failed in everything else.” —William Lyon Phelps

SUMMARY

Oh, the list of helpful hints could go on and on. The main thing is to care for each other. The world is full of divorce and separation, which always bring sadness to those involved. The world is also full of happy marriages and families, invariably based on commitment, tireless effort, courtesy, charity, and spiritual unity. Celestial marriage is heavenly marriage, eternal marriage—sanctioned and commissioned by the Almighty, anchored in covenant fidelity, vitalized by the Holy Spirit, infused with lasting bonds of love, and edified by the saving and enduring principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

*This article has been adapted from What We Need to Know and Do, by Ed Pinegar and Richard J. Allen.

What do Mormons believe about scripture?

Mormons believe “the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly” They “also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” 3 The Lord said, “The testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another.” 4 Both the Book of Mormonand Bible testify of Christ, and they are the records of two separate nations: The Bible tells the story of those living in the Old Jerusalem, or Israel, and the Book of Mormon is the record of the people who traveled from Jerusalem to the American continent just before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians.

The Mormon Church has an open scriptural canon, meaning more scripture can be added. This is because of the Mormon doctrine which posits that leaders of the Church continue to receive revelation for the Church. It also reflects the Mormon belief that prophets from the beginning of time have recorded their revelations, but that the Lord has not seen fit to reveal them to us.  Therefore, there are existing scriptures that are still hidden from men.  Mormons believe the Ten Lost Tribes have had prophets and thus have scriptures they will bring with them when they return.  Also, John the Baptist, Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and others have written much that has not yet been revealed.  Certain Book of Mormon prophets saw “the beginning from the end” in vision and recorded those visions.  The Lord has withheld them, because men are not yet worthy to receive them.

Thus far, the scriptures of the Mormon Church include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These four books are known as the “standard works” of the Church. However, Mormons believe also that the leaders of the Church continually receive revelation from the Lord God and thus their talks and sermons can be considered ‘modern-day’ scripture for our time.

It is Mormon belief that each book of scripture contains the word of God and should be treated with reverence. Mormons conscientiously study the scriptures to learn the commandments and the will of the Lord, to come to know their Savior, and to receive personal revelation for their individual lives.

The Holy Bible, King James version, is considered by Mormons to be the translation of the Bible which is most useful. Mormons understand that the records contained in the Bible have undergone many alterations throughout the thousands of years they have existed, but the Bible contains the beautiful and marvelous accounts of the Savior and His early prophets, so many truths can be found therein.   Some people outside the Church think Mormons have replaced the Bible with the Book of Mormon.  This is untrue.  The two books substantiate each other.  In the adult Sunday School class called “Gospel Doctrine,” a four-year course of study is followed and rotated.  Two of those years are devoted to Bible study.  Nor has the Mormon Church rewritten the Bible.  The English Bible (KJV) printed by the Church includes an extensive footnoting system for cross-reference to the other standard works, plus a dictionary, topical guide, gazeteer, and maps.  Joseph Smith did retranslate certain parts of the Bible, and his translation of Matthew is included, but separate from the King James Version.

The Book of Mormon is known as another testament of Jesus Christ, because, as mentioned above, it is a record of the people on the American continent before, during, and after Christ’s appearance there. Mormons believe the prophet Mormon, who abridged the book in ancient times, completed his writing and abridgements and delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added words of his own and hid the inscribed metal plates. Mormonism teaches that the same Moroni visited the prophet Joseph Smith in 1823 and instructed him about the plates. These plates became the Book of Mormon when they were translated.

The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of revelations and records from the earlier days of the Mormon Church, after its restoration in 1830 through divine instruction, and headed by the prophet Joseph Smith.  The preface to the Doctrine and Covenants was written by Jesus Christ Himself.  His voice and words are recognizable throughout.  Many restored doctrines are explained in the Doctrine and Covenants, and many revelations are found there, including the nature of the Spirit World, where we go after death; and a revelation on the kingdoms of heaven.

The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of written materials relating to faith and doctrine of the Mormon Church. These records are also of ancient origin.  They include the writings of Moses and Abraham, translated or revealed by God to Joseph Smith.  Much information on the Creation of the earth and our pre-mortal existence is found there.

What do Mormons believe about revelation?

Mormons “believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and [they] believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” 2 Mormons believe in continuing revelation.  Mormons also believe in personal revelation, and that God is no respecter of persons.  All men come to earth in possession of the “Light of Christ,” which acts as a conscience and urges men to do good.  From time to time, the Holy Ghost speaks to God’s children, warning them, or guiding them to truth, spreading knowledge on the earth.

The scriptures say the following:

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

During His ministry, Christ organized His Church with Apostles and Seventies under His direction.  After His death, the Apostles were guided by direct revelation from Christ.  Mormons believe that after the death of Christ’s apostles, Christ’s Church ceased to have prophets to guide it through direct revelation.  The authority to act in God’s name was also lost.  Without divine revelation through prophets, the philosophies of men became incorporated into what was once the pure gospel of Christ.  Schisms developed, and the result is the existence of many sects of Christianity which vary in doctrine, none teaching complete gospel truth, and none having direct authority to act in the name of God.  Mormons call this the “Great Apostasy.”

Through the ages, the Lord has been preparing the earth to receive the fulness of His gospel again.  Mormons believe that the Founding Fathers of the United States were raised up to help create a free country with religious choice, and that the American Constitution is an inspired document for the same reason.  The Enlightenment and Reformation, with their brave leaders, helped to set the stage for this to occur, all towards the goal of a restoration of Christ’s Church with prophets to guide it.

In 1820, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and was intructed by them to lead out in reestablishing the true Church of Christ.  Heavenly messengers–John the Baptist; and Peter, James, and John; and Elijah– restored the priesthood authority to bind covenants on earth and in heaven. Since then there have been prophets, seers, and revelators upon the earth. A prophet leads The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receives continuous divine revelation from God.  As it says in 1 Nephi 22:2: “Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.”

Baptized members of the Mormon Church receive the permanent Gift of the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost is their companion as long as members remain worthy.  The Holy Ghost acts as a sanctifier, a testator of truth, an aid to discernment, a vehicle for inspiration, and a comforter.  Mormons are counseled to take every instruction they receive from the General Authorities of the Church, and to pray about them, expecting to receive validation from the Lord through the Holy Ghost that what they have received is true.  Members are to rely on personal revelation in making important decisions and fulfilling callings in the Church.  Mormons are counseled to “pray always, that [we] may come off conqueror; yea, that [we] may conquer Satan, and that [we] may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” Revelation received through prayer is protective.

In John 14:26 the words of Jesus Christ concerning knowledge received through the Holy Ghost in revelation are recorded:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to you remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Mormons know the Lord is directly concerned in the lives of all of His children.  Mormons believe that He will answer their sincere prayers.

Matthew 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

These gifts of knowledge, comfort, and protection come through personal revelation.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Mormon belief. Joseph Smith said, “the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” 1

Mormons believe that the Father is “the personal and literal Father of a mortal Offspring born of mortal woman” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., 155). Born to Mary in the city of Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ had both godly and mortal characteristics while on earth. Mormonism teaches that this means he could fulfill His mission as Savior of the World, which mission was laid out by the Father. He would suffer all physical, emotional, and spiritual afflictions possible for man to experience and then would be put to death. He would thus pay the price for all the sins men and women had committed and will yet commit, as well as for their sorrows and grief.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is an important book of scripture to Mormons. In it are contained accounts of prophets living in the Americas who knew concerning the birth of Christ. Mormons believe those ancient peoples living on the American continent during the time of Christ’s birth knew about the Savior and looked forward to His coming. The following scripture is from the Book of Mormon:

Helaman 14:5: “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.”

Mormons believe Jesus Christ lived an earthly childhood with his parents Mary and Joseph. When it came time for his mortal ministry to begin, Jesus called twelve apostles and organized His church. He performed miracles and blessed many people while on earth. Records of these miracles are found throughout the New Testament. While on earth, Jesus Christ taught His gospel to all in Judea who would listen.

As His final act as Savior on the earth, Christ performed the Atonement. This great sacrifice included taking upon Himself all the sins of mankind in the Garden of Gethsemane, and later, the crucifixion and death of His mortal body on the cross at Calvary.

The Mormon Church teaches that the Savior performed the Atonement as part of Heavenly Father’s plan, so that one day every child on earth would have the opportunity to return to live with God. Without the Atonement, it would not be possible to be perfectly clean and forgiven of our sins, and we must be spotless to return to the Lord’s presence.

To qualify to receive the blessings made possible by the Atonement, we each must learn about the Savior and follow His commandments. It is Mormon belief that we must be baptized in His name and continually strive to serve and live righteous lives. When we make mistakes, which occurrence is inevitable, the Atonement is there to wipe those sins away, if we repent.

Jesus Christ directs The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through direct revelation to His prophets.  The temples built to him in this despensation of time are each the House of the Lord, sacred and holy places where Christ can visit, should He choose to do so.  The Lord’s prophets have written of some of these visits.  Joseph Smith recorded the following visitation in the Kirtland Temple:

The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.  We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.  His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:  I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.  Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.  Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.  For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.  Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy  house (Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-8).

What do Mormons believe about the sacrament?

The Mormon Church holds that each member makes a covenant with the Lord at baptism. In doing so, the person being baptized promises the Lord that s/he will take His name upon them, remember Him always, and strive to keep His commandments. In return, Mormons believe He will bless them with His Spirit. The blessings of the atonement—peace, forgiveness, a promise of eternal joy—will be theirs when they abide by the baptismal covenant.

But we all make mistakes after we are baptized. Though we are perfectly clean when we come up out of the water, none of us remain that way forever. Mormons believe that partaking of the weekly sacrament is a way to renew the baptismal covenant and start out fresh for another week. As long as a person is repenting and striving to keep the commandments, the taking of the sacrament will indeed renew that covenant and make them clean again.

For Mormons, the sacrament is constituted of eating bread and drinking water symbolically in remembrance of Christ’s flesh and blood. Mormons do not believe the bread nor the water is the literal body and blood of Christ. Members of the Mormon Church follow the teachings of Jesus as He outlined in what is known as the Last Supper, which was the First Sacrament.

Luke 22:19-20: “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

When Christ visited the ancient American continent after His resurrection, establishing the ordinance and ritual of the sacrament was one of His main goals:

And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. … And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.

But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall (3 Nephi 18:11–13).

The sacrament is the ordinance that replaced the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings of the Mosaic law, and with it came the Savior’s promise: “And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 9:20).

The ritual as currently practiced in the Mormon Church:

At the beginning of the sacrament ritual, three priests (worthy male members of the Church who are at least age 16, and have received the Aaronic Priesthood) sit at the sacrament table.  On the table are trays of broken bread and little cups of water.  One priest kneels and blesses the bread, which is then passed to the congregation.  Another priest then blesses the water, and worthy male Aaronic priesthood holders distribute it. Every member who is contrite may take the sacrament and renew their baptismal covenants. To Mormons, the sacrament is a time to reflect reverently upon the goings on of the past week and to think of the eternal sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The blessings pronounced upon the bread and water are found in the Book of Mormon, in Moroni 4 and 5.

The blessing on the bread:

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

The blessing on the water:

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.  [In the Book of Mormon, the word is "wine."]

Mormon Apostle Dallin H. Oaks said the following:  “The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 17–20).

Since the sacramental ordinance renews the covenants made at baptism, the Lord’s promises made at baptism are also renewed, that Christ’s spirit will always attend the worthy person, that his sins are forgiven, and that he is born again.  Prophet Brigham Young called this “dwelling in the Land of the Living.”  Such people, those who keep their baptismal covenants and partake of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, are “saved all the time.”  This is a daily walk with Christ.  Said Brigham Young, “I walk in Zion every day, and so do thousands of the Saints.”

What do Mormons believe about life after death?

At the end of our mortal lives on earth, we all die. Mormons believe that life does not end with death.   Mormons believe death is the departure of the spirit from a body that is no longer inhabitable. The spirit leaves the body and enters the spirit world, where he or she waits for resurrection and judgment.  Mormon prophet Joseph F. Smith saw a vision of the Spirit World.  His account, and the revelations of Joseph Smith, reveal that we enjoy felicity with our families and friends in the Spirit World, but that we also long to be resurrected, for only in the perfect union of our spirits with our bodies can we experience true joy.  Joseph F. Smith saw that Christ Himself taught the spirits of the righteous during the three days that His body lay in the tomb.  He saw that Christ ordained prophets who were already deceased to also go among the spirits of the rebellious to teach them the gospel, a work that is ongoing. While in the spirit world, those who did not have a chance to hear the gospel of Christ on earth are taught by these missionaries and other emissaries of Christ. The children of God who didn’t hear the gospel on earth may choose to accept it in the spirit world and may receive all the eternal blessings that come with that acceptance.

It is Mormon belief that after the resurrection people will be assigned to one of three kingdoms, each having a certain degree of glory (so glorious as to be unimaginable to us), based upon their faithfulness and the completion of temple ordinances. The sun, moon, and stars represent the three degrees of glory. Christ made it possible for each person to receive the highest degree of glory if the person obeys His commandments and applies His atonement to his life while on earth. This requires humility and repentance from sins.  The Mormon Church teaches that this assignment to kingdoms will occur at judgment, the event at which our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will preside and we will be judged according to our deeds and intentions during our mortal life. Our bodies will be in their resurrected, perfected state, and we will be assigned to one of three kingdoms: the Celestial, the Terrestrial, or the Telestial. The Celestial kingdom is the highest and most glorious of all the kingdoms; next comes the Terrestrial, and finally, the Telestial. Mormons believe the Celestial kingdom is where we may live eternally as family units and with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Mormonism also teaches that each husband and wife—each eternal and worthy companionship created in sacred Mormon temples can eventually create worlds of their own. This is the ultimate goal of the plan of salvation–to inherit all that Christ has, including the power to create. Mormons believe that this state of being eternally with God and like God (although never supplanting God) equates to a fulness of joy.  (See Mormon Beliefs:Why Mormons are called the “Godmakers.“)

The knowledge that family ties and friendships continue after death; the knowledge that teaching and missionary work in the spirit world “levels the playing field” for those who lived and died without receiving the gospel; the knowledge that all will be resurrected; the knowledge that nearly everyone who has ever lived will inherit a kingdom of unimaginable glory–all these things give Latter-day Saints a hope that transcends death.

Another glorious doctrine was taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He learned through revelation that little children who die are resurrected at the age they had attained at death.  In the afterlife, the mothers of these children may have the joy and recompense of raising them to maturity.

The doctrines of Mormonism bring much comfort to members who have lost loved ones.  Mormon funerals are inspiring and hopeful.  Mormon doctrine answers questions that can bring despair and confusion if left unanswered.  God loves His children.  His “mission statement” can be found in the Pearl of Great Price: “For this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

What do Mormons believe about the purpose of life?

Mormons believe all men and women are children of Heavenly Father. We lived with Him in heaven in a happy state before we came to earth.  God’s work and glory is to bring His children home to Him after their mortal lives have ended.  This is a plan of progression, and mortal life is a time of learning and testing that can enable us to progress to a kingdom of glory as resurrected beings in the eternities.

In our pre-mortal existence, we were spirits–spirit-children of Heavenly Father.  On earth, we are born to earthly parents. We obtain physical bodies and have experiences that help us learn and grow.  The Lord knew that none of His children would live sinless lives.  The atonement of Christ provides us with the grace that can cleanse and perfect us, after all we can do to repent and draw unto Christ.  We can come to know our Savior Jesus Christ through trials and through trying our best to live a righteous life, with the Savior as our example.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Savior made it possible for all people who accept His sacrifice to repent and be forgiven of their sins. The Mormon Church teaches that by taking all of our sins upon Himself and by dying for us, He paid the price for our sins, which price is required by the  justice of God.

In addition to living righteous lives and repenting of our sins, Mormons believe it is the duty of all to serve and love their fellow men. Mormon missionaries spread the message, contained in scriptures such as the Book of Mormon and Holy Bible, that Jesus Christ loves us all and He has restored His gospel on the earth. This gospel outlines the ways we need to pattern our lives so that we can receive blessings from the Lord.  A purpose of this life is also to live in families and help the members of those families to feel loved and to be taught the correct principles of Christ’s gospel.

Mormonism teaches that those living on earth accepted the Father’s plan before coming down to earth.   The Plan of Salvation guarantees man his free agency to choose good and evil.  Opposition in all things on the earth provides us with choices.  The atonement provides salvation from the fall of Adam, resurrection for both the righteous and the wicked, comfort and peace during life on earth, and the possibility of exaltation after death.  Although we’ve forgotten our pre-mortal life, we ratified God’s Plan before coming to earth.  We should do all we can to live close to Heavenly Father and obey His eternal and divine laws. We are all children of God, and we can one day be like Him and live with Him. This will bring us eternal happiness.

Polygamy in Mormonism

In 1843, the principle of plural marriage was given by God through Joseph Smith. The Prophet and some of the leaders in the Mormon Church were commanded to enter into this practice. After President Brigham Young, the second president of the Church, led the saints to the Salt Lake Valley, plural marriage was taught and practiced until the year of 1890.Mormon polygamy was practiced because the Lord commanded it. Sometimes, we do not know why God has asked us to do certain things, but we do it because of our faith in Him and our desire to be obedient. Why was Abraham asked to sacrifice his son Isaac? Abraham did not know, except that the Lord required it of him; the Lord required his obedience. Practicing plural marriage was a sort of Abrahamic sacrifice for the early members of the Mormon Church.  It increased the persecution against them, and was so foreign to their western, Victorian culture, that only the desire to be completely obedient to God’s will, and their great faith, could help them manage it.  The nature of Abrahamic sacrifice is that the command of the Lord seems to make no sense to the worldly mind, and following through with the command could cause a breach between the obedient soul and the world around him.

On September 24, 1890, President Wilford Woodruff, President of the Church at that time, having received a revelation from God, issued an Official Declaration, The Manifesto, stating that the Mormons should cease the practice of entering into plural marriage [Mormon Polygamy]. The Lord showed President Woodruff in a vision that ‘unless the practice of plural marriage was ended, the United States government would take over the temples, thus ending work for the living and the dead.’ In the vision, the prophet also saw that men would be taken from their families and be unable to care for their loved ones or serve the Church.  Since the Church has a lay clergy, this would be catastrophic.  The Lord has indicated that if others create conditions that make it impossible to fulfill His commandments, He removes the responsibility from the faithful follower.  Thus, the Lord both commanded and rescinded the Law of Polygamy for the benefit of the Saints.On October 6, 1890, the declaration was put before the body of the Church and it was unanimously sustained to forego the practice of polygamy.

There are those who continue to this day to practice polygamy. However, they are not associated with the Church and are not members of the Mormon Church. Most have never been members of the Mormon Church, even though they call themselves Mormons.  “All who pretend or assume to engage in plural marriage in this day, when the one holding the keys has withdrawn the power by which they are performed, are guilty of gross wickedness.”

In an interview with Larry King in 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley, now the President of the Mormon Church, stated the following: “We are faced these days with many newspaper articles on this subject [Mormon polygamy]… I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing [Mormon] polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties… If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church…More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God…the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage.”