I heard you speak in Pendleton, Oregon last night. I had a few questions, but time ran out before you could possibly answer them. Anyway, I have many Mormon associates and have bits and pieces of their beliefs. The area that intrigues me the most is the marriage ceremony. 1) Why is no one allowed to observe the marriage ceremony in the temple? 2) Who marries the couple? 3) Are the couple separated at any time during the ceremony? I have heard that the priest (?) takes the bride into a separate room and some ritual is performed. She is never to tell what happened there. 4) What is the undergarment that the bride and groom wear after the marriage ceremony? Why do they have to wear it?

Thanks, Jim, for helping us, as Christians, to better understand Mormonism.

Dianna,

No one is allowed in the Mormon temple (once it is dedicated) who is not a Mormon and who does not have a valid temple recommend. Therefore, no nonMormon can attend the ceremony. The temple ceremony (as distinct from the marriage ceremony) is occult in nature. The marriage ceremony itself, however, is pretty plain vanilla other than the fact that the bride and groom kneel on opposite sides of an altar and mirrors on both sides of the room give an "eternity" effect.

The person who marries them is ususally the temple president, however it could be a stake president, or even a bishop. Nothing sexual or weird occurs in the marriage ceremony. Family and friends (who have temple reccomends) are present.

Everything in the temple is secret (they say "sacred, not secret").

The undergarment has Freemasonry's square, compass, and rule embroidered into it. It is supposed to be a sacred garment which reminds them of their commitments made in the temple and acts as a protective talisman for them. They buy as many garments as they want and wash and wear them as any other undergarment. When they decide they need to be replaced, they are supposed to cut the embroidered marks out of them and burn them.

Hope that helps.

Jim

Jim