Couples Married Civilly Now Authorized for Immediate Templ... https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/couples-married-civil...

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6 May 2019 - Salt Lake City | News Release

N ew p o l i c y s e t s s i n g l e g l o b a l s t a n d a rd
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints announced Monday that a civil marriage between a man
and a woman will no longer necessitate waiting a year for that
couple to be to married (or sealed) in a temple. The change means
Latter-day Saint couples can look forward to a temple marriage as
soon as their circumstances permit.
The new policy sets a single global standard for Latter-day Saints
around the world. The Church has observed this practice for many
years in more than half of the countries where the worldwide faith
resides. In those countries, couples are required by law to marry
civilly first.

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“Where possible, leaders should encourage couples to be both

married and sealed in the temple,” says a First Presidency letter to
Church leaders around the world. “Where a licensed marriage is
not permitted in the temple, or when a temple marriage would
cause parents or immediate family members to feel excluded, a
civil ceremony followed by a temple sealing is authorized.” The
First Presidency also stated, “This change in policy should not be
interpreted as lessening the emphasis on the temple sealing. The
sealing of a husband and wife in the temple is of eternal
significance and a crowning experience on the covenant path.”
(Download the full letter and Q&A enclosure.)
Church spokeswoman Irene Caso, who is from Madrid, Spain,
shared her excitement and personal experience related to this new
policy. “In 2005, my husband and I were married. We had a
beautiful civil ceremony on the afternoon of December 15 at a city
hall. Later that day, in a more private setting, we were sealed in the
Madrid Spain Temple. After going to the temple, we all celebrated
with music and dance. Most of my immediate family and friends
are not members of our faith, so it was especially meaningful for
us to have them witness our civil union and help them feel
included in the festivities of the day. These changes announced
today will bring the same happy and memorable experience to
many families throughout the Church.”
The Church asks that these civil marriage ceremonies be simple
and dignified. Couples may use chapels owned by the Church for
these ceremonies. Regardless of location, the temple sealing
should be the central focus of the marriage and provide the
spiritual basis on which the couple begins life together.
Newly baptized Latter-day Saints will continue to wait a year from

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the date of their confirmation to be married in a temple. This

aligns with the Church’s long-standing policy of allowing new
converts to gain a greater understanding of their faith which
includes learning about the sacredness of a temple and the
sacraments, or ordinances, that take place in temples.
During that year, new members are encouraged to obtain a
limited-use temple recommend that allows them to serve in a
temple baptistry. The Church also encourages new members to
learn about their ancestors and gather their names for temple
service.

Additional Resources

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