Why can't non Mormons attend a Mormon wedding in the temple?

Answer 1

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") go to temples to perform sacred, holy ordinances, such as endowment ceremonies, eternal marriages, and baptisms by proxy for the dead. The Church considers its temples to be holy places, a "House of the Lord." Due to that sacred nature, only those who have been given an ecclesiastical endorsement of worthiness may enter. These are church members who live up to certain standards and who have been given permission to participate in Temple services by their local leaders.

When a new temple is constructed, the Church will allow the public to tour the building in an "open house." Visitors can see the rooms in the temple, learn what they are for, and understand the purpose of temples for Latter-day Saints. Once the temple is dedicated, or consecrated, it is closed to the public, and only worthy Church members may enter.

Anyone may visit the temple grounds. Most temples have beautiful gardens for everyone to enjoy. Some have a visitor center, where the public may go to learn more about the temple. If you are visiting the temple because a friend or relative is being married, you may be invited to sit in a waiting room or lobby inside the temple until the ceremony is over.

Please note that a Mormon temple is different from a Mormon meetinghouse. A meetinghouse is where regular Sunday worship takes place. Mormon meetinghouses and worship services are always open to the public. Temples are open only for special services on weekdays, and are closed to the public.

Check out the "Related Links" to learn more and to see a collection of photos of the inside of various Mormon Temples around the world.

Answer 2

To enter the temple (excluding the visitor center) you must be worthy by the Church's standards to enter holy grounds. So to enter you must get a "Temple Recommend" which obviously can not be obtained by a non-mormon.

Those who have a close friend or relative participating in a temple wedding may be shown to a lobby, visitor center, or waiting room while the ceremony is taking place. Usually this is just inside the front doors or adjacent to the temple.

Please note that a Mormon Church and a Mormon Temple are not the same thing. If the wedding is taking place in the Church everyone is welcome to attend. Church buildings are always open to the public, Temples are not.

Answer 3

The temple is on of the highest demonstrable levels of commitment in the church. You receive and learn things there that are not available anywhere else. The service done has very little tangible results as far as this life goes. One benefit is the marriage ceremony that unites a couple in a way unlike anything else on earth. There are certain minimum requirements to enter the temple and participate in the ordinances.

I think that a more appropriate question might be "Why would anyone not living the standards want to commit themselves to the higher laws of the church?" If people aren't willing to live the lower laws, then it is pretty much assured that higher laws will be ignored, too. Why would anyone think that living a secular life should qualify them to receive extremely spiritual ordinances and commitments?

Answer 4

Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) are open only to practicing members of the faith with a special recommendation from their Bishop and Stake President (congregational and local leadership). In order to obtain the recommendation, one must have been active in their congregation for (generally) one year, obeying the commandments and laws of the Gospel*, and honoring any covenants they have previously made* (at baptism or other ordinances). This is because the covenants (promises with God) made in the Temple, and especially in a Temple sealing (marriage), are considered extremely sacred and can only be performed if one is pure and worthy before God.

If a non-practicing Mormon wishes to be married or sealed in the Temple, he or she (and the future spouse) must become a practicing Mormon and remain so for a certain period of time before the ceremony. Many non-practicing Mormons choose to be married elsewhere and are sealed in the Temple at a later date when they have returned to the faith. Non-practicing Mormons (or even non-Mormons) can be married by a Mormon Bishop in a meetinghouse (regular church building) or other place with relatively few exceptions.

*The exact requirements for a the Temple Recommend are:

• Faith in and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
• Testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel
• Sustain the current Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders, both international and local
• living the law of chastity (no sexual relationships outside a legal heterosexual marriage, no pornography, no masturbation)
• family relationships in are harmony with church teachings (mutual respect, no abuse, etc)
• not supporting or affiliating with any group or individual whose practices and teachings are against the Church (essentially, not a sympathizer of apostate or anti-Mormon groups)
• honest in all things
• paying a tithe
• obeying the Word of Wisdom (no drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea)
• paying any required child support or alimony (if applicable)
• has confessed any serious sins to the Bishop
• regards themselves worthy to enter and participate in Temple ordinances
• honors and obeys any covenants they have previously made and attends church services whenever possible.

---Covenants made at baptism are to take upon yourself the name of Christ and live as an example of Him, putting Christ first in your life, and obeying His commandments.

---if the non-practicing Mormon has been previously endowed in the Temple they must also obey the covenants made in that ordinance, which are essentially a repeat of those required for the recommend above. The endowment allows an individual to further commit themselves to God and better understand how to use His grace to purify themselves before Him.