Coming Soon To A Temple Near You

[JLHPROF]

To be clear - this is not official in any way (yet).

 

http://thisweekinmormons.com/2014/10/mormon-temple-wedding-changes-say-hello-rest-world-america/

 

excerpt:

However, it appears that this past weekend, in temple training meetings, workers were informed that a change is, indeed, on the way, and in the United States, prospective spouses will need to be married civilly (at a courthouse or wherever) before heading to the temple for their sealing, requiring them to present their marriage certificate (not just a provisional, to-be-signed license) at the temple office.

And to be clear, for couples wishing for the one-stop-shop, that will be going out the window. Civil-then-temple will be the only recourse. And on a related noted, bishops would likely no longer be allowed to perform civil ceremonies (though there’s some room to dispute this), nor would civil ceremonies be allowed on Church property (more likely).

This is a welcome change for many even if frustrating for some, and if it is truly coming, it is likely for two reasons:

• Simple compassion or rethinking of the status quo. The Church feels it’s fine to let civil weddings happen before the sealing. No harm, no foul. Everyone wins.

Or more likely:

• The battle for traditional marriage/for marriage equality (we’re covering our bias bases) will be decided in favor of the latter, and more sooner than later. While many of the fears of gay marriage opponents will not materialize, it’s a likely scenario that the Church refuses to recognize gay marriage and is thus stripped of its ability to perform marriages under the law. So the only marriages the Church will perform thereafter are strictly religious ones that have nothing to do with state institutions.

 

This is what many people have been waiting for.  The US will now follow the pattern of other countries once this becomes official policy.

 

[Calm]

My understanding is this may be a result of multiple people citing the same, possibly incorrect source.

I would not assume that this is accurate unless there is reliable confirmation.

[cinepro]

That is a fantastically huge change.  I'm skeptical.

[katherine the great]

I'll believe it when I hear the announcement.

[JLHPROF]

My understanding is this may be a result of multiple people citing the same, possibly incorrect source.

I would not assume that this is accurate unless there is reliable confirmation.

 

Oh, fair enough. I did say (and so did the article) that this isn't official yet.

But if there's any truth to the stories of temple workers getting the heads up, I thought this might lend some credence.

 

I seriously believe that the Church is undergoing it's biggest overall change in decades.  More openness, more "administrative" methodology changes, less sacred cows (or perhaps just less sacred). 

 

I have never seen so much change in the way the Church is behaving in my lifetime.  And I have only read about such huge changes in the entire makeup of Mormonism a few times in Church History - approx 1840, 1852, 1904, 1929, 1951, 1978, 1990, and now.  Each of those times featured fundamental changes in the way the Church approached its beliefs and its practices.  I think we are on the cusp of another such time.

Edited October 21, 2014 by JLHPROF

[omni]

 

I have never seen so much change in the way the Church is behaving in my lifetime.  And I have only read about such huge changes in the entire makeup of Mormonism a few times in Church History - approx 1840, 1852, 1904, 1929, 1951, 1978, 1990, and now.  Each of those times featured fundamental changes in the way the Church approached its beliefs and its practices.  I think we are on the cusp of another such time.

1951?

[Calm]

Oh, fair enough. I did say (and so did the article) that this isn't official yet.

But if there's any truth to the stories of temple workers getting the heads up, I thought this might lend some credence.

I seriously believe that the Church is undergoing it's biggest overall change in decades. More openness, more "administrative" methodology changes, less sacred cows (or perhaps just less sacred).

I have never seen so much change in the way the Church is behaving in my lifetime. And I have only read about such huge changes in the entire makeup of Mormonism a few times in Church History - approx 1840, 1852, 1904, 1929, 1951, 1978, 1990, and now. Each of those times featured fundamental changes in the way the Church approached its beliefs and its practices. I think we are on the cusp of another such time.

Your dates for the last century have them every 20 to 30 years so it would seem it is about time for another one.

Sometimes it is easier to have a bunch of changes all at once rather than a little here and a little there.

Edited October 21, 2014 by calmoriah

[JLHPROF]

1951?

 

The David O. McKay years started...a very different time for the Church.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-mansfield/the-mormonizing-of-americ_b_2083125.html

Then, in 1951, a man named David O. McKay became the "First President" of the Latter-day Saints and inaugurated a new era. He was the Colonel Harlan Sanders of Mormonism. He often wore white suits, had an infectious laugh, and under- stood the need to appeal to the world outside the Church. It was refreshing. Most LDS presidents had either been polygamist oddballs or stodgy old men in the eyes of the American public. McKay was more savvy, more media aware. He became so popular that film legend Cecil B. DeMille asked him to consult on the now classic movie The Ten Commandments.

Empowered by his personal popularity and by his sense that an opportune moment had come, McKay began refashioning the Church's image. He also began sharpening its focus. His famous challenge to his followers was, "Every Member a Missionary!" And the faithful got busy.

[JAHS]

SLTrib article earlier this year:

 

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/57531159-180/temple-lds-mormon-policy.html.csp

 

And another one about this rumor today:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/58542650-180/temple-lds-mormon-marriage.html.csp

Edited October 21, 2014 by JAHS

[JLHPROF]

Your dates for the last century have them every 20 to 30 years so it would seem it is about time for another one.

Sometimes it is easier to have a bunch of changes all at once rather than a little here and a little there.

 

But which changes will come forth and which will have to wait another 20 years - SSM, Women and Priesthood, apparently given this rumour and the new video on temple clothing there is definitely a new openness about the temple, new historical approaches, possible elimination of the PoGP or the BOA.   Some are less likely, but what changes will stick?

[Calm]

So no one gives an original source with the info.

I am shocked!

[Calm]

But which changes will come forth and which will have to wait another 20 years - SSM, Women and Priesthood, apparently given this rumour and the new video on temple clothing there is definitely a new openness about the temple, new historical approaches, possible elimination of the PoGP or the BOA.   Some are less likely, but what changes will stick?

All I know is I am loving it. It is so much fun.

[JAHS]

So no one gives an original source with the info.

I am shocked!

"Some Facebook posters speculated the move was imminent, claiming that the issue was addressed at recent meetings of LDS temple workers in Bountiful and Rexburg, Idaho."

 

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/58542650-180/temple-lds-mormon-marriage.html.csp

[Calm]

Are they claiming to be temple workers and did they give their names?

Facebook isn't exactly an original source in this context.

Btw, if the Church was going to make a move it seems likely that PAs would know:

"Church leaders are well aware of the issues surrounding marriage and continue to examine them carefully," LDS Church spokesman Dale Jones said Monday in a statement, "but we are unaware of any meetings where changes to temple marriage policies have been discussed."

Edited October 21, 2014 by calmoriah

[JAHS]

Are they claiming to be temple workers and did they give their names?

Facebook isn't exactly an original source in this context.

Btw, if the Church was going to make a move it seems likely that PAs would know:

 

 

From the Herald today:

"Church leaders are well aware of the issues surrounding marriage and continue to examine them carefully, but we are unaware of any meetings where changes to temple marriage policies have been discussed,” said Dale Jones, spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

 

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/mormon-bloggers-spreading-reports-of-marriage-changes-in-church/article_cdc21777-7f0f-571e-96cd-1cda3194de22.html

Edited October 21, 2014 by JAHS

[Calm]

See above.

[omni]

The David O. McKay years started...a very different time for the Church.

Got it. The other events you referenced seemed to be single events so the 1951 date threw me off a little.

[VideoGameJunkie]

I'm more interested in hearing about the possible elimination of the Pearl of Great Price.

[JLHPROF]

I'm more interested in hearing about the possible elimination of the Pearl of Great Price.

 

Oh, it'll probably  never happen, but there is a small minority calling for it.

[Kenngo1969]

I'm more interested in hearing about the possible elimination of the Pearl of Great Price.

 

 

Oh, it'll probably  never happen, but there is a small minority calling for it.

 

A small minority that is, frankly (and I'm not wont to use language this strong, at least, not on this forum; and I do try to be measured in my public comments regardless of the forum or of the topic, so the fact that I'm about to use such language here should tell you something) composed of idiots.    The Pearl of Great Price is a rich reservoir of deep, distinctly Mormon doctrine.  Changing policy or practice is one thing: abandoning doctrine is quite another.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[ksfisher]

The David O. McKay years started...a very different time for the Church.

And I thought you were referring to Debbie Reynolds recording "Aba Daba Honeymoon" that year.

[HappyJackWagon]

I would love to see this happen and I think many members have been waiting for something like this. I hope it turns out to be true and I beleive it will be...I just don't know about the timing.

 

I did speak to some members who attended Temple Training this past weekend in my area and none had heard about this so it wasn't a part of their training. Again, that doesn't mean a different temple training didn't say this, but I wasn't able to confirm it with any of my sources.

 

I hope it happens. January 2015 would be great!

[stemelbow]

I would love to see this happen and I think many members have been waiting for something like this. I hope it turns out to be true and I beleive it will be...I just don't know about the timing.

 

I did speak to some members who attended Temple Training this past weekend in my area and none had heard about this so it wasn't a part of their training. Again, that doesn't mean a different temple training didn't say this, but I wasn't able to confirm it with any of my sources.

 

I hope it happens. January 2015 would be great!

I would hope for this change mostly for the sake of families. The church's current policy is detrimental to families in some cases. have a glorious ceremony with everyone. Do the sealing after the fact for your personal enjoyment. As a married man, I learned my marriage was only partially for me, it was also for my family to get together.

I can give two flying hoots about the Church's problems as it relates to SSM, to be honest. I say under the law SSm should be legal, and whatever that means for the church's stance, we can deal with. No fearmongering needed. A bishop has to marry two loving gay men? Good for the bishop and the men, I say. There is something to commitment and love that I simply can't oppose.

[The Nehor]

I oppose this change. I plan to elope and do not want to have to elope to two places.

[HappyJackWagon]

Salt Lake Tribune is saying the church denies the claims of this change happening soon.

 

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/58542650-180/temple-lds-mormon-marriage.html.csp