AboutBrian Rogers Expertise LDS for over 45 years. Very knowledgable regarding LDS theology and practices, Early Christian history, Biblical inerrancy, etc. active on FAIR private list.
BYU and UoU
Question I'm a historian working on a cultural history of American wedding practices,
primarily Protestant but also Catholic, LDS, Jewish, etc.
I'm currently reading through Utah wedding announcements from the 1950s
that mention LDS brides and grooms being married in a "temple wedding"
with a "double-ring ceremony" and matrons of honor, various attendants,
etc.
In case you don't know: the double-ring ceremony is the now-familiar
wedding form where the groom puts a ring on the bride's finger, says
something, and then the bride puts the ring on the groom's finger and says
something. Prior to the 1920s it wasn't common, since only women wore
wedding rings and the ceremony only involved the groom placing the ring on
her finger.
My question is this: I know that LDS Temple weddings have their own
wedding ritual, which is private and only discussed in the temple.
When a newspaper announcement specifically says that a temple wedding
has a "double ring ceremony," what is your best guess as to what that means?
Does it mean that the double-ring ceremony is a part of the temple rite
somehow, or does it mean that there is an "extra" double-ring ceremony,
maybe done on the temple steps or something? How are attendants (matrons
of honor dressed alike, etc.) typically involved in the LDS wedding? Are they
involved in the ceremony itself, or is it considered something "extra" as well?
I was guessing that it was the latter -- that people did (and do) the "double-
ring ceremony" because it was just part of American culture, and not because
it was a formal part of the LDS religious ritual. Ditto the wedding attendants.
But I wanted to confirm it with someone who was practicing LDS and have
them give me their take.
Of course I understand you will not tell me specifics about the temple
marriage and I do not want to be disrespectful. I did hope you could tell me
whether or not the ring ceremony was part of it, and how extensive the role
of attendants would be.
Answer Katy,
I couple of items before I answer.
First off, thank you very much for giving me your understanding, your definitions. Doing so helps me know what assumptions are are beginning with. Next, please feel free to email me at brogersclan@gmail.com anytime. Sometimes it is easier to exchange emails off the website.
Your assumptions are pretty close to reality. IN the temple, the traditional ring exchange is not part of the marriage ceremony, which in LDS jargon is called 'sealing'. The couple are allowed to exchange rings inside the temple after the ceremony and it is very informal. I have never seen or heard of additional words being spoken during that exchange while inside a temple. However, at the wedding reception, outside the temple and usually that evening, I would imagine a double ring ceremony could be done as you describe, if the couple desires one.
Matrons of honor, etc, are not involved in any way with the sealing inside the temple, nor the best man. If any of those so chosen carry temple recommends, they are allow to attend, but take not part whatsoever. Again, they fulfill their roles during the wedding reception.
Thanks for asking and I want to thank you for your respect regarding our temple ceremonies.
