Beliefs > Question & Answer > Marriage

Question

do mormons believe in renewing their wedding vows and if so have you and debbie done this?

Response

This is a very interesting question, and I think most will be surprised by the answer. As many of my fans have heard me often say, the most precious thing is this life to me is my lovely wife, Debbie and along with this is the gratitude that I feel for the aspect of our faith that ensures that we will be together as husband and wife for all eternity. This is of course subject to our keeping our vows of marriage and the covenants that we have entered into in the holy temple. As I have explained at other times, the Lord gave Peter special authority which as mentioned in the following passage: 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19) There is no clear explanation in the Bible of what this binding power or authority is, but again, as I have reiterated many times, we declare that the Lord personally directed the restoration of the fullness of his gospel as promised (see Acts 3:19-21). This restoration included the complete organization of his ancient church including apostles and prophets (see Ephesians 2:19-21) with the priesthood authority with the keys to "bind on earth that which shall be bound in heaven". These keys, it was made known as the restoration took place, specifically carried the authroity to seal or bind couples and their children forever in a sacred ordinance reserved for holy temples. To qualify for this eternal marriage the couple must keep their marriage vows and remain worthy followers of the Lord through their life. This is in stark contrast to all other marriage covenants "till death do you part". Now to answer your question; The Lord in his loving wisdom, has not excluded anyone from participating in this "new and everlasting covenant of marriage", but his plan reaches even those beyond the grave who have never had the opportunity to learn of and embrace the fullness of gospel and to be sealed or bound to their mates and children forever. As made clear in the scriptures, the gospel is taught in the spirit world to those who have died (see 1 Peter 3:18-21) 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. ( 1 Peter 4:6) This means that those who have died not having had the opportunity to hear and accept the fullness of the true gospel can hear it in the spirit. If they accept it and become true followers, they can receive all of the blessings as if they had received the gospel during their lives. Since such ordinaces as baptism, and the eternal binding of families are earthly ordinances, a way has been provided that those living can participate in these ordinances by proxy in behalf of their dead ancestors. Paul mentions baptism for the dead: 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29 ), but only through divine communication involved in the restoration of Christ's church in these latter days, do we know what he meant. We enter into the temple often and act as proxy for our ancestors to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and other sacred temple ordinances. We also often participate in the ceremony as proxies in their behalf and are sealed or bound in and eternal marriage for them. Of course, and I emphasize this, they must accept and qualify for these blessings for them to be binding on their behalf. If they do not accept the proxy work performed for them, it as if it had not been done. It is up to them, but we perform the ordinances for them, hoping they are accepting this great blessing. The ceremony involved in performing these proxy sealings or eternal family bindings is basically the same as when we entered into this eternal marriage covenant ourselves, and herein is your answer. We try to participate in the marriage ceremony in the temple often and many times, Debbie and I have "renewed our vows" so to speak, as we acted as proxy for those no longer living whose names are presented for this work to be done. It is a very special opportunity to serve others in this way and at the same time hear the words that were used in our own eternal marriage. This is a very sacred part of our faith and is not commonly discussed or broadly understood. Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

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