Hi. I’m going to marry a mormon, but I have a few questions. I’m from Chile, a 28-year-old English teacher. The problem is that I am catholic. Also, I’m half Italian and half Spanish. Is that going to be a problem? Since we are of different races? Also, is it true that mormons can’t use birth control? Thanks from Chile.
One Response to “Hi. I’m going to marry a mormon, but I have a few questions….”
Carlos Silva
2010-04-05 01:29:22
Hi friend. Thanks for sending me your question. Let me start with the easy ones. Mormons are not opposed to mixed-race marriages. Of course cultural differences should be carefully considered, as such differences can make marriage more difficult in some cases, but race itself is not so important. I know a bit about this, as I'm white and my wife is black.
Unlike Catholics, Mormons are not opposed to birth control. We believe that children are a rich blessing and that they should be welcomed into the home, but it's up to the parents to decide, together with God through prayer, how many children they should have.
The Recife temple in Recife, Brazil.
Marriage is an important sacrament in all religions, but it's especially important in Mormonism because Mormons believe marriage plays a role in our progress after death. In our culture and theology, there are two kinds of marriage. First, a couple can be married for time. These marriages are valid "until death do they part." As marriages for time do not continue after death, spiritual progress in the next life may be limited if members of the church choose to be married for time only.
Second, a couple can be married for eternity. These kinds of marriages are called "sealings," and they last even after death. These are the kinds of marriages that play an important role in spiritual progress after death. Sealings are performed in Mormon temples. Faithful Mormons usually begin preparing for their sealing (temple marriage) years before the event. Part of the preparation includes making sacred promises to God, including the promises associated with baptism and active participation in the Church. As this preparation is so critical, it is unfortunately not possible for those of other faiths to be sealed. There are many good people who belong to other churches, but the required preparation for temple marriage can only be found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fortunately, it is possible for those who choose to be married for time to be sealed a year later, if they prepare themselves appropriately.
Mormonism is not just a religion, but also a culture. Most people who are not members of the church do not fully appreciate the cultural differences between Mormons and those of other faiths. These cultural differences can have a great impact on marriage. In fact, because of these cultural differences and the importance of the sealing ordinance, the Church generally discourages marriages between Mormons and those of other faiths, though it would never encourage those who are already married to divorce. In fact, academic studies have shown that, while Mormons who marry in the temple have one of the lowest divorce rates recorded, those who marry members of other faiths outside the temple have a very high divorce rate. Religious unity is very important in any marriage, but especially in Mormon marriages.
The Catholic Church is wonderful in many ways. I've visited that church on multiple occasions, and I have many Catholic friends who I sincerely respect. One of the reasons I like the Catholic Church is because it has a lot in common with my own church. That having been said, I'd like to invite you to learn a little bit more about the LDS ("Mormon") Church. Perhaps you could speak with some Mormon missionaries, volunteers who could visit you and teach you more about our doctrine. If you decided to join the LDS Church, you wouldn't necessarily be abandoning your Catholic heritage; rather, you'd be taking all the wonderful and true things you learned as a Catholic and adding to them additional truths received from God through modern prophets and apostles. In addition, you'd have the benefits of a temple marriage and religious unity in your marriage.
I'm not saying you should automatically become Mormon. I'm just saying that, given the benefits of such a conversion, it might be prudent to investigate Mormonism with an open mind and an open heart. Study it humbly and prayerfully, and see if God touches your heart and guides you into the LDS Church. In the end, if we follow God's promptings, things will work out. God bless you.
Unlike Catholics, Mormons are not opposed to birth control. We believe that children are a rich blessing and that they should be welcomed into the home, but it's up to the parents to decide, together with God through prayer, how many children they should have.
Second, a couple can be married for eternity. These kinds of marriages are called "sealings," and they last even after death. These are the kinds of marriages that play an important role in spiritual progress after death. Sealings are performed in Mormon temples. Faithful Mormons usually begin preparing for their sealing (temple marriage) years before the event. Part of the preparation includes making sacred promises to God, including the promises associated with baptism and active participation in the Church. As this preparation is so critical, it is unfortunately not possible for those of other faiths to be sealed. There are many good people who belong to other churches, but the required preparation for temple marriage can only be found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fortunately, it is possible for those who choose to be married for time to be sealed a year later, if they prepare themselves appropriately.
Mormonism is not just a religion, but also a culture. Most people who are not members of the church do not fully appreciate the cultural differences between Mormons and those of other faiths. These cultural differences can have a great impact on marriage. In fact, because of these cultural differences and the importance of the sealing ordinance, the Church generally discourages marriages between Mormons and those of other faiths, though it would never encourage those who are already married to divorce. In fact, academic studies have shown that, while Mormons who marry in the temple have one of the lowest divorce rates recorded, those who marry members of other faiths outside the temple have a very high divorce rate. Religious unity is very important in any marriage, but especially in Mormon marriages.
The Catholic Church is wonderful in many ways. I've visited that church on multiple occasions, and I have many Catholic friends who I sincerely respect. One of the reasons I like the Catholic Church is because it has a lot in common with my own church. That having been said, I'd like to invite you to learn a little bit more about the LDS ("Mormon") Church. Perhaps you could speak with some Mormon missionaries, volunteers who could visit you and teach you more about our doctrine. If you decided to join the LDS Church, you wouldn't necessarily be abandoning your Catholic heritage; rather, you'd be taking all the wonderful and true things you learned as a Catholic and adding to them additional truths received from God through modern prophets and apostles. In addition, you'd have the benefits of a temple marriage and religious unity in your marriage.
I'm not saying you should automatically become Mormon. I'm just saying that, given the benefits of such a conversion, it might be prudent to investigate Mormonism with an open mind and an open heart. Study it humbly and prayerfully, and see if God touches your heart and guides you into the LDS Church. In the end, if we follow God's promptings, things will work out. God bless you.