Unrealistic Mandates for Temple Marriage Still in Effect Today

07 October

Journal of Discourses 19:164 “It would be unwise and unpleasant for an Elder in Israel to perform a marriage ceremony that could not be acknowledged in heaven. Since the endowment house has been closed in Salt Lake City, those wishing to be married according to the laws of heaven have had to travel down to St. George, where they can be sealed together for time and all eternity; for a Temple is the proper place in which to perform these sacred ordinances. …

There is no blessing that our heavenly Father is not ready to bestow upon us on condition that we observe the laws and ordinances established for the salvation of his Saints. … There are many things to talk about, we have to select a few and pass by the rest. The principle of marriage is one of great importance; our young men and maidens are called upon to become united and to learn to live together and accomplish all the Lord has commanded.” – Charles C. Rich, Paris, Idaho, November 11, 1877

Ephesians 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”.

Growing up in Utah during the 60’s – 70’s afforded me the opportunity to go on many field trips, and on one of those outings we visited the ‘Golden Spike Monument’ at Promontory Point.

If you’re unaware, it’s where the eastbound and westbound US railroad lines met in 1869, making it possible to travel from one end of the country to the other; otherwise known as the First Transcontinental Railroad. While it was a vast improvement for our country, railroads still weren’t always accessible, nor were the north/south lines complete at the time Mr. Rich made this statement in 1877.

With this in mind, we were wondering what would it take to fulfill the mandates of the Mormon god at that time. Here’s what we learned –

The distance between Salt Lake and the St. George temple is 301 miles. These people would’ve had to go by buggy, or horseback. The average distance for a horse and buggy was 10-20 miles per day.

If we use the top limit of 20 miles per day, that means a one-way trip from Salt Lake to St. George would take 15 days. Remember, this is in the days where everyone farmed, so who would take care of all the necessary things while you’re away for a month?

Where would they get the money to spend on such expenditures? The average yearly US income was only $102.

Does the Lord really care about this? Fast forward 111 years…

The building scenario is what played out in my mind on the day we buried our daughter, Mallory, 30 years ago in October 1988. As the bishop kept talking during the graveside service, he reminded us that we’d never see her again if we weren’t married in the temple. It became the tipping point for me and my beloved heritage.

Things obviously have not change in Mormonism, thus our reminders of these false edicts. It happened again in 2018 when the prophet told the Kenyan people to travel to South Africa to get married in the temple. That would cost them 36% of their yearly income.

With demonstrative evidence, explain to the Mormon you know why God hasn’t ordained, nor has He mandated, such a scenario for us today.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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