Dear Gramps,

My daughter and her husband are actively practicing Mormons. Their sealing ceremony will take place this year. I know that I cannot go into the temple because I am not of the Mormon faith. I would like to know an appropriate way to honor this important step my daughter and her husband take in their faith and commitment to each other. Can you help me with some suggestions on how I can support their sealing in a meaningful way? Thank you

Diana, from Redmond, Washington

Dear Diana,

It is refreshing to learn that you are so supportive of your children’s decision to follow their beliefs in this most important step in their lives. Even among those young people whose families and friends are members of the Mormon Church, the sealing ceremony is so sacred that no kind of festivities associated with the marriage are held in the temple. However, one of the purposes of a reception following the ceremony is to meet and congratulate the newly wed couple. As the mother of the bride, it would not be improper for you to organize a reception in their behalf, where Mormon Church members and non-members alike could join in the festivities of wishing them well in their new life together.

The exchanging of wedding rings is not part of the formal sealing ceremony, but is normally performed in the temple as soon as the vows are made. However, on some occasions in order to have family and friends that are not present at the wedding itself feel more a part of the marriage formalities, the couple may choose to have the exchange of rings take place at the reception following the temple sealing. Such an exchange would in no way be a repetition of the marriage ceremony and would require no official to preside or conduct the event. It would merely be an opportunity to place the wedding rings on each others fingers in the presence of the guests at the reception.

Gramps