I've heard rumor that Joseph Smith allowed non-Mormons to attend temple weddings. Does anyone know where I can find a reference to substantiate this. Thanks.

Oh my! Nonmembers in the Temple? Egads!

There were no "temple weddings" (i.e., weddings in special sealing rooms in the temple) during Joseph Smith's day. There were "sealings," and they were performed in various places - in JS' office over the red brick store, in private homes, etc. And they were done in secret, since polygamy was still a dark secret.

"Before polygamy in Nauvoo, mormon marriages were performed anywhere. In fact, those performed in the Kirtland Temple were open to non members! Joseph Smith's own diary lists marriages he performed in the temple, which included non-members as participants and as witnesses. See 'The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 1835-1836.'"

http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/temple_legacy.htm


(However, see RPackham's post in this thread for more information on the subject.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/11/2010 04:02AM by Fetal Deity.