Church changes policy for couples married civilly to be sealed immediately

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that couples will no longer have to wait one year after getting civilly married to be married or sealed in the Church’s temple.

An article released by the church states ”The change means Latter-day Saint couples can look forward to a temple marriage as soon as their circumstances permit.”

The new policy change set a global standard for church members around the world. The Church has observed this practice for many years.

“Where possible, leaders should encourage couples to be both married and sealed in the temple,” says a First Presidency letter to Church leaders around the world. “Where a licensed marriage is not permitted in the temple, or when a temple marriage would cause parents or immediate family members to feel excluded, a civil ceremony followed by a temple sealing is authorized.”

The First Presidency also stated, “This change in policy should not be interpreted as lessening the emphasis on the temple sealing. The sealing of a husband and wife in the temple is of eternal significance and a crowning experience on the covenant path.”

Church leaders said couples may use chapels owned by the Church for these ceremonies.

"Regardless of location, the temple sealing should be the central focus of the marriage and provide the spiritual basis on which the couple begins life together," the article reads.

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