Mormons and Catholics

Summary Paragraph

Mormons and Catholics views on marriage do differ but not as greatly as one may think. The Mormons are very structured with absolutely no way of getting into their marriage process without completely submitting to and accepting their religion as the truth. On the other hand, Catholics are strict in their beliefs and do not encourage mixed marriages. However, even though not encouraged, mixed marriages can happen with some legal paperwork. The marriage of a Mormon continues even after death unlike the marriage of a Catholic, which ends at death. I think this teaching or belief alone is the biggest seller for the Mormon religion. The Catholic Church is much more liberal when it comes to who it will marry.

After my research on this topic I found myself even more intrigued by the Mormons. Their beliefs on marriage is what anyone would want. It almost sounds too good to be true when you read words like eternity, celestial, and divine which are used to describe and define Mormon marriage. Catholic marriage on the other hand is all about contracts and binding agreements. Reading it in a way reminded me of buying a used car. I am definitely not trying to insult the Catholic way of marriage and I am not totally sold on the Mormon marriage. I am making the point that if I had to choose a between the two, the Mormons take on marriage seems more satisfying.

Another thing I learned was that Mormons build their families and this is started early in their lives. Mormons live by a set of strict rules known as the Words of Wisdom. This lifestyle ensures that the individual is worthy in the eyes of the church. Coffee, tobacco, and alcohol are just a few of the items a Mormon must refrain from all their lives. Catholics are not required refrain from coffee, tobacco, and alcohol, but are encouraged to use moderation.

Another prerequisite of the Mormon marriage is that both parties must be baptized a Mormon. This is non negotiable. The Catholic Church does not require both parties to be baptized or even Catholic for that matter. “Permission” must be granted for an interchurch marriage and “dispensation” must be granted for an interfaith marriage [1]. Interchurch means a Catholic wants to marry a Baptist for example and interfaith is when a Catholic desires to marry someone who is not baptized, like a Muslim. The Catholic Church is much more liberal when it comes to who it will marry.

Catholics have what are called marriage preparation programs. Programs can be mandatory if the individual’s church decides to make them mandatory. Many Catholics believe that these programs make a successful marriage. Mormons, like I said before, have been preparing their entire lives for a Temple marriage. They also have a sort of marriage preparation in the form of classes given by missionaries. Mormons also have something that is called a Temple Recommend. A Temple Recommend, to put it simple, is like a ticket into the Temple. To receive this so called ticket an individual must meet with their Bishop and must state their business at the Temple. The individual will go through an interview process and once they are found worthy to enter the Temple will be granted a Temple Recommend. Both parties wishing to be married will each need to receive a Temple Recommend.

Catholics get married in a Church and if outside, an outdoor chapel. Mormons get married in the Temple and only the Temple. Temple Marriage is considered one of the highest ordinances that Mormon can receive. Anyone is allowed