Mormons doctrine teaches that a good base for any family is a strong commitment between husband and wife. Mormons support a traditional view of marriage, consisting of a man and a woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Worthy members of the Mormon Church are married in the Mormon temple where they make eternal commitments to each other and God. An interesting fact is that the divorce rate of those who are married in the temple is lower than those who are married outside of the temple, emphasizing the seriousness of the eternal covenant and the eternal nature of the Mormon family.

Beliefs concerning the Mormon family can be found in a statement called “The Family: a Proclamation to the World.” It was released by the Prophet Gordon B. Hinkley in response to the rising liberal views on the family. The address outlines the purpose of marriage and its importance. He reminds us of the importance of fidelity and trust in marriage.

Chastity before marriage is absolutely emphasized. Modern science upholds what the Lord has told us since the beginning of time, that chastity outside of marriage and fidelity in marriage brings happiness.

Mormon prophets have encouraged women to stay in the home and raise the children if they are financially able. This brings stability and love to the home, with the focus on the unity of the family rather than on material gain. Mormon men have been encouraged to work and provide monetarily for the family. The roles of father and mother are seen as equally important and necessary, and family culture is a matter decided upon by husband, wife, and the Lord. A number of Mormon wives work outside the home, and some Mormon fathers stay in the home, as necessary. The Mormon family is encouraged to prayerfully find a system that works for its individual financial and emotional needs.

Having and supporting a family through this life is the most important thing we can do on earth. When we die, we cannot take money, our jobs, or our material possessions with us. Family is the only thing we can take into the next life. It is through the family that we will find everlasting happiness. Through God’s plan, families can be together forever.

The temple is the House of the Lord, and therefore is employed for the most exalted of ordinances. “Sealings” may be performed in the temple to unite husband and wife for “time and all eternity,” as well as to seal children to their parents. Sealings are performed in “sealing rooms” in the temples. Sealing rooms vary in size, according to the number of guests invited to witness the sealing. A sealing room is beautifully and reverently decorated, and has an altar with a kneeling pad at the center of the room. Bride and groom kneel facing each other during the sealing ceremony. Chairs are placed next to the walls for guests, and facing mirrors on the walls allow the bride and groom to see themselves an infinite number of times, symbolizing the eternal covenant. Both bride and groom must be “temple worthy;” that is, they must each hold a “temple recommend” granted after an interview with their bishop and stake president. Worthiness is determined by obedience to the laws of God–chastity, temperance, and virtue are necessary. Worthy individuals keep the “Word of Wisdom,” the health code given by commandment, pay an honest tithe, dress modestly, serve in the Church, profess a believe in God the Father, have a testimony of Christ’s atonement, and believe in the restored church. Only those with a Mormon temple recommend may attend the ceremony as guests. Family sealings are performed for couples who are married already but have not yet been sealed in the temple. Husband and wife come to the temple (with the required recommends) to be sealed to each other, and then their children kneel around the altar with them to be sealed to their parents. Mormons believe that if sealed families continue in worthiness, the marriage and family unit can endure through the eternities, bringing great joy to family members. Mormons believe the highest kingdom in heaven, the realm where God dwells, is comprised of couples who have been sealed together and have continued in worthiness.

Baptisms

The doctrine of baptism for the dead is spoken of in the Bible by the Apostle Paul. Christ taught that the dead continue to live as spirits before resurrection and judgment. These spirits retain the same personalities they had during their mortal lives and have free agency to make choices as well as the ability to learn and progress. In the “spirit world,” the place where the dead go to await resurrection, the gospel is taught to those who never had an opportunity to hear the good news on earth. A spirit who gains a testimony of Christ in the spirit world has no opportunity to be baptized there, since baptism necessitates a physical body to perform the ordinance. The Lord, therefore, has ordained a practice whereby ordinances can be performed by proxy in temples. The spirit is free to decide whether or not to accept the ordinances performed for him. Young Mormon youth can obtain a limited-use temple recommend to perform baptisms for the dead. One of the reasons why the Mormon Church is heavily involved in genealogy and family history is to do baptism for the dead. Baptisms for the dead are performed in the baptistry of the temple, which according to biblical dictates, is below ground. The baptistry is constructed in the same manner as in Solomon’s Temple.

The Endowment

In the Doctrine and Covenants it says,

…and build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein.

For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood.

…for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name (Doctrine and Covenants 124:27, 28, 39).

The endowment is a gift of power and protection from the Lord in return for learning of and keeping covenants. These covenants resonate in the covenants made at baptism–to take upon oneself the name of Christ, to keep His commandments, to be chaste and reverent, to be willing to sacrifice worldly things in order to build up His kingdom on earth and prepare for His second coming. The endowment is a review of the Plan of Salvation for the education of the “Saints”. The Plan of Salvation teaches that men existed as spirit children of God before they were born on earth, that Adam’s fall was part of the plan, that the atonement of Christ is the central event of our existence and provides a way for us to overcome sin and qualify to regain God’s presence in order to become like Him. The endowment is also performed by proxy for the dead, as are baptism and sealing ordinances.

ah….Mormons are encouraged to attend the temple at least once a month, in areas where there is a temple nearby. This can be challenging for those who do not live near a temple. Some faithful members drive hours or even journey to other countries just to attend the temple. The church is trying to obviate this problem by constructing more temples. Because the temple is a place of refuge from the outside world, Mormons prefer to keep the ordinances and ceremonies performed within the temple private. In fact, Mormons take a vow not to publicize what is done in the temple with anyone. The temple ceremonies are sacred, not secret.

Mormons do not attend Sunday meetings in the temple, for those are held in chapels in meeting houses.

WHAT DO MORMONS BELIEVE ABOUT CHRIST?

The Living Christ, an inspired proclamation for the world written by modern-day apostles and a living prophet, reveals what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe about Jesus Christ.

THE LIVING CHRIST

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill….

Read more from The Living Christ.

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WHAT DO MORMONS BELIEVE ABOUT REVELATION, GOSPEL ORDINANCES, AND SALVATION?

Mormons believe that God has a plan for each of us, which began before we came to earth, and which will continue after this life. Those beliefs are set forth in thirteen clear declarations known as The Articles of Faith. The first Article of Faith is:

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

Read the complete Articles of Faith.

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WHAT DO MORMONS BELIEVE ABOUT THE FAMILY?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe that the family unit is fundamental and eternal. Marriage between worthy individuals is intended by the Lord to be forever by virtue of a sealing ordinance in holy temples. Modern-day apostles and a living prophet have issued a The Family: A Proclamation to the World, declaring our beliefs about the nature of families, gender, parenting, and marriage.

THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

Read the complete declaration: The Family: A Proclamation to the World

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CNN on Mormon Beliefs