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Jews and Mormons

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February 13, 2012 | 10:48 pm

My Eternal Israelite Marriage

Posted by Mark Paredes

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A little over two weeks ago, my lovely Florina and I were “sealed” together in holy matrimony at the LDS Temple in Los Angeles. This is the crowning ordinance of the LDS faith, and we had dozens of friends on hand to witness the ceremony. The sealing itself was very beautiful, very moving – and very Israelite.

A high priest married us by the power of the Israelite priesthood for “time and all eternity,” the meaning of which will probably take a lifetime to comprehend. For Florina and me, there is no “till death do us part” – we’ve made a commitment to each other for forever. In addition, we were promised the blessings of “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” to accompany us in this life and the next. We were also given the Adamic injunction to be fruitful and multiply, which we will do our best to follow. Tears flowed down our cheeks for much of the ceremony, and we will always remember the sweet spirit that was present in the sealing room. 

Truth be told, the sealing was a little bittersweet for both of us because no family members were present. Only faithful Mormon adults can attend a temple sealing, and none of our relatives fit that description. Thanks to Skype, relatives in Michigan and Romania were able to see us in our dress and tuxedo on the big day. While it’s easy to understand the church’s policy in theory, you can’t help but feel your stomach sink a bit when you enter the sealing room on the happiest day of your life and don’t see the faces of people who’ve known you since birth. Before my wedding, I was a little envious of Mormons who live in countries like Mexico where a civil ceremony is required in addition to a religious marriage. Non-Mormon Mexican moms and dads get to cry their eyes out at the civil ceremony, while the couple can go to the temple afterwards and get sealed in the presence of their faithful coreligionists. However, after experiencing the sealing power firsthand, I have come to understand in a powerful way that no other ceremony is necessary.

I invited several Jewish guests to the wedding luncheon following the sealing, and one of them asked me beforehand whether I would be breaking a glass in the Jewish tradition at the meal. At first, I thought it might be nice to acknowledge my philo-Semitism in such a public way at a gathering of close friends. However, after further consideration I decided to leave my glass intact for the following reason: Jews break glasses at weddings in remembrance of the Israelite temple destroyed 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. If I come to the luncheon after having been sealed to my wife in a modern Israelite temple, one of nearly 140 in operation worldwide, what reason would I have to break a glass?

We spent our honeymoon visiting LDS historical sites and temples in 15 states, which I would highly recommend as a start to an eternal marriage. The highlight of the trip was a wedding dinner hosted by my family in Michigan, at which Florina was formally adopted into the Paredes clan.
     
The most common piece of marriage advice that I’ve been given is to marry above your station, then do what your wife tells you to do. I’ve done the first, and am striving mightily to do the second (at least most of the time). With the help of the God of Israel, Florina and I hope to make our marriage an eternal one. As the saying goes, well begun is half done. 

Mark Paredes is a member of the Jewish Relations Committee of the LDS Church's Southern California Public Affairs Council. You can contact Mark at deverareligione@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @jewsandmormons.

17 Comments — Leave your comment

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Mazel Tov!  I’m glad you had such a wonderful experience and was able to share it with us.  Perhaps your lovely bride can share her impressions of the day as well?

Comment by Frank Pellett on 2/14/12 at 8:51 am

So she packed her bags from Romania and is now a So-Cal girl? What a culture shock. If you think about it in a forever sense, even after this life, it should feel like your time together on earth, you just met. Congrats!

Comment by brad on 2/14/12 at 11:04 am

Congratulations! How about some pictures? (Other than the beautiful one in the article, of course.) Put ‘em on Facebook or something!

Comment by dave on 2/14/12 at 1:30 pm

Mazeltov!!!!

Comment by Marlena on 2/14/12 at 5:41 pm

Congratulations! Ever since your first post about Florina I was wondering what happened. I’m glad things worked out!

Comment by Mark on 2/14/12 at 8:41 pm

Mazeltov! (though we are not if my great grandmother is Jewish, that is the tradition- and we are still searching for her records)

Blessings on your marriage and may you be blessed with healthy children and always have the means to provide for your family in every way!

Thank you for sharing and may you not get “bombed” with hate male! : /.

Comment by Gramajane on 2/15/12 at 12:02 pm

Congratulations to you both - a most beautiful couple you are. The result will be beautiful children - may you be so blessed to have them - for lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. (Psalm 127:3 & 5)

Comment by john zimmermn on 2/15/12 at 7:28 pm

Congratulations Mark!  That’s wonderful.

Comment by Gale Boyd on 2/16/12 at 1:04 am

Lovely sentiments! Sometimes I need reminding of how very blessed I am to have this knowledge in my life! I take it for granted all too often. Your perspective is greatly appreciated.

Comment by Lisa on 2/17/12 at 11:13 am

Thank you for your comments, great perspective !!!! I hope one day my husband accepts the gospel and we can be sealed, until then, I just pray that this will happen during this life time.

Comment by Beatriz on 2/17/12 at 2:08 pm

Congratulations to you both! I enjoyed reading this article. My husband and I were sealed in the temple 26 yrs ago and our love for each other keeps on growing.

Comment by Razel on 2/17/12 at 6:32 pm

Mazel tov as well.  I am more intrigued with Mormonism after reading this.  I read the Book of Mormon maybe 20 years ago under some guidance at the large LDS Church in Westwood/West L.A.  Probably the one where you were married.  The minister (I don’t recall his official title) also gave me Doctrines and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price to read.  Also fascinating.  I am pretty much a believer in these books.  However I generally despise most “western” religions.

Comment by theleviteline.com on 2/18/12 at 3:12 pm

To be more clear and maybe blunt, I despise paganism calling itself Christianity.  I also despise Jesus being blamed for this.  This is man exercising his freewill.

Being, I believe, a descendant of the Israelite priestly tribe of Levi, I may soon delve deeper into Mormonism.  That is I wish to be a student of Mormonism (and other religions), not necessarily an adherent of.  It all depends on what I agree or disagree with. 

Sorry to not stay in the black and white mindset of most religious folk.

Mazel tov again.

Comment by theleviteline.com on 2/18/12 at 3:20 pm

To theleviteline.com:  Chapter 29 of 2 Nephi 29 of the Book of Mormon presents our view of the Jews. It can be found at http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/29?lang=eng
If thoughtfully contemplated, you will find these verses to be profound.

Comment by John Zimmerman on 2/18/12 at 8:56 pm

Mark,  Many Congratulations!  I was so excited for you when I saw this picture.  You and your lovely bride look wonderful together!  You still look as bright and happy as you did as a little kid.  Stop by when you’re in Provo.

Comment by Brad Agle on 2/27/12 at 7:30 pm

Mark and Florina,
Congratulations!  Mazel Tov!
I heard your piece on the Mormon Channel.  I was very impressed!
I’m a follower of your blog now!
Here’s wishing you and your bride all things wonderful!

Comment by cynthia on 3/07/12 at 7:44 pm

Congratulations Mark!  I am very happy for you and your lovely wife.  Its been a long time since we were in Israel.  I remember those wonderful times.  FYI I was married in the Las Vegas Temple in 2011 to a lovely bride.  We have four wonderful children all with wonderful Jewish names!  I hope to see you again.  Thanks for your blogs!

Comment by Jeff Beck on 4/20/12 at 9:15 am

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