Civil Ceremony script

[berlincheek]

As Bishop, I have been asked to perform a civil marriage ceremony for a member of my ward. It will be a first for me, and I have a couple of questions for anyone with more experience. Do you typically offer remarks, and counsel first? When do you exchange the rings? Do you have to use the script in the handbook word for word, or can you modify it? What are some do's and don'ts? Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me!

[russellhltn]

The language of section 38.3.6 doesn't seem to be open to making changes.

The only guidance I see on rings is 27.3.2.7. (While that section is about sealing, it does talk about civil ceremonies too.) Taking the spirit of that section, it would seem OK to do it immediately after the civil ceremony but while still standing before you.

I'd also mention section 0.4: ask your stake president. While some here do have experience in this, we're not an authoritative answer. There might also be some local legal requirements that come into play as the laws vary from state to state.

[BrianEdwards]

I'd also mention section 0.4: ask your stake president. While some here do have experience in this, we're not an authoritative answer. There might also be some local legal requirements that come into play as the laws vary from state to state.

In fact, this same counsel is repeated at the end of the main part of GHB section 38.3 "Civil Marriage".

I'd also observe that the Handbook is now a living document, and I always found it helpful to return to the Handbook when I had questions during the five years I officiated weddings (or whenever I did pretty much anything else). Even in just five years, the instructions and language regarding performing weddings changed multiple times (and likely more often than what I noticed). Familiarizing yourself with the current Handbook guidelines will help you make any decisions from a solid starting point, Additionally, you'll probably find that there are other leaders whose understanding of different policies and instructions is "out-of-date" (it's truly hard to keep up!). So by first reviewing the Handbook yourself, that will help you as you counsel with your local leaders (Stake President and perhaps other local Bishops), in case they've also missed something newly added to the Handbook.

[berlincheek]

Thank you for the replies and guidance. Having taken your advice and spending some more time studying the handbook, I feel a little more comfortable with ceremony. Thanks again!