Is certifying on-line to officiate at a wedding OK?

[racevws]

So, if they are are nonmembers, getting married elsewhere, any member may officiate a civil ceremony, as long as it's ok by the state, correct? Do we have a definitive answer?

[lajackson]

So, if they are are nonmembers, getting married elsewhere, any member may officiate a civil ceremony, as long as it's ok by the state, correct? Do we have a definitive answer?

State law determines who may perform the ceremony. Those marriages are performed by civil authority. Anyone may perform a marriage using civil authority if allowed to do so under state law.

In some states, anyone can marry any couple, as long as the couple has a valid marriage license. In other states, there is a fancy and detailed registration process for anyone who will perform a marriage. Most states allow a judge or justice of the peace to perform civil marriages using civil authority without registering. State laws vary.

When a wedding will be performed by ecclesiastical authority, the Church imposes restrictions on who may perform the marriage. And when a member is being married, the Church imposes additional restrictions on whom the bishop (or other Church officer) may marry. Ecclesiastical authority is controlled by a Church and is in addition to the required civil authority.

[russellhltn]

Do we have a definitive answer?

This is a user-to-user forum. No one here can give a definitive answer.

[vicksslc]

I agree this is just a forum. But opinions are valuable.

I agree with the concept that marriage is a sacred institution. Where more is given more is expected.

We should not just marry people on a whim. If they are LDS then we should show them the methods the church offers that lead them towards the temple. That's why we allow civil marriages so that it has direction towards the covenant path.

If someone just grabs a marriage ordination certificate online, they are bypassing the eternal principles that we value. In addition one might consider the temple questions.

They Do you support or promote practices contrary to the church. Getting a certificate that shows you are an ordained minister in my opinion promotes and supports practices that are contrary to our doctrine. Our doctrine states marriage should be done through the priesthood even if it is civil. Food for thought brothers and sisters. I would not take getting an online marriage certificate so lightly. There are eternal ramifications. When you answer your questions at your next temple interview you will probably feel funny saying yes to that question. If you don't well nothing I can do about it.

[BrianEdwards]

Opinions are just that. Gratefully, local leaders like the Bishop, are given stewardship and authority by the Handbook to make local decisions, where specific policies do not exist.

[Munniac]

The topic is being confused. The church has no bearing on civil marriage. They can dictate who can civilly marry on their premise. A Bishop, Stake President is authorized by the church to marry on church grounds. They are technically the only ones with a calling that fits the legal requirement within the church. However, to say that there is some spiritual authority to do so is false. This is a civil marriage, not a temple marriage. Legally, outside of church property and depending on state law, anyone who is “ordained” can perform a wedding. The goal is not exclusion in the church. There is a legal precedent for the idea of civil marriage being placed in the hands of Bishop and Stake Presidents but there is not spiritual reason behind it. It isn’t “accepted or denied” legal authority if it is not performed by a Bishop or Stake President. It is merely the church’s way of complying with laws of the land. A “normal” member can officiate if they are a complying with state law which usually states that they must be 18 and a registered officiant. This can mean an online class or a job like a judge. If you think that having a civil marriage done by a bishop somehow is “more worthy” of a marriage you are mistaken.