SECTION
111
[Kirtland D&C 101, removed from LDS D&C in 1876]
This
section on marriage is not a revelation. It was prepared while the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants was being compiled and was read by W.
W. Phelps at the general assembly of August 17, 1835. It was adopted
unanimously by that assembly as part of the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants. It has been retained in every edition of the book
published by the Reorganization, and the church knows no other law of
marriage than that which is set forth here.
1a.
According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage is
regulated by laws and ceremonies:
1b.
therefore we believe, that all marriages in this Church of Christ of
Latter Day Saints should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast,
prepared for that purpose:
1c.
and that the solemnization should be performed by a presiding high
priest, high priest, bishop, elder, or priest, not even prohibiting
those persons who are desirous to get married, of being married by
other authority.
1d. We
believe that it is not right to prohibit members of this church from
marrying out of the church, if it be their determination so to do,
but such persons will be considered weak in the faith of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
2a.
Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving; and at
the solemnization, the persons to be married, standing together, the
man on the right, and the woman on the left, shall be addressed, by
the person officiating, as he shall be directed by the Holy Spirit;
and if there be no legal objections, he shall say, calling each by
their names:
2b.
“You both mutually agree to be each other’s companion, husband
and wife, observing the legal rights belonging to this condition;
that is, keeping yourselves wholly for each other, and from all
others, during your lives?”
2c.
And when they have answered “Yes,” he shall pronounce them
“husband and wife” in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by
virtue of the laws of the country and authority vested in him:
2d.
“May God add his blessings and keep you to fulfill your covenants
from henceforth and for ever. Amen.”
3. The
clerk of every church should keep a record of all marriages
solemnized in his branch.
4a.
All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into
this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled.
4b.
Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime
of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe that one man
should have one wife; and one woman but one husband, except in case
of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.
4c. It
is not right to persuade a woman to be baptized contrary to the will
of her husband, neither is it lawful to influence her to leave her
husband.
4d.
All children are bound by law to obey their parents; and to influence
them to embrace any religious faith, or be baptized, or leave their
parents without their consent, is unlawful and unjust.
4e. We
believe that* all persons who exercise control over their
fellow—beings, and prevent them from embracing the truth, will have
to answer for that sin.
*The
original text reads as follows: husbands, parents and masters who
exercise control over their fellow—beings, and prevent them from
embracing the truth, will have to answer for that sin.
