Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

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Suggested Text for a Mormon Commitment Ceremony

The following service was created by a gay male Affirmation couple for their commitment ceremony. It incorporates some of the phrasing used in LDS marriage ceremonies, so it resonates particularly well with couples and audiences who have a Mormon background.

We invite other couples to send us their own ideas for LDS commitment ceremonies and Mormon gay weddings.

Note for Affirmation leaders: Please remember that "While individuals are encouraged to exercise their priesthood as needed, Affirmation as an organization does not perform or officially endorse priesthood functions" (Affirmation Guidelines Section II.G).

Suggested Readings & Reflections

For this service, we used readings from Genesis and Mosiah. You could consider the following alternatives:

Ruth 1:16-17
Psalm 133:1-3
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Colossians 3:12-15
2 Nephi 2:25
Doctrine and Covenants 130:2

Reading 1

Then God formed a human being out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the human being became a living soul. And God said: It is not good that the human being should be alone; I will make a suitable partner for him. So God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the human being, and he slept; and God took one of the human being's ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. And the rib, which had been taken from the human being, God made into a second human being, and brought the second human being to the first.

Source: Adapted from Genesis 2: 7, 18, 21-22

Reflection Theme: Human Companionship

Reading 2

If you are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called God's people; and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; and are willing to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God's love and truth at all times, and in all things, and in all places that you may be in, even until death--if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against entering into a covenant with God, that God's Spirit may be poured out more abundantly upon you?

Source: Adapted from Mosiah 18:8-10

Reflection Theme: Covenant Commitment

Ceremony

Ministrant: M. and N., please take each other by the right hand.

The cloth enfolding our joined hands represents the glory of God, which we pray will enfold our union.

Ministrant: M., do you take N. by the right hand, and give yourself to be joined to him (her) in the eyes of God, and receive him (her) to be joined to you in the eyes of God, desiring to remain with him (her) for time and all eternity, with a covenant and promise that you will observe and keep all the responsibilities and obligations pertaining to a holy partnership, and this you do in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of your own free will and choice?

Response: I do.

Ministrant: N., do you take M. by the right hand, and give yourself to be joined to him (her) in the eyes of God, and receive him (her) to be joined to you in the eyes of God, desiring to remain with him (her) for time and all eternity, with a covenant and promise that you will observe and keep all the responsibilities and obligations pertaining to a holy partnership, and this you do in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of your own free will and choice?

Response: I do.

Exchange of Rings: As we exchanged rings, we used this opportunity to make prsonal vows to one another.

Ministrant: Do you who have gathered here to witness the union of M. and N. promise before God to support them in their life together and to uphold them by your prayers and love?

Please respond as you feel comfortable.

Response by the audience: We do.

Ministrant: By virtue of the love of God and of these friends who have pledged to support you, I pronounce you, M. and N., joined to one another by covenant in the eyes of God, for as long as God shall will, and I call down upon you every blessing which has been prepared for God's children.

I call down upon you blessings of peace, companionship, strength, energy, passion, health, protection, growth, fulfillment, pleasure, creativity, power, and abundance of life, with all the blessings of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, and say to you: be fruitful and fill the measure of your creation, that you may have joy and rejoicing therein.

All these blessings, together with all the blessings which God desires to pour upon your partnership, I invoke upon you, through your faithfulness, in the name of God--Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter. Amen.