Why can't a non practicing Mormon get married in the temple?

Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) are open only to practicing members of the faith with a special recommendation from their Bishop and Stake President (congregational and local leadership). In order to obtain the recommendation, one must have been active in their congregation for (generally) one year, obeying the commandments and laws of the Gospel*, and honoring any covenants they have previously made* (at baptism or other ordinances). This is because the covenants (promises with God) made in the Temple, and especially in a Temple sealing (marriage), are considered extremely sacred and can only be performed if one is pure and worthy before God.

If a non-practicing Mormon wishes to be married or sealed in the Temple, he or she (and the future spouse) must become a practicing Mormon and remain so for a certain period of time before the ceremony. Many non-practicing Mormons choose to be married elsewhere and are sealed in the Temple at a later date when they have returned to the faith. Non-practicing Mormons (or even non-Mormons) can be married by a Mormon Bishop in a meetinghouse (regular church building) or other place with relatively few exceptions.

*The exact requirements for a the Temple Recommend are:-Faith in and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost-Testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ-Testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel-Sustain the current Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders, both international and local-living the law of chastity (no sexual relationships outside a legal heterosexual marriage, no pornography, no masturbation)-family relationships in are harmony with church teachings (mutual respect, no abuse, etc)-not supporting or affiliating with any group or individual whose practices and teachings are against the Church (essentially, not a sympathizer of apostate or anti-Mormon groups)-honest in all things-paying a tithe-obeying the Word of Wisdom (no drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea)-paying any required child support or alimony (if applicable)-has confessed any serious sins to the Bishop-regards themselves worthy to enter and participate in Temple ordinances-honors and obeys any covenants they have previously made and attends church services whenever possible. ---Covenants made at baptism are to take upon yourself the name of Christ and live as an example of Him, putting Christ first in your life, and obeying His commandments. ---if the non-practicing Mormon has been previously endowed in the Temple they must also obey the covenants made in that ordinance, which are essentially a repeat of those required for the recommend above.

The endowment allows an individual to further commit themselves to God and better understand how to use His grace to purify themselves before Him.

I too am LDS. I thought it was really nice to see you share your faith and answer peoples questions about our beliefs. Have you served a mission?

What was it like? The temple is on of the highest demonstrable levels of committment in the church. You receive and learn things there that are not available anywhere else.

The service done has very little tangible results as far as this life goes. One benefit is the marriage ceremony that unites a couple in a way unlike anything else on earth. There are certain minimum requirements to enter the temple and participate in the ordinances.

I think that a more appropriate question might be "Why would anyone not living the standards want to commit themselves to the higher laws of the church?" If people aren't willing to live the lower laws, then it is pretty much assured that higher laws will be ignored, too. Why would anyone think that living a secular life should qualify them to receive extremely spiritual ordinances and committments?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.