Because Allison's parents weren't able to attend the sealing ceremony in the temple, it was important for them to have a ring ceremony in the evening. It was so beautiful and so touching that I think it was difficult to not feel that it completely overshadowed the temple ceremony--not in the importance, but in the personal touches. Music, of course, was a big player in it all, and seeing so many people in attendance was amazing. I was glad for the Bosses that it turned out so nicely.
Brother Dyerly, a member of the bishopric in the YSA ward, presided over the ceremony, and golly, for having so many rules from the church handbook about what was okay and what wasn't, he pulled it off spectacularly, and I couldn't imagine it being any better. Grammy (John's mom) was in tears throughout the entire thing, and I know others were too. I asked Brother Dyerly for a copy of the ceremony which he thankfully provided.
Welcome to congregation
Opening Prayer: Kathy Kennedy (Grammy was so nervous beforehand, but she did a beautiful job.)
In Genesis 2:24 it reads, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Mark and Allison were married earlier today in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They've chosen to have this ring ceremony so family, friends and loved ones may share in the celebration of their union. In the temple, we believe that couples marry for time and all eternity. "For time" means for our mortal days on earth, and "for all eternity" means for our continued existence in the after life.
In ancient times, it was believed that the vein in the fourth finger of your left hand lead directly to your heart. So by encircling this finger, your heart is forever touched by the one who loves you. The ring, with no beginning and no end, represents the eternal love that you both will share from this day forward.
A wedding ring is, of course, a universal sign to the outside world that the wearer is committed to another. To the individual, the ring provides a tangible reminder of the marriage union and the promises that have been made. The rings you bring here today are, in many ways, representative of the very nature of love and marriage. Made in a circle, their design tells us that love never ends; it is continuous.
The rings you exchange today are also an outward expression of an eternal covenant that you have made with our Heavenly Father.
Continually look for the good in your marriage. Focus upon the good qualities of your sweetheart. Avoid searching for and hyperventilating upon perceived slights, annoyances, and faults. If you look for the good, you'l find it. Likewise, if you search for the bad, you'll find that too. Therefore, cultivate within your heart a continual focus upon each other's love and good qualities.
There will be times in your marriage where differences in opinions, feelings and ideas arise. Never confuse negotiation with compromise. Negotiation is the tactic of withholding something until exchanging it for something else that you desire. It's a self-centered, inner-focused view of life and relationships. Compromise is "If it's important to you, then it's important to me."
"A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1). Learn to say "I'm sorry" without adding the words "but if only you had" or "if only you hadn't." Learn to forgive. Holding a grudge is like taking poison hoping the other person gets sick. Learn to choose happiness rather than demanding to be right.
The importance of commitment to a successful marriage cannot be overstated. It is the glue or bonding agent for a loving marriage, family and home.
If you choose to have children, one of the greatest gifts you may give a child is their parents' loving marriage.
Now, Allison and Mark have chosen to give a few comments to each other:
(I have Mark's comments, but not Allison's)
Mark: My whole life has been defined by surprises. And I think my relationship with you was definitely no exception. I never thought that anyone like you would start coaching with me, or that we would work together so well when we were left to operate the whole team. And I never expected to start dating a coworker, especially in as crazy of a situation as we were in, and that I would miss you when I was gone to Riga for a whole summer. And I never thought a simple part-time rowing job that I took to make some money on the side would lead me to fine you, but I sure am glad it did. I love you, Allison, and I can't wait to keep being surprised by what happens to us as we start our new life together.
Allison:
You may now kiss.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, Mark and Allison Kennedy.
And Aunt Nancy will give the closing prayer.
Brother Dyerly, a member of the bishopric in the YSA ward, presided over the ceremony, and golly, for having so many rules from the church handbook about what was okay and what wasn't, he pulled it off spectacularly, and I couldn't imagine it being any better. Grammy (John's mom) was in tears throughout the entire thing, and I know others were too. I asked Brother Dyerly for a copy of the ceremony which he thankfully provided.
Welcome to congregation
Opening Prayer: Kathy Kennedy (Grammy was so nervous beforehand, but she did a beautiful job.)
In Genesis 2:24 it reads, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Mark and Allison were married earlier today in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They've chosen to have this ring ceremony so family, friends and loved ones may share in the celebration of their union. In the temple, we believe that couples marry for time and all eternity. "For time" means for our mortal days on earth, and "for all eternity" means for our continued existence in the after life.
In ancient times, it was believed that the vein in the fourth finger of your left hand lead directly to your heart. So by encircling this finger, your heart is forever touched by the one who loves you. The ring, with no beginning and no end, represents the eternal love that you both will share from this day forward.
A wedding ring is, of course, a universal sign to the outside world that the wearer is committed to another. To the individual, the ring provides a tangible reminder of the marriage union and the promises that have been made. The rings you bring here today are, in many ways, representative of the very nature of love and marriage. Made in a circle, their design tells us that love never ends; it is continuous.
The rings you exchange today are also an outward expression of an eternal covenant that you have made with our Heavenly Father.
Continually look for the good in your marriage. Focus upon the good qualities of your sweetheart. Avoid searching for and hyperventilating upon perceived slights, annoyances, and faults. If you look for the good, you'l find it. Likewise, if you search for the bad, you'll find that too. Therefore, cultivate within your heart a continual focus upon each other's love and good qualities.
There will be times in your marriage where differences in opinions, feelings and ideas arise. Never confuse negotiation with compromise. Negotiation is the tactic of withholding something until exchanging it for something else that you desire. It's a self-centered, inner-focused view of life and relationships. Compromise is "If it's important to you, then it's important to me."
"A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1). Learn to say "I'm sorry" without adding the words "but if only you had" or "if only you hadn't." Learn to forgive. Holding a grudge is like taking poison hoping the other person gets sick. Learn to choose happiness rather than demanding to be right.
The importance of commitment to a successful marriage cannot be overstated. It is the glue or bonding agent for a loving marriage, family and home.
If you choose to have children, one of the greatest gifts you may give a child is their parents' loving marriage.
Now, Allison and Mark have chosen to give a few comments to each other:
(I have Mark's comments, but not Allison's)
Mark: My whole life has been defined by surprises. And I think my relationship with you was definitely no exception. I never thought that anyone like you would start coaching with me, or that we would work together so well when we were left to operate the whole team. And I never expected to start dating a coworker, especially in as crazy of a situation as we were in, and that I would miss you when I was gone to Riga for a whole summer. And I never thought a simple part-time rowing job that I took to make some money on the side would lead me to fine you, but I sure am glad it did. I love you, Allison, and I can't wait to keep being surprised by what happens to us as we start our new life together.
Allison:
You may now kiss.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, Mark and Allison Kennedy.
And Aunt Nancy will give the closing prayer.
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