Here we are with another topic — just in time for the spring wedding season. A Meridian reader wants to know how to make sure the temple wedding is a good experience for non-LDS relatives as well as for those who are able to attend the temple. Here is what she had to say:

One of our children is getting married later this year. Do you have any ideas on how to include non-LDS grandparents in a temple wedding and reception to follow? I haven't had much luck in finding a way to honor them at the reception, but don't want them to feel angry or left out on this joyous day.

First Generation Mother-In-Law

The question is short and to the point, but it's a valid one. I'm not going to be much help, either, because the only thing I can say about the way I did it was that it was absolutely wrong. Thinking it would be easier on my non-member father if we eloped to the temple and nobody got in, that's what Clark and I did — even though he had a zillion aunts and uncles who wanted to be at the ceremony. We infuriated Clark 's parents and annoyed his aunts and uncles, only to learn that my father was not in the slightest appeased that nobody else saw us getting married either. Instead of one person being hurt, we managed to hurt a whole passel of relatives — and our relationship with Clark 's parents never did recover. Do not follow my example!

If you have any legitimate ideas (ideas that are better than the one in the preceding paragraph), send them to meridianmagazine@aol.com . Put something in your subject line to let me know your letter isn't spam. We'll publish the first responses next Monday.

And when you write, be sure to include your full name, city and state or country. (If you'd rather be semi-anonymous, sign your name as “A Reader from Michigan ,” or “Sandy from Timbuktu .” The important thing is that we hear from you.)

Until next time — Kathy

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times,
always with the same person.”

Germaine Greer