The marriage of church, family, and self : a study of early marriage among Latter-Day Saint couples : an honors thesis [(HONRS 499)]

Abstract

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well known for its emphasis on traditional marital values as well as the common practice of its members of getting wed at an early age. Through a series of interviews with four Latter-day Saint couples as well as one Latter-day Saint academic specializing in marriage and family relations I have attempted to gather some of the thoughts, feeling, beliefs, and opinions that Latter-day Saints have concerning the practice of early marriage. I have also looked at their opinions about the current status of marriage in contemporary culture to gain a better understanding of both an aspect of the Latter-day Saint culture as well as a practice that, for many, is becoming outdated.