THE FIRST BOOK OF SHI-TUGO

Marriage in Ammonite society involves both families, with the bride’s mother playing a significant role in courtship approval. The wedding includes rituals, prayers, and community participation, followed by a celebratory feast.

1The preparations having been completed, whereby the bride and the groom are made ready, the bride’s father brings the Peli to speak to the couple together. And they three are shut up alone for several hours. During this time the Peli recites to them the history of the creation and teaches them about the atonement.

2And the bride and the groom each covenant with God to keep four sacred laws. They are the Law of the Gospel, the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of Chastity and the Law of Consecration. They each covenant separately to keep these laws, and then they covenant with each other to do it.

3The Peli places on them clothing, after the manner of Husbands and Wives, and teaches them the sacred manner of their making. Then they sing a song of thanksgiving together. And behold, many things are spoken unto them that cannot be written.

4When the Peli has finished speaking, the bride retires to a separate room and the women kin dress her in the beautiful garment. Now, this garment is made in the sacred manner, and after the pattern of the garment that the Peli had placed upon the bride and the groom, and it is

5When the bride and all the women rejoin the groom and the Peli, he escorts them all to a place where all their kin are seated, both of the bride and of the groom.

6Then are they man and wife and all the people clap their hands three times and cry out their agreement in a song of thanksgiving. It is then the custom for all the people to give gifts to the new couple.

7When the gifts are all given, tables are set and a great feast is brought out before the assembled multitude. But before anyone may eat, the father and mother rise and courteously praise the mother of the groom. Then all are invited to celebrate the marriage and join in the marriage feast.

8In this sacred manner do all the community celebrate the marriage of a man and a woman, and it is most peculiar indeed, for the great deference given to the mothers of the bride and of the groom. Yea, all that is good, gentle, kind, industrious, providential, wise, in fine, all things and gifts which do show a good countenance, and character are attributed to the mother. In this sacred manner do they give praise, honor, and gratitude to the Mother of all Living.