Week 4: Doctrine of Eternal Marriage

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I believe in Eternal Marriage.  In the LDS faith, we believe that through sealing ordinances in the Temple that marriages and families can be together for time and all eternity.

To learn more about the LDS beliefs on temples and marriage

 please visit www.mormon.org

Growing up I believed in fairy tales and “Happily Ever Afters.”  Like many young girls I envisioned my wedding to be the perfect day.  I would have the perfect white wedding dress, beautiful white roses and most importantly a Knight in shining armor to walk me down the aisle.  In story books and fairy tales, the story ends there. We presume that that the prince and princess ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.

The reality is that while marriage can be wonderful it can  also be very challenging. Marriage is something we must work to nourish and sustain each and every day.  There will be moments that are so fulfilling.  As you lay in a labor and delivery room holding your new little one your love for one another will grow exponentially.  As you graduate school, get your first job and buy your first home you will see your dreams coming true together.  But there will also be arguments over which way to hang the toilet paper, how to manage finances and how to handle a rebellious teenager.  There will be times when you feel disappointed in the other, unfulfilled, facing financial struggles and at times possibly even feeling betrayed.  The way in which we face those difficult times can break down a marriage or they can strengthen a marriage.

CONTRACT VS. COVENANT

Elder Bruce Hafen, LDS General Authority said:

“When troubles come, the parties to a contractual marriage seek happiness by walking away. They marry to obtain benefits and will stay only as long as they’re receiving what they bargained for.

But when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through. They marry to give and to grow, bound by covenants to each other, to the community, and to God. Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent.”

As members of the LDS faith we view temple marriages as a covenant made between one another and with God. This knowledge gives us an eternal perspective that can help us ride the ups and downs of marriage.  When we look at our marriage with an eternal perspective, looking outside of ourselves and committing to making our marriages work through both the good times and the struggles we can see marriage through the lens of God.

When I was married to my husband, almost 17 years ago, the temple sealer gave us some advice that I will always remember.  He warned us that we will have struggles, we will have arguments and we will not always see eye to eye.  He went as far as to say that there may even be days that we don’t like one another.  He advised us during these difficult times to view the other as God would view them.  To look for their strengths and to find ways to show our love to one another.  He counseled that by seeing each other the way God sees them that we will make it through the difficult times.

THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

In the Family:A Proclamation to the World it teaches that we are all created in the image of God.  It also teaches that “the family is ordained of God” and that “marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.”

LDS apostle David A. Bednar expounded on this when he taught:

“By divine design, men and women are intended to progress together toward perfection and a fulness of glory. Because of their distinctive temperaments and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen and bless each other."

My personal testimony to you is that marriage is essential to God’s plan.  I testify of the blessings and fulfillment that it can bring to our lives.  I am grateful for the knowledge that I can be sealed to my husband and children for all eternity.