2. Before we can fully understand the purpose of familiesand our
eternal destiny, we first need to have someknowledge of who we
truly are and what are potential is.For It is impossible for a man
to be saved in ignorance(D&C 131:6) We have been taught through
scripture that we are allcreated in the image of God. We have also
been taughtthrough modern day scripture that each is a
belovedspirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and as such,each
has a divine nature and destiny (The Family: AProclamation to the
World) In the famous words by Mark Twain, God has putsomething
noble and good into every heart His handcreated 3. D&C 18:10-
Remember the worth of souls is great in thesight of God Each one of
us individually are sacred because wereflect the image of our
Savior and Redeemer. Our fleshand spirit, our very life is a gift
from the Creator. Let usnot forget how important this life is. And
let usremember that Christ himself identified himself as thelife, I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comethunto the Father,
but by me (John 14:6). As we understand this sacredness which we
hold, wecome to realize the importance of life, of marriage, andof
welcoming children into our lives is one of the mostimportant ways
we can follow Christ. 4. We now have a better understanding of our
true identity andthe sacredness of life, but why is it important to
receivemarriage?Elder Russell M. Nelson declared, That proclamation
onthe family helps us realize that celestial marriage bringsgreater
possibilities for happiness than does any otherrelationship. The
earth was created and this Church wasrestored so that families
could be formed, sealed, andexalted eternally. Not only is marriage
ordained of God and the very purposethe earth was created, marriage
also is the very fabric ofsociety. The family is the original cell
of sociallifeMarriage is the well-spring of social capital Marriage
is the most important social act and involvesmuch more than just
the married couple. A new home isformed when a couple marries, are
open to the creation ofnew life. Marriage also has beneficial
social and healtheffects for adults and children, and these gifts
benefit thecommunity and the whole (Peter Sprigg, director of 5. I
have learned through various studies and through personal
lifechoices that it is far easier to choose to be the right person
now,instead of waiting until you come to the crossroads of a
dauntingdecision. President Monson has stated, Decisions determine
destiny. That iswhy it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a
course, to be at leastpartly ready when the moment of decision
comes. Everything we do, our whole life allows us to prepare for
the mostimportant decision of your entire life, which is marriage
(Spencer W.Kimball). The World would have us constantly search for
the right person, butwe must always strive to become the right
person, and align ourdecisions and views with God. When we align
our lives with our Savior, we start to viewrelationships and
marriage far greater than simply a couplerelationship, we view it
as a divine institution of marriage. And when you find that special
person, you will have been preparedthrough the years by the Lords
help, how to treat your sweetheart. 6. Is it impossible to have a
happy healthy marriage in the increasinglyconvoluted challenges of
life? The 21st century may convince youthat there is no such thing,
it is a fairy tale to have a happy marriage.Many will convince of a
joy that comes from a no strings attachedrelationship, to
cohabitate, and to be obligated to no one, but Isubmit these
statements are very fabricated. I submit that a healthymarriage
begins far sooner than the marriage ceremony. In the last decade or
so, living together is replacing dating. Between 1970 and 2000, the
number of unmarried couples livingtogether increased 10-fold from
500,000 to 5.5 million couples.Oddly enough divorce, spousal and
partner abuse, and the age ofgetting married has risen.
Sociologists David Popenoe and Barbara Whitehead concludedfrom many
studies that cohabitation is detrimental to marriage andincreases
the probability of divorce Not only does it affect thecouple, but
also has very malicious affects on the children. 7. There are a
number of known risk factors that impede forming and sustaining
healthy marriages, such as many premarital sexual partners,
premarital parenthood, pre- engagement cohabitation, and premarital
relationship violence. Although this may sound far from anything
you have experienced, it is very likely to occur if we look at how
the 21st century prepares for marriage. 21st Century ABCs of
Marriage Preparation:A: Early, prolonged, self-interested sexual
exploration followedbyB: Finding a soul mate, thenC: Living
together to test the relationship, and thenD: Deciding to get
married when the time is right 8. do not expect perfection in your
choice of a mate. Do notbe so particular that you overlook her most
important qualitiesof having a strong testimony, living the
principles of thegospelone good yardstick as to whether a person
might bethe right one for you is this: in her presence, do you
think yournoblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do
youwish you were better than you are?-President Ezra TaftBensonWe
can all draw heaven into our homes and marriages byremembering why
we are with this special person. If we arewilling to work for the
success of marriage, through hard work,dedication, communication,
patience and living the gospelwithin the walls of your home,
keeping Christ positioned at theapex, He is the focal point. We
must have the mindset offorever and not temporary. And always
remember what really matters most in life. 9. While marriage is
difficult, and discordant and frustratedmarriages are common, yet
real, lasting happiness ispossible, and marriage can be more an
exultant ecstasythan the human mind can conceive. This is within
thereach of every couple, every person. President Kimball We must
commit ourselves in keeping our covenants wehave made with God, and
remember that marriage istruly essential to His eternal plan.We
must intentionally and personally be dedicated toGod and our
spouseWe must sacrifice for therelationship, invest in it, link it
to personal goals, andseek the partners welfare, not just your own
(Markman,Stanley, & Blumberg, 2001). 10. The Savior Jesus
Christ is theThe saviorFocal point in a covenantmarriage
relationship. As eachindividually comes closer toChrist, they in
turn come closertogether. Elder BednarThose couples who decide ona
covenant marriage workthrough troubles that arise,they are
completely dedicatedto one another through thickand thin. They
marry to giveand grow, bound by covenantsto each other, to
thecommunity, and to God. HusbandTheyeach give 100
percentWife-Elder Bruce C. Hafen
