Covenant companions each give 100%...

            I was very inspired this week by the talk called, “Covenant Marriage” by Elder Bruce C. Hafen. While studying this talk, I pictured myself and my new husband on March 14, 2015. We had just be sealed for time and all eternity and we now walking out of the temple doors as eternal companions. We were (and still are) so happy. We took a huge leap of faith, but we knew that it would be worth it- so worth it! Since that beautiful start of forever, we have felt joy, sadness, success, and heartache. Just like every marriage there is opposition in all things, but just like Elder Hafen mentioned, I have learned the importance of having a marriage that is based on a covenant rather than a contract.

                As I have thought a lot this week about what a covenant marriage looks like, I have come to the conclusion that a covenant marriage is one that never gives up. The husband and wife put their whole heart into the marriage. Covenant companions each truly give 100 percent. Adam and Eve are a perfect example of a couple where each gave 100 percent. They stuck by each other’s sides, even when times were tough. I feel so much gratitude for Adam and Eve because without their decision to partake of the fruit, they would have never known opposition. “They would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery” (2 Nephi 2:23). Left in the garden, they would have never known what true joy feels like. By being sealed for time and all eternity, we are able to experience what the scriptures call, “incomprehensible JOY!”

Did you know that just one horse can pull 8,000 pounds? That is a lot of weight, but did you also know that two horses, working together, can pull 24,000 pounds? These horses are teaching us a very clear lesson about teamwork. A covenant marriage is a team. I believe that it is the hard times that help a marriage grow even closer together.

I know that eternal marriage is not just a temporary legal contract that can end at any time for almost any reason, but it is actually a sacred covenant with God that is binding here on earth and throughout all eternity. An eternal marriage faces opposition, never gives up, is a team, gives 100 percent, and is able to feel incomprehensible joy.

Defenders of Marriage...

                I can’t help but think of the wonderful document “The Proclamation to the World” as I studied about marriage this week. This inspired document was written in 1995 when President Gordon B. Hinckley was the prophet. When the Proclamation was released that year, I was just a little girl. My parents told me that when they first heard it, they thought to themselves, “Of course marriage is between and man and a woman” and “Of course the family is ordained of God.” They thought, “Why would we need a document to remind us of something that is so obvious?” In 1995, both my parents did not fully understand the reason behind releasing this document to the world. Now, 23 years later, we are able to see the divine inspiration and guidance that our church leaders had at that time. Our prophet and apostles in 1995 were able to see into the future and they were able to prepare us for things that were to come in the future. I am so thankful for a living prophet who is able to warn and prepare us before we are able to understand the ‘why.’

                Not only have our modern day prophets been able to see the changing values in the world, but our ancient prophets have as well. The Apostle Paul foresaw our circumstances and in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, he said, “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, . . . despisers of those that are good, and lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” I love what President Nelson said when he spoke about how we are living in perilous times! Life will certainly not be comfortable for the followers of Jesus Christ. We know the truth and we need not be a comfortable Christian. Because we know the truth, in these last days, we need to be defenders of marriage.

                Being a defender of marriage is something that I am very passionate about. I know that there are other people who have different beliefs than I do. I look to the Savior as an example in this situation. He went about doing good and served those around him. He loved everyone, even those who had different beliefs and values. We are taught to love the sinner unconditionally, but hate the sin.

                I know that our Heavenly Father is an unchanging God. I know that he loves us, and we can show him that we love him by keeping his commandments. His laws and commandments never change, even though the world is changing ever so quickly. Ever since the beginning of time, from Adam and Eve to today, we have potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth and you can only do that by husbands and wives-mothers and fathers. I know this to be true with all of my heart.

Marriage requires sacrifice & sharing

This week’s study about divorce has helped me learn more in-depth about the importance of having a strong marriage. Elder Oaks said that, “A good marriage does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection.” I love how he spoke about how most of the time, the remedy is not divorce but repentance. I have seen in my own personal life how important it is to let go of all pride and selfishness in a marriage. Sometimes, we may think that divorce is the answer to having peace and harmony in your life, but most of the time, that is not the case. 

Divorce creates long term heartache for many people surrounding you, especially your children. Elder Oaks urged us to think of the children. In the NBC video segment we watched, we learn that many children think that it is their fault that their parents got divorced, which can create long term effects for the children in their future. I know that in a marriage, there are three people involved: the husband, the wife, and the Lord. As a missionary serving in Uruguay, my companion and I taught newly baptized converts of the church. They were a strong family with a strong testimony in the gospel. One evening, as we went to visit them in their home, they told us that they were not getting along, that there was conflict in the home, and they were contemplating divorce. Our hearts were broken. That was the last thing that we wanted to happen. My companion and I taught about the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal and mend broken and angry hearts. We invited this sweet couple to join hands, kneel together, and pray for help. A few days later, they came to us and told us that a miracle had happened. They kept them commitment with us to pray with one another and their hearts were healed. It was amazing to see the love that they had for one another in their hearts. We all learned that evening that marriage requires sacrifice and sharing. It requires work, love, and patience. 

I know that by having a strong marriage focused on the Lord and founded upon the teachings of the gospel, we will be blessed beyond measure. I conclude with what the Apostle Paul said. He said, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)