Month: December 2015
Marriage – May it be Eternal
Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
The New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage
In our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, a man and a woman can be sealed to one another for time and all eternity. Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if they are true to their covenants. They know that nothing, not even death, can permanently separate them.
The covenant of eternal marriage is necessary for exaltation. The Lord revealed through Joseph Smith: “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase” (D&C 131:1–4).
After receiving the sealing ordinance and making sacred covenants in the temple, a couple must continue in faithfulness in order to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and exaltation. The Lord said: “If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; … and if [they] abide in my covenant, … it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world” (D&C 132:19; for an explanation of the Holy Spirit of Promise, see page 82). (True to the Faith, 2004, 97-101)
Every time I see this Mormon Message tears fill my eyes and hope fills my heart. I love the tenderness between this couple. It isn’t strange to us as members of the Church. It is something we look for to and long for as covenant keepers. It is something we will every marriage could know.
Marriages Made in Heaven
Most people think of a marriage made in heaven as a rare occurrence in which both parties are deeply in love and highly compatible. We like to think that all our marriages are made in heaven. When a man and woman enters one of our holy temples to be married, they covenant (or promise) they will stay together forever—on earth and in heaven after they die, if they are faithful to each other and their promises to the Lord. A temple marriage doesn’t include phrases like, “Till death do you part” or “So long as you both shall live.” If we keep these promises, our children also become part of this heavenly promise—sealed to us forever.
Not every marriage will last. Sometimes, through no fault of one spouse or the other, the marriage will need to dissolve. However, most marriage troubles can be resolved by following the counsel of Elder Dallin H. Oaks.
Protecting the family
At this time in the world, when the adversary is unleashed and tirelessly working on the destruction of the children of God, we cannot be warned enough to protect our homes and families. In the Church we are blessed to have a prophet, Thomas S. Monson to follow. We know he walks and talks with the Lord and directs the Lord’s church at this time here upon the earth. When the prophet, his counselors, or any of the Quorum of the Twelve speak — it is wise to listen.
Do you need to add additional protection to your home?
This video comes from part of a 2013 General Conference address. Follow this link to full address by President Packer on protecting the nestlings; These Things I Know
A Final Word…
President Henry B. Eyring in an address in 1998, three years after the first reading of The Family, A Proclamation to the World, made this important clarification about this document:
“Three things about the title are worth our careful reflection. First, the subject: the family. Second, the audience, which is the whole world. And third, those proclaiming it are those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. All this means that the family must be of tremendous importance to us, that whatever the proclamation says could help anyone in the world, and that the proclamation fits the Lord’s promise when he said, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). “
I hope this blog will give you a small taste of the many wonderful resources that are available to study the doctrine on the family. If I can suggest a challenge to get your family together, start at the beginning with my first post. Follow each of the paragraph posts, reading each of the talk or devotional links and watching the videos. It’s a great Family Home Evening opportunity, that I believe will strengthen each family member.
I hope you’ll take a moment to watch this video The Family Is Ordained of God
I have loved the in depth study this semester on The Family, A Proclamation to the World. I have gained a deeper understanding of this important document and have a stronger testimony of it. I have studied some amazing conference and devotional talks on this topic. I have studies scriptures and watched some of the best videos on the family. I have come to know my Savior even more as I have asked for His help this semester and as I have pondered the assignments for this class. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the plan of salvation. I am grateful for my family of birth. I was born to goodly parents. They taught me the gospel as they were commanded to do and set a beautiful example for me to follow. I am grateful for my husband, children and now grandchildren. I am richly blessed. I have a loving Father in Heaven who has provided for me and my family and for all family members of the world to have a way to return to live with him. God loves all his children, of this I have no doubt. The trials of mortality, though many feel unbearable at times, are to help us learn to be like him. Of this I have no doubt. I have experienced this training and tempering in my own life. Peace can be found within The Church of Jesus Christ, joy and love can be found within the family unit. Families can be together forever. Of this I bear my witness, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Family -- An Heritage of the Lord 