The Power of Eternal Marriage

Ok, this may seem like a random topic, but let me explain.

I was asked to teach the young women this week, and the lesson is on dating and temple marriage. I started my lesson preparation by reading a bunch of scriptures and General Conference talks, and as I sat there on my couch reading the inspired messages, I was swiftly filled with the spirit. Really, it was so powerful and such a beautiful reminder to be of the power and blessings of God's eternal plan for His children. I want to share 3 specific talks that helped me better understand marriage and my role as a woman, a wife, and a daughter of God.

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From Elder L. Tom Perry's talk "Why Marriage and Family Matter -- Everywhere in the World", I was stunned by the similarities many religions share when it comes to marriage and family. He states, "It was remarkable for me to see how marriage and family-centered priorities cut across and superseded any political, economic, or religious differences. When it comes to love of spouse and hopes, worries, and dreams for children, we are all the same." Although the media portrays a very different and opposing opinion of morality and values, it is comforting and strengthening to me to know that there are many people, inside and outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that believe and sustain the same family values that I do.   Then Elder Perry poses a question: How does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinguish and differentiate itself from the rest of the world?  This question is follows by some powerful "We believe" statements:

• We believe that we were, and still are, members of God's family.
• We believe that marriage and family ties can continue beyond the grave -- that marriages performed by those who have the proper authority in God's temples will continue to be valid in the world to come.
• We believe that strong traditional families are the basic unit of a stable society, a stable economy, and a stable culture of values.
• We believe that strong traditional families are the basic units of eternity and of the kingdom and government of God.

I loved this talk because it gave me an opportunity to check my own beliefs with those stated by Elder Perry. Do I really believe that I am a daughter of God? Do I really believe that marriage and family can continue after death and into the eternities? Do I really believe that the sealing power of God is here on the earth and can be only used by certain, called individuals in certain holy places? Do I really believe that family relationship can strengthen our communities and governments? Yes! Yes, I believe all those things. It is a strength to me to be able to reexamine and restate my testimony that I know all these things are true.

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Then I read "Guardians of Virtue", a talk given by Sister Elaine S. Dalton.  The first 3 paragraphs of her talk sent me right back to imagining the day Andrew and I were married. Once again, I was able to remember sitting in the Celestial room with Andrew before we went into the sealing room to be married. I remembered walking hand in hand with him into that room and being hit (almost literally) with the spirit and with an astounding amount of love from the family and friends who waited for us there. I still tear up thinking about those indescribable feelings and knowing that both Andrew and I were worthy to be in the temple that day and prepared to be sealed to each other forever. It is a sacred moment I treasure in my heart.

Sister Dalton challenges the young women to be guardians of virtue so that they can one day worthily enter the temple. A guardian of virtue is someone who protects, shields, and defends moral purity. "Your course is marked," she states, "and you can be assured that the Savior has not only walked the course but will again walk with you--every step of the way." She then suggests specific things the young women can do to ensure they stay guardians of virtue:

• Make important decision now. - write a list of things you will always do and things you will never do. Make the decision once beforehand, and then you wont have to debate your decision in the moment. 
• Be modest.  - This includes modesty in speech, actions, dress, and use of social media.
• Look to strong examples in your parents, leaders, friends, etc. 
• Believe! - Always strive to strengthen and share your testimony of truth. 

This talk helped me feel empowered as a woman. It is a sacred charge to be an example of a righteous woman and always guard virtue . Ever week in Young Women's we stand and recite the theme; in that theme, we state that we will strive to live certain values including: faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue.  Why? Why is it important to acquire and defend these values?  Well, "we believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, enjoy the blessings of exaltation." (YW theme). Those sound like pretty convincing blessings associated with living a virtuous life. 

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Finally, the last talk that really touched me was given by Elder Richard G. Scott. It was called "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage". I always loved to hear Elder Scott talk about his marriage because he so evidently adored his wife. You could always tell that she meant the world to him and that he was so blessed to have the reassurance that his marriage to her was eternal.

This is a beautiful talk that always brings tears to my eyes. Honestly, I can't do it justice with just a summary here, so you must read or listen to it! He teaches through his example what a strong family relationship looks like. 

Here are just a few of the gem statements Elder Scott provides in this talk:

• "I have no power to describe the peace and serenity that come from the assurance that as I continue to live worthily, I will be able to be with my beloved Jeanene and our children forever because of that sacred ordinance performed with the proper priesthood authority in the house of the Lord."
• "Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage."
• "It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful."
• "I know what is it to love a daughter of Father in Heaven who with grace and devotion lived the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. I am confident that when, in our future, I see her again beyond the veil, we will recognize that we have become even more deeply in love."

I loved that this talk reminded me of the type of love, devotion, sacrifice, and teamwork required to have a happy marriage and a spirit-filled home. I strive to be that kind of wife and mother, one who talks and teaches in with the spirit and who loves her family and the Lord always. 

This talk also makes me think of Andrew, my wonderfully loving husband. Daily, he emulates the qualities mentioned in this talk. I can't count how many times he has blessed my life in the last 2 years by repeatedly stating how much he loves me, or by helping me with the dishes, or by wrapping me in his arms and holding me close. I am so so so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

Ok, so now that I am all teary-eyed again, I hope that these talks help you feel the same spirit that I did. I am grateful for the reminder of how important marriage and family are in God's plan and how I can strive to be a more loving wife. I hope that the young women in my ward will be able to feel the spirit I felt and be inspired to live worthily of the eternal temple blessings God has prepared for them.