This month's presidency lesson was given by Sis. Lisa Lara. The lesson came from our Joseph Fielding Smith manual, Chapter 15, Eternal Marriage.
There are differences in the way the world views marriage, and how we as members of the Church view marriage. The world views marriage as a civil contract or an agreement, an agreement that ends at death. World views sometimes even go as far as dismissing or mocking the institute of marriage. As members of Christ's Church we know and have been taught that marriage can be eternal and everlasting. In fact, marriage is the foundation for eternal exaltation (Doctrine & Covenants 131:1-4). President Joseph Fielding Smith teaches, "There is no ordinance connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ of greater importance, of more solemn and sacred nature, and more necessary to (our) eternal joy..than marriage."
With an eternal marriage a 3-way promise is created; between the husband and wife, and with God. "Marriage...is the foundation for eternal exaltation, for without it there could be no eternal progress in the kingdom of God." There are so many blessings to be claimed and much happiness that can come from a righteous, eternal marriage. Some of these blessing include: 1) The right to claim your spouse in the world to come. 2) The family unit continues after death. 3) Eternal lives, including children who are born under the covenant or sealed to their parents. 4) Dominion and power in perfect love. 5) Eternal glory.
What about those individuals who have not been sealed to their spouse or have not had the opportunity to marry? President Smith answers this sensitive question. "In the great plan of salvation nothing has been overlooked. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most beautiful thing in the world. It embraces every soul whose heart is right and who diligently seeks him and desires to obey his laws and covenants. Therefore, if a person is for any cause denied the privilege of complying with any of the covenants, the Lord will judge him or her by the intent of the heart....if they are deprived of blessing in this life these blessings will be given to them during the millennium." President Smith also said, "No one can be deprived of exaltation who remains faithful...An undeserving husband cannot prevent a faithful wife from an exaltation and vice versa."
How can we teach our children the sacred nature of the marriage covenant? Even when your children are small, go to temple, touch the temple, walk around the beautiful grounds, Go to the temple yourself and be an example to your children. Go with your children when they make trips with the Young Women and Young Men to do baptisms for the dead. Take them to Open Houses before temples are dedicated if possible.
After we are married for eternity, we need to stay committed to the covenants we have made. Enduring to the End is not as easy as it may seem. A successful marriage takes time. Going out on dates is important. Remember why you fell in love with your spouse. Take the time to talk and listen to each other. Challenges will arise; be committed and determined to work through them together. Most of all, center your lives around Christ. President Smith teaches, "If a man and his wife were earnestly and faithfully observing all the ordinances and principles of the gospel, there could not arise any cause for divorce. The joy and happiness pertaining to the marriage relationship would grow sweeter, and husband and wife would become more and more attached to each other as the days go by. Not only would the husband love the wife and the wife the husband, but children born to them would live in an atmosphere of love and harmony. The love of each for the others would not be impaired, and moreover the love of all towards our Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ would be more firmly rooted in there souls."
See entire lesson in manual HERE.
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