Lesson l8 - Temple Marriage & Requirements for Eternal Family Life
| by Alice Gifford Why think about this now?? President Monson said, "When the times for decisions arrives, the time for preparation is past." "Our eternal destiny depends in part, on our choice of marriage companion" -and so does the eternal destiny of our posterity." Sometimes we become starry-eyed and enter into marriages blinded by the romance and thrill of being in love with the hope of "changing" or "converting" the person after marriage. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote,"Nothing is more important that marrying the right person, at the right time, in the right place, and by the right authority" Vaugh J. Featherstone - "Teach youth that they need to fall in love with someone who loves the Lord more than themselves, someone who wants to be married in the right place at the right time by the right authority." (The Millennial Generation - pg. 75) But what if you fall in love with a non-member????? Britt McConkie, a brother of Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught, ...when a young man or young woman marries someone who is either not a member of the church or who is not worthy to go the temple, they have given up their agency. They have turned it over to the less-active member or non-member...and there will be no possibility of an eternal marriage and sealing blessings UNTIL and UNLESS the companion decides he or she is ready. In this sense, a marriage truly is (held back) until the non-member or less-active companion changes his or her mind." Are you willing to take that chance? There are many who will be able to tell you about the successful conversion of their husband after marriage, or the re-activation of a less active member after a few years. There may even be personal stories shared going to the temple after a year of marriage. But the fact is, there are more unsuccessful stories than there are successful stories. The temple is a house of learning....Cont. Ed. In school, my son has at different times been assigned to work with a group of students on a project. He made the comment once that he didn't think it was fair that his grade was dependant on what other's did nor didn't do. He'd completed his assignment but others didn't. Are we looking for someone who is willing to do their share of the homework? Scripture Study, FHE, Family prayer? Is he willing to do graduate work? Honor his priesthood? When I think about the choice of a mate I think about the granddaughters of Noah. (Moses 8:l3-l5) Do we want to be married to a son of God or a Son of Man.
The granddaughters of Noah married men who were not obeying the gospel. The Lord told Noah that "they daughters of they sons have sold themselves..." Very strong words! Add the word short and denied themselves numerous blessings. (I found this information in S. Michael Wilcox's book Daughter's of God_) Are you willing to date a young man who does not obey the Lord and take the chance that you will fall in love with him? The Lord has show us the way to have an eternal family, and protection from Satan's tools of destruction. "And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived" D&C 52:l4 Why chose the Temple?? Here is an incredible prayer to remember regarding the power and protection we received when we make sacred covenants in the temple. "We ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house ARMED WITH THY POWER....D&C l09:22 - What better way to start a marriage than to be "armed with thy power". The adversary will do all in his power to destroy your marriage - even a civil one that has no sealing powers. From the temple we are given patterns, promises and protection that will strengthen our marriage and families. If ever in doubt about what you should do - remember this quote from President Faust during the l998 General YW Broadcast - "Hold you soul very still and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. Follow the noble, intuitive feelings planted deep within your souls by Deity in the previous world. In this way you will be responding to the Holy Ghost of God and will be sanctified by truth". The lesson also suggests that one reason someone may not want to be married in the temple is that they do not want to wear garments. Hopefully we can teach the young women the blessings and protection of the garment that can be theirs and they will look forward to the day they will put them on :-) Here is a great quote and additional information regarding the garment written by Carlos E. Asay in the Aug. l997 Ensign, pg. 19-23. - "I like to think of the garment as the Lord's way of letting us take part of the temple with us when we leave. It is true that we carry from the Lord's house inspired teachings and sacred covenants written in our minds and hearts. However, the one tangible remembrance we carry with us back into the world is the garment. And though we cannot always be in the temple, a part of it can always be with us to bless our lives." He also referred to the garment as "The Armor of God". "The garment is a reminder of sacred covenants made with the Lord in His holy house, a protective covering for the body, and a symbol of the modesty of dress and living that should characterize the lives of all humble followers of Christ." ...."The heavy armor worn by soldiers of a former day, including helmets, shields, and breastplates, determined the outcome of some battles. However, the real battles of life in our modern day will be won by those who are clad in spiritual armor - an armor consisting of faith in God, faith in self, faith in one's cause, and faith in one's leaders. The piece of armor called the temple garment not only provides the comfort and warmth of a cloth covering, it strengthens the wearer to resist temptation, fend off evil influences, and stand firmly for the right." Home |