I was studying this lesson and not really coming up with anything until I focused more on the triangle and thought of one more analogy. When you draw the triangle on the board, and follow the directions, Heavenly Father is at the top of triangle and husband and wife are at the bottom. All are joined by connecting lines but in order for the husband and wife to "connect" with God together, they must both move "upward" until they meet and become "one" with God.

If you draw this triangle upside down with husband and wife at top, they must move "downward" to meet and then the adversary is who they become "one" with.

You can not move downward and meet God. You must move upward.

Elder Russell M. Nelson teaches us that there are two important relationships: our relationship with the Lord and marriage.

You decide whether they will be covenant relationships or contractual relationships.

When building a home you search for a contractor. You meet with several and discuss what you have in mind, then sign a contact with the one who you feel can meet your expectations and goals. At first things seem to be going smoothly. Then difficulties arise - even some miscommunication. Unforeseen challenges seem insurmountable, and changes need to be made. Sometimes these changes are minor and adjustments can be made with little or no extra cost. Sometimes they are too costly and if the contractor is not someone is who "Licensed and Bonded", he may walk off the job leaving you with little or no recourse-and an unfinished home with major problems.

In building an eternal home it would seem important to find a "contractor" who would honor his promises (covenants). Someone licensed and bonded (temple worthy) who would find a way to honor(who had integrity) the contract signed. When searching for the right "contractor" you need to ask certain questions, maybe even talk to references (previous dates °Ü°.

Here's a good question - If you knew your future mate would have the opportunity to interview the people you dated - would you conduct yourself any differently?)

Is the foundation of the home a priority? What if major cracks in the walls develop? Will he honor his contact, guarantee his work? Is he honest (does he honor his priesthood)? How does he treat his employees? (his family, especially his mother)? Will he endure to the end if problems arise that seem insurmountable or will be walk off the job?

In Nauvoo, the Lord commanded that the Saints "build a house unto me" (D&C 124:31) President Packer used the phrase, "Will Build to Suit Owner" in one of his talks. What a great motto! Christ has given us the specifications to build a proper home and the time to prepare to build that home is now. It's important to find a "contractor" who will enter into a "covenant contract" (temple marriage). Someone who has the same goals as you. Someone who was willing to finish climbing the stairs with you to do the "final" check before turning the home over to the owner.

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"

D&C 43:l6 - Ye are to be taught from on high....

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? "Some fail because his highest and most important Priesthood duty is to honor an sustain his wife. The best thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother" Pres. Hunter, Oct 94.

A couple of years ago my husband and our l3 year old son joined with other family members and climbed to the top of Mt. Timpanogous in Provo, Utah. I wasn't looking forward to the hike because I had to get up early °Ü° and I knew it would be hard! But I didn't want to be left behind either so I went. The hike was difficult for me - I'd been exercising but I still wasn't prepared for 9 hours of torture (LOL) As we started up the mountain I thought, "this won't be that bad". I was learning about all of the poisonous plants to avoid, and people were singing and I had a fanny pack (have you ever wondered why they call them "fanny" packs?????)full of chocolate covered raisins!

There were portions of this hike that were more difficult than others and at times we stopped to rest. When we finally reached the "saddle" and stopped for lunch we could look out over the valley below and it was beautiful! I would have like to have stayed there with my raisins and a good book! But I could look up and see the top - and again, I didn't want to be the only one not to reach the summit so I continued.

At one point, one of my nephews was having a difficult time. We were all cheering him on (even me °Ü° - "Come on ____, just a little bit further, you can do it! We'll help you!" One of my BIL's who was way ahead had already reached the summit and could look down and see what was happening. He could see those of us who were going to make it just fine, and he could see those who needed help. So he came back down the mountain to help....to lighten the load, give us a hand here and there, words of encouragement, showing us the easiest way up.

As I've thought about this, I'm reminded that this is what the Savior did for us. Also, that I would have been very content to have stayed at the "saddle" and not gone any further - until I realized the others had gone ahead without me and I was all alone. I also could have stayed behind for just a little more rest and then continued but I found out early into the hike that the longer the rest, the more difficult it was go "get going" again. The easiest way was to eat a few more raisins, and put one foot in front of the other and keep going!

I think marriage is much like this. We can settle for the saddle and not go any further or we can set our sites on our summit and carry on until reaching our goal - then the fun really begins when you realize you're not finished! You still have to get back home which means sliding down a portion of the snow-covered mountain on your bottom °Ü° and then run the last mile of the path-mostly because it's downhill and you just want to go home and take a long hot bath! I'll share that another time (LOL)

(c) Alice Gifford, All Rights Reserved

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