I love my children and though my example has been less than perfect, I desire that they should know and their children should know that marriage with all its struggles is worth doing, and it is worth doing right (this does not necessarily include a huge reception or cake). That said, the temporal needs of companionship can be met by others in a myriad of ways other than through marriage and no one should be alone. I recognize that there are ways this world marginalizes marriage and its importance to the point that it seems useless.
Some have devised ways to counterfeit many aspects of marriage. I won't go into them all and I cannot condone what God does not. They preach self-satisfaction and have proposed wide-spread divorce as a way to escape marriage when things get tough. Other groups are proud to venerate personal sexual preference coupled with a lack of regard for life above the institution God himself established. Just look at all the forces that seek to dissolve family ties and set themselves up as institutions of learning, development, and virtue while denigrating the synergistic role of mothers and fathers in the home and then financially rewarding infidelity through social programs. They are wrong. I understand that there are varying forms of marriage that are currently recognized. (i.e., common-law unions, same-sex unions, marriage of convenience to obtain benefits otherwise not available to them such as citizenship, social acceptance, political power, etc). I do not have a problem with them and believe companionships are vital to health and wellbeing and I encourage all unselfish unions that do not violate the laws of God.
Some have devised ways to counterfeit many aspects of marriage. I won't go into them all and I cannot condone what God does not. They preach self-satisfaction and have proposed wide-spread divorce as a way to escape marriage when things get tough. Other groups are proud to venerate personal sexual preference coupled with a lack of regard for life above the institution God himself established. Just look at all the forces that seek to dissolve family ties and set themselves up as institutions of learning, development, and virtue while denigrating the synergistic role of mothers and fathers in the home and then financially rewarding infidelity through social programs. They are wrong. I understand that there are varying forms of marriage that are currently recognized. (i.e., common-law unions, same-sex unions, marriage of convenience to obtain benefits otherwise not available to them such as citizenship, social acceptance, political power, etc). I do not have a problem with them and believe companionships are vital to health and wellbeing and I encourage all unselfish unions that do not violate the laws of God.
Here are some truths I want my children to understand about marriage.
1. To start with, marriage in the temple for time and all eternity, entered into by a worthy man and woman, and performed through His priesthood sealing power will give the most blessings and the most opportunities to obtain a fullness of joy in this life and in the life beyond. Any marriage including those performed outside the temple contains the power to change one's life for the better until you die or until someone gives up. I believe it is the best institution one can enter into and it is important to prepare all you can for it. Obeying the commandments is the best way to prepare. Develop good habits: physical, spiritual, mental, and social. Humble yourself and repent quickly every time you are off track, we all get off track from time to time. It doesn't make you more pious but you allow yourself more time to receive God's infinite blessings and refining power to overcome your own weaknesses.
2. There is no way to completely prepare so don't spend too much time on your own. Start somewhere and keep at it. The reward will grow over an entire lifetime together. Don't get me wrong, there are many good things one can do in life without marriage, but none can have a more lasting effect. However one gets there, marriage has endless benefits that improve the soul. Giving yourself to someone is a 100% commitment and that kind of commitment yields rewards that cannot completely be calculated. One of the biggest blessings is love. Love for another person above yourself, otherwise known as charity, is the foundation of a good marriage. Love is who God is and who we are meant to become. Marriage is the best place for that love to take root and grow into life and regeneration regardless of the institution that legitimizes the union.
1. To start with, marriage in the temple for time and all eternity, entered into by a worthy man and woman, and performed through His priesthood sealing power will give the most blessings and the most opportunities to obtain a fullness of joy in this life and in the life beyond. Any marriage including those performed outside the temple contains the power to change one's life for the better until you die or until someone gives up. I believe it is the best institution one can enter into and it is important to prepare all you can for it. Obeying the commandments is the best way to prepare. Develop good habits: physical, spiritual, mental, and social. Humble yourself and repent quickly every time you are off track, we all get off track from time to time. It doesn't make you more pious but you allow yourself more time to receive God's infinite blessings and refining power to overcome your own weaknesses.
2. There is no way to completely prepare so don't spend too much time on your own. Start somewhere and keep at it. The reward will grow over an entire lifetime together. Don't get me wrong, there are many good things one can do in life without marriage, but none can have a more lasting effect. However one gets there, marriage has endless benefits that improve the soul. Giving yourself to someone is a 100% commitment and that kind of commitment yields rewards that cannot completely be calculated. One of the biggest blessings is love. Love for another person above yourself, otherwise known as charity, is the foundation of a good marriage. Love is who God is and who we are meant to become. Marriage is the best place for that love to take root and grow into life and regeneration regardless of the institution that legitimizes the union.
3. Marriage is not whole without morality. So, no one is perfect–start with your best and leave the rest. Marriage is a place to give up one's vices. They don't belong and will only strengthen a marriage if they are removed together. Bad habits can be hard to break, but the rewards are sweet. Be kind to each other. Put the other person first. Make a habit of doing good together. D&C 38:27 I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
4. Don't leave God out. He has a vested interest in your success and He will be there to support you as you cry out for His help to have the humility, patience, wisdom, and love you need. If you don't believe me, believe Him. He has promised it. He will bless those who seek Him. Make your worship a priority daily.
5. Kids are a huge part of your success without them everything stagnates. Don't wait too long to have them and don't listen to what the experts say. Children are the teachers–custom made for you. Each is unique and without trying to be a good example to them, you can only go so far. They are your biggest investment, greatest joy, only legacy, most lasting hope, and eternal glory if your marriage moves beyond this earthly realm. Learn from them. Help them. Love them and don't spoil them. That's my job.
6. Don't give up. There is no secret I can tell you because from here on out it is about learning by doing, wisdom comes naturally through hard work. Get old together no matter what it takes until you are ready to return home. I love you and will be waiting for you, Dad
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