Temple - Covenanted Marriage.

Picture from Google Images.

Like many members (of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) on the covenanted path, we focus on the Lord first, then the family, and how can we move the kingdom of God forward in our area. Covenant living is doing and saying the right thing, it’s being an example to our family, co-workers, and those we serve at church and in public.

The most important thing for my family is to focus on is respectful communication. It is an ongoing process that needs attention from time-to-time. For example, if there is any contention in the home, we aim to resolve it quickly. First, we have a prayer and invite the spirit of the Lord to help us. We have found over time this is the best way that works for us. We listen, we apologize, and we drop it.

Elder Hafen refers to “natural adversity, our own imperfections, and excessive individualism” are like wolves. We immediately understand the devastation that can come into our lives if we focus on these areas in our lives. (Hafen, 1996). Hafen said, “surely marriage partners must respect one another’s individual identity, and family members are neither slaves nor inanimate objects.” Individualism is a plague in our society, it’s the center of selfishness and the substance of pride. We see it expressed by our children with their requests for food, clothes, and toys. People want to do their own thing because they want to be unique. They ask what’s in it for me when you ask for their help. The way we should deal with this in the family, with our spouses, and with our employers - is too, willingly serve one another.

President Benson said, “If our children and their children are taught well, this edifice will continue to be a symbol of special significance.” (Benson, 1984). I couldn’t imagine a multi-generation flow of gospel teaching flowing to my grandchildren. I recognized this when I was doing the genogram. As some of you may know my daughter was married in the Temple Jan 16. My son is currently organizing his affairs to take a bride to the Temple. They have not given us a date yet; we believe it will be in the next twelve months. Our future daughter-in-law lives in Baltimore, Maryland and she has agreed to move to Australia to live.

While reviewing the genogram I noticed patterns of divorce consistent with what we have been learning about. I also saw the “ripple effect” of beliefs, values, and choices weave their way into daily living. Most noticeable was my mother-in-law – She had the missionary discussions in her mid-teens, she was the only member in her family, she married twice, both were non-members. She was left to raise four children with the help of her eldest daughter (my wife). The first husband ran off with another woman, and unfortunately, her second husband passed away. Of the four children, two served missions, all four got married and three of those marriages were in the temple. Now her grandchildren are preparing to serve missions, and some are marrying in the temple as I previously mentioned.

“In your own life, are you striving to become a better husband or a wife, or preparing to be a husband or a wife, by understanding and applying these basic principles? As a priesthood or auxiliary leader, are helping those you serve to understand and apply these basic principles, thereby strengthening marriage and the home?” (Bednar, 2006). Covenant Marriage is a higher spiritual law, we enter, into the “new and everlasting covenant” and make an oath with Heavenly Father. It is more than a civil marriage and death do us part. I know and testify that God lives and everybody on this earth can have the opportunity to receive these blessings, if they’re willing to keep the commandments, and live the gospel.

References:

• Bednar, D., A., (Jun 2006). Marriage is essential to his eternal plan. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/marriage-is-essential-to-his-eternal-plan?lang=eng. Web Access: Jan 25, 2019.

• Benson, E., T., (Apr 1986). First presidency message: What I hope you would teach your children about the temple. https://www.lds.org/liahona/1986/04/what-i-hope-you-would-teach-your-children-about-the-temple?lang=eng. Web access: Jan 24, 2019.
  

• Hafen, B. C., (Oct 1996). Covenant marriage. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/covenant-marriage?lang=eng Web Access: Jan 28, 2019.