An ideal is “a standard to strive toward or something
considered worthy of imitation … a concept or standard of perfection, existing
merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct …” (Dictionary.com).
Despite media
rhetoric implying otherwise,
marriage, "the union of a man and a woman"
(The Family, A Proclamation to the World),
is still a desired ideal as youth become mature adults.
marriage, "the union of a man and a woman"
(The Family, A Proclamation to the World),
is still a desired ideal as youth become mature adults.
YES, ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE
Is it really possible to have a happy marriage?” asked Courtney from Louisiana, USA in a worldwide “Face to Face” event with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [ii]
Is it really possible to have a happy marriage?” asked Courtney from Louisiana, USA in a worldwide “Face to Face” event with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [ii]
Elder Jeffery R. Holland, a Latter-day Saint apostle, answered affirmatively, and rather emphatically:
"Let me declare
unequivocally, absolutely, and adamantly that not only is there such a thing as
a happy marriage, but happy marriages are the rule, not the exception. …
"[N]ot just be happy but … ecstatically happy.
… I want everybody to dismiss the idea that somehow this is a mountain that
can’t be climbed, it’s a river that can’t be crossed, that there are too many
difficulties to address marriage in this day or any day.
That is simply not true.
That is simply not true.
"You have to work at
a marriage. Every good thing that I know of in this world you have to work at.
"God will help you.
Of all the things in this world that He will help you with, He will help you
with your marriages and your families, because it matters to Him at least as
much as it matters to you”
(Holland, Jeffery R., 2016).
(Holland, Jeffery R., 2016).
A happy marriage may require sacrifice, something good for
something better, and may seem too hard if we fail to understand what is
possible. Elder
Richard G. Scott, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, adds a second testimonial to the enduring
happiness of marriage:
"It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In
time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have
times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the
Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together. …I feel sorry
for any man who hasn’t yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my
heart weeps for the sisters who haven’t had the opportunity to marry.
"Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot
see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and
children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps
the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy"(Scott, R.G., April 2011, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage).
The greatest happiness is achieved by obedience to the true
principles of God’s Plan of Happiness. “With men this is impossible; but with
God all things are possible” (Mathew 19:26)
ALL THINGS POSSIBLE
Why sink or swim if we, like Peter, can walk on the water by having faith - really believing Jesus Christ.
And why risk divorce, if you can be good friends? Resolve doubt with faith in this fact: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
“Two of the vital pillars," Elder Scott clarifies, "that sustain Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness are marriage and the family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan’s relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity”
(Scott, R.G., April 2011, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage).
(Scott, R.G., April 2011, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage).
REMINDER
Elder Bednar reminds of the reality of opposition to happiness by “the father of lies” as the devil attempts to make people “‘miserable like unto himself’
(2 Ne. 2:27), by distortions, and general confusion."
Elder Bednar reminds of the reality of opposition to happiness by “the father of lies” as the devil attempts to make people “‘miserable like unto himself’
(2 Ne. 2:27), by distortions, and general confusion."
"'Gender is an essential
characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and
purpose' (The
Family, A Proclamation to the World) and in large measure defines who we are,
why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine
purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and
complementary. …
"After the earth was created … God
said it was “not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18; Moses 3:18),
and Eve became Adam’s companion and helpmeet.
 |
| Adam and Eve, by Jay Bryant Ward |
"The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness. Alone, neither the man nor the
woman could fulfill the purposes of his or her creation. … The natures of male
and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women
are intended to progress together toward exaltation. …
"As we look beyond mortality and into eternity, it is easy to discern that the counterfeit
alternatives the adversary advocates can never lead to the completeness that is
made possible through the sealing together of a man and a woman, to the
happiness of righteous marriage, to the joy of posterity, or to the blessing of
eternal progression” (Bednar, June 2006).
References:
The Eternal Blessings of Marriage - Richard G. Scott. (2011). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=engMarriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan – David A. Bednar. (2006). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/marriage-is-essential-to-his-eternal-plan?lang=eng
Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citation
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,”Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.
[i] Since 1976, an annual, nationally representative survey of high school seniors titled “Monitoring the Future,” conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, has asked numerous questions about family-related topics. See http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/ and the Social Indicators section of this report.
[ii] August 2016, New Era: You Asked—They Answered: Marriage And Family; Adapted from Face to Face events on January 20, 2016, and March 8, 2016, and from a meeting with youth in Argentina held on February 23, 2016.