Lately marriage has been getting a bad rap. So many people in the media look down on marriage, and see it as some confine for women (and I guess men). This truly saddens me. I have found joy and grown more in marriage then in any other relationship I have ever had. I am truly grateful for the gospel. I know that The First Presidency was inspired to issue “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” when they did. Since they released it, the family has been under heavy attack from many different sides.
This is what the proclamation says about marriage:
“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
I think that this is a wonderfully powerful statement. Marriages are ordained of God. It is part of His plan. Marriage is one of the purposes of life. Happiness can be achieved as we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. These teachings will lead us back to Him. It only makes sense that they apply to our relationships with each other.
Sacrifice is part of marriage. You can’t always have it the way you want to. But compromise is part of any life, and any relationship. I have spoken to many people that have been married for longer than twenty years. They feel fulfilled in their relationships. It is important to take the time to nurture those relationships. It can get crazy as you are raising children, and it is easy to let your marriage relationship slide. But it is important to remember that is the foundation of your family. You would be doing your children a disservice
One of my bishops that I had at BYU talked a little bit about how he and his wife struggled for a little bit once their kids had all moved out. They had let the focus slip too far from their relationship with each other. But they fell in love again, as they spent the time with each other.
Marriage is important. It brings happiness, love and security to life. Marriage in the temple seals your family together for eternity. I have been blessed in my marriage, and I am grateful for a wonderful and supportive husband.