" GOD GAVE ME YOU - Bryan White "

Love

The concept of marriage in the Mormon Church is a restoration of the eternal marriage covenant practiced by all the ancient prophets and all covenant peoples, beginning with Adam. Marriage is a sacred union that can transcend mortal life and last into the eternities. The basis of this sacred contract is that men and women are eternal beings, and that, if sealed together through the authority of God on earth, they can enjoy a union that will be binding in heaven. Eternal marriages are performed only in Mormon temples and are called “sealings,” “celestial marriages,” or “eternal marriages.” Instead of “’till death do you part,” the covenant includes the words, “married for time and all eternity,” time relating to mortal existence, and eternity relating to the afterlife.

Marriage is ordained and even commanded of God and is the ideal state for all men and women. The Mormon Church does not elevate the principle of celibacy–not for lay members, nor for its leadership. In fact, eternal marriage is necessary to be saved and exalted in the highest mansions of heaven, where God Himself dwells.

Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:11).

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18).

Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; . . . and if [they] abide in my covenant, . . . it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19).

“Every man who truly loves a woman and every woman who truly loves a man hopes and dreams that their companionship will last forever। But marriage is a covenant sealed by authority. If that authority is of the state alone, it will endure only while the state has jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction ends with death. But add to the authority of the state the power of the endowment given by Him who overcame death, and that companionship will endure beyond life if the parties to the marriage live worthy of the promise (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, July, 2003).


Oakland TempleThe commandment to be one flesh, the commandment to marry, has a deep meaning for members of the Mormon faith who grow in their knowledge of the purpose of eternal marriage. Men and women are very different from each other, and they cannot become whole without incorporating the attributes of the other. Marriage is work; and husband and wife are meant to be co-equal in the marriage relationship, incorporating the talents, God-given gifts, and attributes of one another to create something greater than themselves. With God’s sanctifying influence, an eternal marriage amplifies spiritual gifts and becomes a great, heavenly achievement. Charity, forgiveness, patience, and other holy principles must be incorporated and practiced in order to succeed, because it’s not enough just to perform the ordinance. A couple must endure in righteousness, and progress in unity, for a temple marriage to be “sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise” and continue to be in effect throughout eternity. Because of this, Mormon husbands and wives who have been sealed in the temple work hard at their marriages. The divorce rate for couples married in the temple for time and eternity hovers around 7%, and those divorces are regrettable.

Said Apostle Boyd K. Packer: “Romantic love is not only a part of life, but literally a dominating influence of it. It is deeply and significantly religious. There is no abundant life without it. Indeed, the highest degree of the celestial kingdom is unattainable in the absence of it” (BYU fireside, Nov. 3, 1963).

For an aged couple to pass from this life still possessing the glow of romance, charity for each other is paramount. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Husband and wife might see each other as a soul mate, or they might not. That’s not so important in an eternal marriage. What they are, really, is co-servants to the marriage covenant, with all the effort that implies. In the eternities, having overcome all in righteousness, we become our best selves. The weaknesses we suffered from here on earth are gone, our infirmities are gone, we are resurrected to a perfect youthful vigor. Marriage becomes considerably easier, and we can expect a fulness of joy.

The Art Of A Good Marriage

Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

Poetry

The Colour of My Love

David Foster and Arthur Janov

I'll paint a sun to warm your heart
Knowing that we'll never part.
I'll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn, so much to try.

I'll paint my mood in a shadow blue,
Paint my soul to be with you.
I'll sketch your lips in shaded tones,
Draw your mouth to my own.

I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears
And trace a look to calm your fears.
A silhouette of dark and light
To hold each other oh so tight.

I'll paint the stars in the evening sky,
Draw the light into your eyes,
A touch of love, a touch of grace,
To softly fall on your moonlit face.

And with this ring our lives will start,
Let nothing keep our love apart.
I'll take your hand to hold in mine,
And be together through all time.

“The Marriage That Endures,”

We cannot afford not to go. If the Lord will give me strength, I can work and earn enough for another car and furniture and dishes, but if I should lose these my loved ones, I would be poor indeed in both life and in eternity.’ ”

Eternity

Today I married my best friend,
Our bond complete, it hath no end,
We share one soul, we share one heart,
A perfect time - a perfect start.

With these rings we share together,
Love so close to last forever,
This special day - two special hearts,
Let nothing keep this love apart।

I married my best friend
...the one I laugh with as we share life's wondrous zest,
as we find new enjoyments and experience all that's best.
...the one I live for because the world seems brighter
as our happy times are better and our burdens feel much lighter.
...the one I love with every fiber of my soul.
We used to feel vaguely incomplete, now together we are whole।