Love...Shmove: Why Is Marriage Important Anyways?

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

Whether six or fifty-six, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, marriage is one the minds of  one and all.

 The Webster Dictionary defines marriage as the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. From a spiritual perspective however, marriage is described as a union between a husband and a wife that has been ordained of God

Marriage is more than changing last names, a slip of paper or even new sleeping arrangements. In it's simplest and purest forms, mariage is one of the most sacred covenants which we can enter into during our time on Earth.

After watching a wedding party celebrating outside of the Santo Domingo Temple in the Dominican Republic last year, I often wondered if these toddlers would grow up to aspire to be married in the temple one day.

 

In today's society where the definition of marriage has been skewed, misinterpreted, twisted and conformed to suit the needs and desires of a world far separated from the teachings of Christ. Same-sex marriages, adultery, and promiscuous behavior have eroded the fibers of marriage as the world fails to treat it as the sacred institution which it was intended to be.

So why should we get married?

The answer is simple. We should get married because it is a commandment from our Heavenly Father.

Unless we are the world's greatest lone-wolf, no one really wants to be alone.Heavenly Father's plan didn't involve a solitary life for his children. In fact, after the creation of Adam God created Eve to be his "helpmeet" and companion in life. Although their decision to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil meant that they had to leave the Garden of Eden, their companionship allowed them to depend on each other during one of the biggest trials in their life.

Don't get me wrong. Heavenly Father isn't up in his kingdom of glory punishing those who don't get married during our mortal existence. Instead, he has instructed us to follow this commandment in our mortal lives. By doing so, the plan of happiness which he prepared can be fully accomplished during our time on Earth. Heavenly Father knew that a marriage between husband and wife would not only serve to enrich and bring joy to our time on Earth. Through the institution of marriage, we are able to be blessed with an eternal family where the teachings of Christ.


I know that Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. I know that as I make the changes to my own life that I will find an eternal partner. I know that as we embark on our own journeys to find our "person" Heavenly Father will bless us in the time he sees fit.

Often when I visit the temple, I wonder if marriage is on the cards for me. Then I realize in the grand spectrum of things that my timing doesn't compare to the timing that Heavenly Father has for my life. Until then, I plan on working on making myself the best self so that one day I may be blessed with an eternal companion.