Cross My Heart And Hope To Keep My Promises

Marriage is a learned behavior. Our conscious effort, not instinct, determines the success

-Howard W. Hunter

As a child, I often repeated a lot of promises.

I promised to be a good girl...
I promised to stay in the book aisle until my grandmother shopped at the supermarket...
I promised to respect my elders...
I promised to be honest...

As I grew I broke every single one of these promises at one time or the other. I joined my cousin in leaving the supermarket when my grandmother promised to return. I told white lies to avoid punishment. I rolled my eyes at my teachers when I thought they were being mean and inconsiderate.

But when it comes to marriage, while we may promise loyalty, fidelity and to love and honor our spouse, the simple fact remains that marriage is so much more sacred than a mere promise.

It's something sacred. It's a covenant or a contract that is ordained from our Heavenly Father. Therefore, the union of marriage shouldn't be entered into lightly.

As the photo states, we should never aspire to break someone's heart, trust or the promises you make towards that individual. And if you break all three, as they say over here in the Caribbean "Woe Betide" you are tough out of luck and eternally screwed.

Marriage should be considered carefully. Marriage should be treated with respect. Marriage should not be attempted to be entered into lightly by somersaulting to the nearest temple.

Afterall...

MARRIAGE IS NOT LIKE A HALLMARK MOVIE!!!

While the fantasy of romantic movies remains, marriage is far more serious than a flighty love trope. It requires effort and hard work. It demands time, patience and the combined effort to repair the damage to its foundation when the storms of life arise.

Marriage is far beyond promises. It goes way beyond our mortal existence. As I watch my friends go from returned missionaries to husbands and wives,  I often remind myself that marriage is much more than the somersaults towards the temple and can only truly defined in its simplest form as the purest gift and blessing Heavenly Father gifts his children during our mortal existence.