We had a wonderful lesson on Sunday given by Heather Lively on Eternal Marriage. Below is a brief summary of what we discussed:
As we know, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, husbands and wives can be married for "time and all eternity" through the power of the Priesthood in the Holy Temple.
Marriage is SO important - but it is so much more than even that!
Why is it important to understand that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God?
-Understanding the divinity of marriage helps us to love deeper.
-Satan is attacking well..anything that is "ordained of God". When we are aware of what he is attacking, we are better prepared to "fight back".
Four topics from the Gospel Principles Manual were then discussed as a group:
1. Eternal Marriage is essential for Exaltation
Exaltation literally depends on marriage.
- Marriage is not the finish line - we need to continually nourish our covenants to reach exaltation!
- Make your home a heaven on earth - for that is where we want to end up!
-Marriage is the most sacred relationship that exists between a man and a woman. Treat your husbands as such.
2. Eternal Marriage must be performed by proper authority in the Temple
- in D&C 132:19 we learn that when this is done correctly and covenants are kept, our marriage will be in "full force" when we leave this world!
- Kaitlin Goodey shared an experience. Not many members of her family are members of the church. Therefore, when they found out that she was going to be married young, and much more in a place where they wouldn't be able to witness her wedding, they were shocked! Many were troubled, couldn't let it go, and were so worried that Kaitlin's marriage would just end in divorce, as other marriages in her family had. She tried explaining it to them, but they just didn't get it. It wasn't until she explained that THIS -temple marriage by one with authority - was what was going to bind her and her husband together forever that something clicked. This was what was going to help them to stay strong - what was going to help them avoid separating at all costs! After coming to this better understanding, her family found peace in her decision and were okay with things.
3. Benefits of and Eternal Marriage
There are so many...how could we even begin to list them! However they can be divided into 2 categories:
a. Blessings for this life: Eternal perspective, peace in knowing we will be together after this life, understanding
b. Blessings for eternity: to live in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom with our spouse. Think about it - it is so much better that way! Who would want to enjoy that alone???
Emily Walker shared an experience of how when she went to a small ghetto in Brazil to visit some teenage girls she taught when she was on her mission, she was able to share with them her feelings of the blessings of eternal marriage, how much she loved her husband, and how those girls, despite their grim life circumstances could rise above it! They just HAD to keep their eyes on the temple! "You just don't even understand how amazing it is" she told them. "You just HAVE to live your life now so that you can be married in the temple". Watching their hopeful faces as they picked out pictures of the temple for themselves to keep as a remembrance was a special opportunity that left a sweet Spirit.
4. We must prepare for an Eternal Marriage!
Preparation for an eternal marriage started much before we entered into the temple with our husbands! And it continues! While our marriage has been performed by proper authority, we only seal those blessings upon us as we live faithfully and keep our covenants throughout our lives.
Also, we can teach our children NOW to understand the importance of the temple! Little Kade Udy, who isn't even yet three, remembers visiting the temple and recognizes pictures that were taken of him while he was there - even though the temple is not in the picture! Even little children can have much understanding.
"If you have a picture of the temple in your kids rooms, they will know where they are going"
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