Covenants and Ordinances
It seems that people are getting married and divorce and the drop of a hat these days. Many people are opting not to get married because they don’t see good examples of couples staying to together in loving honorable marriages.
It takes much more work to find someone who you want to be with forever than it does to find someone you can be with for now. It also takes more work to stay and work through issues and you both grow and change. You must pick someone who has values that make marriage work such as: faith, loyalty, kindness, strength or character, honesty, and trustworthiness. Without strong character traits your marriage cannot last. Be the kind of person who wants to marry and then get there and find someone who shares your values. Pray for guidance with hope in your best future and God will help you. |
Elder D. Todd Christofferson “The Power of Covenants” (2009) says, “We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism.” He is calling for us to be strong and to have “hope” when life gets very tough. He tells how staying close to God and feeling the gift of the Holy Spirit can help us feel happy and hopeful in the worst of times.
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Elder Bruce C. Hafen “Covenant Marriage” (1996) says that there is a big difference between worldly “contract marriages” verses spiritual “covenants marriages.” He tells a great example of sheep and wolves. He says that in a contract marriage, when the wolves (or problems) attack the people will run away and leave the others. There is a “what’s best for me” attitude and “every man for himself.” In a covenant marriage the people have very different beliefs and actions. When the wolves’ attacks, the people stay and fight them off together. They are both willing to lay down their lives for each other just as Jesus did for us. Elder Hafen tells about a mother and daughter speaking on her wedding day… He says, “Another bride sighed blissfully on her wedding day, “Mom, I’m at the end of all my troubles!” “Yes,” replied her mother, “but at which end?” |
Elder Dallin H. Oaks “Divorce” (2007) gives great advice compassion for those who have been affected by divorce. Elder Oaks acknowledges situations where one spouse may abuse or mistreat their family he says, “Members who have experienced such abuse have
firsthand knowledge of circumstances worse than divorce.” He teaches that we are not responsible for others behavior and when a marriage couldn’t or shouldn’t be saved then they should divorce and move forward with their lives. Elder Oaks believes that most divorces are not because of abuse, but rather couples changing and refusing to work problems out. He asks us to focus on the children and what is best from them. In a home where the parents love the children, it is very traumatic for one parent to move out and not be there with the children. People need to makes sure they are doing what is best for the children and not just what is easiest for themselves.
firsthand knowledge of circumstances worse than divorce.” He teaches that we are not responsible for others behavior and when a marriage couldn’t or shouldn’t be saved then they should divorce and move forward with their lives. Elder Oaks believes that most divorces are not because of abuse, but rather couples changing and refusing to work problems out. He asks us to focus on the children and what is best from them. In a home where the parents love the children, it is very traumatic for one parent to move out and not be there with the children. People need to makes sure they are doing what is best for the children and not just what is easiest for themselves.