The paragraph goes as follows: "In the Premortal Realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."
This section was about covenants and ordinances.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, in his talk, "Power of Covenants" he stated, "Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God. In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments."
He later continues, "His commandments requires a degree of faith, but as we honor our covenants, that faith expands."
President Boyd K. Packer in his talk "Covenants and Ordinances" said, "No matter what citizenship or race, whether male or female, no matter what occupation, no matter your education, regardless of the generation in which one lives, life is a homeward journey for all of us, back to the presence of God in His celestial kingdom...to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality."
As I have been married, I have come to appreciate covenants more and more. I have come to appreciate the commandments of God. I believe that Heavenly Father has given us commandments and covenants to keep us on the right track so that we can come back to Him. There are so many distractions in the world. There are so many that say "this is right" or "this is wrong." It is nice having a foundation on agreements and promises that will assure happiness if we keep them. I am glad that we have them for without them, I would probably fall into the world's views of family.
Here is a little bit on covenant marriage.
Elder Bruce C. Hafen said in his talk "Covenant Marriage," "When troubles come, the parties to a contractual marriage seek happiness by walking away. They marry to obtain benefits and will stay only as long as they're receiving what they bargained for. But when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through. They marry to give and to grow, bound by covenants to each other, to the community, and to God. Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent."
What a wonderful thought! As an LDS youth, since 12 years old, I have learned the importance of becoming a mother and getting married in the temple. I looked forward to that day. I dreamed about it. Now that I am married, it is wonderful. It can be hard at times but it is wonderful! Just like Elder Bruce C. Hafen said, when I am giving my full I feel the Lord helping me to be the kind of wife I need to be to my husband so that one day I can be a good mother.
In making covenants, we certainly have to do our part in order to receive the blessings that come from keeping covenants. But the wonderful thing is that we aren't alone in them. We can ask the Lord for strength. You committed and the Lord will help you as long as you put in effort.
Have you ever heard of the triangle? Let me show you the triangle.
This is the wonderful triangle of marriage! As you can see, the most important thing in the marriage is that both spouses are working toward Heavenly Father. As each spouse gets closer, they get closer to each other.
This is also how covenants work. In the marriage covenant you make agreements with God and your spouse. I love the marriage triangle!
Elder Bruce C. Hafen also stated in the talk "Covenant Marriage" the following: "Covenant marriage requires a total leap of faith: they must keep their covenants without knowing what risks that may require of them. They must surrender unconditionally, obeying God and sacrificing for each other."
Addressing Divorce
Divorce is common which is sad. Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his talk "Divorce" said, "The kind of marriage required for exaltation - eternal in duration and godlike in quality - does not contemplate divorce. In the temples of the Lord, couples are married for all eternity. But some marriages do not progress toward that ideal. Because 'of the hardness of [our] hearts,' the Lord does not currently enforce the consequences of the celestial standard. He permits divorced persons to marry again without the stain of immorality specified in the higher law."
Dallin H. Oaks continues, "In a marriage relationship, festering is destructive; forgiving is divine." Later he talks about couples that were thinking about getting a divorce. They went to their Bishop and asked what they should do. Elder Oaks explains, "...the couples who followed the bishop's counsel and stayed together emerged with their marriages even stronger. That prospect began with their mutual commitment to keep the commandments, stay active in their Church attendance, scripture reading and prayer, and to work on their own shortcomings."
Divorce is not part of God's plan. Divorce pulls apart families. There are certain circumstances that are acceptable by God to initiate a divorce such as adultery. Some may be a personal matter - pray. God knows what is needed but remember, divorce was never a part of God's plan.
Elder Oaks explains what marriage is: "...marriage...means sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties. It means long, hard economizing. It means children who bring with them financial burdens, service burdens, care and worry burdens; but also it means the deepest and sweetest emotions of all."
Here are a couple of videos the Church has made about divorce. They are really good.
Life is tough, but with the Lord on our side, all things are possible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). "...for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
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