We had the pleasure of hearing from Sister Ellen Walter again today, she taught lesson #15, Eternal Marriage by President Joseph Fielding Smith.
Eternal Marriage? Why do we talk about the ideal when there are those that may not be married or have difficult circumstances? -Because that is what we strive for, we strive for the great blessings that can be ours through eternal marriage.
Celestial marriage is the crowning ordinance of the gospel, it is everlasting, and we need it's blessings in order to progress.
Sister Walter and others referenced the importance of the The Family: A Proclamation to the World. In our society, there is a stark contrast between what we view in the gospel as important, and what the world views as important. In the world, marriages are contractual v. covenant. Marriage is no longer sacred, and there are those that challenge its dynamic and importance.
p. 195- "It is very apparent to all of us who read the newspapers, who listen to the news accounts on the radio and who watch what comes over television that all too many do not hold marriage and the family unit in that respect which the Lord intends." ( quote given in 1971) If this was the Prophet's view in 1971, some 40 years later things have just gotten worse.
What do we do to instill values upon our children? How do we teach them the importance of eternal marriage? Sisters responded:
*We need to start early, and stress commitment
*Marriage is hard work, and we keep our marriages healthy by working on them constantly
*We show our children how to have a happy and healthy marriage by example
*Teach proper communication skills, show we know how to communicate, and resolve conflict together
*It is vital to show love and make time for each other
*Make the gospel central to your marriage
Sister Walter brought up four areas in section 6 of the lesson which starts with the heading: As a husband faithfully..... that she felt were most important:
1) Faithful to the marriage covenant
2) Humility love and faith
3) We should avoid Friction- let things go and be forgiving
Sister Walter shared this story: The Grapefruit Syndrome
4) Keep the Commandments
Sister Walter's final comments are to treat marriage like a gift, something to be treasured and cherished. She referenced this wonderful talk and story (sterling silver utensils):
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