so meeting with my bishop this week, he asked me to find an article on something that is really important to me. . . can you guess what I picked?? yup. marriage. Preparing to marry my eternal companion in the Lord’s temple is one thing that is most important to me. . . next to family of course.
The article I chose is called, “Preparing Yourself for Marriage”
by Elder Eric B. Shumway
here are just a few bits and pieces from the article that I really enjoyed.
-regardless of your present dating prospects, you can develop qualities that will prepare you for marriage.
-One of the alarming phenomena in our society today is the continuing decline of the traditional family- that is, a father and mother married with children. This is seen in the increase of divorce, the number of children being raised by one parent, the eagerness of many people to redefine marriage to fit diverse lifestyles, and the hesitancy for a variety of reasons of many young people to enter into formal marriage. Each of these is an impediment and adversary to the family. They create confusion, heartbreak, and sorrow in ever-widening circles.
Marriage is Ordained of God
-First, from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”: “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”
I would like to add that marriage and family offer the greatest opportunities for the growth of the character and soul of the individual.
Love the Lord
-Love God with all your heart, might, mind and strength. The more you can love God and Jesus Christ, the more you will be able to love your future spouse and children.
Become Productive
-Do not assume a wait-and-see posture. Seek to become a happy, productive person in your own right. If you have been unsuccessful in love or hurt or betrayed or ignored, break away from complaining and self-pity Fill your life with all the things that will improve the head, the heart, and the hand.
-Every gift you develop now will be a valuable asset when you have a family.
Be Happy
-Cultivate a cheerful attitude and the ability to laugh. Get a handle on your moods. You might not be able to choose how you feel, but you can choose how to act.
Develop a Friendship
-Learning to be a true friend is a perfect preface to a happy marriage.
Serve
-Practicing consistent acs of service and kindness toward your roommates and others is excellent preparation for marriage and family.
Maintain Moral Purity
-The law of chastity, I testify, is a law of happiness
-However long you wait and prepare for marriage, be faithful to your future spouse. While complete repentance can bring about a total forgiveness and restoration of chastity, unyielding obedience to the law of chastity from youth can be a source of tremendous gratitude and joy in marriage.
Attend the Temple
-Live worthy of the temple’s promises, the temple should be your haven.
This article is very helpful to all. . . single, dating, married. If you would like to read the whole article, visit LDS.org and search: “Preparing Yourself for Marriage” by Elder Eric B. Shumway
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