I will do my best to stay out of being parents too much in this chapter, but can you
see why we have to talk about marriage before we can talk about parenting? Do
you see that the opportunity to bear and/or raise children in righteousness is one
reason God instituted marriage?
see why we have to talk about marriage before we can talk about parenting? Do
you see that the opportunity to bear and/or raise children in righteousness is one
reason God instituted marriage?
You have probably heard of someone on probation. You may have even met
someone. After they commit a crime or after getting out of jail or prison, the
judge may prescribe probation. During this time of probation, it’s their chance
to show what they will do.
someone. After they commit a crime or after getting out of jail or prison, the
judge may prescribe probation. During this time of probation, it’s their chance
to show what they will do.
Although we are probably used to associating this time in mortality as a probationary
state or time, have you ever stopped to really think about what that means? What
are we on probation for? Yes, it is to see if we will turn to Christ, live the gospel,
and keep the commandments. But what about in regards to marriage and family?
state or time, have you ever stopped to really think about what that means? What
are we on probation for? Yes, it is to see if we will turn to Christ, live the gospel,
and keep the commandments. But what about in regards to marriage and family?
“Mortality was designed to facilitate the test of godhood. Since spirit bodies have no
capacity to bear offspring, physical bodies were created so that the spirits could
propagate. It was essential that the bodies given to God's spirit offspring were to
be mortal and finite. The power to procreate would be granted on a limited basis
and only for time. If, while in mortality, God's children used the procreative powers
with the approval of the Lord, and if they devoted their best efforts to the raising of
a righteous family unto God, then they would be found worthy of Godhood and
granted the fulness of God's creative powers in the eternities. If they were
found unworthy, the creative powers would be forever removed from them”
(source, emphasis added). Elder Christofferson summarizes the same truth by
asking, “...Could we be trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers,
including power to create life?” (Elder Christofferson Apr. 2015).
capacity to bear offspring, physical bodies were created so that the spirits could
propagate. It was essential that the bodies given to God's spirit offspring were to
be mortal and finite. The power to procreate would be granted on a limited basis
and only for time. If, while in mortality, God's children used the procreative powers
with the approval of the Lord, and if they devoted their best efforts to the raising of
a righteous family unto God, then they would be found worthy of Godhood and
granted the fulness of God's creative powers in the eternities. If they were
found unworthy, the creative powers would be forever removed from them”
(source, emphasis added). Elder Christofferson summarizes the same truth by
asking, “...Could we be trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers,
including power to create life?” (Elder Christofferson Apr. 2015).
As spouses and parents, God is giving us the most helpful, direct, and hands-on
experience He can possibly give us to prepare us for eternity. What do you think
God spends His time on?! It’s being a parent (and by nature of the job description,
that also includes a spouse as well). God isn’t going to force us to do something we
don’t like or we don’t seek to improve at. If we don’t like marriage or bearing and
rearing children, why would we want what He has to offer us? Why would we want
to feel “stuck” doing that for eternity if it isn’t something we even like or enjoy? We
must remember, however, that our experiences with this here in mortality won't be
exactly like what it will be like later (thank goodness!).
experience He can possibly give us to prepare us for eternity. What do you think
God spends His time on?! It’s being a parent (and by nature of the job description,
that also includes a spouse as well). God isn’t going to force us to do something we
don’t like or we don’t seek to improve at. If we don’t like marriage or bearing and
rearing children, why would we want what He has to offer us? Why would we want
to feel “stuck” doing that for eternity if it isn’t something we even like or enjoy? We
must remember, however, that our experiences with this here in mortality won't be
exactly like what it will be like later (thank goodness!).
I know that sounds harsh, but we are on probation during our time on the earth to
see what we will do with what we are given. This includes the opportunities to be
spouses and parents. We will either have this power increased or it will be completely
removed for eternity based on what we do with it here.
see what we will do with what we are given. This includes the opportunities to be
spouses and parents. We will either have this power increased or it will be completely
removed for eternity based on what we do with it here.
Remember that shame warning a minute ago?:) Maybe that was a loaded paragraph
for you. Take note. Use Truth to deflect any shameful lies about what that must mean
about you if you don’t just love being a spouse or parent every moment of every day.
I think this holds especially true for those whose marriages and families have been
infiltrated by the devastating effects of pornogrpahy and sex addiction, as well as
other heartbreaking situations. God isn’t asking us to love the dysfunctional dynamic
such sinful behaviors bring into these tender relationships. And if we are looking at
such unhealthy relationships to be our standard of what to expect eternally, no wonder
we may be struggling with the thought of being on probation for eternity right now!
for you. Take note. Use Truth to deflect any shameful lies about what that must mean
about you if you don’t just love being a spouse or parent every moment of every day.
I think this holds especially true for those whose marriages and families have been
infiltrated by the devastating effects of pornogrpahy and sex addiction, as well as
other heartbreaking situations. God isn’t asking us to love the dysfunctional dynamic
such sinful behaviors bring into these tender relationships. And if we are looking at
such unhealthy relationships to be our standard of what to expect eternally, no wonder
we may be struggling with the thought of being on probation for eternity right now!
I don’t believe that is what God expects of us because even the most Christ-like
person is still mortal! I don’t believe that is even humanly possible to love something
all of the time! But I do believe that God wants us to understand this and work towards it.
I believe He expects us to take any obstacles we face in aligning ourselves with this
Truth to Him. We can prayerfully seek how He would have us break through, work
around, or bear through these exceptions. Sometimes our current reality is painful.
Sometimes other people’s choices limit our own choices, especially in our relationships
with them. God knows this! He knows you, so take it all to Him through Christ!
person is still mortal! I don’t believe that is even humanly possible to love something
all of the time! But I do believe that God wants us to understand this and work towards it.
I believe He expects us to take any obstacles we face in aligning ourselves with this
Truth to Him. We can prayerfully seek how He would have us break through, work
around, or bear through these exceptions. Sometimes our current reality is painful.
Sometimes other people’s choices limit our own choices, especially in our relationships
with them. God knows this! He knows you, so take it all to Him through Christ!
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