I have saved these three chapters in this last section because they
are the advanced work. The contents of the next two chapters overlap Part 2
of the book a little bit. They still fit into our discussions on “Because of the Fall,”
yet they are also part of “Strenghthen[ing] thy brother” too.
So far we have only discussed the first three changes that happened because
of the Fall. Now it’s time for us to closely examine the final change. After the
Fall, Adam and Eve had the ability to provide mortal bodies for God’s other
children. I invite women reading this who have been through the sexual betrayal
of their husbands or other difficult situations to read this first section with an open
mind. We need to talk about the ideal for a moment, but please know that I will
do so as sensitively as I possibly can.
of the Fall. Now it’s time for us to closely examine the final change. After the
Fall, Adam and Eve had the ability to provide mortal bodies for God’s other
children. I invite women reading this who have been through the sexual betrayal
of their husbands or other difficult situations to read this first section with an open
mind. We need to talk about the ideal for a moment, but please know that I will
do so as sensitively as I possibly can.
Before we can speak directly about being parents, we need to frame it properly
in the context of marriage. This is such a vast topic that cannot be covered adequately
in its entirety in one mere chapter. I hope you will take what I offer as a starting place,
then invest 10,000 hours to becoming an expert on marriage. Do all you can to
understand eternal marriage in theory, and if you have the opportunity, in application
as well---specifically in the context of ministering, or seeking to point our spouse to
Jesus Christ through covenants and ordinances.
in the context of marriage. This is such a vast topic that cannot be covered adequately
in its entirety in one mere chapter. I hope you will take what I offer as a starting place,
then invest 10,000 hours to becoming an expert on marriage. Do all you can to
understand eternal marriage in theory, and if you have the opportunity, in application
as well---specifically in the context of ministering, or seeking to point our spouse to
Jesus Christ through covenants and ordinances.
“Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by
a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” (Source).
We can’t cover everything about marriage in this chapter, but this is one point
that I want to really drive home.
a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” (Source).
We can’t cover everything about marriage in this chapter, but this is one point
that I want to really drive home.
If part of God’s plan is to send mortal children to this earth to live in families, it
means that He needs willing husbands and wives in order to do it. I know I am
talking about the ideal and I will do my best to be sensitive to those who aren’t
in the ideal situations, but this is God’s plan for His children. Not every child gets
these circumstances, but each child is entitled to them. I know first-hand that this
can be a painful topic when we did everything thing possible and we thought we
had provided this for our children. Be alert to Satan’s attempts to discourage or
disheartened you in these chapters.
means that He needs willing husbands and wives in order to do it. I know I am
talking about the ideal and I will do my best to be sensitive to those who aren’t
in the ideal situations, but this is God’s plan for His children. Not every child gets
these circumstances, but each child is entitled to them. I know first-hand that this
can be a painful topic when we did everything thing possible and we thought we
had provided this for our children. Be alert to Satan’s attempts to discourage or
disheartened you in these chapters.
Marriage is more than simply a love between two people. Healthy and strong
marriages---just as destructive and harmful marriages---do not only affect the
two spouses. The choices a couple makes and the details of what happens
behind closed doors directly affects our communities, nations, and society as
a whole.
marriages---just as destructive and harmful marriages---do not only affect the
two spouses. The choices a couple makes and the details of what happens
behind closed doors directly affects our communities, nations, and society as
a whole.
It affects the future for generations to come for good or ill. Marriage matters!
“‘Marriage is more than your love for each other. … In your love you see only
your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the
generations, which God causes to come and to pass away to his glory, and
calls into his kingdom. In your love you see only the heaven of your own
happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility towards
the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage
is more than something personal--it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown,
and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not
merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God
and man. … So love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God”
(As quoted by Elder Christofferson, Apr 2015 conference).
“‘Marriage is more than your love for each other. … In your love you see only
your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the
generations, which God causes to come and to pass away to his glory, and
calls into his kingdom. In your love you see only the heaven of your own
happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility towards
the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage
is more than something personal--it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown,
and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not
merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God
and man. … So love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God”
(As quoted by Elder Christofferson, Apr 2015 conference).
Elder Christofferson continues, “A family built on the marriage of a man and
woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive--the setting for the
birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment
for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and
eternal life in the world to come. A critical mass of families built on such marriages
is vital for societies to survive and flourish. That is why communities and nations
generally have encouraged and protected marriage and the family as privileged
institutions. It has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.”
woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive--the setting for the
birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment
for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and
eternal life in the world to come. A critical mass of families built on such marriages
is vital for societies to survive and flourish. That is why communities and nations
generally have encouraged and protected marriage and the family as privileged
institutions. It has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.”
“...Neither we nor any other mortal can alter this divine order of matrimony. It is
not a human invention. Such marriage is indeed ‘from above, from God’ and is
as much a part of the plan of happiness as the Fall and the Atonement”
(emphasis added).
not a human invention. Such marriage is indeed ‘from above, from God’ and is
as much a part of the plan of happiness as the Fall and the Atonement”
(emphasis added).
That last phrase, “[marriage] is as much a part of the plan of happiness as the
Fall and Atonement” gets me excited after our thorough discussions of the Fall
and the Atonement. Marriage is every bit as important as the other things we
have discussed up to this point! God knows that sending children to families
made up of a righteous husband and a righteous wife is how children are most
likely to succeed now and in eternity. Having a husband and a wife doesn’t
guarantee it, but gives the best chance for a positive outcome. Again, I acknowledge
there can be hurtful and damaging situations that happen in homes and families.
Yet, this is God’s plan, not something man made.
Fall and Atonement” gets me excited after our thorough discussions of the Fall
and the Atonement. Marriage is every bit as important as the other things we
have discussed up to this point! God knows that sending children to families
made up of a righteous husband and a righteous wife is how children are most
likely to succeed now and in eternity. Having a husband and a wife doesn’t
guarantee it, but gives the best chance for a positive outcome. Again, I acknowledge
there can be hurtful and damaging situations that happen in homes and families.
Yet, this is God’s plan, not something man made.
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