Relief Society August 14, 2011
Lesson: Eternal Marriage
Chapter 38, pg 219
Marriage is ordained of God and is a vital part of God's plan. Marriages are intended to last forever, not just until our mortal death. Adam and Eve were married by God prior to the fall and death entering in this world. Through the restoration of the gospel, eternal marriage was restored to the earth.
Eternal marriage is essential for exaltation. Although most consider marriage to be a legal contract or social custom, Latter-day Saints recognize marriage as much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage and remaining faithful in keeping our covenants. We believe it is the most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman. It affects our happiness now and in the eternities.
Heavenly Father gave us the law of eternal marriage so we could become like Him. In order to enter the highest order of the celestial kingdom, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood; although it may not occur in this life.
Eternal marriage must be performed by proper authority in the temple by one who holds the sealing power. Temples are the only place this holy ordinance can be performed. Those holding the sealing power were given the authority to perform this sacred ordinance. That priesthood holder acts under the direction of the Lord and promises the couple the blessings of exaltation. He instructs them in the things they must do to receive those blessings, and reminds them that all blessings depond on obedience to the laws of God.
There are many benefits of an eternal marriage. We know our marriage can last forever. We know that our family relationships can continue throughout eternity. We are entitled to an outpouring of the Spirit on our marriage as we remain worthy. We can live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of God. We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught: "Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but also with eternal joys. It affects not only the two people involved, but also their families and particularly their children and their children's children down through the many generations. In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decision, this one must not be wrong." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 193).
Ways suggested in which we could strenghen our marriages included: Serving each other, prayer, respect, loyalty, communication, time together, patience, value/esteem each other, forgiveness, partnership, tolerance, fun, friends, selflessness, intimacy, happiness.
No matter what our situation - married, unmarried, divorced, widowed, we must continue preparing for celestial glory
Lesson: Eternal Marriage
Chapter 38, pg 219
Marriage is ordained of God and is a vital part of God's plan. Marriages are intended to last forever, not just until our mortal death. Adam and Eve were married by God prior to the fall and death entering in this world. Through the restoration of the gospel, eternal marriage was restored to the earth.
Eternal marriage is essential for exaltation. Although most consider marriage to be a legal contract or social custom, Latter-day Saints recognize marriage as much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage and remaining faithful in keeping our covenants. We believe it is the most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman. It affects our happiness now and in the eternities.
Heavenly Father gave us the law of eternal marriage so we could become like Him. In order to enter the highest order of the celestial kingdom, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood; although it may not occur in this life.
Eternal marriage must be performed by proper authority in the temple by one who holds the sealing power. Temples are the only place this holy ordinance can be performed. Those holding the sealing power were given the authority to perform this sacred ordinance. That priesthood holder acts under the direction of the Lord and promises the couple the blessings of exaltation. He instructs them in the things they must do to receive those blessings, and reminds them that all blessings depond on obedience to the laws of God.
There are many benefits of an eternal marriage. We know our marriage can last forever. We know that our family relationships can continue throughout eternity. We are entitled to an outpouring of the Spirit on our marriage as we remain worthy. We can live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of God. We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught: "Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but also with eternal joys. It affects not only the two people involved, but also their families and particularly their children and their children's children down through the many generations. In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decision, this one must not be wrong." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 193).
Ways suggested in which we could strenghen our marriages included: Serving each other, prayer, respect, loyalty, communication, time together, patience, value/esteem each other, forgiveness, partnership, tolerance, fun, friends, selflessness, intimacy, happiness.
No matter what our situation - married, unmarried, divorced, widowed, we must continue preparing for celestial glory
