Threats to Marriage

There is so much in this world that is portrayed as being right and good, when in reality it is deception and just plain wrong!  

If somebody believes in marriage between a man and a woman, they are often ostracized and accused of being intolerant and closed-minded.  The reality is that, the definition of marriage is not man's to change!  God is the author of marriage, and He is the only being that can define it.  I especially love the quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson's commencement address at BYU (in 2014) where he says, "Social and political pressures to change marriage laws are resulting in practices contrary to God's will regarding the eternal nature and purposes of marriage.  Man simply cannot make moral what God has declared to be immoral.  Sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God."
I realize that many people do not believe in God, or that God really cares who we marry.  I respect your beliefs, but also understand that there is no way to procreate without a man and a woman.  It is biologically impossible to accomplish this naturally, using any other means!
Don't get me wrong - I am absolutely tolerant of people who hold a different view than I do, but I do not believe that we should try to force our views onto each other.  I really enjoyed watching the following video clip by Cathy Ruse.  I highly encourage you to peruse it.

I absolutely stand with those who support traditional marriage!  How else can children be brought into the world and be raised by two loving, consenting parents?  A strong marriage between a man and a woman is the ideal way to raise any children - children are entitled to having both a loving mother and father.  Since when does the majority not rule in these democratic societies that we live in?  It was a disappointment when in the Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) they voted 5-4 in support of same-sex marriage.  In this case, Chief Justice John Roberts was concerned that the opinion of the majority in this particular case would lead to severe consequences for religious liberty.  That is unconstitutional.  Justice Samuel Alito also declared, "Most Americans - understandably - will cheer or lament today's decision because of their views on the issue of same-sex marriage.  But all Americans, whatever their thinking on that issue, should worry about what the majority's claim of power portends."  This did indeed make a lot of people happy, but it also prompted a lot of people to weep tears of regret.

Do we truly need the government to sanction our right and ability to love another person?  That seems somewhat ridiculous to me.  We are putting far too much power into the hands of our governments.  Let's take back the power and stand up for truth and right, come what may!

Marriage and Divorce

In this modern world we live in, there are far fewer people getting married at all!  This is a very sad state of affairs.  I think that many people are afraid of settling down, and/or taking risks.  It can be difficult to commit your entire self and life to another person!  Our Father in Heaven, however, has designed us to be sent to earth in a family.  We are counseled in The Family - A Proclamation to the World, that "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."  What greater witness can we have that marriage is of God?  It is the intended pattern for building a family!

The Cardston, Alberta, Canada temple where my husband and I were sealed for time and all eternity

Now, as for divorce - the dreaded D word.  I must be completely honest, and admit that if it were not for the reality of divorce, I would not be married to my amazing husband!  I am his second wife, and am eternally grateful for the privilege of being married to him.  I, however, do not agree that divorce should be so simple to obtain.  In this world we live in, it is far too easy for people to throw things away just because they perceive of them as being broken.  It is the same with marriage.  If things become too difficult, people are quick to "throw in the towel" and decide on a divorce.  Don't get me wrong, there are extreme cases where divorce is absolutely necessary.  This is the case in situations where abuse or the breaking of sacred covenants is a reality. 

Quote from the 2nd counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A married couple should constantly be working hard at strengthening their relationship.  People with different personalities are not always going to agree with each other all of the time.  The quote (found above), from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, reminds us that not one of us is perfect, but that we really need to love one another through our mistakes.  What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to spend eternity with our families, if we are righteous and keep our sacred covenants that we make in the holy temples of God!  I know that marriage can be for eternity, and that families can be forever.  I know that the holy temple is a place where we can make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father and prepare to live with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, again one day, forever.