The document discusses the importance of marriage and family in God's plan. It emphasizes that we must understand our divine identity and potential as children of God to fully comprehend the purpose of eternal families. Marriage is ordained of God and brings greater happiness than any other relationship. To have a successful marriage, couples must make Jesus Christ the center of their relationship and be dedicated to keeping their sacred covenants with each other and God.

1.  
By Aaron Hale

3.  Before we can fully understand the purpose of families
and our eternal destiny, we first need to have some
knowledge of who we truly are and what are potential is.
For “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance”
(D&C 131:6)
 We have been taught through scripture that we are all
created in the image of God. We have also been taught
through modern day scripture that “each is a beloved
spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and as such,
each has a divine nature and destiny” (The Family: A
Proclamation to the World)
 In the famous words by Mark Twain, “God has put
something noble and good into every heart His hand
created”

4.  D&C 18:10- “Remember the worth of souls is great in the
sight of God”
 Each one of us individually are sacred because we
reflect the image of our Savior and Redeemer. Our flesh
and spirit, our very life is a gift from the Creator. Let us
not forget how important this “life” is. And let us
remember that Christ himself identified himself as “the
life”, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
 As we understand this sacredness which we hold, we
come to realize the importance of life, of marriage, and
of welcoming children into our lives is one of the most
important ways we can follow Christ.

5.  We now have a better understanding of our true identity and
the sacredness of life, but why is it important to receive
marriage?
 Elder Russell M. Nelson declared, “That proclamation on
the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings
greater possibilities for happiness than does any other
relationship. The earth was created and this Church was
restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and
exalted eternally.”
 Not only is marriage ordained of God and the very purpose
the earth was created, marriage also is the very fabric of
society. “The family is the original cell of social
life…Marriage is the well-spring of social capital…”
 “Marriage is the most important social act and involves
much more than just the married couple. A new home is
formed when a couple marries, are open to the creation of
new life. Marriage also has beneficial social and health
effects for adults and children, and these gifts benefit the
community and the whole” (Peter Sprigg, director of

7.  I have learned through various studies and through personal life
choices that it is far easier to choose to be the right person now,
instead of waiting until you come to the crossroads of a daunting
decision.
 President Monson has stated, “Decisions determine destiny. That is
why it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a course, to be at least
partly ready when the moment of decision comes.”
 Everything we do, our whole life allows us to prepare for “the most
important decision of your entire life”, which is marriage (Spencer W.
Kimball).
 The World would have us constantly search for the right person, but
we must always strive to become the right person, and align our
decisions and views with God.
 When we align our lives with our Savior, we start to view
relationships and marriage far greater than simply a “couple
relationship”, we view it as a “divine institution of marriage”.
 And when you find that special person, you will have been prepared
through the years by the Lord’s help, how to treat your sweetheart.

9.  Is it impossible to have a happy healthy marriage in the increasingly
convoluted challenges of life? The 21st century may convince you
that there is no such thing, it is a fairy tale to have a happy marriage.
Many will convince of a “joy” that comes from a “no strings attached”
relationship, to cohabitate, and to be obligated to no one, but I
submit these statements are very fabricated. I submit that a healthy
marriage begins far sooner than the marriage ceremony.
 In the last decade or so, living together is replacing dating.
 “Between 1970 and 2000, the number of unmarried couples living
together increased 10-fold from 500,000 to 5.5 million couples.”
Oddly enough divorce, spousal and partner abuse, and the age of
getting married has risen.
 Sociologists David Popenoe and Barbara Whitehead concluded
from many studies that cohabitation is “detrimental to marriage and
increases the probability of divorce” Not only does it affect the
couple, but also has very malicious affects on the children.

10.  “There are a number of known risk factors that impede
forming and sustaining healthy marriages, such as many
premarital sexual partners, premarital parenthood, pre-
engagement cohabitation, and premarital relationship
violence.”
 Although this may sound far from anything you have
experienced, it is very likely to occur if we look at how the 21st
century prepares for marriage.
 21st Century ABC’s of Marriage Preparation:
A: Early, prolonged, self-interested sexual exploration followed
by…
B: Finding a “soul mate”, then…
C: Living together to test the relationship, and then…
D: Deciding to get married when the “time is right”

11.  “…do not expect perfection in your choice of a mate. Do not
be so particular that you overlook her most important qualities
of having a strong testimony, living the principles of the
gospel…one good yardstick as to whether a person might be
the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your
noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you
wish you were better than you are?”-President Ezra Taft
Benson
 We can all draw heaven into our homes and marriages by
remembering why we are with this special person. If we are
willing to work for the success of marriage, through hard work,
dedication, communication, patience and living the gospel
within the walls of your home, keeping Christ positioned at the
apex, He is the focal point. We must have the mindset of
forever and not temporary.
 And always remember what really matters most in life.

13.  “While marriage is difficult, and discordant and frustrated
marriages are common, yet real, lasting happiness is
possible, and marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy
than the human mind can conceive. This is within the
reach of every couple, every person.” –President Kimball
 We must commit ourselves in keeping our covenants we
have made with God, and remember that marriage is
truly essential to His eternal plan.
 We must intentionally and personally be dedicated to
God and our spouse…We must “sacrifice for the
relationship, invest in it, link it to personal goals, and
seek the partner’s welfare, not just your own” (Markman,
Stanley, & Blumberg, 2001).

14.  The Savior Jesus Christ is the The savior
Focal point in a covenant
marriage relationship. As each
individually comes closer to
Christ, they in turn come closer
together. –Elder Bednar
 Those couples who decide on
a covenant marriage work
through troubles that arise,
they are completely dedicated
to one another through thick
and thin. “They marry to give
and grow, bound by covenants
to each other, to the
community, and to God.
Husband
They…each give 100 percent” Wife
-Elder Bruce C. Hafen