In his talk "Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan", Elder Bednar states "As men and women, as husbands and wives, and as Church leaders, one of our paramount responsibilities is to help young men and women learn about and prepare for righteous marriage through our personal example." Oh how I love this quote and 100% totally agree. One of my most favorite things about being married is being an example to my children. My husband and I have been married for 21 years. We have grown together, laughed together, cried together, and raised our wonderful family together. When I think of this experience, I hope and pray that each one of my children are able to have the same happiness that we have had in our eternal marriage. "The sweetest companionships of eternal marriage is one of the greatest blessings God has granted to his children". (Wirthlin)
My husband and I have both been faithful in our covenant marriage we entered into when we were just babies. At such a young age, we took on the responsibilities and covenants of being married in the temple. We made a promise to love each other for eternity not until things got hard. As we have gone through our trials we have turned towards each other instead of away from each other. I believe that through our commitment we have made to make each other our highest priority, we have shown our children what being married forever looks like. They have learned what true love is and therefore have been able to demonstrate this same behavior within our family and other friendships they have formed.
Elder Bednar goes on to say, "As young people notice that we have made the comfort and convenience of our eternal companion our highest priority, then they will become less self-centered and more able to give, to serve, and to create an equal and enduring companionship." As my sons have approached the age of dating, I see their father in them. I see them opening doors for their dates. I see them being respectful and kind with their words. I see them treat their sisters with love and kindness. It is the example of their father who has led them to make these righteous choices. Even as their friends have teased them for being "old-fashion", they have stayed true to what they have been taught by their father regarding respect for women.
I have also taken the time to teach my girls to be righteous virtuous women. My daughter was able to enter into the temple with her sweet husband in July. It was wonderful to watch her enter into this new and everlasting covenant with this righteous priesthood holder. They have both demonstrated being married in a covenant marriage as they have had to navigate their way through these last few months in married life. It has been fun to see them adjust to being companions and truly turning to each other to create their own family unit.
These conversations and experiences with our children are priceless. Our children need to be taught how to stay true to the commandment of being married in a covenant marriage. We must be this example to our children because Satan is relentless and set on destroying marriage. "The adversary’s attacks upon eternal marriage will continue to increase in intensity, frequency, and sophistication." (Bednar)
In order to enter back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and reach the highest degree of glory, one must enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. As we take the time to model this example of being married in a covenant marriage, our children will understand the significance of these blessings and will have this same desire to return back to our Father in Heaven with their eternal companions.
Bednar, David. June 2006. Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/marriage-is-essential-to-his-eternal-plan?lang=eng
Wirthlin, Joseph F. October 1997. Valued Companions. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/10/valued-companions?lang=eng
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