Why Choose Marriage? (A note to my kids)

To my kiddos whom I will love forever and ever,                                           (Chapter 32)

When I was a little girl, I used to dream of the day I would find your daddy and we would marry to live our happily ever after together. I would dream of our home and family together. As I would dream of this time, I would also think to myself what do I need to do to prepare myself to be a good wife and mother, and how can I stay pure for this man. It was 22 years ago that I found this man and married him in the St. George Temple. 

When I made this choice to marry your daddy, another choice I made was to enter into a covenant that would bring me one step closer to living with my Heavenly Father and one step closer to creating an eternal family. In the Family Proclamation, it says "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally". As I was preparing myself for marriage as a young woman, I was also preparing myself to enter into the house of the Lord to make covenants that would allow me to live with you and your daddy forever. The thought of being with you all forever makes me so happy and gives me the drive to continue to do my best as a daughter of God living a mortal life. "The eternal nature of the marriage covenant and the promise of everlasting family association are among the most beautiful and essential doctrines of the restored gospel" (Hawkins, Dollahite, & Draper, 2011). 

As we learn and understand this gospel doctrine, it is also important to understand that the way the world is viewing this sacred covenant is moving further and further away from the Lord's teachings. Many people are even choosing to forgo marriage to chase a career and a life of "freedom" away from commitment. Many people are choosing to live a life of cohabitation instead of entering into the promise of marriage. The term marriage itself has been redefined and is no longer defined "between man and woman". What the world needs to understand is that although they are changing their views on marriage, the Lord is not. 

So as a young person preparing to make choices in this life, I encourage you to ask yourself, "Why Choose Marriage". When making this choice involve the Lord. He will help you to understand the sacredness of this decision. As you prepare yourself for marriage, think of your future spouse and your future children and focus on your desire to be with them forever.  It is my hope that you not only choose marriage, but that you choose an ETERNAL MARRIAGE. 

Love, 

Mama

Hawkins, A.J., Dollahite, D.C., & Draper, T.W. (2011). Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives. Utah: Brigham Young University.