Thoughts on a Temple Marriage
Yesterday I had the privilege of taking wedding pictures for my friends Matt & Chelsea in the Jordan River Temple.
It was a sweet experience for me. I reflected on the many other temple weddings I have been to. My thoughts went to many family members and friends, and what a special thing it is to marry in the temple. Sacred experiences came to my my mind and heart, which I will cherish always. My mind then projected forward to the thought of my cousin Kelsey who will be getting married this coming weekend, and I thought of my sister, Emmer, who will be getting married in 3 weeks. It is simply wonderful. It is beautiful. There is a special peace and ultimate joy which prevails in the House of the Lord, especially at such sacred moments when a man and woman covenant with one another, and with God, to become one. I know that He smiles, tenderly, upon each of us as we prepare ourselves to make, and then keep, such sacred covenants as a temple marriage. I also know that even for those who are denied such blessings, that if they are faithful, they will receive every blessing that our Father in Heaven has in store for those who love him—including a Celestial marriage.
As I was waiting for Matt & Chelsea to come out of the temple I was reading my scriptures and was filled with an even deeper desire to live my life in such a way, that, someday, I may take a beautiful daughter of God into the House of our Lord, and there give myself to her, and receive her unto myself in the way that God has intended. Then I want to, by living the covenants I have made, and will yet make, create from my temple marriage a Celestial one. It is done in the day-to-day things, in being faithful, in keeping the commandments of God, and by loving, and sacrificing, and serving my future wife and family. I know that it will be difficult. It will require something from the very depths of my soul. Frankly, I want it that way. For that which is obtained too easily is valued too cheaply, and salvation is not a cheap experience. Neither is dating, neither is marriage, neither is raising a family. (thanks Elder Holland for teaching me that). I want to be able to serve and sacrifice, and struggle, and, like King David of old, I don't want my sacrifices to be "that which doth cost me nothing." (2 Sam 24:24) As hard as it is to come to grips with sometimes, I know that this applies to my dating life now, just as much as it does to my future family life. I do know that it will be worth every sacrifice and every tear that's shed in the long process that leads to such an eternally important goal. It is worth sacrificing for, working hard toward, and living for. (Even if, sometimes I just want to give up. I know that I won't, because it's too important—it's too vital to who I want to become.)
As these thoughts came to me, I was touched by the Spirit in such a way that really motivates me to be more active. It makes me want to live a better life today—to be more kind, to be more patient, to be more thoughtful toward everyone around me. It makes me want to work harder in school and work, and to magnify my church callings. It makes me want to live closer to the Spirit, that I may be guided in all that do. I need that guidance. I know that on my own, I wouldn't make the type of husband and father that I want to be—but I do trust that God is with me, and will help me. He can do all things, and I, through Him, can be the world's best husband, and the world's best father, even with the many mistakes that I know I will make. I want to so live, today, and always, that when that special day comes for me, I will be the type of person I need to be for my God, and for my queen. For now, I need to be patient, keep the commandments, and keep living my life as righteously as I can, repenting as I go, so that the special someone who will one day complete me, will want to be with me for time, and for all eternity—sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, in the House of the Lord.
It was a sweet experience for me. I reflected on the many other temple weddings I have been to. My thoughts went to many family members and friends, and what a special thing it is to marry in the temple. Sacred experiences came to my my mind and heart, which I will cherish always. My mind then projected forward to the thought of my cousin Kelsey who will be getting married this coming weekend, and I thought of my sister, Emmer, who will be getting married in 3 weeks. It is simply wonderful. It is beautiful. There is a special peace and ultimate joy which prevails in the House of the Lord, especially at such sacred moments when a man and woman covenant with one another, and with God, to become one. I know that He smiles, tenderly, upon each of us as we prepare ourselves to make, and then keep, such sacred covenants as a temple marriage. I also know that even for those who are denied such blessings, that if they are faithful, they will receive every blessing that our Father in Heaven has in store for those who love him—including a Celestial marriage.
As I was waiting for Matt & Chelsea to come out of the temple I was reading my scriptures and was filled with an even deeper desire to live my life in such a way, that, someday, I may take a beautiful daughter of God into the House of our Lord, and there give myself to her, and receive her unto myself in the way that God has intended. Then I want to, by living the covenants I have made, and will yet make, create from my temple marriage a Celestial one. It is done in the day-to-day things, in being faithful, in keeping the commandments of God, and by loving, and sacrificing, and serving my future wife and family. I know that it will be difficult. It will require something from the very depths of my soul. Frankly, I want it that way. For that which is obtained too easily is valued too cheaply, and salvation is not a cheap experience. Neither is dating, neither is marriage, neither is raising a family. (thanks Elder Holland for teaching me that). I want to be able to serve and sacrifice, and struggle, and, like King David of old, I don't want my sacrifices to be "that which doth cost me nothing." (2 Sam 24:24) As hard as it is to come to grips with sometimes, I know that this applies to my dating life now, just as much as it does to my future family life. I do know that it will be worth every sacrifice and every tear that's shed in the long process that leads to such an eternally important goal. It is worth sacrificing for, working hard toward, and living for. (Even if, sometimes I just want to give up. I know that I won't, because it's too important—it's too vital to who I want to become.)
As these thoughts came to me, I was touched by the Spirit in such a way that really motivates me to be more active. It makes me want to live a better life today—to be more kind, to be more patient, to be more thoughtful toward everyone around me. It makes me want to work harder in school and work, and to magnify my church callings. It makes me want to live closer to the Spirit, that I may be guided in all that do. I need that guidance. I know that on my own, I wouldn't make the type of husband and father that I want to be—but I do trust that God is with me, and will help me. He can do all things, and I, through Him, can be the world's best husband, and the world's best father, even with the many mistakes that I know I will make. I want to so live, today, and always, that when that special day comes for me, I will be the type of person I need to be for my God, and for my queen. For now, I need to be patient, keep the commandments, and keep living my life as righteously as I can, repenting as I go, so that the special someone who will one day complete me, will want to be with me for time, and for all eternity—sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, in the House of the Lord.
posted by Spencer at
10:47 AM
3 Comments:
Beautifully said.
And you're going to make a wonderful husband and father, I know that without a doubt. :D
I just found your blog. This is a beautiful post. I can relate to a lot of the feelings that you share here, especially the temptation to give up.
For what it's worth, I agree with the previous commenter. You'll make a great husband and father. Any woman would be very fortunate to have you.
Hey Bud, thanks for sharing. How are you doing? I feel glad to have such a thoughtful and sincere friend. Give me a call (8014735398). -Andrew
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