Temple Marriages can be Eternal

Temple Marriage

Beginning since I was young, I learned about the importance of being married in the temple. My parents were married in the temple. They taught me about the importance of being married and sealed in the temple. From that young age I made the temple my goal. As I grew up, my desire to get married in the temple only increased. I loved the spirit I felt inside the temple. I know that temples are the House of the Lord. I could not think of anywhere more important, more eternal and more beautiful to be married in.

       Last year I reached my goal. I was married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Seattle, Washington temple to my best friend. No words of “to death to us part” were uttered during the ceremony because that day we were promised the ability to be together forever if we continued righteous, endured to the end and kept our sacred temple covenants.

        Walking out of the temple with my hand clasped tightly together with my new husband, we exited the temple doors and entered into the crowd of our family and friends. My husband took the liberty of pumping his fist in the air. If there hadn’t been the promise of pictures soon afterward, I think I may have cried. I was overwhelmed with joy. I had made my goal. I had been married in the Holy temple. And while I knew, a new chapter of my life was just beginning, and that challenges and temptations would surely come, in that moment everything was perfect. I had been married in the temple. I had remained worthy to enter into the house of the Lord to kneel at the altar across from a son of God who also kept himself worthy to make covenants that day to me and to the Lord. How grateful I am for loving parents, church leaders and dear friends who taught me about the temple. Who set a wonderful example to me and who guided me along the path to help me reach my goal. I am also most grateful for my Heavenly Father who helped me along the path and who continues to help me stay on the path when I make mistakes.

         The temple is the only place where we can be sealed to our companion and future children forever. Why is eternal marriage essential to God’s plan? Elder David A. Bednar gives two compelling doctrinal reasons as to why eternal marriage is essential to God’s plan.

·      Reason 1: “The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.”

·      Reason 2: “By divine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children.”

Elder Bednar closes his talk by saying: “The sweet and simple doctrine of the plan of happiness provides precious eternal perspectives and helps us understand the importance of eternal marriage” (https://app.box.com/embed/preview/onfgn50ke692o6eq0bqf4ozgptl7zsjm?theme=dark)

        I would like to add my testimony as to that of Elder Bednar. I know that eternal marriage is essential to God’s plan. Eternal marriage lasts beyond the grave. A temple marriage provides us with the way to live with our families forever. I can think of no greater blessing, or no greater goal than that of having a forever family. My new goal is to keep my temple covenants, to strive each day to be a better wife, daughter, future mother and person. For those of you who may not be married in the temple-you still have a chance. The Lord wants and is waiting to evoke the Heavenly blessings of an eternal marriage in his Holy House upon you. He will help you and guide you safety there.