Matt's talk

For some stupid reason it wouldn't let me post Matt's talk with mine. I tried so many ways to try to get it too. I couldn't not put Matt's talk on here, he did such a great job. He even got teary eyed through it, and Matt doesn't cry easily. He got me teary. For those of you that know Matt know he is very quiet and he mumbles when he speaks fast. Well when he spoke in church he was loud, clear, and precise, totally not like him. Again he did an awesome job! Honey I'm so proud of you!!! You Rock! =)

Eternal Marriage

Eternal marriage is a principle, which was established before the foundation of the world. God, in the Garden of Eden, gave Adam and Eve to each other. In Gen chapter 5:1-2 it says, “In the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him; male and female created he them, and blessed them.”
President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “Faithfulness to the marriage covenant brings the fullness of joy here and glorious rewards hereafter.”
President Howard W. Hunter describes celestial marriage as “ The crowning Gospel ordinance” and clarified that “While it might take somewhat longer (for some) perhaps even beyond this mortal life, it would not be denied to any worthy individual.”
Notwithstanding the grandeur and glory of the gift, it is not free, it is conditional, and having been given it may be withdrawn if we do not keep the conditions of the covenant, which accompanies it.
In D&C section 131 it says that in the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.
A covenant is a sacred promise. To those who keep the covenant of marriage, God promises the fullness of his glory, eternal lives, eternal increase, exaltation in the celestial kingdom, and a fullness of joy. The scriptures seem to clearly say that at least three obligations are inherent to this covenant.
First, an eternal marriage is eternal; eternal implies continuing growth and improvement. It means that man and wife will honestly try to perfect themselves. It means that the marriage relationship is not to be frivolously discarded at the first sign of disagreement or when times get hard. It signifies that love will grow stronger with time and that it extends beyond the grave. It means that each partner will be blessed with the company of the other partner forever and that problems and differences might as well be resolved because they are not going to go away. Eternal signifies repentance, forgiveness, long-suffering, patience, hope, charity, love, and humility. All of these things are involved in anything that is eternal and surely we must learn and practice them if we want to claim an eternal marriage.



Second, an eternal marriage is ordained of God. This means that the parties agree to invite God into their marriage, to pray together, to keep the commandments, it means to be equal companions and to be just as true and pure outside the home as inside the home. That is part of what ordained of God means.
Third, Eternal marriage is a kind of partnership with God. He promises a continuation of lives to those who are sealed together in the temple. There is a oneness with the creator implied in the commandment given to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. There is an obligation to teach children the gospel, for they are his children too. Thus we have family home evening and scripture study, gospel discussions, and service to others. There would seem to be an obligation to support and sustain each other in callings and roles that each other is given to perform.
Eternal marriage cannot be achieved without a commitment to make it work.
The Lord has revealed that marriages are to be performed in temples, both for living couples and by proxy for those who died without this opportunity.
President Gordon B. Hinkley said, ” every man who truly loves a woman and every woman who truly loves a man hopes and dreams that their companionship will last forever. But marriage is a covenant sealed by authority. If that authority is of the state alone, it will endure only while the state has jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction ends with death. But add to the authority of the state the power of the endowment given by Him who overcame death, and that companionship will endure beyond this life if the parties to the marriage live worthy of the promise.”
President Brigham Young once declared, “There is not a young man in our community who would not be willing to travel from here to England to be married right, if he understands things the way they are, there is not a young woman in our community, who loves the gospel and wishes its blessings, that would be married in any other way.”
A marriage designed to last forever will be a good marriage, growing and gracious. Sometimes the distinctive elements of the temple marriage are thought of as being exclusive in duration and authority. Everyone who comes to the temple to be married understands that the ceremony is performed by God’s authority, for time and eternity. Wonderful promises are sealed upon a man and a woman in temple marriages and the realization of the promised blessings is related directly to their understanding and keeping the solemn commitments they make to each other and the Lord. Together they enter a partnership, sharing and learning and growing. Married people should be best friends; no relationship on earth needs friendship as much as marriage. Friendship in a marriage is so important, it rejoices in the uniqueness of the other, it listens patiently, it gives generously, and it forgives freely. Friendship will motivate one to cross the room one day and say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” It will not pretend perfection or demand it. It will not insist that both respond exactly the same in every thought and feeling, but it will bring to the union honesty and integrity. There will be repentance and forgiveness in every marriage- every good marriage- and respect and trust.
In a 2007 general conference talk Elder James E. Faust had this to say about Enriching Your Marriage.
Several key practices can contribute to enriching a marriage.
PRAYER- Marriage relationships can be enriched by better communication. One important way is to pray together. As Karen said in her talk that when we first got married we didn’t always pray together, and we noticed how it was affecting our lives. We would argue quite a bit. When we started praying together both day and night there was a big change. Sure, we still have an argument once in awhile but we have gotten better. Always try to resolve any differences you may have before going to sleep at night. You will wake up in the morning in a better mood.
We communicate in many different ways such as a smile, a brush of the hair, a gentle touch, we should remember every day to say, “I love you.” The husband should say to his wife, “Your Beautiful.” Listening is also an excellent way of communication.
TRUST- Complete trust in each other is one of the greatest enriching factors in a marriage. President Gordon B. Hinkley had this to say about trust in marriage, “The Lord has proclaimed that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is intended to be an eternal relationship by trust and fidelity.”
VIRTUE- Virtue is the strong glue that holds it all together. Said the Lord, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else.”
TITHING- In Malachi chapter 3:10 it says,” Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there might be meat in mine house, and prove me herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” I have seen that in my life. Since Karen and I have been married we have always paid a full tithe. When we were in the Air Force our paycheck was not very much, but we still paid our tithing and by doing so we were always able to pay our bills and never went hungry.
PARENTHOOD- The soul of the marriage is greatly enriched and the spiritual growing process is greatly strengthened when a couple becomes parents. For couples that can have children, parenthood should bring the greatest of all happiness. I am so grateful for my two daughters McKenzie and Madisynn. I will never forget the days they were born. They were born exactly two years, two hours, and 2 minutes apart. I was a great experience to be there with Karen when they were born. It feels great to be a dad. Men grow because as fathers they must care for their family. Women blossom because they must forget themselves. We understand best the full meaning of love when we become parents. However, if children do not come, couples that are nevertheless prepared to receive them with love will be honored and blessed by the Lord for their faithfulness. Our homes should be among the most hallowed of all earthly sanctuaries.
In the enriching of marriage, the big things are also the small things. There must be constant appreciation for each other and thoughtful demonstration of gratitude. A couple must encourage and help each other to grow. Marriage is a joint quest for the good, the beautiful, and the divine. As a husband and wife are drawn to the Lord, as they serve and cherish one another, as share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the uniting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children. Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father’s plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants.
As man and women, as husbands and wives, and as church leaders, on of our paramount responsibilities is to help young men and young women learn about and prepare for righteous marriage through out personal example. As young men and women observe worthiness, loyalty, sacrifice, and the honoring of covenants in our marriages, then those youth will seek to emulate the same principles in their courting and marriage relationships. 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 young men and women perceive mutual respect, affection, trust, and love between a husband and a wife, then they will strive to cultivate the same characteristics in their lives. Our children and the youth of the church will learn the most from what we do and what we are even if they remember relatively little of what we say.
The sweet and simple doctrine of the plan of happiness provides precious eternal perspectives and helps us understand the importance of eternal marriage. We have been blessed with all of the spiritual resources we need. We have the fullness of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. We have the Holy Ghost and revelation. We have saving ordinances, covenants, and temples. We have priesthood and prophets. We have the Holy Scriptures and the power of the word of God. And we have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful to be a member of this church. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful to be in this ward, although I would have liked to go a little longer before having to give a talk in sacrament meeting. Thank you all for helping us feel welcome. It is great to feel welcomed. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.