Blessings and Joy of Eternal Marriage

Marriage is a blessing, and when it is safely surrounded by temple covenants, it becomes an eternal joy. The Lord loves us; we feel his love in everything around us. He wants us to be happy. As we feel His love, we get to understand he wants us to appreciate the people he has blessed us with.

At first, as I was learning that we work together with our Heavenly Father in bringing His spirit children into the world, I felt the weight of this divine calling. A calling of doing the best we can as earthly parents. He trusts and loves us so much that He gives us this responsibility and makes us a part of His great “…work and glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life…” (Moses 1:39), of His most beautiful creation, men, and women. I felt His love the most after knowing that He has a plan for me no matter what my circumstances may be.

As a challenge, nothing in this mortal life is easy. We make several choices and face our consequences, since we are in the process of learning and being refined. These consequences can be painful but will bring equal blessings. Will also help us to know that it is all worth it, which is necessary for us to experience and grow. During this journey, the Lord blesses us with one special friend, whose company we can enjoy and hold dear beyond this life, someone who acts as a beacon of the Savior’s love, the one the Lord approves of and permits us to enter His kingdom with, our Eternal Companion.

Sister Massey and I have been married for 12 years; I commend her for keeping up with me. We had the desire of making those sacred covenants in the Temple, we consistently worked towards that goal and were sealed to each other and our 1.5yr old daughter in the Hong Kong, China temple on March 25th, 2015. The moment was desired above all. We felt relieved. We knew that as we keep those covenants, we would not lose each other. There were several blessings we received as we made those covenants. Through ‘rain and sunshine’ we gained a lot, even lost some, but one thing was constant, we always had each other, as each other’s strengths, which I feel is the most needed blessing that comes from living and honoring temple covenants. It is a promise that the Lord will guide us, as we walk in faith together as eternal companions, holding on to each other, nurturing the children the Lord has blessed us with.

These covenants keep us focused on things that matter the most, things that keep us close to the spirit, the spirit that helps us find our way back to our Father in heaven. I have seen how Sister Massey follows a pattern; things she does to feel peace. She is either listening to Elder Holland’s messages or listening to her favorite church music even when she is doing laundry or dishes. We have been blessed as she anchors herself to the spirit, it helps all those who are close to her, we receive a portion of the spirit she carries, and we feel the peace we need when we are weighing down.

A home and family become a place of refuge where love and spirit of the Lord abide, this is what the song ‘Love is Spoken Here’ from the Children Songbook helps us know. Children develop Christlike love, faith in him, learn of gospel truths and be committed to follow him, and such a home provides the needed atmosphere where the stripling warriors learn to put on their armor. Mothers and Fathers receive greater power and strength from the covenants made in the temple. All mothers are divinely blessed with instincts to know what their children need, and how, with the support of their companion. These needs can be adequately met to bring forth great fruits. On the contrary, the adversary seeks every opportunity to destroy happy homes and loving relationships. Let us be ever vigilant in our prayers, for our families.

As we make those sacred covenants, we partner with our God, promising that our homes will be a sanctuary of love and learning where we help His spirit children realize and aim at attaining their full potential, becoming Gods and Goddesses, just as our Heavenly Father desires. I pray that we seek the Lord’s help and will, as we serve, cherish and care for our families. May we feel the strength and peace that comes from walking onto the covenant path, helping us return to our Heavenly homes as families forever. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. ■