Full Partnership or Unrighteous

"A man who holds the priesthood accepts his wife as a partner in the leadership of the home and family with full knowledge of and a full participation in all decisions relating thereto. Of necessity there must be in the church and in the home a presiding officer (D&C 107:21) By divine appointment, the responsibility to preside in the home rests upon the priesthood holder (Moses 4:22). The Lord intended that the wife be a helpmeet for man (helpmeet means equal)--that is a companion equal and necessary in full partnership. Presiding in righteousness necessitates a shared responsibility between husband and wife; together you act with knowledge and participation in all family matters. For a man to operate independent of or without regard to the feelings and counsel of his wife in governing the family is to exercise unrighteous dominion."

President Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 50-51

A Little Heaven

"If we live the law pertaining to celestial marriage, we will, with our spouse, and with our family be able to have a little heaven on earth.

Elder Robert D. Hales

The Parable of the Keys

I think that this parable is highly instructive and well written. It helps to put things into perspective. Check it out.

Once a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase.

The man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed instructions, but he could not open the safe.

In due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful inheritance without her.

They made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.

With great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last generation.

Perhaps some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments, they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.

Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.

There came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one. “Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to use as I desire?”

Some tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key. Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and their inheritance was lost.

Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity.

I bear witness of our Father’s plan for happiness, and bear testimony in the name of Him who wrought the Atonement, that it might be, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Boyd K. Packer, "For Time and All Eternity" 

Get to Know Someone

"Courtship is a time for two people to get acquainted. It is a time to get to know someone, his or her interests, habits, and perspective on life and the gospel. It is a time to share ambitions and dreams, hopes and fears. It is a time to test someone’s commitment to gospel living."

BY ELDER LANCE B. WICKMAN 

Of the Seventy

From a Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional given on September 25, 2007

Interesting

I thought this was interesting. It is directed toward men but I think women have a lot of similar fears. I liked the to do list. Each number of the list is good but I especially like numbers 4, 5,9 and 10.

1. 1. 
   Come to the Lord. 
2. 2. 
   Study the scriptures with constant prayer, praying to feel the Lord’s acceptance. 
3. 3. 
   Be pure. 
4. 4. 
   Cultivate a spirit of appreciation. 
5. 5. 
   Do not compare yourself with other people. 
6. 6. 
   Serve others for righteous reasons. 
7. 7. 
   Cultivate friendships with individuals you can listen to and share with.
8. 8. 
   Date regularly, but date those who have similar interests.
9. 9. 
   Be prepared to choose, using a proper balance between agency and inspiration.
10. 10. 
    Forgive everyone, especially those who may be partly responsible for your fear of marriage.

Click to read the whole article : The Faith to Marry
BY PAUL R. WARNER

With Any Major Decision

“With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence’ [Heb. 10:35]. Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,”Liahona, June 2000, 38; Ensign, Mar. 2000, 9.

Faith & Dating

“Do you want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way ‘never faileth.’”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “How Do I Love Thee?” New Era, Oct. 2003, 8.

The Greatest Happiness

"Evidence from a wide variety of sources supports the truth that marriage shaped by eternal principles is the path to greatest happiness and well-being in this life."

Elizabeth Vandenberghe, Aug. 2001 "Happiness, Health, and Marriage"