I picked up and old Ensign (April 2010) the other day and was looking though it. There where three articles in a row about marriage, not just about marriage about making that decision! I thought I'd share them with you guys. I've heard over and over again from Prophets and Apostles that the decision of who, when and where to marry is one of the most important decisions we will ever make. If that's so (it is!), then it makes sense that even though He won't make the decision for us, God will do all He can to help and guide us in that decision.This one's by Elder Wickman. He talks about the "confidence tests" he was put though as an Army Ranger in training. Things like climbing an ice covered rock face or slogging though an alligator infested swamp. I can see how my decision to marry was like a confidence test. When I think back on that time in my life I can see that Heavenly Father did guide me. That experience and others has given me a testimony that He will guide me in all my decisions. It also taught me how He guides me, personally, which is something I could only learn by experiencing it.
My favorite quote:
"As a part of this courtship experience, be careful not to base your judgments merely on what could be described as superficial “ticket punching.” By that, I mean do not base your decisions solely on whether someone has served a full-time mission or holds a particular calling in your ward. These things can be, should be, and usually are indications of devotion, faithfulness, and integrity. But not always. That is the reason you need to get acquainted. Know someone well enough to learn his or her heart and character firsthand and not just his or her “gospel résumé.”A corollary is this: avoid being judgmental about someone until you get to know him or her. Snap negative judgments can be just as erroneous and misleading as snap positive ones. Be just as alert for a diamond in the rough as you are wary of fool’s gold."
This one is the story of Vitaly and Katya two young Latter-day Saints from Russia. They tell about how they met, dated and decided to get married. They were sealed in 2006 in the Stockholm Sweden Temple. With only 20,000 members in Russia, it had to be difficult for them to find a worthy member to date and marry.
My favorite quote:
"Vitaly: Of course, it’s great to be married to someone you’re attracted to. But when our focus is solely on physical characteristics, we inevitably miss the most important characteristics—personality, spirituality, and other qualities that really matter in an enduring marriage."
Making the Marriage Decision
This one is written by several different young adults sharing the fears they faced and the faith they found in making the decision to marry.
My favorite quote:
"Don’t give in. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence.’ Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”
