Before I get into the "meat" of this post, I want everyone to know that I have been divorced before and I do not judge anyone that has been divorced, whatever the reason. I was recently remarried, neither my husband or myself are perfect, but we are happy. We are adjusting to our new life together and learning to work together.
I know that the greatest level of joy that we can ever experience comes from following the commandments of God. After my divorce, I went through a period where I decided that His laws (commandments) weren't for me and the lifestyle I wanted. After a few years, I realized that I was kidding myself, I was not happy. I knew that there was a way for me to be truly happy again, and that it was going to require work, humility, and diligence.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I believe that we are eternal beings. I believe that we knew God and lived with him before we came to this earth life. I believe that our family relationships can be eternal and that we can return to live in the presence of God as exalted beings to live with him forever. Thus, I believe that Marriage can be eternal.
President Faust said, "The family relationship of father, mother, and child is the oldest and most enduring institution in the world. It has survived vast differences of geography and culture. This is because marriage between man and woman is a natural state and is ordained of God. It is a moral imperative. Those marriages performed in our temples, to have eternal relationships, then, become the most sacred covenants we can make...In my opinion, members of the Church have the most effective cure for our decaying family life. It is for men, women, and children to honor and respect the divine roles of both fathers and mothers in the home."
Since our marriage and family relationships are the most important, we should treat them with great care. We should not put them on the back burner while we tend to other things that are not priorities. We should find ways to keep marriage engaging to both parties and find ways to work and serve together.
My husband and I get to teach a class of young children together and we love that we study the scriptures and discuss ideas and how to simplify those ideas in a way that makes sense to 6 & 7 year olds. And even if the class seems like a disaster, we benefit from the time we spend preparing together and from the experience we have of serving together.
Another thing that we feel that helps us feel united is setting goals together. Right now, we have a couple financial goals, so we set up our budget and we go over it often to make sure we are on track and on the same page. I know that seems small to some people, but it has really helped us feel more like a united team.
I know there are times when it seems like throwing in the towel would be better for everyone, but (excluding extreme circumstances) I would encourage you to reconsider. This is a challenge to myself as well. I am sure that I will face trials in my marriage, and I challenge myself to work with God and my husband to work through things that can be worked through.
