Another Ingredient for Happy Marriages

Week 3: Defending Traditional Marriage

This picture speaks volumes. We can teach our children what marriage looks like! They see that example, and hope to follow it!

The next ingredient for a good marriage is an absolute. There is no substitution for this ingredient. If this ingredient is switched up, the recipe will fail. This ingredient is that marriage is between a man and woman. This belief may be considered out of date or politically incorrect, but it is God’s truth for his children on earth. In The Family: A Proclamation to the world we are taught, “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” This statement helps us to know the definition of marriage. In 2015 the Supreme Court of the United States was presented with a case known as Obergefell v. Hodges. This case asked the highest court of our land to decide whether same sex marriage should be legalized in all 50 states. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, and thus redefined marriage in the United States. Now, same-sex couples can be married, and receive the benefits associated with marriage. While on the surface this may seem like a move in the way of freedom, it is a move against what is morally right and God’s law.

Russell M. Nelson addressed this very issue in a speech given to BYU students at their commencement ceremony in 2014. He teaches, “Man simply cannot make moral what God has declared to be immoral. Sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God.” He also tells us what we as believers of Christ must do, “Disciples of the Lord are defenders of marriage. We cannot yield. History is not our judge. A secular society is not our judge. God is our judge! For each of us, Judgment Day will be held in God’s own way and time.”

How can I do better at standing for what I know is right? Often times, it seems really hard to say what I feel. I do not want to seem unfair or unloving. However, this statement from Elder Nelson is one that stand out in my mind.

What are some ways to defend marriage?

1.       Speak up when those around you are talking about marriage.

2.       Be interested in what others have to say, but speak truth lovingly when necessary

3.       Live by example

4.       Make my marriage a priority.

5.       Make my family a priority.

6.       Teach my children the importance of marriage as defined by God.