Decisions for Eternity
Can I just tell you I am loving the talks from General Conference? Each time the messages just seem to get deeper and deeper. Maybe I'm just growing up and paying more attention. Either way, I love it.
It's interesting to me how each talk can be so applicable to the situation of each of God's children. So personal and individualized. The quotes and thoughts that stick out to me are not going to be what others hone in on. There is going to be one talk that just speaks directly to each of us if we but listen and seek to learn.
I found an interesting quote in an unlikely place which caused me to think, yet again, of my own marriage. Elder Nelson spoke on making righteous decisions and paying attention to every choice we make. While speaking in the context of morality concerning marriage issues of the day, he says this, "Marriage between a man and woman is God's pattern for a fullness of life on earth and in heaven. God's marriage pattern cannot be abused, misunderstood, or misconstrued."
Beyond the obvious of chastity before marriage, the pattern of multiplying and replenishing the earth, and the pattern of gender relationships what else does this pattern contain. My mind and heart caught on the phrase, "marriage...is God's pattern for a fullness of life on the earth and in heaven." Really? Am I experiencing such fullness in my own marriage? I wonder.
Later, Elder Nelson states, "The Savior's way of life is good (love that!). His way includes chastity before marriage and total fidelity within marriage."
Fidelity is defined as "faithful adherence to obligation or duty; honesty; loyalty; reliability." Which implies that it's much more than just being sexually faithful to your own spouse. In creating this "fullness of life" that Elder Nelson talks about, am I honoring my husband? Am I loyal? Am I reliable? Am I being faithful to my end of the deal to fulfill my duty as a loving wife?
These are all questions I've been simmering on today. They make me want to be more attentive to his needs rather than seeking my own needs to be met. It's just funny to me how a talk on making decisions would lead me to ponder on my marriage. Must be what I needed to hear from that talk. :-)
It's interesting to me how each talk can be so applicable to the situation of each of God's children. So personal and individualized. The quotes and thoughts that stick out to me are not going to be what others hone in on. There is going to be one talk that just speaks directly to each of us if we but listen and seek to learn.
I found an interesting quote in an unlikely place which caused me to think, yet again, of my own marriage. Elder Nelson spoke on making righteous decisions and paying attention to every choice we make. While speaking in the context of morality concerning marriage issues of the day, he says this, "Marriage between a man and woman is God's pattern for a fullness of life on earth and in heaven. God's marriage pattern cannot be abused, misunderstood, or misconstrued."
Beyond the obvious of chastity before marriage, the pattern of multiplying and replenishing the earth, and the pattern of gender relationships what else does this pattern contain. My mind and heart caught on the phrase, "marriage...is God's pattern for a fullness of life on the earth and in heaven." Really? Am I experiencing such fullness in my own marriage? I wonder.
Later, Elder Nelson states, "The Savior's way of life is good (love that!). His way includes chastity before marriage and total fidelity within marriage."
Fidelity is defined as "faithful adherence to obligation or duty; honesty; loyalty; reliability." Which implies that it's much more than just being sexually faithful to your own spouse. In creating this "fullness of life" that Elder Nelson talks about, am I honoring my husband? Am I loyal? Am I reliable? Am I being faithful to my end of the deal to fulfill my duty as a loving wife?
These are all questions I've been simmering on today. They make me want to be more attentive to his needs rather than seeking my own needs to be met. It's just funny to me how a talk on making decisions would lead me to ponder on my marriage. Must be what I needed to hear from that talk. :-)
"One day each of us will stand before the Lord in judgment. We will each have a personal interview with Jesus Christ. We will account for decisions that we made about our bodies our spiritual attributes and how we honored God's pattern for marriage and family."
- - Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, CR Oct. 2013 - -
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