Faith In Marriage, Faith In The Lord

For teenagers, young single adults, and even married couples, marriage can be scary and cause much fear and anxiety for yourself, and for your future spouse or then already spouse. I have heard from many people my age both male and female on how they are afraid of marriage or dating in the prospect of getting married. Their fears and worries range from not being prepared, financial worries, fear of hardship, fearful of a spouse being uncommitted and unfaithful, fear of having hearts already tender and fragile being again so to speak, dragged through the mud and left for naught. Those examples are just to name a few of the fears and worries that many of us have, they are real and very seriously felt. The world doesn't do us any favors in trying to console our fears and worries, it teaches that divorce is good and is only natural and you can just move on to someone else when things get hard. It teaches that a man and women can never really complete each other or that you can do it all on your own. The world would have you believe marriage isn't even important and that love doesn't actually exist. The truth is however Love really does exist and marriage is more than just important, and your Father has prepared a way for that love and marriage to succeed and be greater than our hearts or minds could imagine. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).  

I want to share this “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:6–7.) First the Lord has not sent us on this earth to fail and that 100% includes eternal marriage, one of the foundations of The Plan of Happiness. I want to share and exclaim with all my heart that marriage between a man and a woman is good and sacred and beautiful when a husband and wife are united in the Lord to each other, and when both earnestly seek and sacrifice for the well being of their spouse. Marriage was never designed to fail but to last forever, love, trust, kindness, hope, faith, and charity are to last forever. 

To those who continually fear, worry, and stress about and over dating and marriage and seem to see no hope or faith down your path in life, I encourage you to look to your Savior Jesus Christ. Jeffery R. Holland in his Conference address titled "None Were with Him" said "Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you" [and abide with you].”20 The Lord has provided a way in all things, and he will aid you in your fears and worries.

Now this does not mean that you have no work to do in dating and marriage, you have never had more to do! In dating, follow the counsel given in D&C 9:8, study it out in your mind, do the work necessary and then ask the lord and he will guide you. Marriage requires work, sacrifice, tears, trials, and testimony! It is not easy, but nothing in this life or in the next that is worthwhile and of eternal value will be easy. I agree with Jeffery R. Holland who said "Love is what you go through together" and it is so worth it.

Have faith in marriage, have faith in the Lord! I know that marriage is ordained by God with all my heart. Trust in God, he loves you Perfectly and Completely and he desires that very best for you!