Marriage requires sacrifice and sharing

This week’s study about divorce has helped me learn more in-depth about the importance of having a strong marriage. Elder Oaks said that, 

“A good marriage does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection.” 

I love how he spoke about how most of the time, the remedy is not divorce but repentance. I have seen in my own personal life how important it is to let go of all pride and selfishness in a marriage. Sometimes, we may think that divorce is the answer to having peace and harmony in your life, but most of the time, that is not the case. 

Divorce creates long term heartache for many people surrounding you, especially your children. Elder Oaks urged us to think of the children. In the NBC video segment we watched, we learn that many children think that it is their fault that their parents got divorced, which can create long term effects for the children in their future. I know that in a marriage, there are three people involved: the husband, the wife, and the Lord. As a missionary serving in Uruguay, my companion and I taught newly baptized converts of the church. They were a strong family with a strong testimony in the gospel. One evening, as we went to visit them in their home, they told us that they were not getting along, that there was conflict in the home, and they were contemplating divorce. Our hearts were broken. That was the last thing that we wanted to happen. My companion and I taught about the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal and mend broken and angry hearts. We invited this sweet couple to join hands, kneel together, and pray for help. A few days later, they came to us and told us that a miracle had happened. They kept them commitment with us to pray with one another and their hearts were healed. It was amazing to see the love that they had for one another in their hearts. We all learned that evening that marriage requires sacrifice and sharing. It requires work, love, and patience. 

I know that by having a strong marriage focused on the Lord and founded upon the teachings of the gospel, we will be blessed beyond measure. I conclude with what the Apostle Paul said. He said, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)