The Family Under Stress.

I believe that in order for a family to strive, it starts with the parents. I believe that if they are strong and have a good foundation, their relationship will be able to flourish a lot more. Without that strong relationship, pride gets in the way making it very difficult for the families to work together as a unit of one heart and one mind. I believe when pride gets in the way, forgiveness is hard to give. 

I think that one of the main issues with forgiveness is being able to humble your self and let go of pride, and just focus on what needs to be solved and accomplished.

Maybe it is because I am not married and I can’t fully understand the pride cycle within a marriage, but I really do not understand how some people would think it is a good idea to treat a spouse that way. I think that if there is pride in a marriage, then the marriage needs a lot of work. In my opinion, marriage is a lot of hard work, but it takes both couples putting their complete effort into the relationship. Marriage is not a 50/50 thing. Each couple needs to be putting 100% in each. I believe that as they do this, they will become more humble diminishing pride. The more humble they become, the closer they will be drawn together, therefore drawing closer to the Lord. I think that one of the best ways couples can do that is by putting their spouses needs before their home. Being selfless, in my opinion has helped me become humble and I think is a great way to get out of the pride cycle. Marriage is about love and nurturing your spouse. I believe that if pride becomes present, it can destroy the happiness that once was their which could take a lot to get back. I think if couples make sure that the Lord is present and that they are able to have that Christ-like love and throw away the worldly views that it can be a successful marriage.

My all-time favorite scripture is Matthew 11:28-30. I have found a lot of solace and peace when I use it in my life. I have enjoyed the comfort that it brings and how I am able to use it in my life whenever I am stressed. I have learned that through the Lord anything is possible and he is there for us to lift us up when we are down. I believe that the Lord desires us to go to him. He wants us to use his atonement to take away our burdens. That is why he suffered for us. He loves us so much that he died for us so that he can be happy and be forgiven for our sins. Life is really hard, but I have found that if I use the Saviors atonement, that life is a lot easier and worth living!

I believe that scripture fits in really well with the idea of consecrating a marriage as well because it teaches us that we can turn to the Lord to take away our sins and sorrows, but we can also turn to our spouse. One thing that I believe strongly is that our spouse needs to become our greatest friend and the one that we turn to when we need to be strengthened. I believe that in order to make a marriage sacred and consecrated the Lord needs to be present. I strongly believe that the closer the couple draw near to one another, the closer they get to the Lord. That is why I love the idea of a couple giving 100% instead of 50%. If each couple is providing 100% effort into the relationship, they are becoming of one heart and one mind, which is what Zion is. I believe that every married couple can experience Zion in their home if they strive to draw closer to the Lord while at the same time, drawing closer to one another. If they do that, they are no longer two separate individuals living separate lives, but they are one, experiencing life together.

As many people who know me, know that I believe in sex only within the bonds of matrimony. I believe that it is something that is so very sacred that should only be shared with your spouse. It is such a special part of who you are that you could not just give that to just anyone because once you give it away once, it isn't something that you can give away again. I recently learned an amazing analogy that you can compare sex to...
Imagine its your wedding day and you notice this beautifully wrapped package that just seems perfect! Would you go and rip it open all by yourself or would you include your new spouse and do it delicately? I would much prefer the second. It is something that doesn't need to be wild, especially when you are first getting used to one another. I believe that it is okay to get used to one another's  bodies and take your time. This is also especially important because men and women need to remember that they work at different rates. For men, they get satisfied a lot faster than women so this could cause issues, but if the couples are aware of one another and are respectful of their spouse, I think that they can make their sexual intimacy a wonderful thing. 

"Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage, goes together like a horse and carriage"

"Mawaig, Mawaig is vvhat bwings us together this day"... Okay enough with the quotes! This week has been interesting to me because I have been finalizing the details on my wedding that is happening in two months! But something that I have been discussing with classmates and friends is the wedding is more of a cultural celebration. Yes, I am looking forward to it, but I think that I am a lot more excited for the marriage than I am the wedding. To me, a marriage is much more symbolic and means more. It is something that lasts a lifetime! I am committing my heart to anothers and vowing to be faithful and true and to love him unconditionally. Our hearts are going to become connected and we will no longer be living two but living as one. I believe that when you get married there is no yours and mine, but ours. I think if you take on possessions, it can lead down a dangerous path and it is healthier to share things.