Everyone wants to be happy, right? Isn’t that the ultimate goal? And yet, so often we look for happiness in places where only temporary pleasure can be found rather than lasting joy. However, lasting joy is found through Heavenly Father’s plan for each of us, a plan that is centered around the family and marriage.
Parley P. Pratt
It was from him [Joseph Smith] that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love. It was from him that I learned that we might cultivate these affections, and grow and increase in the same to all eternity; while the result of our endless union would be an offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, or the sands of the sea shore. … I had loved before, but I knew not why. But now I loved—with a pureness—an intensity of elevated, exalted feeling, which would lift my soul from the transitory things of this grovelling sphere and expand it as the ocean. … In short, I could now love with the spirit and with the understanding also.”
I realize that was a super long quote (hope I didn’t lose anyone in there), but I couldn’t help but share it. I’m not sure if there is anything more exciting than that kind of love progressing throughout the eternities. The love we see in rom-coms might be exciting, but this kind of love is so much more meaningful.
Beyond this obvious and incredible blessing, there are temporal benefits (detailed in Successful Marriages and Families) that come from happy marriages such as…
- Physically healthier than those who are not married.
- Happier and more satisfied with life.
- Greater financial security.
- Sexual fulfillment.
- Better environment for children to be raised in.
Last semester I had the opportunity to interview a couple that had been married for 63 years. It was probably one of the coolest conversations I have ever had. I could see, and hear, that their marriage brought them so much joy. I’d like to share a few of the benefits they mentioned.
- Although marriage doesn’t make life easy, it does make the trials of life seem a bit more manageable. You can tackle the world together.
- Even the monotonous things of life, like chores, can become fun when you have a loving spouse by your side. For example, this couple loved gardening and mowing the lawn together.
- Selflessness in marriage brings great joy. They mentioned that every time they get ice cream, they try to give the bigger cone to the other person. I thought that was such a simple, but important, symbol of their care for each other.
- You have someone by your side who accepts you completely, imperfections and all.
If you still have doubts about how wonderful marriage is, give this little video a watch. Not only is it the cutest thing I have ever witnessed, but it also serves as a wonderful reminder of what a blessing an eternal companion is when hardship comes.
Family Matters 