An Enlightening Relationship

Today was a great reminder of how lucky I am to be married to Alicia. For our anniversary date tonight, Alicia and I went to the Temple in which we were married. We were there reminded of the promises we made eleven years ago and the blessings that will come if we're faithful to our promises. We participated in ordinances there that offer these same blessings to others who have died and can benefit from making these promises in the life after this one. As we did this work, I thought of how choice and growth continues after this life. This whole existence is so much bigger that what can be seen in this life and so many decisions we make here effect our happiness later on.

This perspective has benefitted our marriage. We made promises that are not temporary, they are eternal and they hold efficacy even after we die as long as we're true to them. The other thing that was clear tonight in the Temple is that the strongest marriage is the one where Jesus Christ is the bond holding two people together. Any other glue will decompose over time. We have felt that decomposition at times in our union. However, when we refocus on trying to both follow Christ and seeing the divine potential that God sees in the other person, we become stronger, better people.

This kind of enlightening relationship is precious. It's exactly the type of relationship that God wants for us. I'm very lucky to have that to some degree and to be working towards that together with my wife.