The Eternal Blessings of Marriage - Richard G. Scott

The "empty nest" has been with Shirlyn and I now for some years. It is a daily thing to have some conversation about one or more of our seven children and their spouses and what may be happening with them. That inevitably turns to the grandchildren. We are in awe of our family members, every one. What a great blessing to have this all connected beyond this life as covenants are kept and milestones celebrated.


As Elder Scott expressed, "Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven's plan of happiness are marriage and the family." And for that plan to be evidenced by loving comments from time to time is the fruit of the plan in this life. I am so grateful for that wise counsel from Wayne Beck on leaving Brazil in December, 1964. He told me that the next and highest priority was to find the right girl and marry her. Education was the next priority. I took me about seven months to find her and eleven to be sealed in the Mesa Temple by Delbert L. Stapley, an apostle and a man that held that sealing priesthood power to make this happen.


For you married readers of this blog, Elder Scott left us with the following challenges:

• Are you faithful to your spouse mentally as well as physically?
• Are you loyal to your marriage covenants by never engaging in conversation with another person that you wouldn't want your spouse to overhear?
• Are you kind and supportive of your spouse and children?
• Do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home?
• Do you tell you wife often how very much you love her?
• Do you express gratitude for what your spouse does for your?
• Do you express that love and gratitude often?
• Do you hold her close while you tell her those things?

The combined and complementary gifts that fathers and mothers are given are "the primary cause of contented, well-developed children." When your family is around you, from the oldest to the youngest, you can see and feel how rewarding it is to be married. For this principle and for the additional gift of sealing these relationship after our probationary time here is over, I am awesomely thankful.