The Sanctity of Marriage?

Though I tend to stray away from topics that overtly interpolate my religion, this is a subject where I feel it integral to do so. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe that marriage is not only a "til death do us part venture"; rather, it is a journey that surpasses this existence and lasts forever. (Please see http://www.mormon.org/ for more information.) That being said, I find it disheartening that the institution of marriage (and more specifically the ordinance of eternal marriage) is so casually brushed aside in this modern age.

I for one am weary of hearing about all of these Hollywood stars who say something to the effect of "I don't have a need to get married. What I want is to grow old with someone, have a life partner with kids, and well, [I] already have that..." (thank you, Salma Hayek). While I couldn't care less what Hollywood deems acceptable, I find that its influence permeates society, regardless of whether we think we're buying into it or not. The television is overflowing with shows that glorify promiscuous sex and non-marital relationships, that shun marriage as old-fashioned and prosaic. The argument undoubtedly becomes, "why do I need a piece of paper to legitimize my relationship?" Children are born out of wedlock, single parent families become the norm and society as whole suffers.

It's shocking how casually marriage is treated these days. I've heard it said that a trial marriage or two is nice to have because it helps you on the next one. Are you kidding me? And since when did divorce become such an acceptable option? (I will say that there are instances in which I find divorce to be the prudent thing to do, as in cases of addiction or abuse, etc., but just because you have an argument? GET SERIOUS.) It is so depressing to see how many people out there are not even willing to try to make their marriage work. Mankind, in general is so freaking selfish these days, it makes me ill just to contemplate it.

And this is outside of the LDS faith. What about inside it?

I have been perusing articles (about divorce rates in general) that have praised the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for having one of the lowest divorce rates among other religions/affiliations; however, that does not mean that there aren't problems. In my personal experience, I have become aware of a few temple unions that have ended in divorce, simply because one person or the other became tired of working at it. This is the thing that irks me the most. I believe the sealing ordinance to be most sacred and essential, and it's terrible to see those who do not understand it and trivialize its importance. I think that those who are Latter-day Saints have a responsibility to be an example, to laud the marital union and treat it with the respect and reverence it deserves.

I for one feel so blessed to be a part of a marriage that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt will last not only in this life, but in the life hereafter. I am so grateful for a husband who is as committed to our relationship as I am and is as invested in it as I am. I only hope that I can continue to improve myself and seek to put away the superfluities of the world, so that I may be the kind of spouse worth keeping around forever.

The End.