Consecration and Forgiveness

I have been thinking a lot lately of my marriage 

and what my role is in making this “marriage” an “eternal marriage”.  

In my readings this week two words have stuck out 

that I generally wouldn’t have associated with my marriage, 

but I have learned how key they are in helping me live a covenant marriage.  

The two words are:

1.  consecrated

2.  forgiveness

Consecration in marriage means giving your all-

 your time, talents, money, love, and your soul to your spouse.  

H. Wallace Goddard in his book “Drawing Heaven Into Your Marriage” 

asks some good questions that have made me think a little bit deeper. 

 

“Do we bring our greatest generosity and richest forgiving to our marriages?  

Do we offer our whole souls and our best efforts as an offering?  

Or do our partnerships get half-hearted, occasional efforts?”

I realize that some days I am just on cruise control trying to survive the rigors of life with teenagers.  My nerves are frazzled, 

my thought processes have shut down,

 and my energy level is non-existent!  

At these times I find that I have nothing left to give my spouse.  

I now realize that these are the times that I need most to be connected and in tune with him. 

 Because when we are in sync with one another, 

I believe, 

that we will be able to give one another the strength that we both need to continue on!

Goddard says, 

“We give everything we have and are.  

And we ask God to increase our capacity so we can give yet more.”  

If I have a consecrated marriage then God will be a partner with us 

and he will be able to make up the difference of what we are lacking!

Forgiveness is a critical element in eternal marriage. 

 When our hearts are at war with one another in a relationship the Holy Ghost can’t be with us.  

Then, we lose the gift of revelation that can bless the lives of the couple and their family.  

In April 2007, Elder James E. Faust gave a beautiful talk on forgiveness.  

 He said that when we recognize angry feelings within us we need to pray for humility 

and a feeling of forgiveness.  When we rid anger and hatred from our hearts the Lord will give us comfort through the Atonement and we will receive a measure of peace.  

Elder Faust pleads for us to 

“let go and empty your hearts of festering resentment.”  

If we can strive to live a consecrated life toward our spouse and not harbor grudges against them for past wrongs, then we can live a life that is worthy to receive blessings from our Heavenly Father.  Our marriages will be strong and our homes will be sacred places!