One of the saddest things that can happen...

Just a note on divorce:

I recently found out that a couple of my friends from Jr. High and High School, who got married a few years ago, are now going through a divorce.  Today I noticed that one of them has changed their Facebook status to single.  The news of their impending divorce made me sad when I initially heard it, but now that it appears to be "official" I am really sad for them and especially for the child they brought into this earth during their marriage.

Divorce is all around us and I feel as though we can't get away from it. It is unfortunate that there are circumstances that warrant divorce, but there are many divorces that happen out of selfishness, pride and an unwillingness to humble oneself.

My sweet husband faced a divorce only a few months after he was married to his first wife.  Luckily for me it didn't work out for them and their divorce was final about 8 months after they were married.  Luckily he and his ex-wife have reconciled their differences and there aren't any hard feelings.  We are excited for her and her husband to be sealed in the temple!!

My parents separated after 21 years of marriage and their divorce was final the day before Dave and I entered the temple to make our marriage eternal.  I know that both of my parents regret what happened between them, but the past is in the past and both of them are re-married and enjoying their lives with their new spouses and families.

The temple sealing that I share with my sweetheart is one of my most treasured gift from my Father in Heaven.  It is a gift that we have to earn, but the promise is there that if we work together and do what we are supposed to in this life, we will live in the eternities with each other and our generations.  It makes me sad when people don't take the temple sealing seriously.  They are missing opportunities and blessings that could be theirs if they had just worked through the hard times.

I absolutely LOVE what President Thomas S. Monson said in the most recent Priesthood Session of General Conference:

"...In the three years since I was sustained as President of the Church, I believe the saddest and most discouraging responsibility I have each week is the handling of cancellations of sealings. Each one was preceded by a joyous marriage in the house of the Lord, where a loving couple was beginning a new life together and looking forward to spending the rest of eternity with each other. And then months and years go by, and for one reason or another, love dies. It may be the result of financial problems, lack of communication, uncontrolled tempers, interference from in-laws, entanglement in sin. There are any number of reasons. In most cases divorce does not have to be the outcome.
Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Priceless advice comes from a small framed plaque I once saw in the home of an uncle and aunt. It read, “Choose your love; love your choice.” There is great wisdom in those few words. Commitment in marriage is absolutely essential.
Your wife is your equal. In marriage neither partner is superior nor inferior to the other. You walk side by side as a son and a daughter of God. She is not to be demeaned or insulted but should be respected and loved..."

I know that marriage is NOT easy. Metaphorically speaking, It is the hardest class I have chosen to take in this earthly school that we attend. 

"If any of you are having difficulty in your marriage, I urge you to do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary, that you might be as happy as you were when your marriage started out. We who are married in the house of the Lord do so for time and for all eternity, and then we must put forth the necessary effort to make it so. I realize that there are situations where marriages cannot be saved, but I feel strongly that for the most part they can be and should be. Do not let your marriage get to the point where it is in jeopardy."- President Thomas S. Monson. Priesthood Power.