BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” BYU students take nearly a semester of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.
In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names. We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)
Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.
Mormon Thoughts: Trials in Marriage
I really appreciated a conversation we had about marriage in my Book of Mormon class today. The topic came up because of a scripture found in Helaman 9:
“And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people; insomuch that they divided hither and thither, and went their ways […].”
Brother Griffin made the point that while Christ brings relationships together in unity, Satan tears them apart. Satan has been this way since the very beginning in the Pre-mortal existence, when he convinced one-third of the hosts of Heaven to turn away from following Heavenly Father’s will. Throughout all of history, Satan has mastered the art of “Division.” Whether it be by pride, selfishness, immorality, or basically any other form of sin, Satan cunningly rips us away from friends, family, Heavenly Father, and our one goal of eternal life.
When it comes to marriage, it seems that the devil would be especially intent on tearing this divine union apart, since being sealed eternally in the temple is necessary to get to the Celestial Kingdom and also the door to establishing a family strong in the gospel. And the scary part is- it only takes one tiny instance or remark to start that downward spiral. I’ve seen it countless times in acquaintances in my life.
The wonderful thing though is that these tactics really are small, in the grand scheme of things. Yes, that makes it harder to recognize them when they come and easier to let them slip through the cracks, but also it makes it easier to overcome them if both spouses in a marriage are watchful, persistent, and determined to make a marriage last. Recently I watched the film Emma Smith: My Story. Joseph Smith’s wife is an incredible example of sticking through a marriage, even in the worst of circumstances. Through multiple children’s’ deaths, illness, travel, persecution, and of course the attempted assassinations of her husband and his eventual murder, Emma stood firm in her devotion. Hers is an example that we should all look to when struggling with our marriages.
Today in class Brother Griffin also made the point that marriage is hard. It isn’t exactly butterflies and rainbows all of the time. With four older siblings, all of whom have been married for at least five years, I’ve been able to see this idea to some degree, and I’ve come to realization that marriage is a challenge. But what I’ve also come to understand, at least in observing my siblings and their spouses interact, is that marriage is also an amazing gift. Even amidst trial and hardship, each of my siblings have seemed happy and content, because of their gratitude and love of their spouse. Now I don’t think that this is this inevitable case for all marriages. What sets my siblings’ relationships apart though is the fact that, since they truly love and care for their spouses so much, they are willing to make whatever sacrifice necessary to keep their relationships strong. It’s been amazing to watch all of them (siblings and spouses) slowly adapt to fit the other person. And it’s not that, since they’ve had to adapt, they’re giving up their identity or losing their personal desires. Instead, they have become better and ultimately more Christ-like through the years. I feel so blessed that, if I am willing to remain humble and compassionate and empathetic to my spouse, these are the blessings that await me.
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