Why Strive for A Temple Marriage?

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World it says, "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."

The word essential means, "the utmost importance, necessary". Necessary? You mean it is necessary for us to get married? Yes! We have been commanded by God to marry and even more importantly in to marry in the temple. Temple marriages seal us together for time and all eternity and is the only way that we are able to make it to the highest degree of glory after life. 

Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-4
1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.

Why would you want to settle for second best? Strive for first! 

I highly recommend the talk given by Elder Bednar called Marriage Is Essential To His Eternal Plan. It goes in more depth of why we would want a temple marriage and why it is essential to God's plan for us. 

Challenge for today's topic:
Plan a day to go to the temple. If you cannot enter the temple for whatever reason make a plan to become worthy of a temple recommend. Or just go to the temple sit outside and write in your journal. The temple is a great place to receive inspiration.

This is the beautiful Rexburg temple that I am privileged to live so close to.