I remember clearly the day, 17 years ago, when my husband and I were sealed together for time and all eternity. It was the fourth day of April, on a crisp spring morning, at the Mt. Timpanogos temple in American Fork, Utah. My heart was filled with joy and excitement as I thought about the sealing bond that would take place between my husband and I that day, and the special covenants that we would make to each other.  Amongst all the joy that I felt, there was also a small amount of sadness because with the exception of my grandparents, the rest of my family was not able to enter the temple that day. My mother and I had had many conversations about this day, and about how she felt hurt, angry, and sad that she would not be present at my wedding.  I shared in her sadness, but explained to her the deep meaning that the temple had in my life.  I explained that the union I was about to enter into with my husband, was more than just an earthly bond, but rather was as Elder Hafen refers "a covenant marriage".  I had moments of weakness where I felt that what I was doing was selfish, and that maybe we should be married civilly and sealed later. As I prayed about what to do, I knew without any doubt that I should be married in the temple.

 For those not active or baptized in our faith, I think it's terribly difficult to understand what the meaning of the temple is. Why would I choose to marry somewhere that my parents and family could not attend? And what is it about this place that makes it so special? Sure, it's beautiful on the outside and well maintained, but is that enough? Although the temple architecture and grounds are a place of beauty, this is not enough.  In my mind, the temple has always been one of the most beautiful places to me, but what makes it most special are the ordinances that take place inside. I chose to be married in the temple because I knew that I wanted to be with my husband far beyond the end of this mortal life. I wanted to be with him, and my children forever and ever and I knew that the only place on Earth that could make this a possibility was in the house of the Lord.

 The temple is a place where we make a two way promise or a covenant with our Heavenly Father.  Elder Bruce Hafen explained the importance of marital covenants this way: "Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Parties in a contractual arrangement often walk away when problems arise. “But when troubles come to a covenant marriage the husband and wife work them through. (1)" I knew that if I married outside of the temple, it would be much easier for me, or my spouse to call it quits at the first sign of trouble.  Another promise I looked forward to as I married in the temple, was that my promise to my husband would include God, and without him I wasn't sure that we'd be able to make it through the marital trials of life.  My husband and I have experienced many highs and lows in our marriage but in every low and with the help of the Lord, the lows have rebounded and made our marriage stronger. In some of those lows, I wondered if our marriage would survive.   I wasn’t sure that we would be able to withstand the struggles and trials that were staring us in the face, but I was always comforted with the knowledge that our sealing bond was stronger than the desire to jump ship at the sight of trouble.  I recognized that I had covenanted with my Heavenly Father, husband, and children that I would make this bond last for an eternity.

  I also knew that the covenants that I made would require me to live a higher law.  I was promising to follow and be obedient to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I had to push myself to do better, and to keep the commandments at all times. As we do this, Elder Haven explains we will “discover hidden reservoirs of strength and deep, internal wellsprings of compassion. These blessings will strengthen you during difficult and troubled times. (1)" I know that these reservoirs of strength have come to me in times of need because of my temple marriage, and with the assistance of the Lord.  As I live worthy, attend the temple, and hold my covenants dear to my heart, my marriage becomes the focal point, and strength of my life.  As I reflect upon that decision made many years ago, I become ever more grateful that I was sealed in the house of the Lord for time and all eternity.

Reference:

1-Hafen, B. (1996, November 26). Covenant Marriage. Ensign.