What Is Marriage?

My dear husband requested an odd present for his last birthday - an 1828 Websters Dictionary. However, it brings interesting insight to some things and most recently, with everything going on, I looked up the definition of marriage.


Marriage -
"The legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children."

So many things stick out to me in this. First, it a union of man and woman. I completely believe that "gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." God created each of us and each of us "is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." God put Adam and Eve on the earth. Males and females are different, we all know this, each one is needed and they complement eachother in every way.

Second, it says God instituted it for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes. I also believe the "the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." Not only should this divine act be kept between man and woman, but I also believe God has commanded we must be married.

Elder Oaks, in a recent interview, responded to the attacks that we are keepings gays and lesbians from experiencing this by saying "the same thing we say to the many members who don’t have the opportunity to marry. We expect celibacy of any person that is not married." http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/same-gender-attraction

Lastly, it is to promote domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children. Fathers are able to do things mothers can't and vice versa. "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and reighteousness and are responsibleto provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

I am so grateful I was raised by a father and mother who honored their marital vows with complete fidelity. I believe marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and I think it is so sad to see people's reaction to Prop 8. It isn't a matter of hate or inequality, it's a matter of wishing to secure the definition of marriage and the sacred role it has in God's eternal plan.

(Quotes taken from The Family: A Proclamation to the World)