Being United Lesson 12

Unity in the Gospel
In our desire to be united as couples, families and saints we can turn to the Lord for direction. We can learn the importance and skills necessary from gospel principles. In a talk by Henry B. Eyring titled, "That We May Be One" he tells about different ways that we can learn and train ourselves in being united. He teaches us that by living close to the Spirit and being worthy of it helps us to be united with the Lord and be one in purpose. We find this throughout the gospel, in so many cases we are united in purpose. Elder Eyring also gave a warning against pride which is an easy destroyer of unity. When we let the small prideful things get in the way we might be left with hurt and disappoint. Elder Eyring said,
“A unity which comes to a family or to a people softened by the Spirit will bring great power. With that power will come recognition from the world. Whether that recognition brings praise or envy, it could lead us to pride. That would offend the Spirit. There is a protection against pride, that sure source of disunity. It is to see the bounties which God pours upon us not only as a mark of His favor but an opportunity to join with those around us in greater service.”
Unity in Marriage
Couples can “be one by using their similarities to understand each other and their differences to complement each other in serving one another and those around them.” When we are united in our marriages, we find greater peace and happiness and find joy in working together for a more united purpose.
As I have watched and now analyzed family and friends in their marriages, I realize that there are some who are able to be unified through ups and downs and challenges that come during marriage. Growing up the Steed’s lived 100 yards down the road and were like second parents for me. I’m sure that they had arguments and disagreements, but we never saw it happen. They had seven children and many other who have looked to them as extra parents. The Steeds were united and acted as one because as I have watched them over the forty-three years, I have known them, I have seen strength, hurt and compassion pull them together instead of apart. They have worked together as they both have had leadership callings in the church at various times and have been able to support one another. They have had children who have chosen different lifestyles and have seen their share of hurt and loss throughout their marriage. They have also seen their share of compassion, recently with the husband’s diagnosis of a debilitating disease limit their adventures. However, when you see them together, they work so well together. They work to strengthen the other and lift one another continually.

Strength in Unity
Elder Eyring said, “We do not know the hearts of those who offend us. Nor do we know all the sources of our own anger and hurt. The Apostle Paul was telling us how to love in a world of imperfect people, including ourselves, when he said, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil””
Truly the as we seek the Spirit and avoid pride in our lives and especially our relationships, we will find great joy in iour lives and by living close to the Spirit we can draw closer to the Savior and become more like our Heavenly Parents, united for eternity in purpose.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Covenant or Contract Marriage? Lesson 4

Wolves of Society In most religions today Jesus Christ is known as the "Good Shepherd," watching over us as his flock. It is fitting that we can easily pin the adversary as the wolves who are trying to prey on the innocent in our flock. In a talk given by Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy he mentions three different types of wolves that are apparent in marriages. They are the wolf of natural adversity, the wolf of their own imperfections, and the wolf of excessive individualism. The interesting thing to note is that this talk was given in 1996, but we can see the application of these principles continue to plague marriages even more than twenty years later.  The article really points out the difference between a covenant marriage and a contract marriage. We all know people around us who readily accept contract marriages and think it is not a big deal to separate. However, when we look at the problems in society today, we can usually link it back to families and where ...
Read more

Managing Conflict Lesson 9

When I read Elder Lynn G. Robbins talk titled “Agency and Anger” from the 1998 General Conference there were three different quotes that stood out to me. Stirring  Up Contention He damages and often destroys families within the walls of their own homes. His strategy is to stir up  anger  between family members. Satan is the “father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with  anger,  one with another” (3 Ne. 11:29). The verb  stir  sounds like a recipe for disaster: Put tempers on medium heat, stir in a few choice words, and bring to a boil; continue stirring until thick; cool off; let feelings chill for several days; serve cold; lots of leftovers. Satan will try anything to destroy families. He knows their role and the importance they are to Heavenly Father. Families are eternal and Satan has given up the right to have that and so he doesn’t want anyone else to have it either. So often I have let little problems become b...
Read more