Joy Defined

Is there anything about being married in the temple that makes a marriage better or last longer (temporally speaking) or just more overall successful? I've been pondering that lately. We all know people who have had long, successful, and happy marriages who were not sealed together in the temple - my own parents are a perfect example. We've also known those who have been sealed and yet their marriages are full of contention and unhappiness. So what effect, if any, does being sealed in the temple have on a marriage?

Having first been married civilly and later sealed in the temple, I was thinking that I would have an answer for that. I would like to say that my marriage was considerably improved after our sealing. But I do not recall any 'before and after' differences and I was kind of disappointed in realizing this. I was hoping for something definitive to point to, as if to prove "See - being sealed in the temple makes this and that better." But I can't.

As I think it over, though, I can see that there has been a cumulative effect, not only on our marriage, but also on our family. Our years of putting the gospel first, of serving others, of keeping commandments, of continually seeking ways to learn and grow, have strengthened our marriage. And most importantly, our efforts of keeping an eternal perspective, focusing on the end goal of returning to our Heavenly Father and living eternally as a family, has helped us weather the swirling storms of adversity that have befallen us from time to time.

Having an eternal marriage did not prevent us from being challenged and tried. But it has helped us to stay committed during our trials and feel joy and happiness in spite of our worries. Having an eternal marriage has provided an example of a worthy goal for our children to strive for and we have seen the fruits of their success in achieving that goal. And with each passing year, it becomes more precious to me, especially as I see the world distort and corrupt the sacredness of marriage.

I know I say this all of the time, but it is what is always in my heart and the answer to my prayers: I am grateful every day that I chose to marry the best man I have ever met and that he is my eternal companion. And because of that choice, my sons have had the opportunity to choose incredible women as eternal companions and have their little ones sealed to them. Our family is eternal and this is the definition of joy.