My Thoughts About Dating and Marriage!

Taking a class this semester called "The Eternal family", has obviously made me think a lot about marriage the last few weeks!  But first, let's talk about dating.  Can I just say that dating sucks?  I mean, you go out with someone you barely know, worry about what they think about you, try to make casual conversation with them while asking a lot of questions that you normally wouldn't ask.  All the while wishing they will either leave you alone forever after or ask you out again, it's a pretty vicious cycle!  Sometimes, I wish arranged marriages were still socially acceptable!  It would make things so much easier. :)  I'm just kidding!  But if we are commanded to get married, why is it so hard?  Well, I have a few thoughts about that.  I think Heavenly Father wants us to have to work hard for something!  If you don't have to work hard for something, you won't appreciate it as much.  If you just get married with out thinking about it, will your marriage be that important to you? Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and it is part of Heavenly Fathers plan.  In a nutshell, we are here to gain a body, learn and progress, get married and have a family.  I know that this is true.  But Heavenly Father never said this life would be easy!  He allows us to experience trials that he knows will help us to grow.  Some people never have the opportunity to get married, some couples are unable to have children of their own.  President Eyring said in a talk called The Family, 

        "For some of us, the test in the schoolroom of mortality well be to want marriage and children in          this life with all our hearts, but to have it delayed or denied.  Even such a sorrow can be turned             to a blessing by a just and loving Father and his son, Jesus Christ.  No one who strives with full          faith and heart for the blessings of eternal life will be denied, and how great will be the joy and             how much deeper the appreciation then after enduring in patience  and faith now." 

There are so many trials that we are asked to pass through, and all the while Heavenly Father is there with us, ready to help us if only we will reach out to him.  He wants us to succeed in this life because he knows how much joy will come to us afterwards!  In the end, as long as we are faithful, keep the commandments, and repent when we make mistakes, things will work out.  I'm so thankful for my eternal family.  They are such a blessing to me!