Wednesday, April 6, 2016

7. Second: “Now the serpent…said unto the woman” (Genesis 3:1).

It has become abundantly clear that the adversary is attacking the family in every way possible. While the saying “two heads are better than one” is not canonized, the scripture stating that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”, is (Matthew 18:20).
There is power in the word sealing. It means bonded, forged, sown, and locked together. With that sealing comes great power, and as already mentioned, the very presence of God. As we learn in the temple, the moment that Eve was tempted and subsequently beguiled by Satan was the only moment that Eve was found alone – without her husband. We can be substantially weaker when faced with adversity without a companion.
This principle is shown explicitly in church organization. Missionary companionships have strict rules requiring them to stay together at all times – no matter the circumstance. Bishops have two counselors to help them with the undertaking of ward stewardship. When the general authorities of the Church travel around the world on assignment, they always bring a companion. This is not for social promotion, this is for safety and strength.
So it is with marriage. Decisions made by one spouse without the other’s consent or willingness distorts agency and yanks at the very seams of unity. Unanimous decision by both spouses is key to obtaining the Holy Ghost and also acts as a catalyst for action and accountability.
Temptations of the devil are also more easily avoided with the strength of another. Satan will never have an eternal companion, and therefore does not know how to deal with a righteous couple acting in accordance with the safeguards of the gospel.

The burden of family tragedies, career struggles, and personal disappointments are also made lighter by the companionship of a spouse. Instead of straining beneath the load alone, both you and your spouse are made stronger as you push past the threshold of personal strength into new compatible and correlated capacities.

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