My Bride Forever

I want to share with the world the joy of my marriage.

Mary and I had been dating as a couple for over a year and half. During this time, and throughout our lives, we have saved ourselves for a marriage covenant. At the beginning of our relationship, I had our local religious leader counsel us so that we would have a strong and virtuous relationship that could prepare us for this marriage covenant. The marriage covenant is a promise and blessing performed with God’s power to seal families together forever in the holy temple. This is only possible if we try to live our lives like our Heavenly Father would like. When mistakes are made, forgiveness through Christ is required. As a result of the eternal nature of marriage, I believe my wedding may be the most important event of my life on earth. Mary could be my Queen forever in heaven.

Just before the ceremony, we had about forty-five minutes together in a beautiful place. As we gazed into each other’s eyes, and embraced, my heart was overflowing with joy. This woman would soon be my bride that I had lived for my entire existence. I knew that this was the best decision of my life. I believe she felt the same way. Joy, peace, and light filled my heart. Finally, I had found the woman of my dreams and we were ready to receive each other and the blessings God has in store for us. Shortly thereafter we were sealed to one another forever. Counsel was given and a many blessings were promised. I was filled with joy and could not believe that this was happening.

 I have been on dates with hundreds of girls. I have been invited to experiment and make love outside of marriage. Nonetheless, I lived to be able to enter into God’s temple to be married to my bride. At times, I felt like this would never happen. I had been yearning for marriage and intimacy for what seemed like forever. Most of the people that are my age had been married or had expressed this need in some way. In the meantime, I had worked to find a mate through careful dating and prayerful contemplation. All of the preparation, patience, and diligence were entirely worth it.

The excitement for my marriage goes beyond the natural desire for intimacy. I can look to my God with confidence and ask Him to bless our marriage, family, and kin because I have done it how He would like. I have waited for the right person, married her at the right time, and in God’s Holy Temple. I have saved the expression of true love for someone that I truly loved. The purity and joy that followed our virtuous preparation was sublime. Tears of joy, bliss, and happiness accompany this Godly act of creation.

Last night, Mary and I shared what we had prayed about. She prayed that we would beable to recognize and meet one another’s needs for love always. Her prayerful desires for us, instead of herself, made me feel loved. As we discussed some of our different needs, I felt more joy. Although life will be hard at times, having a best friend who has committed through God to their spouse forever is the best thing that could have happened to me. I have felt more love from her and our Creator these past couple weeks than I ever have. Holy marriage has brought me more joy than any other thing that I have done thus far in my life. We have now been married for two weeks and two days, and I am looking forward to the eternities. 

Lucas Handy