God’s plan for each of us includes two companions to help us become divine. Learn how our spouse and the Holy Ghost can help us reach this exalted goal.
Heavenly Father’s individual plan for us involves more than just returning home to him. Brother Larry M. Gibson, former first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, has taught that God also wants us to “return prepared to be exalted and eternal.”
Because he knows that we cannot reach this goal alone (see Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:11), Heavenly Father gives us two companions: a loving spouse and the Holy Ghost.
A Loving Spouse
Brother Gibson quotes Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who said, “The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward [a fulness of glory]. . . . The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness.”
Brother Gibson teaches that because marriage is essential to our eternal happiness, obtaining it should be a major priority.
“[Heavenly Father] has made eternal marriage essential to his plan for his sons and daughters so that we may work together to achieve our eternal destiny,” he teaches.
The Holy Ghost
“We pray and then agonize when what seems to us to be a righteous desire is not realized—an illness is not healed, we fail an examination that seems vital to our future, or the Lord says ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ to our prayers,” says Brother Gibson. “In these situations, if we submit ourselves to God’s will, the Holy Ghost can soften that no.”
It would be impossible to accomplish all that we have been set apart to do on this earth without the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. “Of course, having this divine companion bestowed upon us is not enough,” Brother Gibson says. “We must learn to retain the Holy Ghost, rely on Him, and appropriately respond to His promptings.”
As we try to understand what Heavenly Father desires that we accomplish in our lives, the companionship of a spouse and the Holy Ghost can help shape our life’s path.
Read Brother Gibson’s full article, “Following Heavenly Father’s Plan.”
Source: BYU Speeches
—Alissa Holm, Mormon Insights
What Brother Gibson’s wife, Shirley, said is beautiful: “Larry, do you know why I love you? . . . I love you because I know you love the Lord more than you love me. And with that love we can make it back to our heavenly home.”
That’s the kind of love that lasts–it’s inspired in hearts, nurtured by us and by God, and blessed in heaven for all eternity.
This is so important! I love the reminder that we’re here to help our spouses come closer to Christ and our spouse is here to do the same for us. God must be the foundation for a loving marriage in order to find true happiness and joy and to help us have a celestial marriage. I know having the constant companionship of the Spirit can help us in our marital relationships as well.
I am personally very grateful for these two companions. The Holy Ghost has led and guided me through many decisions, helping me make those choices which will bring me back to my Father in heaven. Sometimes he nudges me to make changes in my life that will help mold me into the person my eternal Father wants me to become. My wonderful husband has helped me grow as well. In our short year of marriage, I’ve learned so much about service, selflessness, and Christ-like love. My eternal marriage focuses me on the eternities and my loving husband helps me reach for those eternal blessings everyday.
I have thought about each of these ideas separately but not together as Brother Gibson suggests. My husband and I have been married for almost 40 years and have raised 6 children together. Through the experience of living together under the pressures of raising children we have learned so much about our own weaknesses and fears and have learned how to trust each other with those weaknesses and fears. The refining influence of the holy ghost has begun to knock off some of the rough edges and soften us some. We are finding our lives together easier and sweeter. This love and trust has taught us a lot about trusting and loving our heavenly father and about respecting the agency and intelligence of our children. I have loved considering the duel influences of my husband and the holy ghost on my life, my influence and that of the holy ghost on my husband’s life, and the unifying influence of the Holy ghost on our marriage. It really is most wonderfully orchestrated plan of happiness.