I had a casual meeting with my Bishop and he asked how my marriage preparations were going and I thought, 'They're good. I've got the dress. I've got the place. I've got the food... I mean I still have plenty to do, but it's good!' It then occurred to me, that is not what preparing for a wedding truly should be..
So I just responded with "It's going good."
He went on to mention how being a member of the church is not just 'attending church' - it is SO much more. It is upholding callings, participating in activities, serving, living it daily etc. I often think, 'I attend church, read and pray daily.. That should be enough.' I left the meeting kind of upset and annoyed. That's not what I wanted to hear ..
After pondering it (by going on a 6 mile run talking to myself) I finally humbled myself and came back down to earth.
It got me thinking back to his initial question. Am I preparing for a wedding or am I preparing for an eternal marriage? Is just being worthy of a temple recommend enough to get married?
The answer is no. There is SO much more. Some things I currently do are study scriptures with my fiance and read talks together. We also try to pray together whenever we get the chance. Those are wonderful things, but there is more.
Am I attending temple preparation classes? Am I going to all three hours of church every week? Am I studying all material/talks on temples that I can? Do I dress in a way that will allow the transition to be easy when switching to garments? Am I always keeping the spirit with me by avoiding crude music and other entertainment? Do I look to serve others and my fiance? Am I attending the temple as often as I can?
Cakes, dresses, decorations, pictures ... blah blah.. That is for a WEDDING, but what about the MARRIAGE?
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I want to share an experience I had the morning after I met with my Bishop. I was reading in Alma 47 when Alma is talking to his son Helaman about the Liahona. He says in verse 41,
"Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey.."
Then verse 42 goes on to say
"Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions."
Being slothful IS a transgression. Wow. I've never thought of laziness in the gospel as a sin. Am I being slothful in preparing for an eternal marriage? Am I being slothful in preparing to enter the temple and make sacred covenants?
I don't believe in coincidences and I know I needed to read that scripture. Being a member who just keeps the commandments and attends church is not enough.
Ask yourself, "Am I being slothful?"
I sure am slothful a good amount of the time.. I have so much to work on. I am thankful for an inspired Bishop. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon. I am thankful for the opportunity to be getting married and hope I can do more things to prepare. I love this gospel and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
