"Two rooms tonight, then?" Jon asked Melissa.
Two rooms tonight? Should that even be a question, Mr. Jon? (I immediately excused myself and dashed to the nearest restroom.)
That evening, the three of us went to a restaurant for dinner. While waiting for the entree to be served, Jon asked me to make an official self-introduction.
To me, self-introduction is not complete without mentioning my family, and expressing of my love and appreciation for them. I might've unintentionally said something like: "Families are forever;" "No other success can compensate for failure in the home;" "Families come first;" and "love is spelled T-I-M-E."
And I noticed the color change of Jon's face––like a chameleon––it now looked rusty gray.
I didn't purposely try to hurt Jon's or Melissa's feelings. I was only stating the obvious––that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children; and that it's crucial to give our 100% efforts to strengthen our family relationships because those are one of the things we actually get to take to the next life––that's all.
Two rooms tonight? Should that even be a question, Mr. Jon? (I immediately excused myself and dashed to the nearest restroom.)
That evening, the three of us went to a restaurant for dinner. While waiting for the entree to be served, Jon asked me to make an official self-introduction.
To me, self-introduction is not complete without mentioning my family, and expressing of my love and appreciation for them. I might've unintentionally said something like: "Families are forever;" "No other success can compensate for failure in the home;" "Families come first;" and "love is spelled T-I-M-E."
And I noticed the color change of Jon's face––like a chameleon––it now looked rusty gray.
I didn't purposely try to hurt Jon's or Melissa's feelings. I was only stating the obvious––that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children; and that it's crucial to give our 100% efforts to strengthen our family relationships because those are one of the things we actually get to take to the next life––that's all.
You would never believe the kind of storms my comments brought forth. That was the longest, the most bitter dinner hour I'd ever had to endure.
Here's the thing. I'm not sorry for what I said. I spoke the truth and those who disagree find the truth harsh and unbearable because it stabs them right in the heart. They know, but don't want to admit, that they're guilty, so they persecute the ones who speak the truth (e.g. The Book of Mormon prophet and martyr Abinadi.), because it's easier to do so than having to work on their weaknesses.
Needless to say, the business partnership between Melissa and me didn't work out, but I know I wasn't the loser in this deal. I actually was ecstatic it turned out the way it did.
I've learned some precious lessons from this experience with Jon and Melissa:
Husband and wife must be loyal to each other and faithful in their marriage covenants in thought, word, and deed. In D&C 42:22 it reads, "Thou shalt love thy wife with all they heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." Note that the phrase "none else" here means no person, activity, or possession should ever take precedence over the marriage relationship.
Married couples should stay from anything that could lead to infidelity in any way. When every husband and wife in the world cleaves unto each other and no one else, family relationships will be strengthened; love will grow; trust will develop; and happiness will come. Isn't this thought of an ideal family what makes a groom and his bride smile so joyfully at their wedding?
Here's the thing. I'm not sorry for what I said. I spoke the truth and those who disagree find the truth harsh and unbearable because it stabs them right in the heart. They know, but don't want to admit, that they're guilty, so they persecute the ones who speak the truth (e.g. The Book of Mormon prophet and martyr Abinadi.), because it's easier to do so than having to work on their weaknesses.
Needless to say, the business partnership between Melissa and me didn't work out, but I know I wasn't the loser in this deal. I actually was ecstatic it turned out the way it did.
I've learned some precious lessons from this experience with Jon and Melissa:
Choose what you Love. Love what you Choose. |
- Married men should be left alone. No woman in the world has any excuse to be intimate with a married man except his legally-and-lawfully-wedded wife. Respect the marriage covenant between him and his wife.
- The Golden Rule is golden. Do unto others what you would like others to do unto you. Ask yourself how you'd feel if another woman is working to replace you in your relationship of marriage (and you aren't even dead).
- Marriage is like a household appliance. When a problem is detected, don't throw it out. Fix it. A strong marriage relationship requires effort, but such effort brings great happiness in this life and throughout eternity.
- Never ever give up on your dream––your marriage. Remember your childhood dream of a princess wedding where you marry your Prince Charming? You're living your dream every day with the love of your life. Don't ever give up that dream for any differences between you and your husband that you don't think can be resolved. They can, and will be––if both of you keep trying, and sincerely asking divine help from our Heavenly Father.
- Lastly, I didn't learn this from Jon and Melissa. I learned it from my father: Do not feel flattered or victorious if a man betrays his wife to be with you. If he is unfaithful to the one woman in the world––with whom he shares a sacred covenant of matrimony and ultimate human intimacy––he can do the same to you, too.
Husband and wife must be loyal to each other and faithful in their marriage covenants in thought, word, and deed. In D&C 42:22 it reads, "Thou shalt love thy wife with all they heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." Note that the phrase "none else" here means no person, activity, or possession should ever take precedence over the marriage relationship.
Married couples should stay from anything that could lead to infidelity in any way. When every husband and wife in the world cleaves unto each other and no one else, family relationships will be strengthened; love will grow; trust will develop; and happiness will come. Isn't this thought of an ideal family what makes a groom and his bride smile so joyfully at their wedding?
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Allison is a mother to three boys. She's currently working her memoir. You can find her at: Allison Merrill