Recently the institution of marriage and the nature of family life have come under intense scrutiny in the popular media, as well as the social scientific community. What is YOUR position on each? Support your argument.
What are important arguments for/against marriage, cohabitation, and parenthood?
I agree very strongly with the leaders of my church, and I don't think I can say how I feel any better than they did, so...
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Reply:I do believe in cohabitation prior to marriage. You never know someone until you live with them - for sure! However, what that sometimes opens is a laissez-faire attitude and leaving the relationship on the back burner. Couples don't seem to work as hard as they would in a marriage - because they AREN'T married. You will find out how you partner fills their role in helping around the house, paying their share of the bills, and compromosing in situations where they really don't want to - but they do - because they love you. Parenthood should wait until you are married. There is more of a commitment, it is not as easy to just give up - where does a child play into giving up your life with their mom or dad? You may want to play house for a while, but a child is for the long-run. You need to be able to support a child financially, emotionally and fulfill any other need they will have. Trust me, there will be LOTS of those. Why do you ask? Because we want to fill our lives and the lives of the ones we love with every opportunity to feel good about themselves, be able to grow up to be self-sufficient, loving, educated adults who can rule the world. We want our children to be successful, proud and giving to those in need - just as we as adults gave to them when they needed. Take care of each other and love everyone of us!
Donna
Reply:If you love her; marry her. there is no manual. If your not sure you want to marry her, then you wasting your time exploring this subject because it does not matter anyway. When you love someone enough and your ready to settle down you will know. Right now it is clear that you do not. Just enjoy your relationship and forget all this non-sense. It is cut and dry/ do you want to marry or dont you?
If she wants to marry and you don't it will end because she wants a commitment from you. That proves you love her and will give up all others for her.
Where ever this is coming from it is clear that you are not ready.
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