It is so alarming how much the idea of marriage is changing as time goes on. I feel like people do not understand the significance of marriage, which then skews their view of whether marriage is really important or not. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ I know and understand that "marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). If we have this knowledge and revelation, why does it seem so far-fetched to get married and start families? We NEED marriage and family in order to to bring up future generations in wholesome environments and this idea is constantly being attacked. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World we also learn that, "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." What does that even mean? Each child is entitled to be born under these circumstances. If God planned for all of His children to fulfill this statement above, then why is there so much opposition in this simple idea? We of course know that there is opposition in all things, but why are some children more fortunate than others? Some children are blessed to be born into a home with high values, endless love, and with faith in the Lord; while others are introduced to abuse, divorce, and loneliness at such young ages. What can be done about this?
Although there are many that are more unfortunate than others, there are actions that can be taken to turn negative family lives into positive environments. I think it is extremely important to educate and guide these that do not have the privilege of growing up in a stable home but seek for themselves to find stability in their future homes. Initially, a person must choose for themselves and come to know the importance of a marriage and family, but those who do have the opportunity to be transitional characters and create habits and behaviors that turn their marriages and families into what they can become. It is hard to come up with one big solution on how to fix this and educate people because there is such a difference of opinion on what a marriage should be and what a family should look like.
As the world comes to understand what God intended marriage to become we can shift the ideas of marriage and family into the best that it can be.
