I Haven't Found the Right Person, Slash, Uncanny Ability to Find Flaws In Those I Date Trap

There is a very good article in the September 2007 edition of Ensign called "My Conversion to Eternal Marriage" by James Welch. It is an insightful article about how to get out of the "I haven't found the right person-slash-uncanny ability to find flaws in those I date" trap. I encourage you to read it or to stick your tongue to the pages and try and rip it out of the magazine. (just because I said that someone will try it...you know they will).

I'm going to trade mark "I haven't found the right person, slash, Uncanny ability to find flaws in those I date trap". Let's make some t-shirts. They be up for sale in a few weeks on From the Trenches. That's how people make money these days right? Making t-shirts. Check these out. www.8tees.com or www.sundaydriveshirts.com.  They are great.

This article made me think. I asked myself if I have a testimony of eternal marriage. I thought I did. I don't have a testimony of eternal marriage. I'd be willing to bet that there isn't a single person in the LDS-never-been-married community that does. It goes against the eternal laws that govern the Plan of Salvation. To gain a testimony of an eternal principle such as tithing, you have to obey the principle then as your faith and obedience are rewarded you gain a true testimony. Testimonies of individual principles are gained one at a time.

It was encouraging to see that I don't have a testimony of this principle. It is great to realize that no matter how much I talk, write, or read about marriage, only after the test of my faith (more so of my wife's faith) and marriage, I will truly have a testimony of this principle. I have a testimony of the blessings that come from obedience. I have a testimony that marriage is a commandment (I'm reminded every week by my mother, church curriculum, and my friend who threw their 20's away for marriage). The testimonies I hold of two separate principles do not equal a testimony of marriage. I'm totally okay with that. 

I do have a testimony of dates one through three, never letting my sisters set me up with their friends, and TiVo. Why do those who got married at age 18-22 insist that everyone should get married at that age? My sister, who is happily married with 3 kids, said, "Because misery loves company." Those who get married before they can go to a club or rent a car have lost all credibility when it comes to pre-marriage relationship advice. Please don't encourage others to dive head first into the kiddy pool.