Father's Day, Marital Intimacy, and Commitment

Hello everyone! 

Happy soon-to-be Father's Day! I hope it is wonderful! This week in my class we talked about marital intimacy within marriage. I know that marital intimacy should be saved for after marriage! When saved for within sacred bonds it can create a great binding power between a couple. It is also the means by which children can come into the world. I know that children are important! Children  are not easy-I have worked in many preschools-but they are worth it. I can't wait for my chance to someday have the privilege of my own family and to be a mother. Heavenly Father loves to be called by the title of Father. This shows just how important the role of family is to Him and should be to us. Strong families are so important and vital for children. When families are torn apart by divorce it takes a huge toll on these precious children.

I found this sweet video about fatherhood. As it is close to Father's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to share it. Father's Day Video

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has made a stand on marital intimacy:

"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."( Family Proclamation )


For our class we also read an article published by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy written by Barbara Dafoe Whitehead and Marline Pearson. It is entitled "Making a Love Connection: Teen Relationships, Pregnancy, and Marriage". I think it gives a great explanation for saving marital intimacy until after marriage and the consequences of not waiting. In my class we talked about how when any kind of intimacy is had outside of marriage it takes a toll on the person's spirit. Two people may feel like they are really in love and want to share that special part of themselves, but it is so important to wait for the right time. It makes it all the more special to wait!

Here is a quote from the article that really surprised me:
"For some teens, sex is just sex. It has nothing to do with romantic love. It’s merely a physical transaction. For many more teens, sex is a typical part of teen romantic relationships but it is not closely linked to any kind of longer-term commitment.Indeed, close to two-thirds of teens, ages 15–19, agree or strongly agree that it is all right for unmarried l8 year-olds to have sex if they have strong affection for each other." (Making a Love Connection)

Marital intimacy in the past has been a sign of commitment. I was sent the following quote this week and I wanted to share it. Men and women are equally important in our Heavenly Father's eyes. I loved the wording and the power that these words have.

"Men and women have different but equally valued roles. Just as a woman cannot conceive a child without a man, so a man cannot fully exercise the power of the priesthood to establish an eternal family without a woman. In other words, in the eternal perspective, both the procreative power and the priesthood power are shared by husband and wife."—M. Russell Ballard, "This Is My Work and Glory"

That is all for now! Talk to you all next week! I hope you have a fantastic Father's Day and do something special for the fathers and men in your life!