Let’s face it: being an unmarried Latter-day Saint is really rough. We are a church focused on marriage and family. Adult church lessons often are taught with the assumption that everybody in the audience is already married. But in every ward I have been in, there are many adults who are not married, and many of them despair of ever getting married.
So, what kind of comfort can we offer these people?
Many Church members do not know that Book 2 of the Church Handbook of Instructions is on-line. In the handbook we find the following:
Faithful members whose circumstances do not allow them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and parenthood in this life will receive all promised blessings in the eternities, provided they keep the covenants they have made with God.
Notice the word “will.” If you keep your covenants you will receive all “promised blessings” in the eternities. What are the “promised blessings?” The assumption, if you read the handbook, is that you will have your own eternal family.
Similar promises have been made by modern-day prophets. But I thought I would highlight this promise in the handbook. I know many people who feel alone and lonely as they proceed through the years unable to find a spouse and form their own families. I hope this promise in the handbook will bring them comfort.
What do you think?