A general authority reaffirmed to BYU students that marriage between a man and a woman should be patterned after that of our Heavenly Father and Mother during a Devotional at the Marriott Center on March 11.
Brother Larry H. Gibson, Young Men general presidency member, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said students would find their eternal destiny promised by their Heavenly Father through the eternal companionship of a loving spouse and the divine companionship of the Holy Ghost.
“He (Heavenly Father) has provided a witness, companion, guide and comforter in the Holy Ghost, and he has made eternal marriage essential to his plan for his sons and his daughters, that we may work together to achieve our eternal destiny, the continuation of the family into eternity and the glory and power that our heavenly parents enjoy,” Brother Gibson said.
Brother Gibson said marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the family is central to the Creator’s plan toward eternal destiny.
Brother Gibson showed a small copper temple he used as his constant reminder of eternal marriage when he was young. He encouraged the audience to have a constant reminder of their Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of happiness and to strive for a perfect love, oneness and unity that their heavenly parents have.
Earthly parents’ love resembles a fraction of the love heavenly parents have for their children. Brother Gibson said our Heavenly Mother influences her children as much as the child’s earthly mother.
A man and a woman can help each other obtain their eternal goals. Brother Gibson stressed that family life is preparing individuals for eternal life and that it is not good for people to be alone. Brother Gibson said a man, a woman and the Holy Ghost contribute differently but equally to marriage, and all are needed to obtain Heavenly Father’s plan.
“The Holy Ghost is necessary for revelation, and revelation is necessary to successfully fulfill Father’s plan for us,” Brother Gibson said.
Brother Gibson said people must do three things for the Holy Ghost to use them as instruments. First they must retain the Holy Ghost, rely upon it and respond promptly to its influences.
“I really liked when he talked about retaining, relying and responding to the Holy Ghost,” said Jared Zamora, a BYU junior who attended the Devotional. “It is a good, constant reminder that we must always be listening for its promptings, because it will affect our decisions towards marriage and other things in life if we listen.”
Concluding the Devotional, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, announced the release of Cecil O. Samuelson as president of BYU.
“President Samuelson has served this institution with great distinction,” President Eyring said. “It is important for the faculty, staff, students and supporters of this university to know that the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve and Board of Education unanimously recognize the great work and devotion of President Cecil O. Samuelson to BYU.”
President Samuelson received a standing ovation by staff and students after the closing benediction.
Kevin J. Worthen will be appointed BYU’s new president on May 1, 2014.
Next week’s Forum will be given at the Marriott Center by Brent James, executive director of the Institute for Heath Care Delivery Research, on March 18 at 11:05 a.m.
