Marriage Should Be Forever

I was on my way to work today when they announced on the radio two new celebrity divorces.  One couple is getting a divorce after 3 years and another after 2 years.  When I hear about Hollywood divorces I have the fleeting thought, "why couldn't they work it out?"  But then I move on from there and don't think much more of it.  However, reading more about the churches stance on divorce and how much easier it is to obtain one, I find I have become more appalled by the short marriages. It was said of the 2 year marriage that the relationship has "run its course."  If a divorce wasn't so easy to obtain would the couple have gotten married in the first place?  It's as though people get married now with the thought in their head, "if it doesn't work out we'll just get a divorce and start over with someone else."  If divorce wasn't so easy to obtain how many of these couples would work with someone to try and resolve their problems?  How many of these people would never have gotten married in the first place if they couldn't just end a marriage because it had "run its course?"

I know there are some situations that may make a divorce necessary.  But the relationship has "run its course" does not seem to me a valid reason for ending a marriage.  Elder Dallin H Oaks gave a talk on Divorce in May 2007.  There are a couple of things he said in this talk that really stood out to me:

"The concept that society has a strong interest in preserving marriages for the common good as well as the good of the couple and their children has been replaced for many by the idea that marriage is only a private relationship between consenting adults, terminable at the will of either."

"The weakening of the concept that marriages are permanent and precious has far-reaching consequences. Influenced by their own parents’ divorce or by popular notions that marriage is a ball and chain that prevents personal fulfillment, some young people shun marriage. Many who marry withhold full commitment, poised to flee at the first serious challenge."

We should take these things to heart.  Marriage should not be a fleeting thing, it should not be something we get into until it has "run its course."  it is a commitment between you, your spouse, and God.  And if you do it right, seek help and guidance when things get rough, if you both remain honest and uplifting to one another, if you both repent when needed, and stay worthy of the temple blessings then the course your relationship runs will be an eternal course.  And I think if you love someone enough to marry them, to have children with them, and to want to spend the rest of your life with them, shouldn't you love them enough to want to be with them for eternity too?