Men and Women Need Each Other

Elder Bednar teaches two very important concepts in his talk "Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan". The first is that men and women were not intended to be alone, but together in marriage. The second is that men and women complete each other and both bring something into an eternal marriage that will help them achieve celestial glory. 

I love the first point because it brings me comfort. Heavenly Father did not intend for us to be alone, he wants us to be in eternal marriages. In fact, it is a commandment to be married in the temple. Without this crucial covenant, we cannot achieve exaltation. There are, of course, those who will not have the blessing of eternal marriage in this life. I know many such people. I have an Aunt who is fifty years old and has never been married. My family tends to pity her because of her marital status. I used to shudder at the thought of being like her. I feared being alone for the rest of my life, feeling like my personal success in life was dependent on whether or not I married. Now I know better. I know that even if I don't get married in this life, I can and will in the next.

Heavenly Father's intention is not for us to be alone forever, and His plan is perfect. If we do not get married in this life, we have the opportunity to marry in the next. This concept fits so perfectly with the idea of a loving Heavenly Father who cares for His children and wants them to return to them. Of course, he would provide another way if they could not achieve all that they hoped they would in this life. This knowledge brings me such peace, knowing that no matter what happens my Heavenly Father will always take care of me. 

The second point I really liked from Elder Bednar's talk was the fact that men and women complete each other. The traits of women are divinely different from men, and vice versa. I love this idea, because as romanticized as it may seem, it is also very true. Men and women are different and intended to be so. Each has traits that the other needs. They are like puzzle pieces that, when matched up, help complete the puzzle and everything makes sense.