1. Genesis 23-24

2. A young man and young woman are in love…
What important choices does this couple need to make if they want to build a relationship that will last?

3. A couple in love can choose a marriage of the highest quality or a lesser type that will not endure. Or they can choose neither….

4. The best choice is a celestial marriage
In eternal marriages, righteous couples are sealed forever by the power of the priesthood and the family unit continues eternally.
We will be learning some principles today that can guide you in your efforts to one day obtain the blessings of eternal marriage.

5. Abraham and Sarah entered into a covenant with God, and this covenant allowed them to have an eternal marriage. They have been through a lot in their long marriage. Finally having a son who they both loved very much
Sarah died and Abraham mourned for her and arranged for her body to be buried…Since they had an eternal marriage they are together again now.
Abraham and Sarah

6. Lessons from Genesis 24

7. Genesis 24:1-3
Genesis 24: This chapter contains one of the greatest love stories of all time. It is tender and sweet. It is the story of finding a wife for Isaac.
By now Isaac is nearing 40. And like all parents, Abraham wants Isaac to marry in the covenant. Isaac is living among the Canaanite people, and the Canaanites are not the of the House of Israel… so they are not members of the Church.
Abraham had an inspired solution to this concern….
Genesis 24:1-3
1- And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things
2- And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had (in other words, his chief steward or foreman) Put I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh (JST changes it to hand)
This is a token of making a covenant… which was a custom in Abraham’s day for making serious problems
3- And I will make thee swear (promise, covenant) by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth,that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.
Because the Canaanites die not believe in the Lord, no Canaanite woman would have been prepared to receive the responsibility and blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant and eternal marriage. The decision Isaac faced concerning whether or not to marry in the covenant is just like our choice today of whether to receive the marriage sealing ordinance in the temple

8. Group instructions: Read scripture block and either draw or write out the answer… well enough that we can understand the story from the beginning…. I have done the first one.

9. Marriage begins with right dating
President Kimball.
Clearly marriage begins with right dating. A person generally marries someone from among those with whom he associates, with whom he goes to church, with whom he socializes. Therefore, this warning comes with great emphasis. Do not take the chance of dating nonmembers who are untrained and faithless

10. Marry the right person in the right place at the right time
President Hinckley…
There is no substitute for marrying in the temple. It is the only place under the heavens where marriage can b solemnized for eternity. Dont cheat yourself/ Dont sorthchange your lives.
MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT TIME IN THE RIGHT PLACE
There is no substitute for marrying in the temple.
It is they only place under the heavens where marriage can be solemnized for eternity.
Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t shortchange your lives.
Marry the right person in the right place at the right time

11. If you hope to have an eternal companion who has certain spiritual qualities, then YOU must strive to develop those spiritual qualities in yourself. Then someone who has those qualities will be attracted to you
Elder Bednar said…
If you hope to have an eternal companion who has certain spiritual qualities, then YOU must strive to develop those spiritual qualities in yourself. Then someone who has those qualities will be attracted to you