My father's life was it's own "made for T.V. movie". 

I did not find out about my father's first family, until the summer before my freshman year in  high school. He left a wife his four children behind. 

When Facebook became big, my eldest sister contacted us and over the years we have started to build relationships with our siblings. 

Divorce is hard. it leaves behind hurt and very difficult burdens.

What meaning does marriage have for you? What does it represent?

I remember reading years ago a quote by Hugh B. Brown, “Marriage is and should be a sacrament.” I remember really thinking about that. He continued saying,” It is a pledge, or solemn covenant, a spiritual sign or bond between the contracting parties themselves and between them and God.” That has always been in my thoughts through my 25 years of marriage. We attend Church to participate in the Sacrament each week. So if we think of the importance of that ordinance and how Elder Brown taught we should think of it, we should show a greater respect and reverence for it.

What meaning does marriage have within your family?

We’ve really had some deep discussions about that, especially over the oast 10-15 years. My father was married before with 4 children and we weren’t told about it until we were in our teens and then it was never spoken about again. My dad died when I was 19. When FB was in it’s first few years, our oldest half-sister reached out to us and eventually we met and we’ve gotten to know our siblings and really love each other. I don’t know how my father’s actions will be worked out in the next life, but I know that there should have been a better respect and reverence for the first marriage.

In what way has your family influenced your views about marriage?

Because of this, when I was in college back in the 80’s. I took preparation for Eternal Marriage and other courses like that, so that I could be as prepared as possible for marriage. I continue to educate myself on the subject, so that I was more prepared. I waited to get married (for Utah standards). I took it very seriously and I got married at 27. I had served a mission at 21, so I felt I had a better understanding of what I wanted in a marriage and spouse.

How do you think your views about marriage will affect your own marriage?

I think my husband and I both have a great respect for our parents. All of our parents are converts to the Church. We feel they were definitely more successful and more focused on Eternal Marriage and Eternal Families once they joined the Church and understood the Gospel. We have made sure that we remained focused on The Family Proclamation and other gospel teachings regarding families and that we set high expectations. We try our best to live the commandments and to serve others, because we have seen the blessings that come to our family. I have always loved when the Book of Mormon told about how the people would “prosper in the land” if they followed the Lord and kept the commandments. I have seen that come true in my family.