When I was sitting in the temple, trying to figure out if I should marry my now husband, I was taken aback by the answer I felt come to me.
That God approved. But there were a lot more people out there that He would approve of as well. And it all came down to me and my desires and if I thought I would keep my covenants with this man.
I left the temple and did a study on desire. I quickly came to D&C 7.
Christ asked what these men desired.
John wanted power over death.
Peter desired that he would speedily return to Christ.
Two drastically different paths.
And yet, they were both good.
And God consecrated both, saying, “Ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.”
God respects our desires—because our desires are an extension of our agency.
He is not a chess player moving pieces on the board. That was Satan’s plan.
That doesn’t mean God won’t tell you if your desires directly contradict His. He told Joseph Smith it was not a good idea to allow Martin Harris to take the manuscript. But ultimately, He allowed Joseph to do according to his desires. Then, rebuked him and provided a way to realign desires.
“God is not interested in His children just becoming trained and obedient “pets” who will not chew on His slippers in the celestial living room. No, God wants His children to grow up spiritually and join him in the family business.” (Elder Renlund)
And although I was at first disappointed with God’s answer to me that day at the temple, I now couldn’t be more grateful for Him letting me decide.
I didn’t marry my husband just because God told me to, I also did it because I desired it. I’m not a chess piece being played, I have an active part in my marriage’s success.
I fought hard to keep this agency in the pre-earth life. I shouldn’t want to give it up now.
God wants us to be constantly evaluating our desires and seeing the consequences for them…because on judgement day, our desires are exactly what He will be looking at.
Because ultimately, what He wants us to desire is Him.
“Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions.”
DALLIN H. OAKS
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