Spouse and Holy Ghost Are Crucial Companions

Contributed By By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer

  • 17 March 2014

“I believe that if we are both faithful in keeping our sacred covenants as husband and wife, one day we will stand in great awe at the great man or woman our eternal companion really is.” —Larry M. Gibson of the Young Men general presidency

Article Highlights

  • There are two crucial companions in the plan of salvation—a loving spouse and the Holy Ghost.

The companionships of a spouse and of the Holy Ghost are crucial to Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, said Larry M. Gibson, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency. Brother Gibson spoke at the campus devotional at Brigham Young University just prior to President Henry B. Eyring’s announcement of a new university president on March 11 (“BYU Guy” Called to Lead the University as Its New President).

“Heavenly Father believes in you. He has a plan for the salvation of His children and a specific plan just for you,” Brother Gibson declared. He explained that this plan is one designed to bring happiness in this life as well as throughout all eternity and includes the creation of a world on which all would live and eternal marriages would be entered into. He taught also that a fall would allow all to come to earth in mortal families and the Savior would atone for all sin—breaking the bands of death—allowing all to become immortal and partake in the gift of repentance. Through the miracle of the Resurrection, Brother Gibson explained, all are given the opportunity to return, with their families, to their heavenly parents and enjoy exaltation and eternal life.

Crucial to that plan are two companions—one being the eternal companionship of a loving spouse and the other being the divine companionship of the Holy Ghost—that will help in fulfilling one’s eternal destiny, Brother Gibson taught.

“Family life with husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, is preparing us for eternal life. … Heavenly Father’s desire is that His children return prepared to be exalted and eternal,” Brother Gibson taught.

Larry M. Gibson, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, spoke at a BYU devotional on March 11.

Brother Gibson spoke of meeting his wife while attending BYU and the importance her companionship has been throughout his life.

“I believe that if we are both faithful in keeping our sacred covenants as husband and wife, one day we will stand in great awe at the great man or woman our eternal companion really is,” he said.

Quoting Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who spoke of the pattern of oneness and unity between husband and wife, Brother Gibson said: “The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness. … The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen and bless each other” (“Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign, June 2006, 83–84).

“We cannot accomplish this work—which is ultimately God’s work—without revelation from Him to us individually and as companions in marriage.”

The Holy Ghost is another companion that Heavenly Father has provided for His children, Brother Gibson said, adding there is no greater gift or blessing than to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

“We must learn to retain the Holy Ghost, rely on Him, and appropriately respond to His promptings,” Brother Gibson said, explaining that, as they are worthy vessels, individuals are able to rely on and live with the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

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