This past week for a class, I read a
parable given by Elder Boyd K. Packer, and I thought it was a really
interesting parable and really helped me cherish my spouse. The parable
is from his talk titled For Time and All Eternity and was
given in the October of 1993 General Conference.
"Once a man received as his
inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he
must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which
contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the
precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek
to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure
worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity.
He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy
would increase.
The man went alone to the vault. His
first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key,
but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not
open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had
been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed
instructions, but he could not open the safe.
In due time, there came a woman into
the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he
held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not
obtain his rightful inheritance without her.
They made a covenant that together
they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault
and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that,
as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see
that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them
both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They
rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself."[1]
The parable continues and explains
how we can pass the treasure on to our children and how we can teach them about
the keys and covenants that help us receive our inheritance. I felt that
the first half of the parable applied better to the topic of cherishing our
spouse. Just like the man and the woman who were able to receive their
inheritance by not withholding anything from the other, if we cherish our
spouse and do all that we can to make sure that we are fulfilling our
covenants, we will be able to be blessed with the joy that only comes from
being faithful and loyal to our spouse and eternal joy after this life in the
Celestial Kingdom.
There are lots of ways that we can cherish
our spouse. My wife and I always strive to show our gratitude for each
other, and as we both work to make life easier for each other by helping each
other do chores, prepare dinner, or whatever it may be, our marriage is
strengthened through the love we show for each other. It isn't always
perfect but the amount of love and support we show for each other helps us
overcome any obstacles we face.
In closing, I encourage you all to
continue reading the parable of the keys by Elder Packer. As we do our
part to be a covenant-keeping and faithful spouse, we will grow to cherish our
spouse.
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