Courtship and Marriage
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hands. Such need to study more closely the teachings of the Bible.
In its pages they will find revealed their duty to their parents and to
their brethren in the faith. The fifth commandment reads, “Honor thy
father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which
the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Again we read, “Children, obey your
parents in the Lord: for this is right.” One of the signs that we are living
in the last days is that children are disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy. The word of God abounds in precepts and counsels enjoining
respect for parents. It impresses upon the young the sacred duty of
loving and cherishing those who have guided them through infancy,
childhood, and youth, up to manhood and womanhood, and who are
now in great degree dependent upon them for peace and happiness.
The Bible gives no uncertain sound on this subject; nevertheless, its
teachings have been greatly disregarded.
The young have many lessons to learn, and the most important
one is to learn to know themselves. They should have correct ideas of
their obligations and duties to their parents, and should be constantly
learning in the school of Christ to be meek and lowly of heart. While
they are to love and honor their parents, they are also to respect the
judgment of men of experience with whom they are connected in the
church. A young man who enjoys the society and wins the friend-
ship of a young lady unbeknown to her parents, does not act a noble
Christian part toward her or toward her parents. Through secret com-
munications and meetings he may gain an influence over her mind; but
in so doing he fails to manifest that nobility and integrity of soul which
every child of God will possess. In order to accomplish their ends,
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they act a part that is not frank and open and according to the Bible
standard, and prove themselves untrue to those who love them and try
to be faithful guardians over them. Marriages contracted under such
influences are not according to the word of God. He who would lead a
daughter away from duty, who would confuse her ideas of God’s plain
and positive commands to obey and honor her parents, is not one who
would be true to the marriage obligations.
The question is asked, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse
his way?” and the answer is given, “By taking heed thereto according
to Thy word.” The young man who makes the Bible his guide, need
not mistake the path of duty and of safety. That blessed book will
teach him to preserve his integrity of character, to be truthful, to