The Big Bad Wolf x3

The BIG BAD WOLF x3

We all know the story of the BIG BAD WOLF, and his relentless efforts to destroy the lil’ piggy’s! His salacious appetite led him on a journey from one pig’s home to the next, imploring, please, let me in! It truly did not matter to the wolf just how strong the physical structure protecting the piggy was, he just needed in, to eat them up! As I think about this little fairytale from every childhood past, I am amazed at the plethora of lessons available. I never gave much thought to the multiple moral applications this story contained. But today, I find MANY! I want to share one profound analogy that I have drawn, and relate it to how it applies to our lives today.

First, I want to share some insights from an article I read earlier today; Covenant Marriage by Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy. 

You can read the article here

file:///Users/phillipguthrie/Downloads/faml300_document_covenantMarriageHafen.pdf

In this rather insightful message regarding marriage and the covenant path, Elder Hafen says the following,

“Marriage is by nature a covenant, not just a private contract one may cancel at will. Jesus taught about contractual attitudes when he described the “hireling,” who performs his conditional promise of care only when he receives something in return. When the hireling “seeth the wolf coming,” he “leaveth the sheep, and fleeth … because he … careth not for the sheep.” By contrast, the Savior said, “I am the good shepherd, … and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 2 Many people today marry as hirelings. And when the wolf comes, they flee. This idea is wrong. It curses the earth, turning parents’ hearts away from their children and from each other”

“And when the wolf comes, they flee.” I love this! Think about that for a minute. If Marriage is the topic, and the scriptural analogy he shares is about the hired hand, who should be protecting “sheep,” but is not truly invested in the sheep’s welfare. His investment is $$$. So, when presented with a “wolf” he flees! What is the wolf? It must be pretty bad, if the hired hand is not even willing to suffer it out! AND, I might add, that would have to be one determined WOLF to drive away a hired hand who will now, not be paid.

Elder Hafen lays out the WOLF/s for us in his article. He says there are actually three wolves to be aware of.

“Every marriage is tested repeatedly by three kinds of wolves.”

Wolf Number 1 – "Natural Adversity" 

Well, this is an easy one to predict. We all know natural adversity lies just around EVERY CORNER! And, when we say our I Do’s we all assume the same–we can love through any trial. Yup, and that we are also immune to all SERIOUSLY HARD trials. You know it is true! We enter marriage with our blissfully pink glasses, where our unique love outweighs everything. Your love is stronger than any trial, and deeper than any love ever known to man! Trial-shmial! You got this. And then, BOOM! TRIAL!!! Now imagine, your prince charming doesn’t know the difference between appropriate sarcasm, and inappropriate sarcasm! Annoying right? And this–leads us into wolf number three.

Wolf Number 2 – “…the wolf of their own Imperfections” 

He chews with his mouth open. She snores when she sleeps. He spends too much money. She hides the money she spends. His jokes aren’t funny anymore. Her nagging is wearing. He spends more time away from home. She turns a cold shoulder. …you get the idea. It is amazing just how quickly the once adorable wolf of imperfections can quickly lead to a gnarly, nasty, stinky, intrusive and destructive deal-breaker!

Wolf Number 3 – Excessive Individualism. 

Hafen explains this so well:

“Surely marriage partners must respect one another’s individual identity, and family members are neither slaves nor inanimate objects” He continues by expressing a fear that is shared by many in today’s society, “ …that the bonds of kinship and marriage are not valuable ties that bind, but are, instead, sheer bondage. Ours is the age of the waning of belonging. The adversary has long cultivated this overemphasis on personal autonomy, and now he feverishly exploits it. Our deepest God-given instinct is to run to the arms of those who need us and sustain us. But he drives us away from each other today with wedges of distrust and suspicion. He exaggerates the need for having space, getting out, and being left alone. Some people believe him—and then they wonder why they feel left alone.”

BOOM! No wonder divorce is on the rise. 

With three big bad wolves attacking our sanctuary of matrimony–on a daily basis!!! We cannot afford to turn away from the truths we know. We need to be building the brick house of Christ, to secure our marriages, our children, and our loved ones from the relentless wolves. 

I love the profound words of Elder Hafen, that fit the description of so many marital relationships of today. It is certainly prophetic on multiple levels. Elder Hafen spoke these words in 1996, when we felt as though marriage was already under attack, but that the big bad wolf would probably never attack our strong, well built, brick homes. 23 years later, we all know that is not the case! We need the Savior in our lives more now than ever. 

And now, this is where my analogy comes in. 

The wolf wanted the piggy to eat… total annihilation of the life of a pig! How will he get to him? He will attack the “home.” He knows if he tears down the structure of the home, the pig will be available for easy consumption. Attack the home, eat the pig! I believe this is the motto of the THREE BAD WOLVES, as outlined by Elder Hafen. We need to know the wolf, fortify our homes, and recommit to being that spouse! You know, the spouse that is not just for hire, but is actually in it for the welfare of the individuals.

*might I add, in the fairytale, it is in the brick house that the family is TOGETHER. YUP, TOGETHER and safe from the outside attacks raging against them. 

“May we restore the concept of marriage as a covenant, even the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. 14 And when the wolf comes, may we be as shepherds, not hirelings, willing to lay down our lives, a day at a time, for the sheep of our covenant. Then, like Adam and Eve, we will have joy”

WHY MARRIAGE?

So – Why Marriage? Well, statistically speaking there is surmounting evidence that marriage is the core footing of any society. It lays the foundation for successful families. It promotes selflessness and compassion. Married folk can plan on a longer life expectancy. It is good for the economy. Children with married parents generally perform better in school. Married couples tend to live healthier lifestyles, and crime is less likely to happen among married men. Don’t believe me? Check it out.

 http://marripedia.org/effects_of_marriage_on_society (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 

Most if not all of these reports are dating up to 2006. Statistics continue to pour in supporting these claims year after year. Non-traditional unions (single-parent homes, co-parenting, cohabitation, etc.) do not have the same results. The mental health industry is booming with an influx in younger and younger cliental, with the majority coming from a non-traditional home. With these things to consider, it is kind of safe to say that odds are in your favor if you choose traditional marriage as your lifestyle.

Ok, so what’s the big deal? So many have argued as of late the importance of this age-old institution called marriage, and with the obvious reason. Divorce is on the rise. Broken family is a NORM. Married people argue and fight all the time. Children are difficult (trust me on this one). The definition of marriage is shifting drastically. And now, gender or sex is no longer a real concern when creating this once outlined union between a man and a woman. So, why get married?

YES, I know, this is a risky (possibly socially suicidal) topic. So, let me start with this; 

I AM IN NO WAY AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL OR UNION OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WISH TO PURSUE THEIR LIFE DREAMS, GOALS, OR AMBITIONS SO LONG AS IT IS NOT AT THE HARM OF THEMSELVES, OR OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL/S. 

There, I will leave this in all caps, not because I am yelling it (I might be), but for the ease of the reader who may interpret my words as being harmful, bigoted, or even just distasteful. This will make it easy for you to reference later if need be.

In the most recent years, we have witnessed a heated debate happening in our society regarding the importance of protecting this age-defying union between a man and a woman. Why would we need to “protect” something that is so obviously important to society's fabric? Well, for several reasons. But, for purposes of this blog and due to time, let's just focus in on the recent act of redefining marriage. In 2015, the debate happening among American citizens regarding same-sex marriage was taken off the streets, and placed in the hands of our very own Supreme Court. 5 appointed (important fact here) judges decided to sidestep what we call Due Process and make law ...by redefining a law ...in their favor.  

Read about Obergefell v. Hodges here. 

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.Pdf

Regardless of your stance on marriage, this ruling should be alarming to you. IT IS TO ME. If it isn’t, then perhaps you did not pay attention to the how and focused more on the what.  I can see the joy of getting something you are in favor of. For example, I like nice cars, but I don’t want one if it is stolen. That would be careless and risky, not to mention illegal. Justice Kennedy said these words in response to the ruling; 

"Most Americans—understandably—will cheer or lament today's decision because of their views on the issue of same-sex marriage. But all Americans, whatever they're thinking on that issue, should worry about what the majority's claim of power portends."

Essentially, what we have here is the overreach of our own federal government, done by the office and title of the Supreme Court.

Remember this guy from School House Rocks? The “Bill” has a due process, and it is not by heading straight to the Supreme Court House and asking for a pass. The supreme court was not appointed (there is that important word again) to make laws. In fact, NOBODY in our country is appointed to make laws. Lawmakers are voted in by the citizens. Now, I know, you may argue that the Honorable Judges were defining a constitutional right and that what they did was protect equal rights for everyone in this country. That sounds like a fair argument, but it is weak in merit. Listen to what the honorable Justice Thomas had to say: 

“liberty has long been understood as individual freedom from governmental action, not as a right to a particular governmental entitlement" 

Perhaps the overlooked-crime actually began when the federal government started making marriage a federal concern? –Just a thought, but not the topic of today, so moving on.

The Due Right Process is something that every citizen, was robbed of on that fateful day, regardless of their personal stance on marriage.

Ponder on this statement made by the dissenting Justice Thomas:

"liberty has long been understood as individual freedom from governmental action, not as a right to a particular governmental entitlement" 

Justice Thomas continues to express his concerns about the threat of undermining the process of religious liberty. He profoundly describes the inability of the government to bestow dignity. It is not something that can be given or taken away. Rather, dignity is a natural right that is innate within every human being. Not even slavery or internment camps can take that away!

Although I have a list of reasons as to why I wish to defend traditional marriage, today in this post I feel most concerned about the protection of Due Process, and how it has taken something that is found sacred to so many and redefined it on the premises of "equal rights." This is reason enough for me to also feel concern for my religious freedoms, and how they too have come under evaluation by such rulings. 

You may find this interesting, if you are of the traditional Christian faith, and would wish to listen to additional religious insights on this topic. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7V1dbIN4ps