I'm married to WHO????

Elder Poulson, in  April 1982 General Conference, tells a sad story about John and Gayle.

"John was a thoughtful, kind young man, affectionate, with a frank and open manner. He sincerely tried to obey the Lord’s commandments and found honest contentment in the joys of family life. Gayle, his wife, was young, attractive, high-spirited, but inclined toward more worldly interests and activities. The society in which they lived was, in general, one of affluence and materialism. People seemed preoccupied with temporal gain, social status, entertainment, and self-gratification. Religious leaders were concerned about the apparent breakdown in family life and moral standards.

In the early years of their marriage, John and Gayle were blessed with children, first a boy and then a girl; but Gayle seemed uninterested in her domestic responsibilities. She longed for glamour and excitement in her life and was frequently away from home at parties and entertainments, not always with her husband. In her vanity, Gayle encouraged and responded to the attentions of other men until eventually she was unfaithful to her marriage vows.

Throughout, John encouraged Gayle to appreciate the joys of family life and experience the rewards of observing the laws of God. He was patient and kind, but to no avail. Shortly after the birth of a third child, a son, Gayle deserted her husband and children and joined her worldly friends in a life of self-indulgence and immorality. John, thus rejected, was humiliated and brokenhearted.

Soon, however, the glamour and excitement that had attracted Gayle turned to ashes. Her so-called friends tired of her and abandoned her. Then each successive step was downward, her life becoming more and more degraded. Eventually she recognized her mistakes and realized what she had lost, but could see no way back. Certainly John could not possibly love her still. She felt completely unworthy of his love and undeserving of her home and family.

Then one day, passing through the streets, John recognized Gayle. Surely he would have been justified in turning away, but he didn’t. As he observed the effect of her recent life, all too evident, a feeling of compassion came over him—a desire to reach out to her. Learning that Gayle had incurred substantial debts, John repaid them and then took her home.

Soon John realized, at first with amazement, that he still loved Gayle. Out of his love for her and her willingness to change and begin anew, there grew in John’s heart a feeling of merciful forgiveness, a desire to help Gayle overcome her past and to accept her again fully as his wife."

Part way through this story, don't you just want to shake Gayle and say, "What are you thinking?  You've got a loving husband and children!  What does the world offer that is more alluring than that?" 

What  do you think about him taking her back and paying her debts?   

This story is basically the story of the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament.  Hosea married Gomer who was unfaithful to him.  They had 3 kids.  She left them for worldly pleasure-seeking.  But Hosea took her back.

Why is this story in the Bible?  Is it a lesson on overcoming infidelity?  It's in the Bible because it is a beautiful allegory about a faithful and loving husband.  The husband is Jesus Christ.  The wife is the Children of Israel.  Ah Ha!  Now this story makes more sense! 

How is the Savior like a husband and we like a wandering wife?  Jesus is the perfect provider and protector.  He continues to love us even when we sin and leave him.  The world tempts us.  It calls to us.  Surely something "out there" must be more exciting than how we see our life.  Jehovah had made a covenant (temple marriage) with the Children of Israel and they broke that covenant. The "wife" just couldn't stay away from false idols and immorality.   The Book of Hosea is actually a very true accounting of the Children of Israel and how the Lord was always willing to take them back.

Have you seen the video on lds.org called, "The Savior Wants to Forgive"?  It is powerful and reinforces how the Lord wants us back, like a husband who loves his wife.  He will never stop loving us.  He is the perfect husband.  How are we doing as a wife?