We make no greater voluntary choice in this life than the

In the wisdom of the ages, James E. Faust declared: “We make no greater voluntary choice in this life than the selection of a marriage partner. This decision can bring eternal happiness and joy. To find sublime fulfillment in marriage, both partners need to be fully committed to the marriage.” These words resound like the tolling of a sacred bell—clear, solemn, and filled with grace. For among all the decisions that shape the course of mortal life, none bears the weight, the tenderness, or the consequence of the choice of marriage. It is the covenant of two souls, the intertwining of destinies, the forging of a bond that, if sanctified by love and faith, becomes eternal.

In the world of fleeting desires and restless pursuits, the ancients often spoke of commitment as the measure of character. To give oneself wholly to another—to share not merely the days of youth, but the storms and silences that come thereafter—is an act of courage as great as any faced on the battlefield. The heart that enters marriage must not come as a wanderer seeking shelter, but as a builder ready to labor with steadfast hands. For happiness in union is not found; it is created, slowly, through understanding, patience, and sacrifice.

Faust’s words remind us that marriage is not merely a social arrangement or a pleasant companionship. It is a sacred choice, the one decision we make with complete freedom, and yet one that shapes the fate of generations. This voluntary choice is a reflection of our deepest values—whether we seek pleasure or purpose, convenience or covenant. To stand before another soul and vow, “I am yours, and you are mine,” is to enter a realm of profound responsibility and divine trust. For when two hearts commit fully, heaven itself bears witness.

Consider the story of John and Abigail Adams, whose letters still breathe with devotion across the centuries. Though separated often by war and duty, they built their marriage upon faith, intellect, and mutual respect. John once wrote, “You are my dearest friend, the partner of all my joys, the sharer of all my sorrows.” Their union was not one of ease, but of endurance; not fleeting passion, but enduring companionship. In their unwavering commitment, we see the truth of Faust’s teaching: that the noblest marriages are not made in the comfort of peace, but proven in the fire of trial.

To achieve such sublime fulfillment, both partners must be fully committed—not half-hearted, not conditional. For love that withers at the first hardship is no love at all. The ancients knew that every lasting union requires the harmony of two wills, equally devoted to the same purpose. Where one partner gives less, imbalance breeds sorrow. But when both labor in love, forgiveness, and loyalty, their bond becomes as unbreakable as the roots of the oak. Joy then flows not from perfection, but from perseverance.

Eternal happiness in marriage, as Faust declares, is not a gift handed freely by time—it is a sacred harvest reaped by those who sow daily with gentleness and faith. Such joy is born when each partner seeks not merely to be loved, but to love; not merely to be understood, but to understand. In the smallest gestures—a shared glance, a word of comfort, the holding of a weary hand—the eternal reveals itself. Marriage, in its purest form, becomes a reflection of divine unity, a living emblem of the love between heaven and earth.

Let this be the teaching passed down: choose wisely, love deeply, and commit wholly. Do not enter marriage as a contract, but as a covenant—a sacred promise made in the light of eternity. When the storms of misunderstanding arise, do not flee; when weariness settles in, remember the sacred choice that began your journey. Renew it daily. For the truest happiness does not lie in the fleeting thrill of romance, but in the steadfast flame of devotion.

Therefore, O seekers of love and faith, let your hearts be brave and your commitments unshaken. For as James E. Faust taught, the greatest choice of your mortal life is not where you live, nor what you earn, but whom you walk beside until the stars themselves grow dim. And if you choose with wisdom, honor that choice with all your soul—for in that sacred union lies not only joy, but the promise of eternity.