The Blessing of Differences

For years I have been saying that when I die, the first thing I am going to ask Heavenly Father is “Why did you make men and women so different?”  This is something I have pondered about for quite some time now.  If marriage and family are the most important relationships, why would he make males and females so fundamentally different from each other?  Wouldn’t it be easier if we were more similar?  Wouldn’t there be more peace and less divorce?  This week I may have come across a small part of the answer to these questions.  If we look at the scripture- Alma 34:32 For behold this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.  This tells us that we must be challenged and that the way will not always be made easy for us.  I cannot think of a way to become more like God, and be prepared to meet him, then to strip ourselves of pride. Marriage is the breeding ground for pride.  It is also the perfect school to learn how to eliminate these feelings, an almost daily challenge to be less prideful.  These three quotes from President Ezra Taft Benson would help all of us to master this sin and heal bad habits so many couples have, and be more prepared to meet God:

*Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts. The scriptures tell us that “only by pride cometh contention.” (Prov. 13:10; see also Prov. 28:25.)

*The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges. (See 1 Ne. 16:1–3.) They withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings.

*The proud do not receive counsel or correction easily. (See Prov. 15:10; Amos 5:10.) Defensiveness is used by them to justify and rationalize their frailties and failures. (See Matt. 3:9; John 6:30–59.)

This week I have realized that instead of questioning Heavenly Father about the challenges of marriage and overcoming differences, I should thank him for the opportunity to grow, and master this human weakness.  And, of course, show my deepest gratitude for the savior and his atonement which provides me the opportunity to repent when I so often fall prey to this dangerous sin.