I wish I had told the story of my friend, Rebekah.
You see, Rebekah lived in a town where there weren't many members of her faith. Except her cousins, but who wants to date your cousin? She was a hard worker, and very beautiful. She longed for the day when she would find a man of her dreams. But who would that be?
One day an older man came to her village. He was on a special errand. He was to find a wife for his master, Isaac. He offered a heartfelt, specific prayer that he would find her. He even described to the Lord what he would look for, knowing that when he saw her, it would be right. He asked that this girl, upon meeting him, would give him a drink of water. Not only him, but all of his camels, too. (A girl who fetches water for camels is awesome, because camels drink a lot, and water is not light!)
As he was saying this prayer in his heart, before he had even finished, Rebekah came with a pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the well and filled her pitcher. When she came back, he asked if he might have a little to drink. When Rebekah heard this request, she quickly set down her pitcher that he might drink. And THEN she offered to fetch water for his camels! (Remember, hard worker?) She quickly did all this, running between camels and well, and the servant, Eleazar, had the feeling that his prayer was being answered. He placed some beautiful jewelry (heavy gold) on her wrists. He asked the girl whose family she belonged to. When she explained, he knew that she was of the household of faith, and that this was the girl! He asked if her family might have room for his group to stay the night at their home. She responded that there was plenty of room for them and their animals.
She ran home to tell her family what had just happened, and to prepare for this kind servant. She showed them the jewelry he gave her (this is probably the first thing she did!).
Eleazar came and settled into their home. That night, he explained the miraculous events which had occurred that day. I like a phrase he uses in telling the story: "and I, being in the way," (...found this girl).
He was in the right place at the right time. He was prepared to receive an answer to his prayer because of the kind of life he had been living up to that point.
Anyway he tells his story, and the family agrees that it must be meant to be. THEN, he explains that he will be going back to his home in the morning, and he would like to take Rebekah with him.
WHAT? You haven't known this girl for even a day, and you want to take her tomorrow? The family has concerns, of course, that she will be far away and that they won't see her very often, if ever. They ask if she can just stay for 10 days or so, to prepare to be married and to move from her family. Eleazar explains that he must get back to report to his master.
Then is time for Rebekah to decide. Will she go with this man? Tomorrow? Her response will change the lives of millions of people, for she would become mother to them. She must have felt the Spirit encouraging her, because she gave the faithful answer:
"I will go".
She left her home and all she knew to follow a man she just met the day before, to marry a boy she had never met.
But when she sees Isaac, it is all over. Or should I say it all began.
I am grateful to Rebekah. She had her sights set on an eternal marriage and nothing less.
Marriage in the Temple is different from marriage in the world. You are blessed and sealed together for not only this life, but for eternity. I am grateful for the sealing priesthood power which has given strength to my marriage. I know this power is real, and I am grateful my husband and I were able to be married in this beautiful temple:
Manti, Utah 