Bitter or Better? A Valentine’s Day Guide For Single Latter-day Saints.

Being single when Valentine’s day rolls around is hard. During this time of year, the whole world focuses on and judges everyone based on their relationship status. There are many single Latter-day Saints who earnestly seek temple marriage, yet have been unable to find it. They cling to the promises that sooner or later, either in this life, or the next, they will receive the blessings of temple marriage and an eternal family if they remain worthy.

Yet when Valentine’s Day arrives they often fall into the trap of becoming bitter. Valentine’s Day should be a day of charity and love! But almost all the single Latter-day Saints I know hate Valentine’s Day, I used to hate it even. But they don’t need to! Instead of looking for the negative, they can look for the good on Valentine’s Day! Here are 3 ways single Latter-day Saints can learn to love Valentine’s day!

1st. Treat Valentine’s Day Like Christmas.

Often time, one of the reasons Valentine’s Day is so awful is because they become so self-centered on this day. So instead of making Valentine’s Day about you, make it about someone else. Just like Christmas is more enjoyable when your focus is doing good, the same is true on Valentine’s Day! Call your mother or sisters, maybe make some cookies and give them out to the girls in your classes. Offer to babysit someone’s kids for free so they can have a date night! Sending your friends a text message telling them how much you appreciate their friendship. There are so many ways to bring joy into the lives of others and #LIGHTtheWORLD on Valentine’s Day!

“If you really want to receive joy and happiness, then serve others with all your heart.”
Ezra Taft Benson

2nd. Build Eternal Families On Valentine’s Day.

When you are single, Valentine’s Day is often a bitter reminder that you don’t have the family you want. Instead of bemoaning your fate realize you hold the power to give others what you want. Go to the temple and do sealings on Valentine’s Day. As you help others have eternal families surely God will bless you and prepare you for your own! It will also remind you of the blessings you are working towards!

“As we do temple work, we develop a spiritual kinship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that brings us peace, happiness, and eternal joy.”
Franklin D. Richards

3rd. Remember That Being Single Does Not Make You A Second-Class Latter-day Saint!

We live in a church that teaches the exaltation is a family matter, and that marriage is a requirement for exaltation. But there is often an untrue cultural undertone that if you are single then you are a second-class Latter-day Saint. That belief is simply not true.

Being single does not make you less of a child of God! Your Marital Status does not define your value in the Kingdom. There are many import and great things you can contribute as a Child of God as you prepare and live worthy of a Temple Marriage!

“The sacred bonds of Church membership go far beyond marital status, age, or present circumstance. Your individual worth as a [son or] daughter of God transcends all.”
Ezra Taft Benson

Conclusion.

You don’t have to wait to live until you are married, you can do so much right now! We can either focus on what we do not have or on the blessings the Lord has given us. When we realize how richly blessed we are, we will have a desire to give thanks and do good!

“Life does not begin only upon marriage. There are important things for you to do right now.”
Ezra Taft Benson