I have a friend who spent the first 60 years of his life without a knowledge of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.  That was despite the fact that he was married to a woman who was a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She had distanced herself from the Church.  She was addicted to tobacco, and to complaining about her life, her husband, and every other matter.  Finally she divorced him.

During the turmoil of this difficult time, my friend found the Church.  He embraced it wholeheartedly.  One day he confided to me an incomprehensible blessing that had come into his life.  He said to me, “I’m going to be married.”  I was shocked.  I had no idea that he was even looking for a mate.

He added, “We’re going to be married in the temple.”

“No kidding,” I responded, “and she loves you—and everything?”

“Yes,” he replied.  “I’m astonished!”

That statement and his choice of words have stuck with me for many years.  This good woman saw through his rough exterior and recognized the qualities of the gentle soul within.  She wanted to be sealed to such a soul.

“I’m astonished!” he said.

As I’ve thought about my own marital relationship, I, too, am astonished.  Why any virtuous woman would want to be married to any man is a mystery to me.  To be married to a virtuous woman is an incomprehensible, superlative blessing.

I am grateful for my dear, beautiful, virtuous, long-suffering wife.  Why she married me is a mystery.  I’m trying my best to be worthy of her love.