followers of my faith [Mormon Monday 94]

Today is National DNA Day! I love DNA. It's so cool. And mentioning the fact in front of my entire department today made me feel...so special.

I have used this picture before. It's my favorite DNA picture.

It may have seemed like I was bringing it up out of nowhere, but my train of thought was actually pretty easy to follow! The question that prompted me gushing about DNA was, "What does complement mean?"

Complementary bases are like the coolest part about DNA. I mean, beyond everything else cool about DNA. The bases complement each other because they fit together despite being different. When the A and the T  and the G and the C are lined up right, they bring the strands together into a complete DNA...strand.

Every once in a while I go through a phase where marriage talk is everywhere, and this past week or so has been one of those times. I've been listening to Presidents Ucthdorf and Eyring's talks from this past Priesthood session. It got mentioned a couple of times at stake conference (but only as often as it probably would've gotten mentioned in a family stake). And then we had that lesson on it at work today!

Oh, and also it was my parents' 30th wedding anniversary.

One great thing about marriage is the way you complement each other. I think of my parents and other married couples I have in my life. They're not the same; in fact they're quite different people. But working together they're stronger.

Oh wait. That's a quote. Here.

We know from the scriptures that “it is not good that … man should be alone.” That is why our Heavenly Father made “an help meet for him.” The phrase help meet means “a helper suited to, worthy of, or corresponding to him.” For example, our two hands are similar to each other but not exactly the same. In fact, they are exact opposites, but they complement each other and are suited to each other. Working together, they are stronger. (x)

Naturally you might expect that all this marriage talk has been causing me to ponder what I'm looking for in a marriage partner and also what I can do to become a better marriage prospect, and you're not wrong. Those thoughts have crossed my mind.

But also, my testimony of the institution of marriage has strengthened. I know that it's ordained of God and only by entering into and faithfully keeping the covenant of celestial marriage can a man and woman fulfill their divine, eternal potential (x).

And just like DNA is ligated together and becomes the source of life, a man and a woman can be ligated by the marriage covenant to create even more abundant lives for themselves and for their children. That's great. It's a great thought to have.