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Marriage was Invented by God

REV. MARJORY MACLEAN

These statements slot in among the more traditional words of the three Orders for Marriage in Common Order, pages 195–224.¹

 Marriage was invented by God so that people could be friends in the most profound of ways, and make the world a more noble place by their example.

 Marriage was invented by God so that people could be lovers and teach the world lessons of tenderness that this tired earth desperately needs to learn.

 Marriage was invented by God so that people could become families . . . and perhaps one day share their lives with children . . . on loan from heaven.

or, where it is not appropriate to anticipate the birth of children, and if either party has children already,

 Marriage was invented by God as a basis for family life, sometimes for very young new families but just as importantly as a place of welcome and refuge for families that already exist.