Just wasn't meant to be. Josiah Duggar and his girlfriend, Marjorie Jackson, have ended their courtship after four months. His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, confirmed the split on the family's official Facebook account on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
"Many of you have asked us about Josiah and Marjorie. Both Josiah and Marjorie have enjoyed getting to know each other and to build their friendship over the past months. We are so grateful that they each are seeking the Lord’s will for their future," the former 19 Kids and Counting stars wrote.
"A few weeks ago Marjorie and Josiah agreed to end their courtship, keeping in step with what they believe the Lord’s will is. Both are thankful for the time getting to know each other, and their families continue to enjoy each other’s company and close friendship," the statement continued. "As parents we are very pleased to see two young people searching out their futures with God's will as their first priority!"
Josiah, 18, and Jackson first announced their relationship in a TLC YouTube clip back in April. “Hey guys, my name’s Marjorie Jackson, and I have some Duggar insider news for you!” Jackson said in the video. “I bet y’all are wondering: What is it? You guessed it, it’s a courtship!”
The video also showed Josiah getting some dating tips from his older brother Josh Duggar, who found himself in the center of a child molestation scandal just one month later. As a result of the allegations against him, the family's series, 19 Kids and Counting, was canceled by TLC.
In the clip, Josh discussed the family's conservative views of dating, noting that he and his wife, Anna — who just welcomed the couple's fourth child last month — kept their distance during their courtship. (Among the Duggar household rules is one that prohibits hand-holding before a couple is engaged. Sister Jill Duggar, for instance, kissed husband Derick Dillard for the first time at their wedding!)
"You get to see a lot of us go through different relationships, all different walks of life," Josh told Josiah in April. "Each person has a different structure. Obviously I had all my good looks on my side." He joked: "Not sure what you have!"
