Josiah Duggar And Marjorie Jackson Breakup; '19 Kids And Counting' Stars To Continue 'Close Friendship'

“19 Kids and Counting” fans were bummed when they learned the cancellation of the show meant they wouldn't get to see Josiah Duggar and Marjorie’s Jackson’s courtship play out on the small screen. And in a sad turn of events, it has even revealed that the courting couple has decided to split.

The Duggar family announced the couple’s split to People Wednesday. “A few weeks ago Marjorie and Josiah agreed to end their courtship,” the family said. According to the Arkansas clan, they ended their romance in order to “keep in step with what they believe the Lord’s will is.”

“Both Josiah and Marjoie have enjoyed getting to know each other and to build their friendship over the past months,” the family added. “We are so grateful that they each are seeking the Lord’s will for their future.”

According to the former TLC stars, Josiah, 18, and Marjorie, 17, will continue to be friends post-split. “Both of thankful for the time getting to know each other and their families continue to enjoy each other’s company and close friendship,” reads the statement.

Josiah first met Marjorie while taking a Spanish lesson at her parents’ home in Arkansas. The two connected months later during a mission trip to El Salvador in December 2014. On April 6, they officially began their courtship. They announced their relationship to “19 Kids and Counting” viewers several days later with a video on TLC.com. Since then, the couple has been accompanied by their families on several outings, including a road trip to Missouri.

The end of Josiah’s courtship comes three weeks after TLC’s announced their decision to end the Duggar family’s docuseries, “19 Kids and Counting.” The network canceled the show after 10 years on-air following a child molestation scandal surrounding one of the show's stars, Josh Duggar.