MARRIAGE

CAPSTONE: I loved being able to look up quotes about marriage.  I know that I love my husband with all my heart, but sometimes I don’t show it enough or even question its strength.  These quotes reminded me that all marriages get “rusty” but it’s up to me to clean them up and make them shine again.  I need to share my gratitude, tell him, “I love you” more often and show it.  Last night for dinner, I made the potatoes he likes and I hate, because I love him.  Those are the baby steps that will make our marriage better and hopefully he’ll realize my efforts.  I also need to put him first, rather than our kids.  When they were younger this was really hard, because they demanded so much of my time and attention and he noticed it and when we talked about it, I wrongly told him that I just didn’t have the time to give myself to 3 young kids plus him.  It hurt our relationship, but I’m happy to say that the kids have grown, and I’m able to spend that much needed relationship nurturing time with him.  I hope to continue to show my love to him by having daily talks, weekly dates, and positive reinforcement. -becki johnson

1.        “To avoid so-called “incompatibility,” they should be best friends, kind and considerate, sensitive to each other’s needs, always seeking to make each other happy.”

-Dallin H. Oaks, “Divorce,” April 2007 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/divorce?lang=eng

2.        “Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful. Don’t withhold those natural expressions of love. And it works a lot better if you are holding her close while you tell her.”

-Richard G. Scott, “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage,” April 2011 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng

3.        “Marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other human relationship. Yet some married couples fall short of their full potential. They let their romance become rusty, take each other for granted, allow other interests or clouds of neglect to obscure the vision of what their marriage really could be. Marriages would be happier if nurtured more carefully.”

-Russell M. Nelson, “Nurturing Marriage,” April 2006 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/nurturing-marriage?lang=eng

4.        “We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.”

-David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned At Home,” October 2009 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/more-diligent-and-concerned-at-home?lang=eng

5.        “Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come.”

-Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” October 2008 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/celestial-marriage?lang=eng

6.        “One of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother.”

-Howard W. Hunter, “Being A Righteous Husband and Father,” October 1994 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/being-a-righteous-husband-and-father?lang=eng

7.        “One of the first things a couple must do is establish and maintain good relations with each other. If you want to be sweethearts, you must work at it. I admonish every one of you to do everything possible to make your companion happy. Be kind and considerate of each other. When problems arise, talk things over calmly and resolve differences promptly.”

-0. Leslie Stone, “Making Your Marriage Successful,” April 1978 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/04/making-your-marriage-successful?lang=eng

8.        “In marriage all of the worthy yearnings of the human soul, all that is physical and emotional and spiritual, can be fulfilled.”

-Boyd K. Packer, “Marriage,” April 1981 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/marriage?lang=eng

9.        “Marriage first and then family. Too many in the world have forgotten this natural order of things and think they can change it or even reverse it. Remove any of your fear with faith. Trust the power of God to guide you.”

-M. Russell Ballard, “That The Lost May Be Found,” April 2012 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/that-the-lost-may-be-found?lang=eng

10.    “The sacred bonds of marriage invite unity, fidelity, respect, and mutual support.”

-L. Tom Perry, “An Elect Lady,” April 1995 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/an-elect-lady?lang=eng