8/3/2012

1
Strengthening Marriage
Session One: Applying Gospel
Principles
Why this class?
The family is falling apart all over the world. The old ties
that bound together father and mother and children are
breaking everywhere...Hearts are broken; children weep.
Can we not do better? Of course we can.
President Hinckley, Look to the Future, October General
Conference1997.
It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and
repent.
President Benson, The Law of Chastity, BYU Devotional 1987.
Research and experience tell me
Divorce (In the World)
50%
67%
74%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Lifetime Divorce Rate
Some Good News
While every young man and young woman will seek
with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with
whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it
is certain that almost any good man and any good
woman can have happiness and a successful marriage
if both are willing to pay the price.
President Kimball, Marriage and Divorce.
What is that price?
Research and experience tell me
Divorce (Church)
16%
26%
35%
50%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Lifetime Divorce Rate
LDS (Temple+Active)
LDS (Temple)
LDS (Non-Temple)
World
Learning Activity 1
All couples will experience challenges in
marriage, write down the top two challenges
you face in your marriage.
Write down your thoughts about how gospel
principles can help resolve those challenges.
8/3/2012
2
Gospel Principles
Perspective is
EVERYTHING!
Ether 12:27-28
President Kimball: If
we look at mortality as
a complete existence,
then pain, sorrow,
failure, and short life
could be a calamity
Commitment and Covenants
Most couples regret divorce.
Covenants:
Increase motivation
Guide behavior
Bless couples
Help save children
President Hinckley: We do not look down upon
you as failures because a marriage failedThe
Lord will not deny you nor turn you away.
Mosiah 18:9 A marriage covenant!
Improve One Day at a Time
D word
Nicoles Assessment
No comparisons
Learning Activity 2
Look at the list of covenants made in the
Church, discuss with your partner how these
have influenced your marriage.
What are some things each of you could do to
strengthen and keep those covenants?
Prepare to share your ideas with the group.
Joy of Eternal Families
We grow faster and better in a relationship
with someone else.
President Kimball: Marriage can be more an
exultant ecstasy than the human mind can
conceive. This is within the reach of every
couple, every person.
Movie