1/5/2013

1
Session 6: Enriching Marriage

The natural man is an enemy to
God
Mosiah 3:19
At its start (Minnesota) the river flows
about 1.2 miles per hour.
Toward its end (Louisiana) the river
flows about 3 miles per hour.

Marriage is Un-Natural

Quickly recall your dating and engagement years.
What do you remember?
When would you say you started courtship?
a) When you decided to get married.
b) When you were officially engaged.
c) Shortly after dating exclusively.
The Courting Years

Many people have permitted their marriage to
grow stale and weak and cheap These people will
do well to reevaluate, to renew their courting, to
express their affection, to acknowledge kindnesses,
and to increase their consideration so their marriage
can again become beautiful, sweet and growing.
President Spencer W. Kimball, Marriage and Divorce,
1976.
Courtship Continued

What are some benefits that result in enriching your
marital relationship?

With your partner, list some LITTLE things each of
you can do for and/or with each other to
demonstrate affection, appreciation, kindness,
concern and caring for your relationship.
Commit to do at least one of these things for your
partner within the next week.
Learning Activity 1

The Divine Triangle

What are some ways to ensure the
Gospel is the center of your marriage?
Center your Marriage in
the Gospel
God
H W
1/5/2013
2

Together with [your family], determine how much
time you will spend with them and when. And then
stick to it. Try not to let anything interfere. Consider
it sacred. Consider it binding. Consider it an earned
time of enjoyment.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, June 2003 Worldwide
Leadership Training Meeting.
You may even need to reduce the amount of time
spent serving others
Prioritizing Your
Marriage

Your
Priorities
Your
Spouses
Priorities
Learning Activity 2



A. Achieving Employment Goals
B. Magnifying a Church Calling
C. Providing Community Service
D. Developing a Greater Relationship with God and Christ
E. Achieving Success in Marriage
F. Having a Good Relationship with Children
G. Developing Talents

What do you consider to be a date?
What Fun do you currently have with your
partner?
What is Fun to you?
To your partner?
Homework Assignment:
Together make as long a list as you can of fun
activities you each like to do, commit to do at least one
of those things per week.
Have FUN!

Some couples seem not to listen to one another.
Taking time to talk is essential to keep lines of
communication intact. If marriage is a prime
relationship in life, it deserves prime time! Yet less
important appointments are often given priority,
leaving only leftover moments for listening to
precious partners.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Conference Report, October
1977.
Talk Positively and
Often

Take time to perform acts of kindness toward your
partner.
Acts of Kindness could include:
Doing the dishes
Cleaning the house
Taking the kids to the store
Renting their favorite movie
Going to their favorite restaurant
Making chicken soup when they are sick
Acts of Kindness

Make a list of 10 specific acts of kindness you would
like to receive FROM your partner!
Learning Activity 3
1/5/2013
3

Enrich Your Marriage