Strengthening Marriage Through Marriage Enrichment Programs Main Article LDS Perspective Expanded Version

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Marriage is a sacred and essential part of God's efforts to exalt His sons and daughters. The Family: A Proclamation to the World (paragraph 6) states that marriage "is ordained of God" (¶ 1). President Hinckley (1991) taught, "Surely no one reading the scriptures, both ancient and modern, can doubt the divine concept of marriage" (p. 71).

A casual attitude toward the marriage relationship seems to be growing. Many believe a marriage can't be expected to last and should be terminated when it stops being fulfilling to one or both partners. But Heavenly Father has made it clear that he expects marriage partners to treat their vows with the utmost seriousness. He intends the marriage relationship to be the most fulfilling of all earthly relationships. As President Hinckley (1991) taught, "The sweetest feelings of life, the most generous and satisfying impulses of the human heart, find expression in a marriage that stands pure and unsullied above the evil of the world" (p. 71).

For a marriage to yield such a high degree of satisfaction, both husband and wife must be deeply committed and willing to make the efforts needed to build the relationship.

Marriage Enrichment Programs

Elder James E. Faust (1977) said too many marriages lack "a constant enrichment." They don't have "that something extra, which makes it precious, special, and wonderful" (p. 10-11). Knowing how to enrich a marriage, to add what's needed to make it "precious, special, and wonderful" doesn't come naturally. Couples need information, education, and the experience of others to learn what works in a marital relationship and what doesn't, what strengthens the marital bond, and what weakens it.

LDS couples stand to benefit greatly from participation in marriage enrichment programs. However, few couples take the opportunity. Why is this so? Some may believe that LDS couples don't need such a program-all they need to do is live the gospel the best they can. However, two recent national studies showed no differences in the rate of divorce between LDS and non-LDS couples. Even temple married couples are at greater risk today than in times past. Other persons may believe the myth that the Brethren don't endorse such programs.

Many good marriage programs have been developed, including a 16-week "Marriage and Family Relations" program developed by the Church. Latter-day Saint couples can benefit from this program or the many others that research has shown to be effective. Brigham Young taught that the gospel embraces all truth, and we should "gather up all the truths in the world pertaining to life and salvation, to the Gospel we preach. . . to the sciences, and to philosophy, wherever it may be found . . . and bring it to Zion" (1997, p. 16-17).

References

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1997). Teachings of the presidents of the Church: Brigham Young. Salt Lake City, UT: Author.

Faust, J. E. (1977, November). The enriching of marriage. Ensign, 10-11. Retrieved August 2003, from http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1977.htm/ensign%20november%201977.htm/the%20enriching%20of%20marriage%20.htm?f=templates$fn=document-frame.htm$3.0$q=$x=$nc=7622

Hinckley, G. B. (1991, May). What God hath joined together. Ensign, 71-74. Retrieved August 2003, from http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1991.htm/ensign%20may%201991%20.htm/what%20god%20hath%20joined%20together.htm?f=templates$fn=document-frame.htm$3.0$q=$x=$nc=8368