BYUI FAML FPP-Strengthen relationships with spouse, dating ideas, and staying in a marriage

Once again I will reiterate that it is very important to be your spouse’s best friend. I have suggested in the past reading Dr. John Gottman's, Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, and I will suggest reading it again. I feel that it has helped immensely in my relationship with my spouse.  

In the book Successful Marriages and Families it suggests

“spend at least five hours a week strengthening your relationship.

 1. Learn one thing that happened in your spouse’s life each day

2. Have a stress-reducing conversation at the end of each day

 3. Do something special every day to show affection and appreciation

 4. Have a weekly date.  “

Marriage is a wonderful aspect of life.  When two people that are best friends and truly love each other join in an eternal marriage life is wonderful.  But it takes work. Many different obstacles can come into the picture and it is our duty to try and maintain our marriage. One of the ways we do that is by dating our spouse. About a year ago I found this website and I feel that it has excellent ideas for dating your spouse.  

Sometimes life gets in the way and our marriage becomes too difficult to handle.  The world would tell you to divorce and find someone new. But in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe in eternal relationships.  

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, stated “I strongly urge you and those who advise you to face up to the reality that for most marriage problems, the remedy is not divorce but repentance. Often the cause is not incompatibility but selfishness. The first step is not separation but reformation... Under the law of the Lord, a marriage, like a human life, is a precious, living thing. If our bodies are sick, we seek to heal them. We do not give up. While there is any prospect of life, we seek healing again and again. The same should be true of our marriages, and if we seek Him, the Lord will help us and heal us. Latter-day Saint spouses should do all within their power to preserve their marriages.”

Some divorces are necessary but either way it is important that we seek divine help over this matter.  

 I would urge you to take the time to follow the links on this page because the information will be useful for your marriage.  

Next week I will talk about equal partnership in marriage, and facts to consider in marriage.