Understand the Gospel!

Week 4: Doctrine of Marriage

Understanding the gospel is a key ingredient in a happy marriage! 

Elder David A. Bednar taught in a Worldwide Training for leaders, “Eternal marriage can only be understood within the context of The Plan of Happiness.”

The Plan of Happiness or The Plan of Salvation offers great truths to help marriages endure. In this plan we learn of the eternal nature of men and women. We are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  As such He wants us to have all that He has. Marriage and family are the ultimate gift He has to give us. 

In the bible in the Book of Genesis we read about the first man and woman on the earth. In this account we learn that Adam and Eve were given in marriage. They were then able to have children where they experienced joy and heartache.

Marriage and Family are such an important part of our life on earth. This is why Satan has stepped up his attacks. Elder Bruce C. Hafen in his 1996 talk, “Covenant Marriage” he warned against three “wolves” that Satan uses to threaten the safety of an eternal family.

1.       Natural Adversity: these are these things that happen in normal daily life that cause turmoil and strife.

2.       Own Imperfections: these are the things that happen because we are human and have flaws.

3.       Excessive Individualism: this refers to the selfishness that is pervasive in our world today. 

A few things I can do to guard against these attacks in my own marriage are

1.       Pray together as husband and wife often. This way we can face together whatever life throws at us with the Savior at the center.

2.       Be kind! I can try to work on my own imperfections, and I can allow my husband to work on his imperfections.

3.       Seek for my husband’s comfort. In a world that everything is about “me”, it is ok for me to put aside my wants to help him be happy. 

As husband and wife draw closer to the Savior their marriage can become strong and happy. I have watched this happen in my own life. As both my husband and I work to strengthen our relationship with our Father we in turn become closer to each other.