Here at Christlike Marriage, we believe that happiness and joy in marriage is an attainable, reachable goal. We believe that Heavenly Father has given us all the information that we need to be able to choose actions for ourselves and our families that will bring us joy on a daily basis. This valuable information can be found in the Holy Scriptures, in the words of prophets ancient and modern, in the counsel of church leaders, in personal revelation, and by following the example of Jesus Christ. God wants us to be happy. He wants our marriages to succeed. He wants our children to be raised in love and joy.
Each of us has the ability to choose for ourselves the actions we will take and the path that our lives and our marriages will take. Armed with the counsel, direction, and commandments of God, we can choose actions everyday that will bring us closer to our spouse and family, closer to God, and closer to eternal happiness.
We know that marriage can be hard. Every marriage has struggles, and no couple is exempt. Pride, selfishness, and mistakes both intentional and accidental can cause stress and conflict in marriage. However, love, kindness, and forgiveness can heal rifts, mend hearts, and draw spouses together.
If your marriage is struggling, please don’t give up! Do whatever it takes to save your marriage. It is more valuable in this life than you can possibly imagine, and more important in eternity than you can comprehend. We are confident in saying that you will never go amiss in doing every righteous thing within your power to save your marriage.
If you feel that your marriage is beyond saving, or if you are the victim of abuse, infidelity, or other grievous actions on the part of your spouse, please know that you are not alone. Approach the Lord in prayer, meet with your Bishop or other church leaders for guidance, and make sure that you live your covenants faithfully. Boyd K Packer taught:
If you have honored your vows and your partner did not do so, remember God is watching over us. One day, after all of the tomorrows have passed, there will be recompense. Those who have been moral and faithful to their covenants will be happy and those who have not will be otherwise.
Some marriages have broken up in spite of all that one partner could do to hold the marriage together. While there may be faults on both sides, I do not condemn the innocent one who suffers in spite of all that was desired and done to save the marriage.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example that we should strive to follow. If we align our actions and behavior towards our spouse with his perfect life, we will not go amiss. His gospel shows each of us the way to a happy marriage. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we learn:
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
These verses help us to see two distinct roles set forth by our Father in Heaven. The role of the husband and father is to preside, provide, and protect their families. In fulfilling this calling, men obey the admonition in Ephesians 5:25:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
The role of a wife and mother is to nurture. As women righteously nurture, they draw near to the description of a virtuous woman given in Proverbs 31:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
We exhort every man and woman to follow the example of Jesus Christ in their lives. We exhort you to allow His teachings and those of His prophets to govern the relationship you have with your spouse. We promise that you will find greater happiness, joy, and bliss in marriage as you choose to follow Him with increased faithfulness.