President Hinckley was the main speaker today for our regional Stake Conference. I took notes because he was being specific and I wanted to remember his counsel. I am taking this opportunity to write below his main points.
President Hinckley is concerned about the many, many problems in marriages these days. He spoke about the care and concern his father had in caring for his mother before and after she became ill. Pres. H. mother died when she was 50. He presented 4 corner stones upon which to base a successful, loving marriage.
1) Mutual Respect. Respect the differences in our spouses. The differences are what make the relationship more interesting. Pres. H is offended with the phrase "barefoot and pregnant", especially when it is in reference to what men expect their wives to be. Of course we as a church want families to have children, but wives and husbands are equal before the Lord. They are partners, not one above the other. Pres. H said that he has not said and the church has not specified how many children families should have. It is a sacred decision to be made between husband and wife and the Lord.
2) Soft Answers. Husbands and wives should discuss/communicate things in an open, candid, happy way between each other. Quiet talk is the language of love. The voice of heaven is a still small voice. Elijah when standing at the mouth of the cave, heard a great storm, but the Lord was not in the storm and storms describe accurately what happens, what goes on in many homes. Speak quietly to each other and your children.
3) Financial honesty. Financial problems are of the the biggest problems that effect marriages. Be obedient to the law of tithing. We live in times with persuasive salesmen and commercials.We need to council with each other on financial decisions and live within our means. An extravagant husband or wife puts a great strain on marriages. Live honestly with the Lord, with each other and others.
4) Family Prayer. No other practice will have as great an effect for good as family prayer. Your love for each other will be strengthened, your children will be blessed with more security.
There you have it. Words from our prophet.
2 comments:
how exciting to have the prophet speak so candidly to your stake. I am sure that he has heard of too many sad relationship stories that relate to all of these things. Nobody ever said that marriage was easy right.
Thank you so much for posting the words of the prophet. We can all use a little reminding at times,and who better than our prophet!
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