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Marriage Trends and Divorce



Hey everybody!  This week we are talking about marriage and divorce.  In recent times, there has been a rise in divorce rates and a decline in marriage rates. The world sees the importance of marriage very differently than God sees it.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we understand the importance of marriage and the many blessings that it will bring to our lives.  

In my own life, I have known many people who have gotten a divorce but for many different reasons.  President Dallin H. Oaks in his article on Divorce shared that, “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.” Many misunderstandings and arguments that happen among married couples are due to a lack in responsibility for one’s actions and/or poor communication.  It is important that we analyze our actions with the help of the Lord to ensure a lasting marriage.  The enabling power of the Atonement of Christ gives us the strength to overcome our shortcomings and seek for improvement.

However, President Oaks explains that not all cases can be saved by repentance and forgiveness.  He states, “We know that many of you are innocent victims—members whose former spouses persistently betrayed sacred covenants or abandoned or refused to perform marriage responsibilities for an extended period.”  There are many cases that involve horrible situations that must be terminated for the sake of one’s health and well-being. God wouldn’t want us to put ourselves through unnecessary heartache. 

President Kimball once stated, “ …only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.” This is something that I have thought about quite a bit.  I have come to the conclusion that the best way to raise a family is actively and intentionally.  I have already made family and couple goals related to the gospel and life in general.  I believe that as we are intentional with our family relationships, accept responsibility for our actions, ask forgiveness, and communicate clearly, we can have strong family relationships in this life, and in the life to come.

I highly recommend listening to the podcast called Rise Together with Rachel and Dave Hollis. In this podcast they explain and give you so many suggestions on how to communicate well, meet each other’s needs, set goals, and be intentional in your choices and actions.  This podcast has given me a new perspective on my relationships with others and I highly recommend that you give them a listen. 
What trends have you noticed in your family?  What do you think creates and maintains strong and healthy marital relationships? Do you have any tools that have helped you or a family member maintain a healthy marital relationship?

Podcast link: https://www.risetogetherpodcast.com/

Image result for dave and rachel hollis rise together

References:
https://www.risetogetherpodcast.com/

Oaks, D. H. (n.d.). Divorce. Retrieved from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2007/05/divorce?lang=eng.

Spencer W. KimballPresident of the Church. (n.d.). Families Can Be Eternal. Retrieved from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1980/10/families-can-be-eternal?lang=eng.

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