Marriage Requires Thoughtful Preparation
Mormon Doctrine / Teachings
"The best way to avoid divorce from an unfaithful, abusive, or unsupportive spouse is to avoid marriage to such a person. If you wish to marry well, inquire well. Associations through 'hanging out' or exchanging information on the Internet are not a sufficient basis for marriage. There should be dating, followed by careful and thoughtful and thorough courtship. There should be ample opportunities to experience the prospective spouse's behavior in a variety of circumstances. Fiances should learn everything they can about the families with whom they will soon be joined in marriage. In all of this, we should realize that a good marriage does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection. "President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 'Two individuals approaching the marriage altar must realize that to attain the happy marriage which they hope for they must know that marriage. .. Means sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties. It means long, hard economizing. It means children who bring with them financial burdens, service burdens, care and worry burdens; but also it means the deepest and sweetest emotions of all' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 194)." Dallin H. Oaks, "Divorce," Ensign, May 2007, 73
To ensure you have a happier marriage I try and look at my companion as the Lord does, especially in hard times when otherwise it would lead to contention. I read somewhere that if we could have the veil removed from our eyes and see our spouse in glory, we would want to (Not that we would) bow down and worship them. I try and remember this whenever I think he is growing too slow (MY lack of patience) or when he has ideas (Different than MINE) and it really does help. I also ask immediately for patience and understanding when I feel contention coming on. I have a wonderful marriage and I think these things have helped both of us.
"Man is at his best when complemented by a good woman's natural influence."
-- Ezra Taft Benson, Woman, SLC:Deseret Book Co., 1979, p.69