Equal Partnership

Mothers have primary responsibility to nurture children, and fathers are to preside, provide, and protect. But these roles are not exclusive. Husbands and wives are to share as equal partners in the responsibilities of parenthood and help each other in a spirit of selfless sacrifice.

But how can we hone in on those benefits of an equal partnership? How can we better help one another in our responsibilities in our homes and families?

Watch this video presentation, linked below, as President Boyd K. Packer uses the story of oxen being equally yoked together to teach principles of teamwork and unity. You can stop the video at the 2:45 mark, as the rest does not apply. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-10-1110-equally-yoked-together?lang=eng&_r=1

After watching that video clip what thoughts did you gather about working together in unity with your spouse? 

President Harold B. Lee taught, "Like a yoke of oxen pulling a load along the highway, if one falters, becomes lazy and indolent or mean and stubborn, the load is wrecked and destruction follows. For similar reasons, some marriages fail when either or both who are parties thereto fail in carrying their responsibilities with each other....But even more important than that you be ‘yoked equally’ in physical matters, is that you be yoked equally in spiritual matters." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee)

What are we doing to not only be equally yolked in physical matters, but in spiritual matters, as well?

Foundations of a Healthy Marriage

"While marriage is difficult, and discordant and frustrated marriages are common, yet real, lasting happiness is possible, and marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person." 

-President Spencer W. Kimball

The above quote sets quite the ideal for married couples young and old. However, in world that throws away marriages like they are disposable paper goods, many people would find this prophetic statement to be unrealistic, and the thought of marriage as down right frightening and hopeless. 

Hopefully today, through this post, you will find hope and peace, and a guide to the foundation of a healthy marriage. 

Below you will find Six Foundational Processes from "Successful Marriages and Families Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives" that will help to form a healthy marriage. 

1. Personal commitment to the Marriage Covenant 
To begin, it is most important to remember that successful covenant marriages are founded on the teaching of Jesus Christ. We see in the image below that the distance between us and our spouse diminishes as we draw closer to our Savior. We can draw closer to one another through practicing spiritual patterns, such as regular scripture study, couples prayer, and regular temple attendance. 

2. Love and Friendship

3. Positive Interaction

4. Accepting Influence from Ones Spouse

5. Respectfully Handle Differences and Solve Problems

6. Continue Courtship

As you work towards improving these Six Foundational Processes you might find this lesson from the "Marriage and Family Relations Instructor’s Manual" helpful...

https://www.lds.org/study/manual/marriage-and-family-relations-instructors-manual/part-a-strengthening-marriages/lesson-3-nurturing-love-and-friendship-in-marriage?lang=eng

Seeking an Eternal Companion

"If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life. Young men, serve a worthy mission. Then make your highest priority finding a worthy, eternal companion. When you find you are developing an interest in a young woman, show her that you are an exceptional person that she would find interesting to know better. Take her to places that are worthwhile. Show some ingenuity. If you want to have a wonderful wife, you need to have her see you as a wonderful man and prospective husband." 

- Elder Richard G. Scott

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have been commanded to marry in righteousness. But in today's world we are taught to work on our own individuals achievements and self-fulfillment, and that we need to put these things ahead of other people, even above finding a spouse. It can be a confusing, overwhelming and frustrating time for many young people. However, it doesn't have to be! 
"You can prepare for your ideal marriage by learning to live your life relationally (that is, focused on building all types of relationships with others) before you find yourself in a dating relationship", says Michael A. Goodman, Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University. ("Taking the Fear Out of Dating", Ensign, April 2016)
Elder Bednar reminds us that "...you are not on a shopping spree looking for the greatest value with a series of characteristics. You become what you hope your spouse will be and you'll have a greater likelihood of finding that person." (Introduction to Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, 6)
However, living in a time when the world where young men and young women just "hang out" rather than date it can be tough to know where to start! Below is a link to a great list of dating ideas to get your started!

Idea List: The Do's of Dating
https://www.lds.org/youth/article/the-dos-of-dating?lang=eng