You + Me = We

Unity in the Gospel In our desire to be united as couples, families and saints we can turn to the Lord for direction. We can learn the importance and skills necessary from gospel principles. In a talk by Henry B. Eyring titled, "That We May Be One" he tells about different ways that we can learn and train ourselves in being united. He teaches us that by living close to the Spirit and being worthy of it helps us to be united with the Lord and be one in purpose. We find this throughout the gospel, in so many cases we are united in purpose. Elder Eyring also gave a warning against pride which is an easy destroyer of unity. When we let the small prideful things get in the way we might be left with hurt and disappoint. Elder Eyring said, “ A unity which comes to a family or to a people softened by the Spirit will bring great power. With that power will come recognition from the world. Whether that recognition brings praise or envy, it could lead us to pride. That would offend...

Pornography's Destructive Power Pornography is an addictive and destructive behavior that has the ability to ruin a marriage. Those who engage in this behavior often feel trapped and often hide things from those around them. As Victor Cline said in our reading this week, "The big problem with pornography is that it presents sex out of context. It presents sex in an untrue manner and creates an image that sex exists as an entity all by itself. This, or course, is not the way real life usually is…Pornography is counterfeit sex. It’s sex without affection and tenderness and dedication; and most of all, for Latter-day Saints, pornography is without an understanding of the purpose of sex and how it relates to the eternal scheme of things." Satan knows our weaknesses and he feeds on the small strike of a match and turns our problems into full blown bonfires of burdens. We have dealt with the problem of pornography in our own home. As we have worked through the years an...

Charity  In the Book of Mormon it says, "charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever (Moroni 7:47)." As we strive to incorporate charity into our lives we are continually trying to do a little better to improve each day. Often when we think of having charity it can feel like big dramatic changes that we should make, but simple changes, small daily changes can make a big difference.   "Marvin J. Ashton explains this principle well: "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down." As we turn toward the Savior and reflect his true love of charity we have to be willing and have a desire to change our actions, behaviors, thoughts and desires. We must align our hearts with his...

When I read Elder Lynn G. Robbins talk titled “Agency and Anger” from the 1998 General Conference there were three different quotes that stood out to me. Stirring  Up Contention He damages and often destroys families within the walls of their own homes. His strategy is to stir up  anger  between family members. Satan is the “father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with  anger,  one with another” (3 Ne. 11:29). The verb  stir  sounds like a recipe for disaster: Put tempers on medium heat, stir in a few choice words, and bring to a boil; continue stirring until thick; cool off; let feelings chill for several days; serve cold; lots of leftovers. Satan will try anything to destroy families. He knows their role and the importance they are to Heavenly Father. Families are eternal and Satan has given up the right to have that and so he doesn’t want anyone else to have it either. So often I have let little problems become b...

In President Benson's talk, "Beware of Pride" he warns us to avoid the sin of pride in our lives. In his talk he reminds us that the people in the Book of Mormon brought on their own destruction because of pride. Pride is looking inward and disregarding the feelings of others. It is not just thinking we are better than others but as President Benson says, "The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen.  Enmity  means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us." As I thought about this quote from the talk it made me think of my own relationships especially my marriage relationship. Two ways I have seen this in my own marriage is not being able to see opposing views and the lack of help for one another.Satan wants us to be miserable and make others feel miserable so badly that he will try the most destructive antics as his warfare. His favorite thin...

Marriage is tough ... All of us have had trials in our lives including myself but being married is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced in my life. There are highs and lows like I never expected. I have been disappointed and hurt but have also been overjoyed and elated. Thus, marriage is the roller coaster of life. This week in Gottman's book we learned about being able to turn to our spouses which is "funding...their emotional bank." It is though small events that help the couples relationship to grow. Recently on a Monday morning I had sent the kids to school and was feeling accomplished as I had just finished my scripture study and morning prayer. I settled in to get a lot of homework done when the phone rang. I recognized the number and knew it was the high school. The counselor gave me some devastating news regarding my son which would require medical attention. I felt like I was going to crumble, it was the final straw of discord in our home and in...