Together Forever

In Genesis 2:24 we read: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife.” What does that mean to you? Even though, the scripture just mentions a man should cleave unto his wife I believe it goes both ways that a woman should cleave unto her husband. What does it mean “to cleave”? Elder Marvin J. Ashton, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, clarified the meaning of this scripture as it relates to newly married couples. He states: “Certainly a now-married man should cleave unto his wife in faithfulness, protection, comfort, and total supports, but in leaving father, mother; and other family members, it was never intended that they now be ignored, abandoned, shunned, or deserted. The are still family, a great source of strength…Wise parents, whose children have left to start their own families, realize their family role still continues, not in a realm of domination, control, regulation, supervision, or imposition, but in love, conce...

Who is the boss in your family? You, your spouse, or your children? Richard B. Miller in his article Who Is the Boss? Power Relationships in Families made some great points about power in your marriage and family relationships. He states; “the issues of power, control, and hierarchy are important in families. Issues regarding power are at the root of many family problems.” Some of his great points include: 1.       Parents are the leaders in the family. 2.       Parents must be united in their leadership. 3.       The parent-child hierarchy dissolves when children become adults. 4.       The marital relationship should be a partnership. a.        Husbands and wives are equal. b.       Husbands and wives have different responsibilities, but they function as equals. c.        A h...

Physical intimacy is a very important part of a marriage relationship. Even though it is important I feel like it can be a hard subject to discuss especially in the LDS community. Sean Brotherson in his article “Fulfilling the Sexual Stewardship in Marriage” says it perfect he states; “As Latter-day Saints, most of the dialogue that we hear about sexual matters consists of two primary categories: 1) The incessant chatter and noise of the world, Satan, and related sources that constantly hype and sensationalize sexual intimacy with distorted images of sensuality and misplaced or twisted values and expressions of sexuality. 2) The powerful and compelling warnings of prophetic leaders and caring Church members who seek to steer us away from pornography, sexual exploitation, and immortality in sexual matters.” He continues, and this is my favorite part; “but there is a third part of the dialogue, seldom heard or discussed, and yet it comprises perhaps the most important and powerful po...