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I just finished reading “Because We Love Our Marriage” by Gary and Joy Lundberg
Quick Take: An easy to understand book on the habits and behaviours that can fortify and protect your marriage.
Longer Take:
This is the 2nd book Marty and I have read by Gary and Joy Lundberg. Previously we read “Love That Lasts” and enjoyed it, so we decided to give this one a shot.
In “Because We Love Our Marriage” the Lundberg’s argue that Satan is working as hard as he ever has to create cracks in your marriage bonds. To help protect the reader from this onslaught, they present 12 safeguards to protect and fortify marriage. The safeguards include spending time together, speaking positively, devotion to your partner, the dangers of pornography, forgiveness, financial prudence, etc.
Written from an LDS perspective, the authors share examples of how couples have implemented these practices to the benefit of their marriage as well as stories of those who have not. As well, each chapter is supported by teachings from modern prophets.
Marty and I both enjoyed “Because We Love Our Marriage.” It is written in a simple, straightforward manner that makes applying these safeguards seem easily attainable. I would recommend this to anyone looking to strengthen their marriage.
Some of My Favourite Quotes:
“Your eternal marriage is worth every effort to guard, protect, and fortify it.”
“President Spencer W. Kimball wisely stated, “Don’t just pray to marry the one you love. Instead, pray to love the one you marry.””
“Husbands and wives are not guaranteed safe travel through their marriage simply by being married in the temple. They must never let their guard down.”
“If you’ve got troubles—and who doesn’t?—talk them over with your spouse. Marriage is all about listening and understanding each other. Being there for each other is a crucial safeguard for your marriage.”
“Stop thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, and stick with the one we married. Give a little time for growth as you work toward building a strong and loving relationship that will last forever.”
“Whichever trait you focus on grows. If you see your mate in a negative light, you will notice more and more of his less-than-desirable traits. If you concentrate on his positive qualities, you will notice more and more of those.”
“President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “If husbands and wives would only give greater emphasis to the virtues that are to be found in one another and less to the faults, there would be fewer broken hearts, fewer tears, fewer divorces, and much more happiness in the homes of our people.””
“Elder Russell M. Nelson counseled: Marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other human relationship. Yet some married couples fall short of their full potential. They let their romance become rusty, take each other for granted, allow other interests or clouds of neglect to obscure the vision of what their marriage really could be. Marriages would be happier if nurtured more carefully.”
“When your spouse is at the top of your list, your marriage will automatically be blessed. It’s the proper order in the family. When you do respond to your spouse, it’s like wrapping a warm cozy blanket around your children. It feels good—not only to the children, but to the couple. The marriage and the family feel safe when priorities are in place.”
“President Gordon B. Hinckley puts an exclamation point on this chapter with this comment: “I am satisfied that happiness in marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion. Any man who will make his wife’s comfort his first concern will stay in love with her throughout their lives and through the eternity yet to come.””
“Elder Lynn G. Robbins from his book, Love Is a Choice: “True and mature love is manifest after we discover each other’s imperfections and still commit to one another.””
“Elder F. Burton Howard of the First Quorum of the Seventy said, If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by. Eternal marriage is just like that. We need to treat it just that way. I pray that we may see it for the priceless gift that it is…”
