“President Ezra Taft Benson taught us that ‘when we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.  Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.  We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives.’” (Goddard, 2009, p. 57).

When we seek to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we will find that the other things in our life become clearer and fall into place.  Our hearts will be softened in humility and we will be more willing to engage with our spouse in love and kindness.  Selfishness is rooted in pride and can destroy a marriage relationship.  “President Gordon B. Hinckley has counseled us about the danger of focus on self in marriage: ‘I find selfishness to be the root cause of most of [the problems that lead to broken homes]. I am satisfied that a happy 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…There is a remedy for all of this.  It is not found in divorce.  It is found in the gospel of the Son of God.  He is was who said, “What therefore God hath jointed together, let not man put asunder (Matthew 19:6)”.’”   (Goddard, 2009, p. 62).

Often it takes just one spouse who is willing to show love, kindness, interest, and compassion.  This requires us to put off the natural man of our anger, frustration, and irritation.  We have to put away our pride and humbly ask God to help us.  Remember that God wants you to succeed in your marriage.  He loves both you and your spouse individually and together.  He knows what needs to change in your heart and in your relationship.

Works Cited

Goddard, H. W. (2009). Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage. Cedar Hills, UT: Joymap Publishing.