Marriage

What Marriage Is

Elder Dallin H Oaks, Followers of Christ, General Conference April 2013
“Jesus taught that God created male and female and that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife (see Mark 10:6–8).”

1 Corinthians 11:11
11Nevertheless neither is the ^aman without the woman, neither the ^bwoman without the man, in the Lord.

Abraham 5:18
18Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall ^acleave unto his wife, and they shall be ^bone flesh.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “No Other Gods,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 73.
“We know that the marriage of a man and a woman is necessary for the accomplishment of God’s plan. Only this marriage will provide the approved setting for mortal birth and to prepare family members for eternal life.”

How To Make It Work

Elder Valen V Cordo, The Language of the Gospel, April 2017 General Conference
"The happiness of our spouse is more important than our own pleasure."

Elder L Whitney Clayton, Marriage: Watch and Learn, April 2013 General Conference
"I have observed that in wonderful, happy marriages, husbands and wives treat each other as equal partners. Practices from any place or any time in which husbands have dominated wives or treated them in any way as second-class partners in marriage are not in keeping with divine law and should be replaced by correct principles and patterns of behavior."
...
“They keep their social media use fully worthy in every way. They permit themselves no secret Internet experiences. They freely share with each other their social network passwords. They do not look at the virtual profiles of anyone in any way that might betray the sacred trust of their spouse. They never do or say anything that approaches the appearance of impropriety, either virtually or physically. Watch and learn: terrific marriages are completely respectful, transparent, and loyal.”

Matthew 7:12
12 Therefore all things whatso ever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Nurturing Marriage,” 37, 38.
“expressions of love and appreciation do more than acknowledge a kind thought or deed. … As grateful partners look for the good in each other and sincerely pay compliments to one another, wives and husbands will strive to become the persons described in those compliments.”
“Above all, do not be selfish! Generate a spirit of selflessness and generosity. Celebrate and commemorate each day together as a treasured gift from heaven.”

1 Corinthian 13:11
  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Doctrine and Covenants 90:24
 24Search ^adiligently, ^bpray always, and be believing, and ^call things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the ^dcovenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

Doctrine and Covenants 108:7
 7Therefore, ^astrengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “How Do I Love Thee?” (Brigham Young University devotional, Feb. 15, 2000), speeches.byu.edu.
“True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ’s great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships.”

Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign,Nov. 2009, 17, 18.
"[expressions of love and gratitude] do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.”
 “We should remember that saying ‘I love you’ is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.”

Husband's Responsibilities

President Henry B. Eyring, “Families under Covenant,” Ensign, May 2012, 64.
“It will take faith and humility to put her interests above your own in the struggles of life,”
"Age and illness may increase your wife’s needs. If you choose even then to put her happiness above your own, I promise you that your love for her will increase.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Nurturing Marriage,” Ensign, May 2006, 37.
"brethren, your foremost priesthood duty is to nurture your marriage—to care for, respect, honor, and love your wife. Be a blessing to her and your children.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” Ensign, May 1999, 39.
“Be considerate and kind in the tender intimacies of your married life. Let your thoughts and actions inspire confidence and trust. Let your words be wholesome and your time together be uplifting. Let nothing in life take priority over your wife—neither work, recreation, nor hobby.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage,” Ensign, May 2011, 95.
“Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her? It will bring her great happiness. I’ve heard men tell me when I say that, ‘Oh, she knows.’ You need to tell her. A woman grows and is greatly blessed by that reassurance. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often.”

Ephesians 5:25
  25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;