Ezra Taft Benson on building a strong and happy marriage

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Marriage itself must be regarded as a sacred covenant before God. A married couple have an obligation not only to each other, but to God. He has promised blessings to those who honor that covenant....

"Prayer in the home and prayer with each other will strengthen [a couple's] union. Gradually thoughts, aspirations, and ideas will merge into a oneness until you are seeking the same purposes and goals.

"Rely on the Lord, the teachings of the prophets, and the scriptures for guidance and help, particularly when there may be disagreements and problems.

"Spiritual growth comes by solving problems together—not by running from them. Today's inordinate emphasis on individualism brings egotism and separation. Two individuals becoming 'one flesh' is still the Lord's standard. (See Gen. 2:24.)

"The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships,"  Ensign, Nov. 1982, pp. 59, 60
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For those who are privileged and blessed to be linked with another in an eternal covenant of marriage, President Benson gave much wise counsel in this address on strengthening marriages and families. He taught first about the sacredness of the marriage covenant, in which two people are bound to each other and to God. Blessings follow faithfulness to that sacred covenant.

He then gives wise counsel on how to succeed in faithful observance of the covenant. I appreciated the thoughts about praying together. It's not just the act of praying that becomes significant; but the outcome, the effects of that act are that a couple grows in unity and oneness towards common goals and purposes.

And learning to work through problems, disagreements, and challenges is so key to successful relationships. Marriages grow strong as two people learn to set aside their own priorities and needs aside while they seek the best for their companion.

What a beautiful goal we truly have in this "sacred covenant" of a celestial marriage!