Sister Brooks passed on the following article and asked me to post it here for the sisters to enjoy. With it being February (aka "Heart month") AND Family Day today - this seems like the perfect time to share it. Have a great FAMILY DAY!
Twenty Ways to make a Good Marriage Great
1. Night and morning Prayer...
to say thanks, to ask for help in your marriage and family, to worship together.
2. Plan Together...
to discuss the calendar, talk over needs and problems, decide priorities and next steps.
3. A daily phone call or personal conversation...
to say "I love you," to touch base, to discuss the day, to show you care.
4. A weekly Date...
to a favorite park, a walk, a concert, the library, the gym; or staying home together
5. Patience regardless...
of missed meals, tardiness, forgotten favors, a thoughtless remark, impatience.
6. Daily service...
helping with house or yard work, mending a piece of clothing, taking a turn with the sick baby, fixing a favorite meal.
7. Budget...
to tie down income and expenses, help set financial goals, and give you control over your finances.
8. Listen...
not only to what is said, but also to what is meant.
9. Regular attendance...
at Church and the Temple
10. Daily Scripture reading...
to learn the gospel, to receive inspiration for yourself and your marriage, to become more like Jesus
11. Work together...
caring for a garden, painting a room, washing the car, build a piece of furniture, writing a poem together, team teach a class.
12. Forgive each other daily...
always learning from each other, trying a different way, being the first to make peace.
13. Courtesies...
like saying please and thank you, not interrupting or belittling, not doing all the talking, continuing the niceties of courtship.
14. Soft and kind words...
of tenderness, compassion and empathy
15. Learn together...
by reading to each other, discussing ideas, taking a class.
16. Respect...
opinions, ideas, privacy.
17. Support your spouse's....
church callings and righteous goals.
18. Care for your spouse's family by....
enjoying their company, praying for them, serving them, overlooking differences.
19. Occasional gifts...
such as a note a needed item-but mostly gifts of time and self.
20. Love with ALL your HEART.
"Thou shalt love thy wife (thy husband) with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her (him) and none else." D&C 42:22
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This article was taken from an old issue of the Ensign and was written by Richard W Linford,
(At the time, he was the Bishop of the East Millcreek Utah 11th Ward)
