This week in Family Relations class we are studying the transition into marriage.  Elder Russell M Nelson stated, "Meanwhile, mortal misunderstandings can make mischief in marriage. In fact, each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. Happiness can come to them only through their earnest effort. Just as harmony comes from an orchestra only when its members make a concentrated effort, so harmony in marriage also requires a concerted effort. That effort will succeed in each partner will minimize personal demands and maximize actions of loving selflessness." I really appreciated Elder Nelson’s analogy because I have the wonderful opportunity to be in an orchestra. It is a cool experience to be exactly in sync with your stand partner. A successful marriage might be compared to being a member of the London Philharmonic, and both challenges brings wonderful fulfillment. I think Elder Nelson is saying that putting your spouse before yourself as well as compromise are needed requirements for a successful marriage. I am grateful for the guidance of prophets in our day. In addition to Elder Nelson, my teacher also referenced Abraham 5:14 that states, “And the Gods said: Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form an help meet for him.”  

We also talked about how as individuals take the culture and traditions of their family of origin into their family of creation. We talked about marriage as a contract. Many times both the husband and the wife would bring a personal contract into the marriage, and not have talked over it. Conflict has occured when personal contracts are not known to the spouse, and misunderstanding or a violation of the contract has been the result.