What, if anything, does Church do to improve marriage?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by creekster

I am pretty sure that both happen. Prehpas I misunderstood his point.

If I were to construct a method of measuring, I would hypothesize most engage in a path of least resistance, and thereafter I would consult Mike and Karl D for more specifics.

[MikeWaters]

Well at the very least, the church is concerned enough about the welfare of marriages so as to recommend not marrying outside your race.

Good luck to the minorities of the church in finding a member of the church of your own race, interests, and outlook.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Well at the very least, the church is concerned enough about the welfare of marriages so as to recommend not marrying outside your race.

Good luck to the minorities of the church in finding a member of the church of your own race, interests, and outlook.

We should list recommendations.

Don't marry outside race.

Don't marry outside religion, it dilutes the brand.

Don't have sex outside marriage.

Don't divorce.

Men are pigs, women are queens.

Positives:

Date your spouse.

Marry a friend.

Be your best.

Neutrals:

little discussion on complexities of marriage, including finances, socialities, sexualities, and extended families.

But what should a Church do?

Are we hoping for a return to 19th Century values and delivery in a time when that's unrealistic?

Once a bishop provided a lot of advice and counsel because nobody else existed but in today's society that's unrealistic. What should the Church help provide in small part?

[TripletDaddy]

[QUOTE=MikeWaters;258014]There is also a lot of condemnation about mens' behavior in marriage, but seemingly little towards women in the church./QUOTE]

This is an interesting point.

The last time I heard the Church try to suggest behavior modification to women, people were crying, complaining of guilt, and "Mothers Who Know" became a punchline.

Perhaps the Church doesnt drop the hammer on women simply because they can't handle it as well.

Or because women are just better and need less hammer dropping.

[MikeWaters]

[QUOTE=TripletDaddy;258100]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

There is also a lot of condemnation about mens' behavior in marriage, but seemingly little towards women in the church./QUOTE]

This is an interesting point.

The last time I heard the Church try to suggest behavior modification to women, people were crying, complaining of guilt, and "Mothers Who Know" became a punchline.

Perhaps the Church doesnt drop the hammer on women simply because they can't handle it as well.

Or because women are just better and need less hammer dropping.

Maybe because, effectively, 99.99999% of the leadership in the church is male. And therefore there is no effective way for women to dialogue with themselves in the church.

[SoCalCoug]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

IMO, I would be divorced right now if it hadn't been for the perspective that the Gospel gives my wife and I.

I'm sure your wife is a true saint.

[SoCalCoug]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

Or because women are just better and need less hammer dropping.

. . . oh, I'll resist the punchline.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by SoCalCoug

. . . oh, I'll resist the punchline.

Grow up, mister!

If you really cannot resist, then I suggest you check out "Divine Hammer" by The Breeders (a Pixies spin-off...excellent band).

The song is awesome and the lyrics are all about your irresistable punchline.

[cougarobgon]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Well at the very least, the church is concerned enough about the welfare of marriages so as to recommend not marrying outside your race.

Good luck to the minorities of the church in finding a member of the church of your own race, interests, and outlook.

I joined the Church, along with my mother and four brothers and sisters, when I was 16 y/o in a small town on the Texas/Mexican border and am of Mexican descent. I recall over the years reading about the counsel to not a marry outside your race. But, I don't ever recall hearing a leader preach that over the pulpit or having read about it recently. Why it is given today when the Church is so diverse as a whole, I have no explanation. Other than the cultural issues that may surface, I don't see how the color of the skin of two individuals prevent a marriage from flourishing.

I married a young lady who is white and despite our races, the disagreements or differences we have had during our 23 year marriage have never been race related and have always been personality driven. We have a great marriage that includes 10 wonderful children. The color of her skin was never a consideration when I began courting her. I met her, got to know her, fell in love with her, and eventually married her. I never gave consideration to the counsel during the courtship nor did I knowingly make a determination that I would show the Church their counsel was wrong. We just fell in love and got married. That is my side of the story.

On the other hand, my wife who grew up in a predominantly hispanic community in New Mexico, did consider the race issue when it seemed like marriage was the next step in our relationship. She did so, not because of the counsel, but because of the experiences two of her older sisters had when married to hispanics. Those men and their families were not very kind to her sisters and and my wife blamed it on the "machismo" attitude some men have. A "machismo" attitude can be found amongst all races so my wife's sisters could have ended up marrying white guys who could have treated them the same way. But, I will concede that amongst my hispanic population, the "machismo" attitude is still prevalant and unfortunately, many of our sisters inside or outside the church are having to put up with it.

Again, I have no explanation why the counsel is given today. I can see how the counsel would encourage someone they are dating to learn the other's culture and if they believe they can embrace it and are in love, Get Married.

BTW, three of my siblings have also married white members of the Church. AT least in our family, it has worked out just fine.

[BlueHair]

I think mandatory sex on Monday nights (at halftime or after the game)would be a good start.