Powerhouse couples. You know, the husband and wife that seem to be rock stars, solid, and to genuinely enjoy each other’s company? What makes some couples stand out as strong and immoveable while others appear to be lazily going through the motions? The answer: unity.
Wise counsel from a modern prophet, stated, “In the marriage companionship there is neither inferiority nor superiority. The woman does not walk ahead of the man; neither does the man walk ahead of the woman. They walk side by side as a son and daughter of God on an eternal journey. She is not your servant, your chattel, nor anything of the kind.” (Hinckley, 2002).
“Side by side” is critical in a united couple and yet so complicated to achieve. Elder Henry B. Eyring warned, “With the Fall it became clear that living in unity would not be easy” (Eyring, 1998) and he is right. Anyone who has ever attempted to be at peace with those around them has run into resistance. Applying that principle to marriage can be especially daunting as it is our human nature to compete and compare with each other. This competition is referred to as pride.
What resources do we have to battle pride? We have the Spirit and our choice to invite the Spirit into our hearts and marriage. Eyring counsels:
“The Spirit only dwells with those who choose the Lord over the world… Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony… The Spirit of God… never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife (see Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 13th ed. [1963], 131). It leads to personal peace and a feeling of [unity]” (Eyring, 1998).
We have the power to choose unity or isolation in our marriage relationships. Each time we choose forgiveness over grudge holding, compassion over harsh words, and kindness over degrading comments we are becoming united. I hope to consciously choose “the Lord over the world.” In my case, it would be the Lord over pride.
-Mrs.
Reference:
Eyring, Henry B. (1998, May). That We May be One, Ensign
Hinckley, Gordon B. (2002, May). Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood, Ensign
Love and Marriage 