The Sacred Bonds of Marriage

         This week in class we have discussed the importance of fidelity in marriage.  The Proclamation to the Family states, “God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” It goes on to explain that a husband and wife should “honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”  There is a misconception in the world today that infidelity involves solely the commission of sexual acts outside of marriage. However, being faithful to our spouse requires much more.

         There are four types of affairs, these include, fantasy, visual, romantic and sexual.  Fantasy or emotion is having an emotional affair with someone who has no knowledge about what is taking place.  Pornography is a type of visual affair and the most common type of infidelity.  A romantic affair is when an individual has a second life as a way to escape current situations. Sexual affairs occur when a person engages in sexual acts outside the bonds of marriage. A quote from from President Kimball explained this very well by saying

There are those married people who permit their eyes to wander and their hearts to become vagrant, who thinks it is not improper to flirt a little, to share their hearts, and have desire for someone other than the wife or the husband. Many acknowledge the vice of physical adultery, but still rationalize that anything short of that heinous sin may not be condemned too harshly; however, the Lord has said many times: ‘Ye have heard that it was said by them of old times, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28.).

Satan attacks us with subtle means. He gets us to change our purpose of that of missionary work, friendship or helpfulness. He takes that was is good and begins to twist it. We are taught that intimate acts are forbidden by the Lord outside the mounds of marriage because they counteract His plan and purpose. It is vital that we have an eye single to our spouse and our thoughts will never wander or stray from what we have created within our marriage. May we always remember and keep those sacred covenants that we made in the temple with our spouse.  We must work hard every day to keep these covenants.  Just because we are married in the temple doesn’t mean infidelity won’t occur in our marriage, because it can. Take hold of the Proclamation to the Family and read of its teachings and promises.  It is an inspired document that speaks truth to each of us.