The Nature of Marriage and Families

 Humans are made to be united with each other.  United as families at birth, in marriage, in our communities, our world , and with God.  It is a natural desire and need, this belongingness with others.  According to Psychologists Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary, "The 'belongingness hypothesis' states that people have a basic psychological need to feel closely connected to others, and that caring, affectionate bonds from close relationships are a major part of human behavior." (Selterman 2012)  This is why a person rarely feels satisfied in a state of singleness or isolation.  We need to be united with others.  First counselor of the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Henry B. Eyring, said it is a divinely given desire from God,  "He placed in men and women from the beginning a desire to be joined together as man and wife forever to dwell in families in a perfect, righteous union." (Eyring 1) ".. .t