The Nature of Marriage and Families

This week we are studying the famous relationship expert, Dr. John M. Gottman.  In his New York Times Bestseller, "the Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work"  he says he can predict if a couple is going to divorce by how they speak to each other. I supposed he wanted to start off his book with these negative communication styles so a person can QUIT doing them ASAP.   I have made a list with some of his communications styles we should avoid.   This is not all of them.  If you want to know all his ideas I would read his book.   It is insightful. 7 Communication No-Nos if You Want to stay Married . 1 - The Harsh Start-Up - Dr. Gottman says if a discussion starts out harshly it is not going to be a successful discussion. "Don't lead off a discussion with criticism, sarcasm, or any form of contempt."  Dr. Gottman calls the next 4 on this list "the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" because if they are used often in your communication sty...

San Diego LDS Temple Wedding by Amber Katrina - http://www.amberkatrina.com/index2.php "We frequently speak about and highlight marriage as a fundamental unit of society, as the foundation of a strong nation, and as a vital sociological and cultural institution. But the restored gospel helps us to understand that it is so much more!"  ( Bednar 2006) In 1995 the Prophet of God on earth, President Gordon B. Hinkley, announced "THE FAMILY: A Proclamation to the Word"  "We... s olemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." (Hinckley 1995) "The great P lan of H appiness enables the spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Father to obtain physical bodies, to gain earthly experience, and to progress toward perfection.   "Righteous marriage is a commandment and an essential ste...

    There have been a number of court rulings in the last century that have had unfavorable effects on the family unit and marriage.  The 1969 Divorce Reform Act allowing “no fault” divorce to become the norm, causing a “child-centered” Nation to become a “me-centered” one.  In 1973, the Supreme Court Case, Roe v. Wade, made abortion legal.  This was another travesty to the rights of the children. The most recent attack on the family unit came under the disguise of protecting civil rights. It happened on June 26, 2015, when Obergefell v. Hodges was decided by the United States Supreme Court.  That decision, which was unconstitutionally made, said same-sex couples have a fundamental right to be married.  Changing a long held tradition and belief that marriage is between a man and a woman, and more importantly, forgetting that children need a married father AND a mother for the most advantageous environment to be raised in. (...