This week in my marriage class we read about fidelity and intimacy in marriage. I really appreciated what I read and I want to share a few of my favorite thoughts.
The first thing that really stood out to me was the overwhelming evidence that intimacy and sexual relations are ordained of God if done in the proper context. Physical intimacy isn't just for the creation of children. Don't get me wrong though. Creating children is a major reason we are here on earth and why we get married in the first place, but that's not it. Physical intimacy is "God-created, God-ordained, God-blessed" in the words of President Kimball. President Kimball goes on to say that in addition to the beautiful responsibility to create children physical intimacy is a beautiful way for husbands and wives to show their love to one another. I've heard it said and know for myself that selflessness is the key to great martial relations. Knowing what your spouse needs and helping to fulfill those needs brings so much joy to a marriage and physical intimacy.
Something else I enjoyed reading was that in order to have a healthy happy marriage you need to be balanced in intimacy. Along with physical intimacy there needs to be emotional intimacy and spiritual intimacy. I know I feel closer to my husband when we are able to have deep emotional conversations. Whether we're talking about school, our fears, our future, our dreams, whatever. I really appreciate those moments with my husband. I also really appreciate the moments when we connect on spiritual matters. One doesn't have to be a religious person to have spiritual intimacy in marriage. I feel like this is strongly related to emotional intimacy
, but on a slightly deeper level.
I also really liked reading about what it means to be faithful to my husband. Before physical immorality and unfaithfulness there is emotional immorality and unfaithfulness. I'm grateful that Dr Goddard pointed out some warning signs for us to be aware of. Our thoughts and actions start small and innocent, but gradually they grow into an unhealthy "special" friendship and then if you continue down that path it will lead to turning away from your spouse and turning towards this other relationship to meet all your needs both emotional and physical.
I'm grateful to be learning all of these things now so that I can prevent things from happening later. I'm grateful the the special way God has made for husbands and wives to express their love.
The first thing that really stood out to me was the overwhelming evidence that intimacy and sexual relations are ordained of God if done in the proper context. Physical intimacy isn't just for the creation of children. Don't get me wrong though. Creating children is a major reason we are here on earth and why we get married in the first place, but that's not it. Physical intimacy is "God-created, God-ordained, God-blessed" in the words of President Kimball. President Kimball goes on to say that in addition to the beautiful responsibility to create children physical intimacy is a beautiful way for husbands and wives to show their love to one another. I've heard it said and know for myself that selflessness is the key to great martial relations. Knowing what your spouse needs and helping to fulfill those needs brings so much joy to a marriage and physical intimacy.Something else I enjoyed reading was that in order to have a healthy happy marriage you need to be balanced in intimacy. Along with physical intimacy there needs to be emotional intimacy and spiritual intimacy. I know I feel closer to my husband when we are able to have deep emotional conversations. Whether we're talking about school, our fears, our future, our dreams, whatever. I really appreciate those moments with my husband. I also really appreciate the moments when we connect on spiritual matters. One doesn't have to be a religious person to have spiritual intimacy in marriage. I feel like this is strongly related to emotional intimacy
, but on a slightly deeper level.
I also really liked reading about what it means to be faithful to my husband. Before physical immorality and unfaithfulness there is emotional immorality and unfaithfulness. I'm grateful that Dr Goddard pointed out some warning signs for us to be aware of. Our thoughts and actions start small and innocent, but gradually they grow into an unhealthy "special" friendship and then if you continue down that path it will lead to turning away from your spouse and turning towards this other relationship to meet all your needs both emotional and physical.
I'm grateful to be learning all of these things now so that I can prevent things from happening later. I'm grateful the the special way God has made for husbands and wives to express their love.
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