Since becoming president of the Church, President Gordon B. Hinckley has spoken frequently about marriage and its importance. Following are excerpts from some of his addresses:
"You will know no greater happiness than that found in your home. You will have no more serious obligation than that which you face in your home. The truest mark of your success in life will be the quality of your marriage. - From priesthood session, General Conference, April 1998"Live the gospel. You husbands who hold the holy priesthood, live worthy of it. Be good husbands. Don't abuse your wives. You wives, be good wives. Give encouragement to your husbands. They need it." - From member meeting, Paris, France, June 4, 1998
"There is trouble in the homes of our people. There is too much of divorce. There is too much of quarreling. There is too much of raised voices. There is too much of anger. There is too much of thoughtlessness. We, you and I, each of us, need to be alert. We need to repent, if necessary, and we need to be alert to our responsibility." - From Atlanta Georgia Regional Conference, priesthood leadership meeting, May 16, 1998
"Determine that there will never be anything that will come between you, that will disrupt your marriage. Make it work. There is far too much of divorce. Inevitably hearts are broken and lives are destroyed. Be fiercely loyal one to another." - From Institute devotional, Logan, Utah, Oct. 21, 1997
"For a happy marriage there are some things that are absolutely necessary. One is respect for one another. That is very important that you develop respect for one another and maintain that. You have to give and take in marriage. You are each a little different. But if you can maintain an attitude of respect that makes all the difference in the world. Another thing is the soft answer, keeping your voice down. Don't lose your temper. Speak quietly. There will be differences but don't get stirred up over them. Just be quiet and calm and speak softly one to another.
". . . It is selfishness that brings about conflict and all of these difficulties that afflict so very, very many marriages. It is being plain, downright selfish.
"You have to develop self-discipline. Marriage is not all romance. Marriage is work. Marriage is effort. Marriage is input to make it work. You have to accommodate one another. You have to look after one another." - From Church News interview prior to President and Sister Hinckley's 60th wedding anniversary, April 8, 1997
"Affairs in the home must not be neglected. I deal much, so very much, with cases of divorce and requests for cancellation of temple sealings. It is the most difficult of all the things with which I have to do. Almost without exception, each case involves deception, dishonesty, broken promises, violated covenants, heartbreak and tragedy. Begin with your own home to preserve the sanctity of your marriage, the eternity of your covenants, and the happiness which comes when there is love and security and trust in the family. Put the comfort and happiness of your companion and your children ahead of your own." - From BYU devotional, Provo, Utah, Sept. 17, 1996
"My brethren, you will never have in all of your lives a greater asset than the woman into whose eyes you looked as you joined hands over the altar in the House of the Lord. She will be your most precious possession in time or eternity. Respect her as your companion. Respect her and live with honor together and there will be happiness in your lives." - From BYU Married Student Regional Conference, Feb. 11, 1996
