Chapter 6—Counsels to Walter and Laura
Binding Nature of the Marriage Vow—January 9, 1888. I had
an interview with Brother C. His earnest solicitation prevailed upon
me to go with him to St. Helena and have an interview with his wife....
January 11, 1888. I had a long talk with Sister C, showing her that
the marriage vow is binding and could not release its claims upon any
of the parties who entered into it, save from the cause of adultery, the
violation of the marriage bed. We had much profitable talk upon this
subject.—
Manuscript 22, 1888
.
Is an Oath Nothing?—June 8, 1888. I wish to present before you
[Laura] some few points. Why do you not regard facts as they are? You
two registered an oath that has been recorded upon the record books
of heaven by the recording angel, that you would love one another
until death does you part. Why do you not remember this? Do you
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so lightly put aside your vows? Should you yield to evil counsel your
honor, your oath, your duty? If evil thoughts have come in upon you,
if you have had evil advice suggesting your estrangement, is that a
reason you should lightly cast aside your oath? Is an oath nothing?
Are your own whims everything?
You may say you do not love your husband. Is that a reason you
should not try to do so? Is this life so long and of such value to you
that you will choose to have your own way and set aside God’s law? I
see no possible grounds for you to obtain a divorce. If your husband
deceived you, even so, there is your oath. If he told you, as he says
he did do, and denies that he deceived you, then you married him,
how can you obtain a divorce? I wish you would pursue a course in
accordance with the advice I gave you, for I cannot give you any other
counsel.
Imperfection No Reason for Dissolving a Marriage—My heart
is sick when I see the loose way that the marriage vows are held. We
are nearing the judgment. I ask you to consider carefully, candidly,
your position. There is, perhaps, upon more thorough acquaintance, a
dislike of your husband’s ways and manners. Will not many people
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