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Counsels for the Church
Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate that which is
noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities
in each other. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful
stimulus and satisfaction. Sympathy and respect encourage the striving
after excellence, and love itself increases as it stimulates to nobler aims.
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The Blending of Two Lives
Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise,
let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union is a
mistake or a disappointment. Determine to be all that it is possible to
be to each other. Continue the early attentions. In every way encourage
each other in fighting the battles of life. Study to advance the happiness
of each other. Let there be mutual love, mutual forbearance. Then
marriage, instead of being the end of love, will be as it were the very
beginning of love. The warmth of true friendship, the love that binds
heart to heart, is a foretaste of the joys of heaven.
All should cultivate patience by practicing patience. By being kind
and forbearing, true love may be kept warm in the heart, and qualities
will be developed that Heaven will approve.
Satan is ever ready to take advantage when any matter of variance
arises, and by moving upon the objectionable, hereditary traits of
character in husband or wife, he will try to cause the alienation of
those who have united their interests in a solemn covenant before
God. In the marriage vows they have promised to be as one, the wife
covenanting to love and obey her husband, the husband promising to
love and cherish his wife. If the law of God is obeyed, the demon of
strife will be kept out of the family, and no separation of interests will
take place, no alienation of affection will be permitted.
This is an important period in the history of the ones who have
stood before you to unite their interests, their sympathies, their love,
their labor, with each other in the ministry of the saving of souls. In the
marriage relation there is a very important step taken—the blending
of two lives into one. It is in accord with the will of God that man and
wife should be linked together in His work, to carry it forward in a
wholeness and a holiness. They can do this.
The blessing of God in the home where this union shall exist is as
the sunshine of heaven, because it is the Lord’s ordained will that man