TRUST IN MARRIAGE
SELECTED TEACHINGS
Trust
President Howard W. Hunter
“Be faithful in your marriage covenants in thought,
word, and deed. Pornography, flirtations, and
unwholesome fantasies erode one’s character and
strike at the foundation of a happy marriage. Unity
and trust within a marriage are thereby destroyed.
One who does not control his thoughts and thus
commits adultery in his heart, if he does not repent,
shall not have the Spirit but shall deny the faith and
shall fear (see D&C 42:23; 63:16)” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1994, 67; or Ensign,Nov. 1994, 50).
President Gordon B. Hinckley
“The Lord has proclaimed that marriage between a
man and a woman is ordained of God and is intended
to be an eternal relationship bonded by trust and
fidelity. Latter-day Saints, of all people, should marry
with this sacred objective in mind” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1987, 58; or Ensign,May 1987, 47).
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
“A willingness to maintain confidences.Be worthy
of trust even in trivial questions and observations.
Weighty questions and observations will only follow
if we have been trustworthy with the trivial. Treat
innermost trusts and concerns with respect. Build on
deserved trust. Individuals who are blessed to have
a relationship with someone to whom they can
confidently talk and trust are fortunate indeed.
Who is to say a family trust is not greater than
a community trust?” (in Conference Report, Apr.
1976, 81–82; or Ensign,May 1976, 54).
Greater Respect, Loyalty, and Unity
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
“Marriage itself must be regarded as a sacred
covenant before God. A married couple have an
obligation not only to each other, but to God.
He has promised blessings to those who honor
that covenant.
“Fidelity to one’s marriage vows is absolutely essential
for love, trust, and peace. Adultery is unequivocally
condemned by the Lord.
“Husbands and wives who love each other will find
that love and loyalty are reciprocated. This love will
provide a nurturing atmosphere for the emotional
growth of children. Family life should be a time of
happiness and joy that children can look back on
with fond memories and associations” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1982, 85; or Ensign,Nov. 1982, 59).Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
“No nation, no civilization can long endure
without strength in the homes of its people. That
strength derives from the integrity of those who
establish those homes.
“No family can have peace, no home can be free
from storms of adversity unless that family and that
home are built on foundations of morality, fidelity,
and mutual respect. There cannot be peace where
there is not trust; there cannot be freedom where
there is not loyalty. The warm sunlight of love will
not rise out of a swamp of immorality” (in
Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 66).
“Was there ever adultery without dishonesty? In the
vernacular, the evil is described as ‘cheating.’ And
cheating it is, for it robs virtue, it robs loyalty, it robs
sacred promises, it robs self-respect, it robs truth. It
involves deception. It is personal dishonesty of the
worst kind, for it becomes a betrayal of the most
sacred of human relationships, and a denial of
covenants and promises entered into before God
and man. It is the sordid violation of a trust. It is
a selfish casting aside of the law of God, and like
other forms of dishonesty its fruits are sorrow,
bitterness, heartbroken companions, and betrayed
children” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 92; or
Ensign,May 1976, 61).There cannot be peace where there
is not trust; there cannot be
freedom where there is not loyalty.
—Elder Gordon B. Hinckley342