I’d like to talk about affair prevention and ways to help keep family strong and marriage relationships where they should be.  Man and wife cannot afford to cheat themselves of the blessings of marriage. 

     President Eyring, an LDS apostle said “"Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is."  The truth in this saying is remarkable and very accurate.  The joys we feel the most are from putting the needs of others first, and showing them how much we care and love them by serving them.  The greatest sorrows and despair we feel comes from losing family and relationships we once held close.

     The Family A Proclamation To The World a LDS church document says “THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. . . HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”

     The truths in this proclamation are essential for marital happiness and well-being.  When mother’s and father’s spend time together and do activities together they are strengthening their marriage and becoming less victim towards affairs and other unfaithful practices.  Most affairs occur because of a sense of feeling special and needed.  If someone else other than your spouse is making you feel special and needed immediately cutoff any connection and do not engage further. 

     Being married includes setting proper and appropriate barriers for you and your spouse.  You can’t do the same things you use to do when you were married! There shouldn’t be a girls or boys night out, spend that time with your spouse and family! Strive to find activities you both enjoy and do them together! Learn how to cook each other’s favorite meals and make a date night out of that. 

     Some of the best advice for a marriage is to always strive to think positively about each other and frequently express those compliments of praise for one another.  Make a list of 5 things you love about your spouse.  It could be something they say, something they do for you, or perhaps the way the look.  After the list, tell them! Encourage them to do the same thing.  Think of ways to make each other feel good and special.

     Above all, live the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow him.  Marriage is ordained of God, created by God, and blessed by God.  He will guide and direct you in your marriage and family if His commandments are kept and help true.  Families and marriages will thrive and find joy if these practices are kept.