Faith and Prayer Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. Proclamation, ¶ 7

Faith Leads to Action Relative to family life, faith leads to: Repentance—continually becoming better and more worthy of all the blessings of marriage and family Baptism—as a member of the Church, using all the resources and teachings available to strengthen and improve marriage and family Gift of the Holy Ghost—continually seeking and following divine guidance in all marriage and family relationships “Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action…” Bible Dictionary, Faith, p. 670

Available Resources and Teachings Enlightening truths and prescribed lifestyle Counsel and clear warnings of living Prophets Ward family Support, encouragement, examples, etc. Temple blessings Essential covenants, knowledge, and (where possible) regular attendance Inspired programs Family Home Evening!!! ”[I]f every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world” President Hinckley Helpful media and material BYU TV, Home Fronts, lds.org, Church magazines/news, etc. “At least by seeing family issues mentioned so often, we will all be reminded to focus on the most important organization the Lord has established here on earth.”Elder L. Tom Perry

Prayer Inseparable From Faith Natural and instinctive when we come to understand our relationship with God Commandment which faith leads us to follow Means to strengthen, exercise, enact power of faith “Fathers and mothers, pray over your children. Pray that they may be shielded from the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and knowledge. Pray that they may be directed toward lives that will be profitable and good. Husbands, pray for your wives. Express unto the Lord your gratitude for them and plead with Him in their behalf. Wives, pray for your husbands. Many of them walk a very difficult road with countless problems and great perplexities. Plead with the Almighty that they may be guided, blessed, protected, inspired in their righteous endeavors.” President Gordon B. Hinckley Closing Remarks, April 2003 General Conference

Research on Prayer Couple Conflict and Prayer, Dr. Mark Butler, BYU Prayer appears to be a significant “softening” event for religious couples, facilitating reconciliation and problem solving. (1) invokes an experience of relationship with Deity (2) deescalates hostile emotions and reduces emotional reactivity (3) enhances relationship and partner orientation and behavior (4) facilitates empathy and unbiased perspectives (5) increases self-change focus (6) encourages couple responsibility for reconciliation and problem solving