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Doctrine of Eternal Marriage & Societal Ideas of Marriage

It is important in my life to ensure that my marriage is a covenant marriage and not a contractual marriage. I do this by keeping an Eternal Perspective in my marriage. I focus on our progression in this life to prepare for the next life. We can do this by consistently working on our goals, love, and connection. We can do things to strengthen our marriage by improving our spirituality. As it says on the LDS website: "Covenant marriage requires a total leap of faith: they must keep their covenants without knowing what risks that may require of them. They must surrender unconditionally, obeying God and sacrificing for each other. Then they will discover what Alma called “incomprehensible joy.”" I like how it says that covenant marriages requires a total leap of faith, because marriages should be filled with faith, hope and a positive mindset.  In marriages that are contractual, often times it is looked at with less optimism. Marriages without faith are more likely to end in divorce because of the mindset that it is "okay" to get a divorce if it "doesn't work out." When there is a deep level of commitment and spiritual promise, there is a stronger amount of effort that is put into the marriage. 
I believe that there are many factors that are detrimental to society and marriages. One of them is "excessive individualism" because it contributes to "today's contractual attitudes." When there is a mindset that people do not owe anything to anyone, it increased peoples selfish attitudes. When there is not a sense of belonging and commitment, people do not the valuable ties. In today's world, people want to be free from bondage, and free from bonds of marriage. Marriage is meant to be a positive marital sacred bond. People do well when they have ties and loyalty to someone or a group of people. I believe that positive marriages increase peoples bonds and connections, and generally improve both people in the marriage. 
I have noticed that couples that value "individualism" tend to have an attitude that is less united with their spouse. This "I can do it myself", "Mine vs theirs", and focus on personal growth that is often not including their spouse is detrimental to the marriage union. Marriage is intended for a husband and a wife to be united with their goals for their family. Excessive individualism takes away from this fundamental principle. 

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