The Three Wolves of Marriage
In a 1996 conference address by Edler Bruce C. Hafen titled, Covenant Marriage, he compares a scripture parable to a covenant marriage. He states, “Marriage is by nature a covenant, not just a private contract one may cancel at will. Jesus taught about contractual attitudes when he described the “hireling,” who performs his conditional promise of care only when he receives something in return. When the hireling “seeth the wolf coming,” he “leaveth the sheep, and fleeth … because he … careth not for the sheep.” By contrast, the Savior said, “I am the good shepherd, … and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Many people today marry as hirelings. And when the wolf comes, they flee. This idea is wrong. It curses the earth, turning parents’ hearts away from their children and from each other.”
After this comparison, he enlightened us on three wolves that destroy marriage.
1. Natural adversity. There are countless natural things that can happen within a marriage that destroy or fortify a marriage. A child born with disabilities is classified as natural adversity. Both spouses have a responsibility to the child that they have never experienced. A contract marriage would flee from the responsibility of caring for the child. A covenant marriage put all of their energy into learning how to love and support the child as well as each other and their marriage during adversity.
2. Personal imperfections. Everyone battles some type of personal imperfection. In a covenant marriage personal imperfections that cause pain, anxiety or depression are bridled. The spouse put’s the other spouse before their imperfections. Also, the other spouse is understanding and helps and supports the other spouse overcome their imperfections.
3. Excessive individualism. I believe this is the drive to sinful behaviors. Selfishness and pride are a result of only worrying about your own happiness. When you only have concern for yourself it can lead to hurtful behaviors like infidelity, addictions, abandonment……
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1996/11/covenant-marriage?lang=eng&_r=1
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