Back in 1995, the leaders of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, announced a new document entitled The Family: A Proclamation to the World. With the definitions of family changing so much in the last 30 – 40 years there was a need for a proclamation like this. It’s a stand on what families are. Whether you believe in God or not these are principles of good relationships that every Good Husband needs to live by.
Since I am not a father I would like to just mention some of the Good Husband principles that appear in the Proclamation.
Marriage is ordained of God. Marriages are marked by ceremony to signify that both people in the relationship are making a lifelong commitment to each other. It is sacred and should be treated as such. It makes a big difference in a commitment if you are being held accountable for something that is bigger than you.
People are sacred. If you treat life with the sanctity that it deserves, you will never strike your wife. You’ll do your best to ensure her happiness and well being at all times. If she is sacred, then your marriage will also be sacred.
Gender is an inherent quality. If men and women are inherently different, then it’s possible that they have different roles in relationships. I think the best relationships recognize this and that couple will discuss what roles they will take in their relationships.
Families are eternal. The bond of marriage has the potential to last beyond this life, so decisions made here will affect whether or not families will be together beyond the realm of death.
