The Rewards of Marriage: Why You Should Build a Strong Foundation for a Lifetime of Love

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The Rewards of Marriage

According to a 2014 Pew Research Center study, 66% of U.S. LDS adults are married, which is higher than the national average marriage rate of US citizens 48%. But what about the other 44% of LDS adults?

In the LDS faith we are taught that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.¹ Yet we still have 44% of LDS members are unmarried.

Studies have shown that adults in the United States are increasingly postponing marriage, and that a record number of current youth and young adults are projected to forego marriage altogether.

Not only is marriage central to the spiritual plan of happiness, marriage has been shown to correlate with positive health outcomes and longevity (3), and a recent report showed that age-adjusted death rates for both males and females are lowest for those who were married at the time of death (4). 

From this statement we can conclude that marriage benefits us spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Health Benefits of Marriage

A happier life after getting married may not just be in fairy tales. It’s in the data, too. Harvard Review published an article on the health advantages of marriage. The data showed that people in marriages:

• Live longer.
• Have fewer strokes and heart attacks.
• Have a lower chance of becoming depressed.
• Be less likely to have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and more likely to survive cancer for a longer period of time.
• Survive a major operation more often.

Stability and Constant Companionship

Marriage is a sacred union between two individuals who come together to share their lives, dreams, and aspirations. Beyond the vows exchanged on a beautiful day, marriage offers a multitude of rewards that go beyond the surface level of companionship.

In a world where relationships are often fleeting, online and rarely face to face, and temporary, the rewards of marriage stand out as a beacon of hope and stability for couples willing to commit to a lifetime of love and partnership.

According to a study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, social isolation and loneliness are associated with a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety rates in the US population continue to rise. With social media friendships not being that social at all, social media continues to take up on average 2.5 hours a day. By the time you add in a work or study schedule, daily activities and social media there isn’t much time left in the day to socialize face to face.

Personally I love the fact that I know my partner is home when I return from work, I love that I have my best friend next to me to cuddle up to at night.

Suffering from several mental health disorders myself, having that constant stability, routine, and companionship has made a dramatic positive impact in my life.

Reflective questions

• How has companionship in your marriage benefited your life?
• If you are not married, how do you think having constant companionship would change your life?
• What is stopping you from finding a life long companion?

Team Player By Your SIde

One of the top reasons why couples choose to tie the knot is to build a strong foundation for their future together. Marriage is not just about the wedding day itself; it is about the lifelong commitment to support and cherish one another through thick and thin.

When two individuals decide to join their lives in marriage, they are not only creating a bond of love but also a bond of trust and mutual respect that can weather any storm. This strong foundation becomes the bedrock on which couples can build their family, navigate life’s challenges, and celebrate life’s joys.

People who are married vs cohabitation have a dramatically lower rate for separation.

Marriage Provides Security & Stability

In the fast-paced digital age we live in, the rewards of marriage take on even greater significance. With distractions at every turn and the pressures of modern life weighing heavily on individuals, marriage offers a sense of grounding and stability that is invaluable. In a world where relationships can be fleeting and temporary, marriage provides a sense of permanence and security that is hard to find elsewhere.

One of the key rewards of marriage is the ability to create a strong family bond that transcends time and space. When two individuals come together in marriage, they are not just joining their lives but also their families. This merging of families creates a web of support and love that can help couples navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. From celebrating holidays together to supporting each other through illness or loss, the family bond that marriage creates is a source of strength and comfort in times of need.

When times are hard having a partner gives us someone to rely on and to give us help. This helps maintaining security and stability while weathering the storms of life.

Temple Marriages

With the amount of evidence that marriage is good for your mind, body and spirit you may wonder are all marriages equal?

The answer is no.

As of May 2024, the divorce rate in the United States was 42% with LDS temple marriages having a low divorce rate of 6% (Los Angeles Times).  So if you have been putting off your sealing that low 6% divorce statistic should get you running down that sealing isle in a jiffy!

Celebrating Milestones

Welcoming a new child into the world to celebrating milestones and achievements together, marriage allows couples to share in each other’s triumphs and successes. The joy of experiencing life’s highs and lows with a partner by your side is a reward that is truly priceless.

While marriage brings with it many rewards, it is not without its challenges. Couples may face financial ruin, health crises, or other unexpected setbacks along the way. However, the rewards of marriage lie in the ability of couples to weather these storms together, to support each other through thick and thin, and to emerge stronger on the other side. Marriage is a journey that requires commitment, patience, and understanding, but the rewards of a lifelong partnership built on love and trust are well worth the effort.

In conclusion, the rewards of marriage are vast and varied, from building a strong family bond to navigating life’s challenges together. Marriage offers couples the opportunity to create a lasting legacy, experience life’s joys at top speed, and weather any storm that comes their way. In a world where relationships can be fleeting and temporary, the rewards of marriage stand out as a beacon of hope and stability for couples willing to commit to a lifetime of love and partnership. So, the next time you consider taking the plunge into marriage, remember the rewards that await you on the other side.

LDS Mum.

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