Love With All Our Hearts

I wanted to share an article that I read while studying D&C 42 which I thought was really good and well put. (I am taking a D&C History class right now through BYU)

What does it mean to love someone with all our hearts? It means with all our emotional feelings and our devotion. Surely when you love your wife with all your heart, you cannot demean her, criticize her, find fault with her, nor abuse her by words, sullen behavior, or actions.

What does it mean to "cleave unto her"? It means to stay close to her, to be loyal to her, to strengthen her, to communicate with her, and to express your love for her. (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1983, p. 43; or Conference Report, Oct. 1983, pp. 63–64.)

In latter-day revelation the Lord speaks again of this obligation. He said, "Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else" (D&C 42:22). To my knowledge there is only one other thing in all scripture that we are commanded to love with all our hearts, and that is God Himself. Think what that means!

This kind of love can be shown for your wives in so many ways. First and foremost, nothing except God Himself takes priority over your wife in your life--not work, not recreation, not hobbies. Your wife is your precious, eternal helpmate--your companion. (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1987, p. 50; or Conference Report, Oct. 1987, p. 61.)

Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Council of the Twelve quoted D&C 42:20, 22, 24 and then gave this informative counsel:

These commandments also are very clear, forthright, and understandable. What applies to the man cleaving unto his wife and none else applies with equal force also to the wife for her husband. There is no double standard in the Church. Both man and woman are responsible for their personal acts.

I often wonder why a man or a woman will give up wife or husband and children for an adulterous relationship. When sin is the foundation of the marriage relationship, the chance of a secure and happy companionship is very remote. Surely the Spirit of the Lord, neither God's laws to man, sanction such behavior, nor can the blessings of the Lord be expected upon such a union.

It is difficult to understand how church members who know these commandments can cast aside such knowledge and yield to the lusts of the flesh. Small violations lead to more serious and devastating sins. Those who play with fire, ultimately, if they persist, will be burned. (Improvement Era, June 1963, p. 482; or Conference Report, Apr. 1963, p. 35.)

Other Brethren have given us this excellent counsel on these verses:

Marriage is a divine institution, ordained of God. Achieving success in the home is a supernal challenge--no other success can compensate for it. (L. Tom Perry, Ensign, May 1995, p. 72.)

And, when the Lord says all thy heart, it allows for no sharing nor dividing nor depriving. And, to the woman it is paraphrased: "Thou shalt love thy husband with all thy heart and shall cleave unto him and none else." The words none else eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then becomes preeminent in the life of the husband or wife, and neither social life nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse. We sometimes find women who absorb and hover over the children at the expense of the husband, sometimes even estranging them from him. The Lord says to them: ". . . Thou shalt cleave unto him and none else." (Spencer W. Kimball, Improvement Era, Dec. 1962, p. 928, or Conference Report, Oct. 1962, p. 57.)

Brethren, our home can never be any better than our selection and care of the one to be the queen in our castle. This sweet and hopefully eternal companion needs particular attention, for she is so tender and so special. "Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else." (D&C 42:22.)

If you really love her, you are more concerned for her welfare than for that of yourself. Do you see that she has opportunity for her self-improvement? She has the same God-given desire for perfection as you do. A regular day of diversion whereby she may pursue this goal is so vital. But do you know what she wants most from you? Your companionship, your courtesies, and your communication. And least? Your selfishness and silence. Each couple must constantly cultivate the art of communication. (Russell M. Nelson, Improvement Era, Dec. 1968, p. 87; or Conference Report, Oct. 1968, pp. 89–90.)

-I know this article states loving and cleaving to your wife but I think that husband can be replaced just as easily-