For Better or For Worse

IN-LAWS          I’ll be the first to admit that finding a good and balanced relationship with in-laws is a lot harder than it would seem. When I first started dating my husband I really liked my in-laws a lot. They were very welcoming and nice to me as I was slowly introduced to their family. I loved the way his mom seemed so interested in me and seemed to really be in touch with her son and be a rock in his life. To me they seemed, simply put, legit. Now, fast-forward to years later after being married and having a baby and, to put it bluntly, they aren’t quite as legit as I thought not because they have changed but because we have. Our priorities have shifted and theirs have remained the same. Our expectations and priorities have switched and theirs are the same. That may sound harsh. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I love my in-laws. I think that they are fun and that they love us but I guess I didn’t realize that the...

   No vote Dr. Richard B. Miller the Director of the School and Family Life at Brigham Young University illustrates some issues regarding power that start at the root of a lot of family problems. I am going to talk about a few. I love the hierarchy of a family. Parents, as a unit of husband and wife, combine their efforts as the leaders of the home. Dr. Richard B. Miller said, “As with any other leadership position, parents should not be harsh, domineering, or dictatorial, but they are the leaders of the family, and the children need to follow that leadership.” I love this teaching because I think that this is a teaching that is sort of becoming unpopular. I have heard, from my peers, countless times when their children are called their little boyfriend or little girlfriend. I have seen my friends let their children do whatever they want because they are scared of the consequences of parenting. I have a close relative that is having this problem now with her 2...

Sometimes in Mormon culture a taboo is cast over anything and everything that has to do with sexual relations. For me, this is a shame. Of course, I know that there a hard and fast rules and boundaries when it comes to sexual relations but those are in place because sex is more than just two people having a good time. Sex is an act governed by God so that we, as his children, can bring more children to this earth. It is a powerful act that not only brings children to this earth but it also brings married couples together in love and in unity. I feel like this is the first thing that must be understood. Once we understand the purpose of sexual relations we begin to understand its sacred and holy nature in our lives. The world has decided that sex is a game to be won or a title to be worn. The world has diluted the powerful, godly act into nothing more than “fun.” This fun is temporary happiness or euphoria that dies within days, hours, minutes or even moments af...