Power Relationships in Marriage

“In your family when there is a decision to be made that affects everyone, you and your wife together will seek whatever counsel you might need and together you will prayerfully come to a unified decision. If you ever pull priesthood rank on her, you will have failed in your leadership.”

(Carlfred Broderick, One Heart, One Flesh, pp. 31–32)

Together, a husband and a wife can form a power-relationship. We are stronger when we unitedly make decisions regarding our families. I’m very blessed to be married to a man who seeks to have this kind of marital relationship. We are different in some ways and don’t always think alike but we enjoy finding out what the other thinks. I love it when he asks for my opinion and I try and ask for his often as well. We like to discuss topics together, from finances to kids, to current events and how we feel about them.

Men and women should walk side by side in their relationship. No one takes dominance over the other. When our spouse feels a different way from us we should seek to understand and not just be heard. (Children should also know that although their parents are in charge, they care about their opinions and will listen to what they have to say.)

            President and Sister Hinckley were a great example of how we as spouses should treat each other.  Sister Hinckley said of her husband that he “always let me do my own thing. He never insisted that I do anything his way, or any way, for that matter. From the very beginning he gave me space and let me fly.” President Hinckley said, “Let her develop her own talents. Let her do things her way. Get out of her way, and marvel at what she does.” (Marjorie Pay and Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, October 2003, pp. 22, 27) President and Sister Hinckley had a power relationship which was a blessing for them and their posterity.

            I hope to always strive to have this kind of relationship with my husband and to leave behind this kind of legacy for my own children. I hope they can see that being united as a couple is so much better than being divided.