Debbie's and my love for each other has grown stronger since our marriage back in 1978. I think we are more respectful for each other, especially after dealing with the many problems and challenges that life can throw at you. Also, it's a serious effort raising 5 children in this world and trying to maintain a career in show business as long as we've done it. Under these kinds of stresses, couples can either pull together or pull apart by the responsibilities and challenges of marriage and parenthood. Two words come to mind when asked about how we've done it. One word breeds failure while the other success: selfishness versus selflessness.

I feel fortunate that Debbie and I have grown in our mutual admiration and respect for each other. Our love has a much deeper dimension than when we were first married. We have seen each other pull through some of these challenges and we both have been able to maintain our faith and values. Debbie's strength and consistency in difficult situations has increased my admiration for her. I am so grateful for her love and support for me as I have met changes and challenges in my career. I know she feels the same towards me since we share our feelings often to each other, avoiding criticism.

Communication and patience is something we constantly work at in keeping our marriage strong. It may seem quite trite and sappy, but it's the small, practical things like telling her each day that I love her and she me or being spontaneous and going out on dates with her or little vacations once in a while. Even a small note, card or a forget-me-not. These things help keep the spark alive. We try to stay looking as good as age will allow, and I think that is a great thing to do for the one you love.

There is a saying by Stephen R. Covey, which I wish I were better at doing, but it is very basic in communicating with each other. He says, "Seek to understand before trying to be understood." Wouldn't it make life better if we could all be good at that?

I have come to believe that the teachings of Jesus Christ, are designed for helping marriage and families. His admonitions to do unto others as you would have other do to you, forgive 70 times 7, judge not, go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, do not even look upon another woman to lust after her, are a few of his teachings that help maintain happy marriages and loving family relationships.

To top all this off, Debbie and I were married in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple by the same priesthood keys which Christ gave Peter when he ordained him and said, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven". (Matthew 16:19)

We have learned by "latter-day" revelation through prophets of this dispensation, that those keys of the kingdom were to bind couples and their children for time and all eternity as opposed to the traditional ceremony, "til death do you part". The promises that accompany this eternal unions are so potentially rewarding, that we, and most couples who have had a temple marriage, really seem committed and willing to keep the covenants of an eternal marriage and try to be worthy of this great blessing. I would guess, you could say that our primary mission in life is to live so we can be worthy of the promise of being together forever in the Celestial realm of our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Successful marriage isn't easy, but it is worth the effort.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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