50 years ago in Church history
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Happiness in the home was the topic of a talk given by President David O. McKay during the 1954 MIA June Conference, according to the June 19, 1954, Church News.
Speaking in the Tabernacle on June 13, President McKay said, "The theme this afternoon is one of the highest and noblest of our lives. It touches the very heart of the individual and of the home and of the Church and of the nation — the eternity of the marriage covenant, happiness in the home, here and hereafter."
He called the marriage ceremony "the beginning of an eternal courtship" and spoke about three ideals that contribute to happiness after the ceremony: loyalty, self-control and courtesy.
"It is after the ceremony," he said, "and during the trials that daily arise in the home that a word of thank you, pardon me, if you please, contributes to the perpetuation of that love that brought you to the altar."
Of loyalty, President McKay said that a husband has no right "to yield to the attention of any young woman" other than his wife or "to attract the attention of another man's wife."
Of self-control, he said family members should be patient when annoying or hurtful things happen to them. "In a few minutes you will be glad that you did not say the harsh word, that you did not commit the impulsive act, and the result is love and peace in the home."
Of courtesy, he said, "Fifteen years, twenty years, thirty years, be just as courteous to each other as you were when you courted. It makes a happy home."
