GA Quotes Encouraging Spouses to Not Leave Disbelievers

There are some Ensign articles that address the issue but the articles are not by GAs. I think there is an implied stamp of approval from the leaders of the church when something is published in the Ensign. Some of the stuff in the articles is condescending but there are some good parts too. I think it will be a difficult task to find real GA quotes on the subject because this kind of advice is of a more private nature than public.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=b7fa92e21acdb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=6b979209df38b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0a6f2150a447b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=83ac991a83d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

I especially liked what the last link says about D&C 42:22.

Your spouse is the only person other than the Lord whom you have been commanded to love with all your heart (see D&C 42:22). Remember that the Lord has said, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22). The phrase “none else” teaches that no person, activity, or possession should ever take precedence over your relationship with your spouse.

I have never heard of an “official” recommendation for divorce – solely for disbelief.

James E. Faust, “Enriching Your Marriage,” Liahona, Apr 2007, 2–6:

Divorce can be justified only in the rarest of circumstances. In my opinion, “just cause” for divorce should be nothing less serious than a prolonged and apparently irredeemable relationship that destroys a person’s dignity as a human being.

In my opinion struggling marriages should always seek counseling, no matter what the specific problem. I have heard of “disbelief” problems that contribute to the “destruction of a person’s dignity as a human being” when the disbelieving spouse won’t let up on the insults toward the church and all believers. I hope such situations are far from the norm. I think most situations can me moderated over time with active counseling and a focus on the marriage. Respect for the individual (running both ways) has to be at the core of any successful marriage.

Obviously the opposite situation is also possible – where the believing spouse won’t let up on the disbeliever.

Sorry I don’t know of any more specific quotes on the subject. I would love to see some direct comments, I think they could help save some marriages.

I recall a talk or Ensign article by Boyd K. Packer from many years ago, maybe the late 70’s or early 80’s. He was addressing members who had an inactive spouse, not necessarily a spouse who had been active and then lost faith. But his message was to never give up, and to show an increase of love and respect for the inactive spouse. It was helpful to me at the time.