LESSON TWO - None Else and Nothing Else
"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." (D&C 42:22)
SECTION ONE
"It is all too common in modern times for husbands and wives to place various people or activities-work, recreation, extended family, even Church service-above their marital bond." (James M. Harper, "A Man...Shall Cleave unto his Wife," Ensign, Jan. 1990).
President Spencer W. Kimball explained: "The words none else eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then becomes pre-eminent in the life of the husband or wife and neither social life nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse" ("The Miracle of Forgiveness", Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, p. 250).
"We should never flirt in any way. As much as possible, we should avoid being alone with anyone of the opposite sex and ask ourselves if our spouse would be pleased if he or she knew of our words or actions. We should remember the Apostle Paul's counsel to 'Abstain from all appearance of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When we stay away from such circumstances, temptation gets no chance to develop." (Chastity, True to the Faith, 2004).
We believe in chastity before marriage and fidelity ever after. This requires time, and so we need to counsel together about how much television, how many movies, videos, video games, time on the Internet, or out-of-the-home activities should be allowed. (M. Russell Ballard "Like a Flame Unquenchable," Ensign, May 1999)
Additional Resources
Watch Your Step - See how a moment's decision can have far-reaching consequences—for good or bad. (Jeffrey R. Holland "Place No More for the Enemy for My Soul", Ensign, May 2010).
SECTION TWO
Fidelity in Marriage: It's More Than You Think(Kenneth W. Matheson, Sept. 2009).
Read the article while you listen to the voice recording
Questions for Personal Reflection (you may record your thoughts in your journal):
- What things could steal away my loyalty to my husband/wife?
- Is there anything in my life which steals away my loyalty from my husband/wife?
- What will I do to cleave unto my husband/wife and none else?
- How can I reverse the modern commodity to place various people or activities above our marital bond?
- What are some specific examples of "everyone and everything" that I can assume President Kimball is referring to when he talks about the meaning of none else?
- How might video games, time on the internet, and the amount of movies I watch create a barrier for security in our marriage?
- What destructive influences could come about by improper use of media?