Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to BYU-Idaho on Sunday with his beloved wife, Susan.
They shared favorite memories in a devotional with the students. Instead of speaking from a pulpit, they sat in chairs on the stage and talked about their marriage, family life and shared principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One story they shared was about their 25th anniversary, which they celebrated while serving at BYU-Idaho. Sister Bednar was sad their son, Jeff, wasn’t able to be part of their celebrations that night.
“And Dave had me go over to the table and he sat me there. And we munched on our salads, and then it was time for the main course. And I wasn't even watching, but the person came and started to take the plate off the table. They had on a white shirt, and a kind of a tie, and tuxedo kind of thing, and a napkin over their sleeve like a maître d', and they asked, ... ‘Are you ready for your main course?’ And I recognized the voice, it was our son Jeff, that I had crabbed about all the evening, that he wasn't going to be there for home evening,” Sister Bednar said.
They also taught students what they can do to build up relationships with their spouses.
“In the midst of my incredible love for her, we're about to have a fight over why she can't tell me why she's crying. So, we've been married almost 50 years. Brethren, I have only one piece of advice. Shut up and give her a hug. Quit asking. Quit trying to fix it. Boy brains are fixer brains. Can't we fix this? She doesn't want to fix it. She just wants to cry. Leave her alone,” Elder Bednar said.