Covenant Hearts: Why Marriage Matters and How to Make It Last

by Bruce C. Hafen

Now available in paperback!
Other books may offer marital counseling, but no other book
delves as deeply into the "big picture" of why marriage is central
to the health of society as a whole as does Elder Hafen's book
Covenant Hearts. Elder Hafen explains clearly the difference
between a contract marriage of limited duration and a covenant
marriage of unlimited commitment. If we keep our bearings,
husbands and wives become fathers and mothers who hold
in their hands and arms and hearts the purpose of this earth's
creation, forming an unending chain that links the generations
together forever. Filled with practical insights and richly illustrated
with real-life stories, this book is not so much about "how
to" as about "why" and offers profound insights into the crucial
role of marriage in the lives of individuals and of its impact in
society.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bruce C. Hafen, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of
the Seventy, was called to that quorum in 1996. An internationally
recognized family law scholar, he is also well known
for his best-selling trilogy on the Atonement. Elder Hafen currently
serves as president of the St. George Temple. He and
his wife, Marie, are the parents of seven children.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Marriage, Lds

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2012

About the author

Bruce C. Hafen has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1996, having served recently as Area President of the Australia/New Zealand area. Earlier he was president of Ricks College, Dean of the BYU Law School, and the number two administrator (Provost) at BYU. Elder Hafen is known to Deseret Book readers for his frequent Ensign articles and his bestselling trilogy on the Atonement, which includes the award-winning book The Broken Heart.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing perspective on marriage

Elder Hafen, who practiced Family law, provides deep gospel insights on the doctrine of covenant marriage and why it is so important. He also uses the parable of the Good Shepard to help us see how good marriage partners face the wolves of life together.

Finally, in a moving epilogue, Sister Hafen makes a compelling plea (in the form a letter to her grandchildren) for us to keep our covenants by sacrifice.

I think every married couple (or any contemplating marriage someday) would benefit greatly from a sincere and thoughtful reading of this book. My heart is changed. Or I should say, my change of heart is deepened.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the importance of the covenants we make in marriage as LDS members.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main point of the book is to emphasize that marriage has value and is worth fighting to protect, whether within individual marriages or as defined by society more generally. A definition of marriage as between a man and a woman is beneficial to society. This marriage arrangement establishes and maintains a natural, protective, and nurturing environment for parents and children. The redefining of marriage, throughout the world and in the United States, will have consequences of moral decay that will erode away the very fabric of our society. It seems almost a lost cause to try and turn the tide of our society back towards the traditional definition of marriage, the dam has already broke. But, we can in our own families hold on to beliefs and attitudes that keep marriage sacred and protected.

[Katherine Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was uplifting, like one would expect from a gospel-centered book. I learned about the importance of communication, eternal perspective, empathy, and diligence when it comes to maintaining a happy marriage.

Reading this book was an assignment for my Eternal Families class at BYU in fall 2017 (5+ years ago). I'm sure I would get even more out of this book now that I'm actually married.

[Myrl Breinholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written counsel born from a lifetime of experience on the topic of love and genuine unity of Covenant marriage.

[Amy Bergsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very, VERY GOOD parts. A few very cringey parts — female morality and male morality chapters are just simply so outdated. Book could be a bit discouraging for someone who has ever been divorced.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly doctrinal discourse on the importance of marriage and family. Hafen digs deep into the doctrine here, with statistics and some anecdotes. it was good to be reminded about the fundamentals of a good marriage, although he doesn't really go into practicalities, other than to remind us that our spouse should be our first and main priority. The last part of the book talked about how marriage was a critical to the community,which I hadn't thought about in those terms before. It is slightly outdated, and the anecdotes tended to be on the dramatic side....wished some of them could have been a little more relateable.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my thing, but some interesting stats about marriage and it's important in society and higher likelihood of children's success.

I did like that the book clearly illustrates that society's tolerance leads to protecting behavior that can hurt families and children.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partial read. Read first 5 chapters and 1 later chapter.