LIVING A COVENANT MARRIAGE: Practical Advice from Thirteen Experts Who've Walked in Your Shoes

This book of essays by family therapists and LDS leaders encourages Mormons to remain true to their temple covenants, honoring their spouses and preparing to be together for eternity. Elder Bruce Hafen begins the volume by distinguishing between contract marriages, where each partner gives 50%, and covenant marriages, where each partner is prepared to give 100%. Other contributors stress the importance of keeping love alive, being realistic about marriage expectations and handling anger. In a frank article, Brinley (whose book on marital intimacy became a bestseller in the Mormon market) takes on the divinely ordained role of sex, saying that whether a couple has a healthy sexual relationship is a barometer for the overall state of the marriage. (June)