Can a marriage be predicted to fail before it is ever in trouble? How soon can a marriage go from good to bad? Who can predict such things? 

According to Dr. John M. Gottman author of “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” he states that “I can predict with great precision whether a couple will stay happily together or lose their way after listening to them interact for as little as fifteen minutes. Over seven separate studies, my accuracy rate in making such predictions has averaged 91 perfect.” In as little as 15 minutes Dr. Gottman will most likely know how your marriage will end up.

In his book, Dr. Gottman says that “the simple truth is that happy marriages are based on a  deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company. These couples tend to know each other intimately- they are well versed in each other’s likes, dislikes, personality quirks, hopes and dreams. They have an abiding regard for each other and express this fondness not just in the big ways but through small gestures day in and day out.”

From the findings of Dr. Gottman I think it’s clear to see that happy couples and successful marriages come from those spouses who are willing to set aside their needs and think and do for their spouse before they think about themselves. 

In April of 1999 then Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “An ideal marriage is a true partnership between two imperfect people, each striving to complement the other, to keep the commandments, and to do the will of the Lord.” 

If we want a happy marriage there is a simple formula that needs to be followed. That formula consists of compassion, friendship, concern for the other, empathy and love. Just like it takes following a formula to solve a complex math equation, so it to takes following a formula of love to create a happy marriage union.