Susanne M. Alexander, “Healthy, Unified Marriages as Service to Humanity”

When you hear the word “marriage,” a myriad of images and thoughts likely come to mind. Everyone has their own experience of relationships and marriages. However, when we take a step back and look at the broader spiritual context, our perspective shifts. Marriage, when created wisely, is a “fortress for well-being and salvation” for the couple. It creates an eternal connection of oneness between them. It also provides safety and security for the creation of a new family reared up to worship God. Bahá’ís are focused on creating unity among all people, and healthy marriages and families are one of the key building blocks. Humanity progresses as we raise children to have good characters, train youth in character observation and relationship skills, help young adults make healthy and wise relationship choices, and assist marriages to function on Bahá’í principles. Happy and unified marriages, with both partners skillful at communication and consultation, serve as a positive influence for extended families, neighbors, coworkers, and more. The Universal House of Justice in illuminating what service is, includes: “one’s marriage and the bringing up of one’s children” as “an element of…service to Bahá’u’lláh.”