Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment

Straight Talk About Strengthening Marriage Intimately

	Published Articles
	Author Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, is a columnist for Meridian Magazine and frequent contributor to other publications. You'll also find mini-articles on "Laura's Strengthening Marriage Blog."

	Don't Kid Yourself: Lovemaking Takes Effort By Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, January 18, 2008 The mechanics of "having sex" are fairly simple, but really "making love" and developing a good intimate relationship take some time and effort. Movies, pornography and other media tell us that sex is — or should be — easy, which is a set-up for problems in a real relationship. For those who have ingested pornography, it's difficult to have a healthy and accurate perspective of sexuality, and to separate fantasy from reality.

	"Date Night is NOT Optional" By Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, October 19, 2007 A babysitter costs a lot less than a marriage counselor, or a divorce, for that matter. Date night is not optional for those couples who want to stay close and connected.

	Six Tips to Strengthen Your Marriage Sexually By Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, April 30, 2007 Sexual intimacy is as important for the health and vitality of the marriage relationship as are emotional closeness and spiritual connection. Sexual nourishment that feeds both husband and wife is the dessert of married life. Cultivating your sexual potential in marriage leads to greater mental, emotional, and physical health, happiness and wholeness.

	From Honeymoon to Happily Ever After—Preparing for an Intimately Fulfilling Relationship By Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, August 2, 2006 A positive and mutually pleasing honeymoon begins the foundation upon which the richest and sweetest relationship ever created by God can be built. A negative honeymoon experience can sow seeds of dissatisfaction that may fester for many moons.

	"The Spirituality of Sex" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, March 27, 2006 Sexuality is a sacred and innate part of our being, designed by God not only for procreation, but also for expressions of love in marriage. There are few things that can bring greater joy and richness to a husband/wife relationship than spiritually connected sex.

	"The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, December 28, 2005 also available at DeseretBook.com, January 17, 2006 One of the best gifts we can give our children is a mother and father that love each other. Parents who maintain a strong and vibrant marriage set a positive example of the inevitable ups and downs of marriage, while also showing that problems can be worked through. This creates a haven of security and well-being from which children can flourish.

	"How Do I Get My Spouse to Change?!" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, November 28, 2005 also available at DeseretBook.com, December 5, 2005 Many of us focus on the imperfections of our spouse, thinking rarely of our own weaknesses and the role we play in creating the dynamics of our marriage. It’s the “how-do-I-get-my-spouse-to-change” syndrome. We think if only our spouse would change this or that, then we’d be happy.

	"A Light in the Darkness—Finding Healing and Wholeness from Depression" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, DeseretBook.com, November 14, 2005 Laura Brotherson is a Latter-day Saint who learned first-hand how devastating depression can be--and how you can heal from its ravages.

	"What’s Okay and What Isn’t, Part II Dealing with Sexual Differences in Marriage" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, October 24, 2005 Determining what's okay and what isn't within the intimate marital relationship is no easy task. But if we will take the opportunity to seek God's perspective on these delicate matters, we can develop greater spiritual self-reliance, and be blessed with greater spiritual insight.

	"What’s Okay and What Isn’t, Part I Determining What’s Okay within the Intimate Marital Relationship" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, September 22, 2005 What's okay and what isn't? It's the million-dollar question about sex, and the most requested line of questioning I get. Yet it is also the single most complex, delicate, and potentially dangerous topic of discussion there is.

	"Cultivating Intimate Desire for Your Spouse" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, August 17, 2005 “I'm just not a sexual person. I don’t ever feel sexy." Feeling amorous and sexy is a state of mind that many women must learn to nurture.

	"God's Wedding Gift — Why Save Sex for Marriage" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, August 2, 2005 God has designated sexual intimacy as a "wedding gift" given only to those who are legally and lawfully married. But, are there additional benefits in saving sex for marriage — beyond obeying God's command? Yes! There are many.

	"Divine Designs of Marriage" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, July 7, 2005

	"The Adventure of Marriage" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, June 8, 2005 also available at DeseretBook.com, July 18, 2005

	"Why Do I Keep Doing That?--Understanding Why We Sin" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, May 10, 2005 also available at DeseretBook.com, June 17, 2005

	"Marriage Traditions — Cultivating Couple Connections" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, Mar. 17, 2005

	"Don't Forget the Honeymoon!" by Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE, Meridian Magazine, Feb. 17, 2005

	"Why Is Sex Such A Taboo Subject in Marriage?" by Laura M. Brotherson, Meridian Magazine, Jan. 6, 2005

	"Why Is Sex Such A Taboo Subject in Families?" by Laura M. Brotherson, Meridian Magazine, Feb. 2, 2005

	"What the Scriptures Teach about Physical Intimacy in Marriage" by Laura M. Brotherson (Excerpted from Chapter 2—"The Sanctity of Sexual Relations in Marriage") Click here for this article in Spanish

	"A Light in the Darkness—Finding Healing and Wholeness from Depression" by Sean E. Brotherson and Laura M. Brotherson

	"Part I—"Preparing Your Children for Intimacy in Marriage—Preparing to Teach" by Laura M. Brotherson (Excerpted from Chapter 14—"Preparing Future Generations...")

	"Part II—"Preparing Your Children for Intimacy in Marriage—What to Teach" by Laura M. Brotherson (Excerpted from Chapter 15—"Preparing Future Generations...")

	"Part III—"Preparing Your Children for Intimacy in Marriage—When and How to Teach" by Laura M. Brotherson (Excerpted from Chapter 16—"Preparing Future Generations...")