Wavering from the Relief Society Lesson Manual

The #1 reason the First Presidency advises teachers to teach from the Manual:


You get handouts (for a lesson on Eternal Marriage) that say things like this:


The Irresistible Woman

1. Sexual Fulfillment. She meets this need by becoming a terrific sexual partner. She studies her own sexual response to recognize and understand which brings out the best in her; then she shares this information with him, and together they learn to have a sexual relationship that both find repeatedly satisfying and enjoyable.

2. Recreational Companionship. She develops and interest in the recreational activities he enjoys most and tries to become proficient at them. If she finds she cannot enjoy them, she encourages him to consider other activities that they can enjoy together. She becomes his favorite recreational companion, and he associates her with his most enjoyable moments of relaxation.

3. Physical Attractiveness. She keeps herself physically fit with diet and exercise, and she wears her hair, makeup, and clothes in a way that he finds attractive and tasteful. he is attracted to her in private and proud o her in public.

4. Domestic Support. She creates a home that offers him a refuge from the stresses of life. She manages the household responsibilities in a way that encourages him to spend time at home enjoying his family.

5. Admiration. She understands and appreciates him more than anyone else. She reminds him of his value and achievements and helps him maintain self-confidence. She avoids criticizing him. She is proud of him, not out of duty, but from a profound respect for the man she chose to marry.


The Irresistible Man

1. Affection. He tells his wife that he loves her with words, cards, flowers, gifts, and common courtesies. He hugs and kisses her many times each day, creating an environment of affection that clearly and repeatedly expresses his love or her.

2. Conversation. He sets aside time every day to talk to her. They may talk about events in their lives, their children, their feelings or their plans. But whatever the topic, she enjoys the conversation because it is never judgmental, always informative and constructive. She talks to him as much as she would like, and responds with interest. He is never too busy to just talk.

3. Honesty and Openness. He tells her everything about himself, leaving nothing out that might later surprise her. He describes his positive and negative feelings, events of his past, his daily schedule, and his plans for the future. He never leaves her with a false impression and is truthful about his thoughts, feelings intentions and behavior.

4. Financial Support. He assumes the responsibility to house, feed, and clothe the family. If his income is insufficient to provide essential support, he resolves the problem by upgrading his skills to increase his salary. He does not work long hours, keeping himself from his wife and family, but is able to provide necessary support by working a forty to forty-five hour week. while he encourages his wife to pursue a career, he does not depend on her salary for family living.

5. Family Commitment. he commits sufficient time and energy to the moral and educational development of the children. He reads to them, engages in sports with them, takes them on frequent outings. He reads books and attends lectures with his wife on the subject of child development so that they will do a good job training the children. He and she discuss training methods and objectives until they agree. He does not proceed with any plan of training discipline without her approval. He recognizes that his care of the children is critically important to her.


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For the record, this handout is in NO WAY supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It did NOT come from any source to be found as doctrine.

This was NOT my wards Relief Society Lesson. I was technically not there to actually hear this lesson, but I'm kind of sad I missed it. I can only imagine the discussion in class, not to mention the looks on the sisters faces. I heard all about it afterwards. I couldn't believe the handout. I laughed and couldn't resist the urge to share.

We had a great discussion while making Sunday Dinner about it. I mean, who wouldn't? Just a reminder of why we stick to the lesson manual at church.