Coequals

So many assume that by taking on the role of a mother and wife, we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are living a subservient life. Nothing can be further from the truth. As members of the LDS church we are choosing to take on the role of husband and wife and mother and father as Coequals.

Gordon B. Hinkley says:  "The wife you choose will be your equal. Paul declared, "Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:11).
In the marriage companionship there is neither inferiority nor superiority. The woman does not walk ahead of the man, neither does the man walk ahead of the woman. They walk side by side as a son and daughter of God on an eternal journey. She is not your servant, your chattel, nor anything of the kind."

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles eloquently said: “There is not a president or a vice president in a family. The couple works together eternally for the good of the family. … They are on equal footing. They plan and organize the affairs of the family jointly and unanimously as they move forward.” Both husband and wife have a sacred obligation to refrain from thoughts and actions that might undermine that equal partnership. 

Although the term "equal" is used, it we believe it does not mean the "sameness".  Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “Men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. … Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God’s spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel truths. These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination.”

There is research that supports the idea that equal partnerships in marriage have happier relationships and are "more satisfied with the quality of the physical intimacy in their relationship." 

 ^{The Family: A Proclamation}  

 The family proclamation explains the relationship between husband and a wife perfectly: While they have separate responsibilities, “in these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners".

As a wife and mother I feel blessed to have an understanding of the roles both men and women have on earth.  I have a testimony of the divine importance of marriage and it's role in God's eternal plan of happiness. It's not always easy and most families aren't perfect, but having a better understanding of these principles will definitely benefit and bless your family in so many ways.