https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/covenant-marriage?lang=eng
Contract vs Covenant
When troubles come, the parties to a contractual marriage seek happiness by walking away. They marry to obtain benefits and will stay only as long as they’re receiving what they bargained for. But when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through.
--> Looks to fill the needs not evade obligation. Guided by the spirit. Endowed with unseen depths of strength and mercy.
Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent. 1
Jesus taught about contractual attitudes when he described the “hireling,” who performs his conditional promise of care only when he receives something in return. When the hireling “seeth the wolf coming,” he “leaveth the sheep, and fleeth … because he … careth not for the sheep.” By contrast, the Savior said, “I am the good shepherd, … and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 2 Many people today marry as hirelings. And when the wolf comes, they flee.
Our deepest God-given instinct is to run to the arms of those who need us and sustain us. But he drives us away from each other today with wedges of distrust and suspicion. He exaggerates the need for having space, getting out, and being left alone.
The bonds of covenants give us strength to withstand, offer compassion, and sucker.
