The Africa Southeast Area Presidency is pleased to introduce new materials for members of the Church and their families on the important subject of marriage and marriage traditions, particularly the tradition of bride price, or lobola. A new brochure and an accompanying 5-minute video are available to order through the area distribution centers, as well as online at www.africase.lds.org/marriage-in-africa. It is our hope that these new materials will help members of the Church and their families deal with the sensitive subjects of marriage and bride price wherever there is a need. We encourage wards, priesthood quorums, and Relief Societies in every stake and district to use these materials to teach these important doctrines and principles of marriage.
The following are excerpts and key teachings from the new materials on marriage and marriage traditions:
Scriptures that Support Marriage
“Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” - 1 Corinthians 11:11
“Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” - The Family: A Proclamation to the World
“The Church teaches us to give up any personal or family traditions or practices that are contrary to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ and to this gospel culture.” - Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Gospel Culture,” Ensign or Liahona, March 2012
