125: When Marriage Meets Faith
Podcast Guest: Loren Marks
March 24th, 2025
Listen to the Show:
In this Episode
Faith and marriage are deeply connected, influencing values, family practices, and relationship resilience. In this episode, Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale sit down with Dr. Loren Marks, co-director of the American Families of Faith project, to explore how faith strengthens marriages and families. Dr. Marks shares insights from interviewing over 300 couples of diverse religious backgrounds, revealing how shared beliefs, spiritual practices, and faith communities support strong, lasting relationships. They also discuss the potential challenges of religion in marriage, the role of commitment, and how couples can navigate differences in faith to create deep, meaningful connections.
“The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Marriage Commission.”
Time Markers
00:03 - How faith influences marriage
02:53 - The American Families of Faith project
04:13 - Studying successful marriages
06:46 - Three ways faith strengthens marriage
08:55 - The power of shared beliefs
11:38 - Religious practices that strengthen relationships
16:33 - The impact of faith rituals
17:38 - When religion harms relationships
22:52 - Balancing faith and marriage
27:53 - Every marriage is an interfaith marriage
30:35 - Respecting different faith journeys
33:57 - Key lessons from strong marriages
38:47 - The power of big C commitment
43:22 - Real-life example of unwavering commitment
50:51 - The importance of integrity in marriage
53:55 - Final reflections on faith and relationships
Insights
Loren’s
Live with integrity by honoring commitments and setting an example for others. Small acts of honesty strengthen marriages, families, and society.
Liz’s
Marriage isn’t about perfection but daily commitment—choosing to grow, support, love, and forgive. Small efforts create lasting strength and hope.
Dave’s
Faith inspires people to live beyond themselves, bringing meaning, hope, and direction. It encourages self-reflection, outward service, and upward growth, helping us navigate life’s challenges with purpose and love.
About Loren:
Loren Marks joined the School of Family Life in 2015, after 13 years at LSU. Marks received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from BYU, and his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. He has centered his research efforts on religion and families, and has published several related articles or chapters, as well as the book Sacred Matters (with Wes Burr and Randy Day). His research on families has received national media attention from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal. He has twice been nominated for the national Carnegie (CASE) Professor of the Year Award—in 2011 and 2014. He is Co-Director (with Dr. David Dollahite) of the American Families of Faith Project that includes 200 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim families from all eight regions of the United States. Loren served a two-year LDS mission in Wisconsin (1991-1993). His LDS Church service over the past twenty years has been primarily with the youth. Loren and his wife, Sandra Martindale Marks, married in 1995 and are the parents of five dynamic children—Mishonne, Logan, Haley Renee, Denton, and Aliyah.
Loren's Resources
https://americanfamiliesoffaith.byu.edu/
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