ATLANTA , Georgia — With a passion for strengthening marriages, LDS marriage leaders are coming together to organize their efforts to help build stronger and more fulfilling marriage relationships within the LDS community. With the united direction of Sean Brotherson, PhD, Associate Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist at North Dakota State University; Maurine Proctor, editor of Meridian Magazine, and Wally Goddard, PhD and CFLE, Extension Family Life Specialist at the University of Arkansas, this new organization is prepared to support individuals and couples in preparing for, developing, and building healthier and happier marriage relationships.

One of the first efforts of the LDS Marriage Network is their first annual Smart Marriages Pre-conference, in connection with the national Smart Marriages conference held annually. The LDS Marriage Network welcomes all those who will be attending the Smart Marriages conference, as well as those who would like to attend the free LDS Marriage Network Pre-conference on Thursday, June 22.

You can join many others who will be part of history in the making — whether your interest is in promoting stronger marriages, or simply in strengthening and celebrating your own.

In addition to the LDS Marriage Network pre-conference, there will several additional opportunities to meet at the conference, sponsored by the LDS Marriage Network (see schedule below). For a copy of the pre-conference meeting agenda, follow the link provided below.

The Smart Marriages conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia this year, June 22-25, 2006. For more information about the Smart Marriages conference, visit www.SmartMarriages.com.

What? 1st Annual “LDS Marriage Network” Smart Marriages Pre-conference

When? Thursday, June 22, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where? Marriott Marquis Hotel (265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia)

Who? For all people interested in strengthening LDS marriages

Why?

To gather members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are interested in pursuing their passions for strengthening marriages To share a vision of the LDS Marriage Network in strengthening marriages To facilitate sharing of current marriage building efforts To impart what is currently known about LDS marriages To provide education on key marital issues To network with fellow marriage leaders to brainstorm positive, engaging, and innovative action to strengthen the marriages of our 13 million LDS members worldwide To be a catalyst for empowering ongoing collaborative efforts to strengthen marriage

LDS Marriage Network Meeting Times

Thurs, Jun 22, 9 am - 5 pm	LDS Marriage Network Smart Marriages Pre-Conference (Conference room International B; Check in begins 8 am)
Thurs, Jun 22, 8:30 pm - 10 pm	LDS Marriage Network "Meet and Greet" (10th floor Skyline Terrace/Lounge)
Fri. Jun 23, 12 -12:45 pm	LDS Marriage Network Lunch Meeting (10th floor Skyline Terrace/Lounge)
Sat, Jun 24, 12:30 -1:15 pm	LDS Marriage Network Lunch Meeting (10th floor Skyline Terrace/Lounge)
Sun. Jun 25, 7 - 8 am	LDS Marriage Network Sacrament/Testimony Meeting (Scott Gardner's Marriott Marquis hotel room)

Other Details

• Participants can pre-pay for lunches Thursday morning to make them more easily available for our Thursday, Friday, and Saturday lunch meetings.
• A display table will be available to share business cards, brochures, marriage resources, etc.
• Please send an email to sean.brotherson@ndsu.edu or call Sean Brotherson at (701) 231-6143 to indicate if you would like to pre-register for this free conference, or if you plan to attend any of the meeting sessions. To sign up for information updates regarding the LDS Marriage Network, send an email to: LDSMarriageNet@StrengtheningMarriage.com or to sean.brotherson@ndsu.edu.
• Please check the Smart Marriages conference message board for any changes to meeting times or locations, or call the LDS Marriage Network conference contact number (609) 556-8749 while at the Smart Marriages conference.
• If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Dr. Sean E. Brotherson at sean.brotherson@ndsu.edu (701) 231-6143.

For the Updated Pre-conference Agenda visit:
    http://www.strengtheningmarriage.com/smartmarriage-agenda.html

For the LDS Marriage Network “ Mission Statement and Guiding Principles,” visit: http://www.strengtheningmarriage.com/smartmarriage-missionstatement.html

We encourage you to share this information with anyone who would like to be a part of this great effort to strengthen marriages. President Spencer W. Kimball has provided a vision for all of what is possible in marriage: "Real lasting happiness is possible, and marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person" (Spencer W. Kimball, “Oneness in Marriage,” Ensign, Oct. 2002, 42).

Coming soon to Meridian Magazine (from the LDS Marriage Network) — the “LDS Newlywed Smart Start Kit,” a power packed series of articles with easy application to help any marriage get off to a great start!

Also coming soon — the online resource…www.LDSMarriageNetwork.org.