Wally has previously been awarded the Career Achievement Award by the National Family Life Specialists, the Outstanding Professional Skill Award (with his work team) by the Association for Communication Excellence, and Fellow status by the National Council on Family Relations.

The Arcus Award will be presented to him at this year’s NCFR annual conference in Minneapolis on November 4. He will give a special invited Award Address on November 5.

August 17-20

The Complete Parent
Tuesday through Friday, 1:50-2:45 p.m., 446 Martin Building

Some Surprising Discoveries in Marriage
Tuesday through Friday, 3:10-4:05 p.m., 446 Martin Building

 H. Wallace Goddard, James P. Marshall

THE MARRIAGE GARDEN: Cultivating Your Relationship so It Grows and Flourishes

Many enter marriage hoping it will always be as passionate and exciting as a great date – not unlike the relationships modeled on reality shows like “The Bachelor”.  But both research and experience suggest that marriage is more like a fruitful garden that requires the right tools, patient care, and sensible effort in order to achieve enduring success.

“A good marriage is as lush, rich, and satisfying as a great garden. But neither the good marriage nor the great garden happens without wise and consistent effort,” write authors Wally Goddard and James Marshall. “That is why it has required decades of intensive research on marriage to provide the key to building strong relationships.”

Using the metaphor of relationships as gardens meant for cultivation, nourishment,  and dedication, their book, THE MARRIAGE GARDEN: Cultivating Your Relationship so It Grows and Flourishes focuses on six, proven processes shown to make marriage blossom into a loving, long term source of sweet companionship. In a culture where individualism has run amuck, it takes great discipline to institute sensible principles in relationships.

Each chapter considers one process – Commit, Grow, Nurture, Understand, Solve, and Serve -and how it can be applied by those with a willing spirit. For instance, the chapter on understanding admits that gardening, like marriage, entails thorny times when couples get burned out in the sun and annoyed with the incessant bugs. But it’s during these difficult times that gardening partners learn to respond to each other’s pains rather than scold for not using the proper sunscreen or insect repellent. With this warm and upbeat approach, THE MARRIAGE GARDEN provides couples with tools to achieve a full and satisfying harvest.

Purchase book

Teach one another words of wisdom- D & C 88:118

Come join Wally Goddard August 16-20 at BYU’s annual education week. Wally is one of the many incredible teachers invited to expound on the Scriptures this year. There will be over 1000 classes that will cover hundreds of topics, including classes designed specifically for youth. Your testimony and spirit will be strengthened as you feast on the words of God.  Keep checking back. Further details will be posted as available.

Inn on the Creek

375 Rainbow Lane, Midway, Utah

Nothing is more important, or more rewarding, than strengthening and nurturing your relationship with your sweetheart, but we often allow the distractions of daily life to sidetrack us from that objective. Whether you’re newlyweds or have celebrated your golden anniversary, it’s never too early, or too late, to improve the quality of your marriage. And what better time to experience a rebirth of love, connection, and meaning in your marriage than now?

This retreat offers a fast track to constructive change in a fun and relaxed environment. You can expect to experience profound, lasting results that will transform your marriage. At the retreat you will be given the tools you need to keep your marriage strong and productive long after you go home.

H Wallace Goddard Ph.D (Wally) is a Professor and Family Life Specialist with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. He has created numerous family programs and a PBS television series. He is a popular columnist for Meridian Magazine, and the author of
Marriage Garden, Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage, as well as many books on the subject of Parenting.

Tickets are available and space is limited so register now at Inn on the Creek (435) 654-0892 or contact by email:

 kkirks@innoncreek.com

Price is $230 per couple. (Price includes all meetings, lodging at the Inn, breakfast and lunch on Saturday)

Non-lodging price: $130 per couple (includes meetings and luncheon only)

* $25 referral discount for bringing a friend.

“Defending the Family” (Tad Walch)
An informative article on a man’s experience in defending the family, Richard. G. Wilkins.  In conclusion: “If anyone would have told me that an important international conference would reaffirm the family, reject homosexual unions, and retreat significantly from former worldwide commitments to abortion, I would have called that person either an un-experienced optimist or a fool. That person, however, would have been neither. He simply would have been a person who knew that ‘with God all things are possible.’

“Affirming and Supporting the Sanctity of Life” (Vjollca Martinson and Andrew Tegeder)
Ideas to how we can preserve the sanctity of life and things to consider about abortion.  Four questions considered include: What is abortion? Why are elective abortions performed? What are the effects of abortion? and How can I support the sacredness of life?

“What Children Really Need: Another Way of Looking at Children’s Rights” (Allan Carlson)
Each child has Rights to a mother, a father, a home built on marriage, siblings, ancestors, posterity, religious faith, a healthy community, innocence, and tradition -scientific evidence and research to show that these are what children really need

“A Senator Speaks on Society, Law, and the Family” (Senator Gordon H. Smith)
Senator Gordon H. Smith’s views on morality in government and its impact on the families -and how to make a stand but still maintain respect

“Mothers Adopt Advertising Code” (BYU Marriage and Families Magazine)
Mothers advocate to advertisers to adopt a “Mother’s Code” in order to protect children from the negative effects of advertisements

“Scenes and Sayings from World Congress of Families II” (BYU Marriage and Families Magazine)
World leaders advocate for families – a combination of quotes, a statement of principles, and an abridgment of five talks that took place at the World Congress of Families II

“The Problem Isn’t Over-population: and the Future May Be Depopulation” (Nicholas Eberstadt) Predictions for a peaking of global population in the next century and a long-term decline thereafter

“Preservation of the Family is the Promotion of Peace” (Madame Jehan Sadat)
A voice speaking out for families and traditional values and a call to promote the family as an essential part of our society.
“Preservation of the family is the enactment of God’s will and is, therefore, the promotion of peace that brings the wholeness and happiness of life”

“Family Values Urged by Russian & Other Speakers” (BYU Marriage and Families Magazine) Leaders speak out at the 20 International Congress on Families in Moscow including the recurrent theme expressing the urgent need for action in a culture gone astray, action by parents and society to return to time-tested values to strengthen families

“Good News for Marriage: The Marriage Movement States it’s Principles” (BYU Marriage and Families Magazine)
An informative article on The Marriage Movement: A Statement of Principles and points on why this movement is so important

“Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty” (Elder Robert D. Hales)
“The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path.”

“Three Goals to Guide You” (President Thomas S. Monson)
“Your influence ranges far beyond yourself and your home and touches others all around the globe.”

“Creative Ways To Help Strengthen Marriages & Families”
Family Life Educator’s creative ideas to help strengthen marriage and the family

“For Family Life Educators” (University of Arkansas)
“Tools and resources for conducting a successful family life training”

What you can do to become a transitional character in your family.

“Change: It’s Always a Possibility” (Wendy L. Watson)

“Real change is possible, change is always occurring, and, what’s more, each of us can be facilitators of change–in our lives and in the lives of those we love.” Topics include: beliefs and change, invitations to reflection, voices of authority, structural coupling, and the ultimate change agent.

“Bridling Anger” (Stephen F. Duncan)

“Anger is like an unbridled horse. Unless we govern it, we are at its mercy. The consequences of unbridled anger aren’t the ones we really want. Here are some suggestions for putting a bridle on anger.”

“Subduing the Spirit of Contention” (Stephen F. Duncan)

Finding constructive ways to deal with anger can strengthen relationships.

“Resolving Conflicts” (M. Sue Bergin)

Steps we can take to increase family harmony and foster spiritual growth.

“The Family Dance” (James M. Harper)

How marriage and family relationships are much like a dance, included are ways we can change a few of our steps or patterns in our families to improve relationships and interactions -learn new steps and join with your family in a dance of joy!

Bringing healthy patterns into their marriage and family life and leave unhealthy patterns behind;

“Breaking the Chain of Negative Family Influences” (Roberta L. I. Magarrell and Dean E. Barley)

Finding the courage to break the chains of negative family influences: be a transition person to bless and heal generations to come

“Beware of Pride” (President Ezra Taft Benson)

Doctrine to help understand and avoid the great stumbling block of pride

“Instead of Yelling” (Debbie Pettey)

How Debbie Petty found healthy alternatives to help her break the habit of yelling at her children

“Tempering Our Tempers” (Douglas E. Brinley)

“May we rise up and be men and women of God, mastering our tempers so that peace and love may abound in our homes.”

“Family Home Media” (Dean W. Duncan)

As much as there are negative aspects to media, families can learn how to use media in the home in positive ways and realize media as ‘heaven-sent boons and blessings, sources for joy, and causes for gratitude.’  Some topics discussed are: fundamentals, supervision and appropriateness, active reading, moderation, location and decorum, variation, duration and extension.

“Watching Over the Web” (Bradley R. Wilcox)

What parents can do to help avoid problems on the internet

“Raising Righteous Children in a Wicked World” (Brent L. Top and Bruce A. Chadwick)
Research and gospel insight on how parents and family can have a positive influence to help protect youth as they daily encounter the fiery darts of a wicked world

“How to Find Decent Movies- “It’s a good show except one little part.” (Glen C. Griffin)
The effects of negative media on children and families and some ideas on how to avoid the pitfalls of negative media and help children find decent and uplifting entertainment

“Addiction Recovery Program” (LDS Family Services)
LDS Family Services sponsors addiction recovery support meetings to assist individuals who desire freedom from addiction and a better life through gospel fellowship.

“Helping Those With Eating Disorders” (Marleen S. Williams)
How parents and loved ones can help to calm the emotional, psychological, and spiritual storm that accompanies an eating disorder

“Spiritual Exodus: Recovery From Addiction” (Mark H. Butler)
A central message of conviction and hope and steps to recovery for those struggling with addictive behaviors such as sexual compulsions, drug abuse, pornography, etc.

“The Pornography Trap” (Victor B. Cline and Brad Wilcox)
Learn how to loosen the grip, escape the trap, and truly be free of an addiction to pornography- there’s always hope and a possibility of healing

“Pornography Use: Consequences and Cures” (Paul James Birch)
Broaden perspective on the nature of pornography and it’s true harm, included is a model for helping one out of pornography addiction- as the model is followed a period of reparation and healing occurs where the effects of the unhealthy belief system and cycle are overcome, relationships are mended, connection with God and others is strengthened, healthy sexuality is learned, and the individual is transformed

“Families, Physicians, & Illness” (Jacob Christenson and D. Russell Crane)

A guide for health care professionals and families facing new and diverse challenges in the current health care market: understanding research as a means for professionals and families to be effective in meeting the demands of illness

“Caring for an Aging Family Member” (Matthew G. Mellinger)

“This article addresses several key aspects of care-giving, including adopting a positive view of aging, knowing when it’s time to step in, understanding how age-related diseases are diagnosed, getting educated, [and internet resources and suggested books.]“

“Recognizing and Dealing with Childhood Depression” (Amy Soto)

“The main purpose of this article is to describe the signs of childhood depression so you can recognize it in your child. Once known, any symptoms your child shows can be dealt with in an appropriate manner that will help your child, you as a parent, and other members of your family.”

“Why is My Wife (or Husband) Depressed?” (David G. Weight)

An insightful article on recognizing and understanding depression in your spouse and what you can do to help.

“‘Awake My Soul!’ : Dealing Firmly with Depression” (Steve Gilliland)

Answers to several commonly asked questions when challenged with depression and what you or others can do about it

“Do Not Despair” (Ezra Taft Benson)

“The Lord has provided at least a dozen ways which, if followed, will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.”

“Myths About Mental Illness” (Alexander B. Morrison)

“Increasing our understanding of mental illness helps us reach out with love and compassion to those who are suffering.”

“When Your Child Is Depressed” (Sean E. Brotherson)

“How can parents help their children combat the painful effects of chronic depression?”

“Depression & Suicide: A Gospel Approach to Understanding and Reacting to Suicide” (compiled by Bridget Night)

A great compiled resource to understanding suicide and what you can do to help prevent it.  Topics include:  What church leaders have said about suicide and our response to it, suicide warning signs among youth, and ways to help yourself or others who struggle with thoughts of suicide, depression, or abandonment of the gospel.

“Helping Those With Eating Disorders” (Marleen S. Williams)

How parents and loved ones can help to calm the emotional, psychological, and spiritual storm that accompanies an eating disorder