Contract vs Covenant Marriages

This week's reading has been on the difference between marriages that are treated as easily broken contracts and marriages that are taken much more seriously and endure.

Society has grown a little too fond of treating marriage as an easy out when things get tough.  They don't want to bother with fixing things, don't want to bother with communication, and just don't want to bother with anything in general.  This is what is referred to as a contract marriage.  When a couple marry, get any benefits as they can out of it, and then bail when any sign of trouble comes along. 
I don't want that.

What is a covenant marriage and how can I attain it?
Members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do marriage a little differently than the rest.  We make a promise for forever and all eternity, not "'Til death shall us part".  We believe marriage and families go beyond the bonds of death and that they can remain together forever.  Forever is that key word and those who want it to last forever have to treat it like it will last forever.  No easy outs.  Intention that nothing will break them up, but bring them closer and stronger.  A contract marriage is when a husband and wife each give 50%, but a covenant marriage is when you both give 100%.  You both put your all into it.

There was a married couple I knew several years ago who had a newborn baby with a heart defect where he could not survive on his own.  That baby was flown immediately to a hospital more capable with dealing with the heart.  When the parents were transferred there later, they found their tiny baby hooked up to machines.  They had not been able to him yet and still weren't allowed to. This went on for day, and eventually the parents were informed that their son can't continue and will pass on soon.  The couple finally held their precious dying baby in their arms for the first time.  You can imagine somewhat the pain and despair they felt.  Eventually the baby died, leaving behind two very heart-broken parents.  This husband and wife turned to each other for comfort and support, which brought them closer together and made them realize that they can get through anything as long as they have each other.  That is a covenant marriage.  Other couples have separated over death of children.  That is a contract marriage.

I have been married to the most wonderful man I know and my best friend for a little over 3 years now, and we entered this marriage with the intention of getting through the hard times together and sticking with each other through it.  We intended on fixing whatever breaks or weakens and that we will continue to love and grow together forever.  We don't want a contract marriage, we know we are stronger than that.

  My husband and I have been faithful to our original intentions and so I would say that we have a covenant marriage.  Don't assume that we haven't had any problems yet.  I don't need to tell you our struggles, but there have been some and we've stuck together like glue.  These hard times brought us closer together and I am so glad that we have the mind that we won't let anything tear us apart.
I want a covenant marriage.  I have one, and I want to continue treating our marriage that way.

Which would you prefer?