Married 52 Years, LDS Grandmother Shares 10 Secrets for a Happy Marriage


By: Cecily Markland


The Sirrine name is well known around Mesa, as early Church members-Theodore Curtis Sirrine and Theodore's uncle, George Warren Sirrine, and their families-were among the early pioneers who helped colonize the area. In fact, Theodore helped survey and lay out the streets-one of which still bears the name Sirrine today-and, on May 24, 1888, he deeded his 640 acres to the city of Mesa for a town site.

Now, just as those Sirrine settlers helped the Mesa area to grow, flourish and become productive, another Sirrine has set out with a mission of her own-to help individual marriages grow and flourish and homes become more like heaven on earth.

Carma does so by revealing 10 Secrets for a Happy Marriage, in her book that was recently published by Cedar Fort.

Carma Sirrine, 75, of Salt Lake City, has been married to Gordon, a grandson of Theodore Sirrine, for more than 52 years. They have eight children and 24 grandchildren.

Yet, Carma's book not only shares what she herself has learned through five decades of time and experience. In addition, 10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage is a compilation of real-life stories from others who have managed to build successful marriages.

She says she was particularly inspired by other couples she and Gordon met when serving a 19-month couples mission in the Philippines in 1999.

"From that experience, seeing the love and devotion, I just needed to write something about it," she says.

The result is 90 stories, divided into 10 chapters, with titles such as "Rely on the Lord," "Making Loving Relationships" and "Money Matters."

While the book can help those who are newly married or even those who have been together for many years, it also can be a great tool for those who are engaged or who are looking for that special someone.

Carma takes a "no-nonsense look at the challenges, unexpected realities, and, finally, the true joys that come from a life of companionship," her publisher states.

The author handles each example with humor and wisdom, presenting it in a way that makes for easy implementation.

Of this, her first book, Sister Sirrine says,"I hope people will be able to change their life for the better after reading this;" and, she adds, "I hope they will find ideas and inspiration to change for the best."

Larry Tippetts, author of A Practical Guide on the Moral Issue, believes that is more than possible.

"If a couple were to read these case studies aloud to one another (one reads while the other gives the reader a foot rub), and then discuss the principles and practices together, it would turn into a very practical (and inexpensive) form of marriage therapy," he says. "There are literally dozens of great ideas for solving problems within the pages of this book."

10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage can be purchased at local LDS bookstores, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and at www.cedarfort.com