Four Types of Affairs

There are four types of affairs: fantasy, visual, romantic and sexual.

It does not take two people for an affair to occur. Many times affairs can occur in the heart and in the mind of a married individual.

      Fantasy Affairs: An emotional affair with someone who has no knowledge about what is taking place. This can occur online or while fantasizing about someone other than his or her spouse. This could cause the person to become detached from their spouse and family.

President Harold B. Lee (1974) taught that “thought is the father of an act. No man ever committed murder who did not first become angry. No one ever committed adultery without a preceding immoral thought. The thief did not steal except he first coveted that which was his neighbor's.” In Proverbs 23:7 it reads,  "For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he”

An emotional affair can also occur when you are showing a lot of interest or attention to someone other than your spouse. This includes confiding in someone other than your spouse. Your heart should belong to your spouse and your spouse only. Your spouse should be the one you turn to with your problems, fears and insecurities, not an outside source, even if that outside source is your parents.

Visual Affair/Pornography: Involves lusting after others or viewing sexual media.  This is the most common type of infidelity and has a very negative impact on the marriage. The unfaithful spouse’s heart becomes vagrant and detached.  In some cases visual affairs will lead to sexual affairs. Pornography will objectify people, overemphasize the visual, overemphasize sex and the expectation of instant gratification. This will lead to many problems in the marriage.

      Romantic Affair:  Is when an individual becomes emotionally attached to someone other than his or her spouse.

      Sexual Affair: Is when sexual acts are engaged in outside of the marriage.

Affairs will destroy your marriage. Infidelity is one of the leading causes of divorce. President Benson (1988) warned, “Quickly the relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. We become fearful that our sins will be discovered. We must sneak and hide, lie and cheat. Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy, anger, and even hate begin to grow.”

Couples who are on guard and fiercely loyal to each other can prevent marital infidelity from occuring.