But a White House spokesman said the president had taken no position on covenant marriage, which he considers a state issue.

"But the truth is, they want me to settle down in a covenant marriage with Duncan."

In 1997, Louisiana became the first state to offer the option of a traditional marriage or a covenant marriage.

To divorce under a covenant marriage, a couple must demonstrate cause.

It is more difficult for couples who have a legal covenant marriage to obtain a divorce.

People who are already married in these states may change their marriage to a covenant marriage.

In 2006 he was married in a covenant marriage but his wife had to call the police during the honeymoon.

He and his wife converted to a covenant marriage in 2004.

Couples who elected to have children were expected to file for the more formal covenant marriage.

It's the issues you can't negotiate that make the covenant marriage worth considering.