Divorce Justified?

In light of the recent posts on abuse and addictions, the question that obviously comes up is at what point do these problems justify a divorce. How long do those involved need to keep trying to resolve or endure these problems. 

Among the gentile and Christian beliefs is taught that a marriage is for life. They enter into vows or covenants that they will be married until death. And the vows they enter into state that they will remain together through good times and hard times. There is a value to people honoring those covenants. Mormons are taught that they can be married for eternity, that their marriage can last beyond this life. 

So let's define divorce. Divorce is an annulment of marriage. When a couple gets a divorce under the law, then they are no longer legally married. 

So that being said, let's look at what Christ said. 

"It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." Matthew 5:31-32 

Also:

"The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matthew 19:3-9

From what can be determined by these scriptures, divorcement is not really an option, unless one's spouse commits fornication or some other very serious sin. Any other cause, including abuse or addictions or other faults, does not justify a divorcement.  As such they need to work out their problems and try to mend the bond between them that is caused by these problems. 

Now this does not mean that a separation is not justified at times. It may very well be that a man and wife may need to separate from each other. This may especially be the case if physical abuse is extremely bad, or if these problems can adversely affect the children. Pornography can certainly justify a separation, since being exposed to it can cause serious problems. But a separation is not a divorce. They are still married, and as such are not permitted to remarry. 

Getting a legal divorce is not recognized by God, so if a couple has gotten a divorce that is not justified by God, then they are still married. You can only get divorced if God recognizes it, and that requires a testimony from Him. Unless you have that testimony, you need to carry on as though your marriage is still in effect.  Being divorced does not justify you in remarrying unless God directs you to, just as a single person should not marry someone unless God directs them to.