The Family

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Our families provide a setting for much of the growth we experience in life.

In our families we love, serve, teach, and learn from each other. We share our joys and our sorrows. Family ties may bring us difficult challenges, but they also give us strength and some of our greatest happiness.

On September 23, 1995, Gordon B Hinckley read The Family: A Proclamation to the World as a guide for families.

The family is central to God’s plan for His children. It is also the central unit of society and the means for bringing children into the world where they can be loved, provided for, and taught truth and righteousness.

While we cannot choose the conditions of our birth, we can choose each day to make our families stronger and happier. It is possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

For more information, visit www.mormon.org FAQ - Family

A Proclamation

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/06/defending-the-family-in-a-troubled-world?lang=eng&query=Proclamation+definition

Why is it so important to defend the family? Because family values and principles are being attacked everywhere we look. Every time I read The Family: A Proclamation to the World, I am filled with a greater desire to do all I can to promote and proclaim the truths regarding family relations.

To the World

http://lds.org/general-conference/2000/10/the-tugs-and-pulls-of-the-world?lang=eng&query=World

Why was the Family Proclamation given to the world, and not just members of the church? In my opinion, it is because these are truths that the whole world needs to know. We are constantly pulled down by the influences of Satan. If we don't have a plan to combat his influences, we will just give into temptation, and become miserable like he is.

Marriage Between a Man and a Woman is Ordained of God

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/06/the-latter-day-saint-concept-of-marriage?lang=eng&query=marriage+ordained+God

When my husband and I got married, it was a very special day. We weren't just getting married for this life, but for eternity. We made covenants with the Lord that we would do the things that He has commanded us to do so that we can return to live in His presence. I think it's important to note that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman. This is the only way God's purposes can be fulfilled.

The Family is Central to the Creator's Plan for the Eternal Destiny of His Children

http://lds.org/ensign/2004/12/strengthening-the-family-the-family-is-central-to-the-creators-plan?lang=eng&query=Family+central

I can't imagine coming into this life alone. My family is very important to me. It is through the examples I have seen in my parents and my siblings that I have become the person I am today.

All Human Beings - Male and Female - Are Created in the Image of God

One of my favorite songs regarding this topic is "I Am a Child of God".

This Mormon Message portrays that everyone is a child of God. We are all God's children, and because of that, we have a purpose in life. The last verse of "I Am a Child of God" says:

I am a child of God, rich blessings are in store.
If I but learn to do His will, I'll live with Him once more.

That is what we are here on earth to do: learn to do His will. I have noticed in my own life that if I try and do things the way I want things to go, it usually doesn't turn out very well, but if I submit my will to what Heavenly Father wants me to do, I am blessed immensely for it.

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

Why Is Gender Essential?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“[Gender] in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary. … The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness” (“Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Liahona, June 2006, 51; Ensign,June 2006, 83).

In the Premortal Realm...

"IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


It makes me take a step back when I realize that I accepted the Lord's plan to come here to earth and gain experience, long before I came here to earth. There are many experiences we go through in life. Some good, some bad. I have noticed that it is through those hard times that I learn the most, and I become a stronger person. I know that as I endure those trials, I will be able to work toward perfection, and eventually become an heir of eternal life.

Temples

"The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index=3&locale=0&sourceId=387b747631f92210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=bd163ca6e9aa3210VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD

I am so grateful for the temple. It means that if my husband and I live worthily throughout our lives, we can be together forever with our children throughout eternity. It gives purpose to keeping our marriage together.

Multiply and Replenish the Earth

"THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

"WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng&query=children

A Solemn Responsibility

"HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


http://lds.org/new-era/1976/04/children-obey-your-parents-parents-provoke-not-your-children?lang=eng&query=parents

The family is the best place to learn how to love and serve one another. It is through the example of the parents that children will learn how to treat others.

Happiness in Family Life...

"THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


http://lds.org/media-library/video/truth-restored?lang=eng&id=2009-04-100-family-simon#2009-04-100-family-simon


You might have to copy and past this URL, but it's a great short video.


The principles of successful marriages and families are the principles I want to adopt in my own life. Before I have a family of my own, I must learn how to walk by faith, I must be diligent in my prayers, I must know the healing powers of repentance, I must learn to forgive others, I must know how to respect and love others. I must know how to work, and how to have fun in a wholesome way.

Divine Roles

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-37-family-responsibilities?lang=eng&query=family+responsibilities

"We Warn..."

"WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.


"WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/proclamation-on-family-is-still-a-clarion-call?lang=eng&query=disintegration+family

This video is a good summary of everything that has been mentioned on this blog. We must keep the family as our focus, because as the family is disintegrated, so is society. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. I hope this has provided information that you might not have thought about before. I hope this will bring about a change of heart to those who might not understand why we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put so much emphasis on the family. I hope this information will help you all and your families. I know that these things are true, and I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through living those principles that we can have true happiness.

Marriage and Divorce

I haven't posted on this blog for a long time. This semester, almost all of my classes are centered around the Family Proclamation regarding marriage and parenting. This video clip was provided in my marriage class, and I really enjoy the counsel shared. I decided I would share this clip here on this blog.