Family
Clearly, the Church’s emphasis on the importance of family is a reflection of its importance and centrality in the Plan of Salvation. We are taught that the family is not only an eternal unit which existed in the premortal sphere but also that it will continue to exist into the eternities. Thus, the declaration from the Family: A Proclamation to the World boldly and plainly states, “THE FAMILY is ordained of God.” As the most important fundamental unit in society, family is where children are taught how to be in the world. They are taught what is acceptable along with what is unacceptable and how to behave among people. Unfortunately, while the degradation of the family has been keenly felt and observed over decades, many refuse to accept and acknowledge that its decline is linked to many of the social ills and problems which exist. Nevertheless, a home where righteous principles are taught by parents who love and care for each other offers children the best advantage to progress in life. Satan is well aware of this fact and has been very successful in disrupting the Lord’s work by reducing the family’s power (Elder Russell M. Ballard, “The Sacred Responsibilities of Parents,” Campus Education Week, Devotional, August 19 2003). However, as I focus on helping my children develop relationships with the Savior and Heavenly Father, we can make a difference in strengthening families.
1. “…the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . THE FAMILY is ordained of God… Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” – The Family: A Proclamation to the World
2. “…when our families are united in purpose, and an atmosphere of peace and love prevails, home becomes a sanctuary from the world.” – President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building Up A Righteous Posterity, 9 February 2008
3. “At times we may become bored or irritated with home and family and familiar surroundings. Such may seem less than glamorous, with a sense of sameness, and other places may sometimes seem more exciting. But when we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life.” - President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building Up A Righteous Posterity, 9 February 2008
4. From the earliest beginnings, God established the family and made it eternal. Adam and Eve were sealed in marriage for time and all eternity: - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
5. The family relationships we have here on this earth are important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity. - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
6. While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family. - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
7. Teach yourself and teach your families about the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You will do no greater eternal work than within the walls of your own home. – Elder Packer, “These Things I Know,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/these-things-i-know?lang=eng)
8. Three times in sacred scripture the warning is made that “the whole earth would be utterly wasted” at the Lord’s return if certain conditions were not in place (see D&C 2:3; 138:48; Joseph Smith—History 1:39). In each instance, that warning relates to the condition of the human family without the sealing ordinances of the temple. Without these ordinances of exaltation, the purposes of creation would not be realized. – Elder Russell M. Nelson (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-leadership-training/2012/01/the-doctrinal-importance-of-marriage-and-children?lang=eng)
9. When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attempts to confuse gender and attacks God’s plan for His spirit children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and a mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical and not doable. That’s all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord’s work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home. – Elder Russell M. Ballard, “The Sacred Responsibilities of Parents,” Campus Education Week, Devotional, August 19 2003 (http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=895)
10. My hope is that no one will leave this conference without understanding that the moral issues of our day must be addressed in the family. – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng)
11. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. . . There is indeed “beauty all around when there’s love at home.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng)
2. “…when our families are united in purpose, and an atmosphere of peace and love prevails, home becomes a sanctuary from the world.” – President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building Up A Righteous Posterity, 9 February 2008
3. “At times we may become bored or irritated with home and family and familiar surroundings. Such may seem less than glamorous, with a sense of sameness, and other places may sometimes seem more exciting. But when we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life.” - President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building Up A Righteous Posterity, 9 February 2008
4. From the earliest beginnings, God established the family and made it eternal. Adam and Eve were sealed in marriage for time and all eternity: - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
5. The family relationships we have here on this earth are important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity. - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
6. While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family. - Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” General Conference, October 1996
7. Teach yourself and teach your families about the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You will do no greater eternal work than within the walls of your own home. – Elder Packer, “These Things I Know,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/these-things-i-know?lang=eng)
8. Three times in sacred scripture the warning is made that “the whole earth would be utterly wasted” at the Lord’s return if certain conditions were not in place (see D&C 2:3; 138:48; Joseph Smith—History 1:39). In each instance, that warning relates to the condition of the human family without the sealing ordinances of the temple. Without these ordinances of exaltation, the purposes of creation would not be realized. – Elder Russell M. Nelson (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-leadership-training/2012/01/the-doctrinal-importance-of-marriage-and-children?lang=eng)
9. When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attempts to confuse gender and attacks God’s plan for His spirit children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and a mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical and not doable. That’s all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord’s work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home. – Elder Russell M. Ballard, “The Sacred Responsibilities of Parents,” Campus Education Week, Devotional, August 19 2003 (http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=895)
10. My hope is that no one will leave this conference without understanding that the moral issues of our day must be addressed in the family. – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng)
11. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. . . There is indeed “beauty all around when there’s love at home.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng)