Mormon Family
February 8, 2012
Filed under Mormon Life
by Roy
God a
lways gives blessings to those who are willing to obey His commandments. Such blessings may not be material things, and the more valuable blessings are not, particularly those that last even beyond the grave. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the “Mormon Church” by others) teaches that families can be together forever. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sacred nature of the family.
Many prophets have testified about the value and importance of the family. “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between a man and a 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 the family 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“).
Many people might have wondered about Mormon Families, especially about the way these families deal with life. Many Mormon families face tremendous trials, just as all families do, but they might respond differently to their trials because of their doctrinal knowledge and faith. Mormon families have great hope from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Disintegration of families leads to the most common and destructive problems of society. Whereas countries and nations may be greatly honored and blessed when there is love in its citizens’ homes.
Mormons are taught to be happy, healthy, and loving people. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches them to love to mingle and to share with others the blessings they have received as they are obedient to the commandments given in His gospel. Mormon families are also taught to share what they have and to gladly lend a hand to those who might need help. There are so many things that these Mormon families can share with and testify to others about the effect of the gospel in their lives.
God has designated the family as the central unit of the Church and the gospel. His eternal plan is centered on families, where each of His children can further develop their talents and attributes, be loved, and be taught the eternal truths of the gospel. God wants His children to obey His commandments so that they will experience a long-lasting and complete happiness as they strive to live righteously here on earth. It is in the rearing of families that each of us can receive the blessings of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is in the four corners of our home where vital lessons can be learned and applied in life.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the central core in which these families build their strong foundations. “And now my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, which is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).
Throughout the history of the Church, the family is one of the most important aspects which has been discussed and emphasized. For example, the Church reserves Monday evening free of church responsibilities for the individuals to focus and have time with their families. Likewise, Mormon missionaries all around the world are instructed to put emphasis on teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to their investigators in the home, where their families can gather together and hear the glorious message of the gospel.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in the admonition of the Lord. He said, “And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). The greatest gift is to have eternal life with your family.
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