The Family

I have been thinking about the family a lot this week and decided to share a few of my thoughts. Sometimes I hear leaders of the Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints) speak about the doctrine of the family, and many say we need to defend the doctrine of the family. My first question was "what is the doctrine of the family?", and here is at least a partial answer:

• We all lived as members in God’s family before we came to this earth. We had a Father, Mother, brothers, and sisters. We are still spirit sons and daughters on this earth.
• Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the Priesthood of God, our family relationships can be perpetuated beyond the grave.
• Gender is an eternal characteristic; males and females are the two required part, which compliment and complete each other.
• Parents will be held accountable before God for their responsibilities as a spouse and parent.
• God’s plan for His children is carried out in and through families (premortal, mortal, postmortal).

Elder Hales said "The doctrine of the family begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them."(“The Eternal Family,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 64–65)

I realized that the family theme can be seen through every step in the plan of happiness. We lived in a family before we were born, we came to earth into a family, have the opportunity to start our own family while here, we seal ourselves to our family (past, present and future family members), we are held accountable for our conduct in our families, and if we have been faithful and true, we keep our family for eternity, which family continues to grow and become exalted.

But it doesn't stop there. The family is not simply a thread that is woven throughout God's plan, it is the very fabric of that plan. Sister Julie B. Beck said "Without the family, there is no plan; there is no reason for mortal life." (Teaching the Doctrine of the Family, August 4, 2009). Those are strong words, but not as strong as the Lord's words when he said the earth would be "utterly wasted" at His coming if it were not for families being sealed together through the Priesthood.

Being a young single adult, I don't really have a family of "my own" per se. Inspite of this, or possibly because of this, I have been able to recognize in some degree the power that comes only from being in a family. Family provides the substance, the joy, the sorrow, the feeling, the progression, the love, the compassion, the strength and the happiness of the plan.

So what? Well, we have been asked to defend the doctrine of the family. My invitation is that however or wherever, or in whatever circumstances you find yourself, defend the family.