The Eternal Family: A Plain and Precious Part of the Plan of Salvation (Chapter 32)

"From the Beginning, God organized the human family and revealed that marriage and family relationships are intended to be eternal." (Judd, 2012, p. 337). 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. When families are functioning as designed by God, the relationships found therein are the most valued of mortality. The plan of the Father is that family love and companionship will continue into the eternities. Being one in a family carries a great responsibility of caring, loving, lifting, and strengthening each member of the family so that all can righteously endure to the end in mortality and dwell together throughout eternity.

Elder Robert D. Hales stated that "Some of the greatest lessons of gospel principles about the eternal nature of the family are learned as we observe how members of the Church, when faced with adversity, apply gospel principles in their lives and in their homes. In the past year I have witnessed the blessings of joy which come to those who honor and revere the gospel teaching of the eternal family during times of adversity in their lives."

The text states that "God and His plan are eternal. He instituted marriage and family in the beginning. Thus, the great plan of happiness is God's plan for happiness in time and in eternity." (Judd, 2012, p. 337).

"Members of the Church believe that marriages performed in temples are “sealed,” or blessed to last for eternity. The concept that the family unit can continue beyond the grave as a conscious, loving entity, with the marriage partnership and parent-child relationships intact, is a core belief of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

"From the time of Adam and Eve and on to the present day, God's Covenant people rejoice in the plain and most precious doctrine of eternal families." (Judd, 2012, p. 354). I am so grateful and blessed to be sealed to my family for all time and eternity because I think that is one of the greatest blessings we could ever recieve.

References:

• Judd, D. K. (2012). The Eternal Family: A Plain and Precious Part of the Plan of Salvation. InSuccessful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 337-345). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
• Hales, R. D. (1996, October). The Eternal Family - Robert D. Hales. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-eternal-family?lang=eng
• Newsroom. (2012). Temple Marriage. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/temple-marriage

Some Linguistic Observations on "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" (Chapter 31)

Elder Bruce D. Porter said "The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” is “an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”The differences between men and women are not simply biological. They are woven into the fabric of the universe, a vital, foundational element of eternal life and divine nature.The family is intended by God as the great entryway into mortal life. It is central to the salvation of the human race, the perpetuation of civilization, and the birth and rearing of each new generation."

In families more than anywhere else children learn the values, practical life skills, manners, and fundamental truths that enable them to rise up and be successful in the world. They learn the all-important attributes of love, unselfishness, sharing, giving, and hard work that someday will be essential for them to form families of their own and to rear up a new generation. In the text it states that "One of the significant linguistic features of teh proclamation is its ues of an instructive religious register. (Oaks & Stanley, 2012, p. 330). President Henry B. Eyring siad the following about the title of the proclamtion: "Three things about the title are worht our careful reflection. First, the subjec: the family. Second, the audience, which is the whole world. And third, those proclaiming it are those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. (Henry B. Eyring, p. 10, as cited in Oaks & Stanley).

In the family proclamation, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declare, “We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” It is vital that we defend the family and raise a voice of warning and of invitation to the world. The Lord expects us to do this, and in doing so to ignore the mocking and pride of the world and stand as a witness.







References:

• Oaks, D. D., & Stanley, E. S. (2012). Some Linguistic Observations on "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 329-336). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
• Porter, B. D. (2011, June). Defending the Family in a Troubled World - Ensign June 2011 - ensign. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/06/defending-the-family-in-a-troubled-world?lang=eng
• The Family: A Proclamation to the World. (n.d.). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

Defending the Sanctity of Human Life (Chapter 27)

For this blog, I would like to ask what "defending the sanctity of human life" means? The text states that "Life. The etymology of the Old English word for life includes meanings such as "body" and "person", or that which "remains" and "continues. Life can be defined as a condition of sustained regenerative activity, energy, expression, or power that human beings and other animate creatures experience." (Hallen, 2012, p. 291). Each human being no mater who they are or what they look like is a beloved spirit son or daughter of our Heavenly Father and each has a divine nature and destiny.

“One human life is as precious as a million lives, for each is infinite in value.” (Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, Jewish Views on Abortion, p. 4, as cited in Faust
). In our world today, especially during this time, abortion has become such a worldwide political issues that has created several debates and controversies within our world today. This is the biggest debate of defending the sanctity of human life. The text states that abortion literally translates to "cut off the existence of someone" or to "cause someone to disappear". (OED, 1989, s.v., abortion, as cited in Hallen). "Abortion can generally be defined as the natural or deliberate termination of the life of an unborn or partially born child." (Hallen, 2012, p. 292).

I have been involved with several different debates regarding abortion with friends in high school and it is quite disheartening how common and frequent it is in our world today. How are we suppose to preserve and the defend the sanctity of human life if it is so easy to take away? The text advises us that " Latter-Day Saints should prayerfully, strive to strengthen their testimonies of the sanctity of life, their resolve to and defend gospel principles relating to the sanctity of life." (Hallen, 2012, p. 295). The proclamation invites us to counteract the violence of abortion by peacefully upholding the sanctity of life and I know we will be blessed if we do so.




References:

• Hallen, C. L. (2012). Defending the Sanctity of Human Life. In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 290-299). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
• Faust, J. E. (1975, April). The Sanctity of Life - James E. Faust. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1975/04/the-sanctity-of-life?lang=eng

Supporting Families Across Generations (Chapter 17)

"People in modern society are living longer than ever before, which is giving family members unprecedented opportunities to experience and enjoy extended family relationships." (Miller & Yorgason, 2012, p. 181). I think that this chapter can also tie in with family history and the importance of family history work and ancestry. 

My Grandma has always been so diligent with family history and our ancestry and I am so grateful for the example that she has been to me of dedication and hardworking and spreading and supporting families across generations. I am so grateful for all of the resources that we have to continue family history work and the accessibility we have to temples and to several different resources to help further this eternal work of the Lord. 

Elder M. Russell Nelson said that " While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families." I can truly testify that families are brought together through generations of family history work and temple work as part of the eternal plan of salvation. It is so miraculous all of the resources that we have today to help further this vital work and how much we are blessed for doing this. 

References:

• Miller, R. B., & Yorgason, J. B. (2012). Supporting Families across Generations. In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 177-182)). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
   
• Nelson, M. R. (2010, April). Generations Linked in Love - Russell M. Nelson. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/generations-linked-in-love?lang=eng&query=family+history+work

The Proclamation: A guide, a Banner, and a Doctrinal Summary of the Church's Emphasis on the Family (Chapter 29)

Elder Russel M. Nelson sated that "The proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship." In the text it sates that "The proclamation has served as a guide for individuals and families, a banner to communities and nations and a doctrinal summary of the Church's emphasis on the family." (Newell, 2012, p. 313). I think that the proclamation to the family has served as a guide especially during this particular time in our world today where the family unit is being torn apart.

The text sates that "More than ever, families are under attack. A culture of throwaway relationships; familial apathy and permissive values; and secularism, selfishness, and immorality has made the responsibility to build strong families more challenging and more important. The eternal truths in the proclamation counteract this culture and provide individuals and families with guide and a standard, a kind of Liahona or compass to chart their course." (Newell, 2012, p. 313).

We abide by the precepts of the proclamation because it is our mission to build eternal families and put our families first and to identify specific ways to strengthen their individual families. "The proclamation’s clear and simple language stands in stark contrast to the confused and convoluted notions of a society that cannot even agree on a definition of family, let alone supply the help and support parents and families need. " (M. Russell Ballard).




References:

• Newell, L. D. (2012). The Proclamation: A Guide, a Banner, and a Doctrinal Summary of the Church's Emphasis on the Family. In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 313-3-18). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
• Nelson, R. M. (2008, October). Celestial Marriage - Russell M. Nelson. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/celestial-marriage?lang=eng&query=importance+of+the+Proclamation
• Ballard, M. R. (2005, October). What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest - M. Russell Ballard. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/what-matters-most-is-what-lasts-longest?lang=eng&query=The+importance+of+the+proclamation

Social Policies to help assist and bless families and children (Chapter 28)

"Families are vial to individuals and society. Families typically provide group identity. They generate economic resources, address the health and emotional needs of family members, and enforce moral codes and norms of behavior." (Seipel, 2012, p. 300). In other words, families are so important in our society and they play an important role in the formation of our society. "Policies must be reconstructed to more fully address the needs of poor families." (Seipel, 2012, p. 307). The family is the basic unit of society and our society cannot function without families.

"As a solid body of research shows, there is no replacement for the way this institution creates and develops human relationships. Family is no longer, nor ever has been, something that is simply “granted.” As anyone who has tried it knows, raising a family and sustaining a marriage are challenging things to do. However, at stake is not only the health of the individual family but also the prosperity and future of society." (LDS commentary). The presence of children in families and societies summons responsibility for their care, encourages productivity, creates an orientation toward the future and pulls individuals outside of their own needs.



References:

• Homage to the Home: Why Society Needs Strong Families. (2013, May 6). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/homage-to-the-home-why-society-needs-strong-families
• Seipel, M. M. (2012). Social Policies to Assist and Bless families and Children. In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 300-309). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.

Wholesome Family Recreation: Building Strong Families (Chapter 22)

In my family we always had the motto of "Work hard, play hard". This meant that we would work hard and give everything we do our "all" and then we could go out and reward ourselves by doing something fun or something that we want to do. I think that if family work can build strong families then I also think that wholesome family recreation can also build strong families and bring them together. "Recreation can be easy. We all know how to find fun things to do. In our current world, we are immersed in a plethora of entertaining technology. We have access to a variety of television programming; we have myriad interactive video games. If we are on the go, we have smart phones that access the digital airways. Opportunities to recreate surround us. The choices are endless. But we must consider the implications of these different recreation choices for the quality of our lives " (Widmer & Taniguchi, 2012, p. 225). I think that an example of good wholesome recreation is family home evening.

"We have found the Family Home Evening to be a great assistance to parents in fostering meaningful and close family relationships which help the home serve as a sanctuary from evil influences and as a source of strength to each family member." (James A. Cullimore). I think that wholesome family recreation and family home evening tie together because you can always include wholesome recreation in family home evening and both of them build strong families. My family and I are really big into sports and we thrive on being active so we always included some kind of wholesome recreation activity in our family home evening and I think that it brought us closer together because we always had so much fun together and we learned to enjoy the time that we had with each other. "We live in a world full of opportunities to engage in wholesome family recreation, if we know where to look for them." (Widmer & Taniguchi, 2012, p. 233). Sometimes it is important that we take ourselves away from worldly things and engage in activities that build families and together and bring us closer to the Savior.



References:

• Widmer, M. A., & Taniguchi, S. T. (2012). Wholesome Family Recreation: Building Stronger Families. In Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (pp. 225-236). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
• Cullimore, J. A. (1975, October). Family Home Evening - James A. Cullimore. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1975/10/family-home-evening?lang=eng&query=family+home+evening