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