Family

Position Statement:

    Happiness within our family will most likely be achieved when it’s founded on the teachings of Jesus. That means being unselfish, honest, loyal, loving and a whole host of other virtues, not to mention a lot of effort. A loving and happy family doesn’t happen by accident.  It's no stretch to say that a person has a serious advantage in life if they come from a loving, supportive home.  No matter how hard we try, our marriage and home won’t be perfect. But if we build them around Christ’s principles including faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome fun, home can be a place of refuge, peace and immense joy.

Living Prophets & Apostles:

1. “The doctrine of the family begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.”

Reference: Robert D. Hales- The Eternal Family- October- 1996

2. “…An eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities.”

Reference: Robert D. Hales- The Eternal Family- October- 1996

3. “Happiness in family life 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, [and] compassion”

Reference: Dallin H. Oaks- Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church- October 2005

4. The 2,000 stripling warriors in the army of Helaman testified that their righteous mothers had powerfully taught gospel principles to them (see Alma 56:47–48).

Reference: Robert D. Hales- Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty- April 1999

5. The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path.

Reference: Robert D. Hales- Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty- April 1999

6. The full burden of planning and preparing for family home evenings should not be left to parents alone. The most successful ones I have witnessed are when the youth of the family take an active part.

Reference: L. Tom Perry- Therefore I was Taught- April 1994

Any Prophet, Apostle, or General Conference Address:

7. Church buildings and facilities should be closed on Monday evenings.  No ward or stake activities should be planned, and other interruptions to family home evenings should be avoided.

Reference: First Presidency Letter- October 4, 1999

8. It is important to establish patterns of righteousness in your own life, which will enable you to set a good example for your family, whatever form your family may take.

Reference: Mary N. Cook- Strengthen Home and Family- October 2007

9. Seeking the help of the Lord daily through prayer will bring great blessings to your family. Ask yourself: “Who in my family could benefit from my personal prayers?” “What could I do to support and encourage family prayer?”

Reference: Mary N. Cook- Strengthen Home and Family- October 2007

10. So crucial in strengthening families is the realization that strong family relationships don’t just happen. It takes time. It takes commitment, it takes prayer, and it takes work. Parents must realize their responsibility and willingly assume it. The joy and happiness that will result is indescribable.

Reference: W. Eugene Hansen- Children and Family- April 1998