Family

(1) L. Tom Perry- April 2003 - “The Importance of the Family” https://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/05/the-importance-of-the-family

“We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes.”

(2) L. Tom Perry- April 2003 - “The Importance of the Family” https://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/05/the-importance-of-the-family

“The Church has established two special times for families to be together. The first is centered around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This is the time we are to attend our regular meetings together, study the life and teachings of the Savior and of the prophets. Other appropriate Sunday activities include (1) writing personal and family journals, (2) holding family councils, (3) establishing and maintaining family organizations for the immediate and extended family, (4) personal interviews between parents and children, (5) writing to relatives and missionaries, (6) genealogy, (7) visiting relatives and those who are ill or lonely, (8) missionary work, (9) reading stories to children, and (10) singing Church hymns.”

(3) Robert D. Hales- October 1996 – “The Eternal Family”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-eternal-family?lang=eng

“The home is where we are nurtured and where we prepare ourselves for living in mortality. It is also where we prepare ourselves for death and for immortality because of our belief and understanding that there is life after death, not only for the individual but also for the family.”

(4) M. Russell Ballard – October 2005 – “What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/what-matters-most-is-what-lasts-longest?lang=eng

“Our family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family.”

(5) Robert D. Hales – April 1999 – “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty?lang=eng

“With the help of the Lord and His doctrine, all the hurtful effects from challenges a family may meet can be understood and overcome. Whatever the needs of family members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets.”

(6) Russell M. Nelson – October 2001 – “Set in Order Thy House”

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/11/set-in-order-thy-house

“An understanding of God’s great plan of happiness, however, fortifies our faith in the future. His plan provides answers to ageless questions: Are all our sympathies and love for each other only temporary—to be lost in death? No! Can family life endure beyond this period of mortal probation? Yes! God has revealed the eternal nature of celestial marriage and the family as the source of our greatest joy.”

(7) Russell M. Nelson – April 2005 – “Now is the Time to Prepare”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/now-is-the-time-to-prepare?lang=eng

“Now is the time to prepare. Then, when death comes, we can move toward the celestial glory that Heavenly Father has prepared for His faithful children. Meanwhile, for sorrowing loved ones left behind—such as our family and me—the sting of death is soothed by a steadfast faith in Christ, a perfect brightness of hope, a love of God and of all men, and a deep desire to serve them. That faith, that hope, that love will qualify us to come into God’s holy presence and, with our eternal companions and families, dwell with Him forever.”

(8) Mary N. Cook – October 2007 – “Strengthen Home and Family”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/strengthen-home-and-family?lang=eng&query=family

“All families need strengthening, from the ideal to the most troubled. That strengthening can come from you. In fact, in some families you may be the only source of spiritual strength. The Lord is depending on you to bring the blessings of the gospel to your family.”

(9) J. Richard Clark – April 1989 – “Our Kindred Family—Expression of Eternal Love”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/our-kindred-family-expression-of-eternal-love?lang=eng&query=family

 “The family is society’s strongest and most important institution. Where it has survived, it has done so as a matter of highest priority. Individual interests have been subordinated to the interests of the group. Sacrifice has exceeded selfishness. Loyalty, respect for the family name, pride in one another’s achievements, and shared quality time have been pre-eminent.”

(10) Neal A. Maxwell – April 1994 – “Take Especial Care of Your Family”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/04/take-especial-care-of-your-family?lang=eng&query=family

 “Unfortunately, it is easier to praise the family than to create a successful family. It is easier to talk, as I am doing, of family values than to implement those values. It is easier to rejoice over our rich memories of a good family than to provide the rising generation with its own rich memories. The hard doctrines, however, insist that we ask some hard questions. How can a nation nurture family values without consistently valuing and protecting the family in its public policies? How can we value the family without valuing parenting? And how can we value parenting if we do not value marriage? How can there be “love at home” without love in a marriage? So many selfish tugs draw fathers and mothers away from each other and away from their children.”

Position Statement

Family is a subject that is near and dear to my heart.  I am sure that most everyone feels strongly about their families as well, but as I have been studying marriage and family throughout my college experience I have found an even greater appreciation for the subject.  The family is the most central unit here on this earth and we need to treat it as such.  However, the family is constantly under attack because Satan knows of its great importance.  We need to stand up and protect the family, because we have a great knowledge that others might not have.