The Family

“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”


     “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve             Apostles, (“Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World,”Ensign,Nov. 1995, 100).


“Earlier this year we called on parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. We also counseled parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities.”


     “The Importance of the Family,” L. Tom Perry, Ensign, May 2003,


“And as Latter-day Saints know, the family will also be the basic unit in the celestial kingdom.”


     “What Matters Most is what Lasts Longest,” M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Nov. 2005


“We declare to the world the value and importance of family life, but much of the confusion and difficulty we find existing in the world today is being traced to the deterioration of the family. Home experiences where children are taught and trained by loving parents are diminishing.”


     “Therefor I was Taught,” L. Tom Perry, Ensign, May 1994


“Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.”


     “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” David A. Bednar, Ensign, Nov. 2009


"The doctrine of the family begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. The Apostle Paul taught that God is the father of our spirits. From the proclamation we read, “In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.”


     “The Eternal Family,” Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Nov. 1996


“I feel satisfied that there is no adequate substitute for the morning and evening practice of kneeling together—father, mother, and children. This, more than soft carpets, more than lovely draperies, more than cleverly balanced color schemes, is the thing that will make for better and more beautiful homes.”

     “The Blessings of Family Prayer,” Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Feb. 1991

"From the beginning, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized family life. We have always understood that the foundations of the family, as an eternal unit, were laid even before this earth was created! Society without basic family life is without foundation and will disintegrate into nothingness."

     “Families Can Be Eternal,” Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1980

"I believe the mission statement for mortality might be “to build an eternal family.” Here on this earth we strive to become part of extended families with the ability to create and form our own part of those families. That is one of the reasons our Heavenly Father sent us here. Not everyone will find a companion and have a family in mortality, but everyone, regardless of individual circumstances, is a precious member of God’s family."

     “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest,” M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Nov. 2005

“Parenthood is a sacred privilege, and depending upon faithfulness, it can be an eternal blessing. The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home."


     “The Witness,” Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 2014

My Testimony of Families

I know that families are ordained of God and they are of an eternal nature. Not only do they exist beyond death, but they existed before we came to earth. We were all part of our Father in Heaven’s family and we grew there. He patterned families here on earth so we could continue to grow in love and understanding of His son’s atonement. In our families we catch glimpses of the joys of the eternities, dwelling together with those we love in the presence of our Heavenly Father. I know that no one will inherit Eternal Life without a family, and no matter our circumstances here on earth, God will provide to every righteous son and daughter an eternal family.