Families Are Forever

What is so important about having or being in a family?  It gives us a sense of belonging, an assurance that we have someone to be there for us when times are rough.  It allows us the ability to feel connected and to have someone to share our hopes and dreams with.  

Sometimes we have great families and sometimes we have dysfunctional families. But in the end, they are our family. As we learn how to work together in our families, we will learn certain abilities that can help us in all aspects of our lives. By learning conflict resolution skills, how to share, how to keep secrets, cook, clean and serve, we will be able to utilize these skills as we work in environments that may be less than desirable. 

Each family is unique in that they may be big or small and may be spread out across the lands but they are still our family and as we learn to love each member in spite of their differences, we can bond and be grateful for the support system we are blessed with. According to Daniel K. Judd from our text, he believes that "Latter-day scripture and the words of latter-day prophets teach us that not only are covenant marriages intended to last beyond the grave but so can sibling and family relationships endure across generation."  We need to be cognizant of how we treat our immediate family and extended family members at all times. 

As families work together, we can be appreciative that our family can be together forever, and we can learn to love and to forgive.  There are obviously going to be events in families that can drive a wedge between us if we allow it. As we humble ourselves and learn to forgive, we will find a softening of our hearts and strive to become closer as a family unit. 

Judd, Daniel K. “The Eternal Family: A Plain and Precious Part of the Plan of Salvation.” (Hawkins, A. J., Dollahite, D. C., & Draper, T. (2012). Chapter 32 Successful marriages and families: proclamation principles and research perspectives. Provo, UT: BYU Studies and School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.

Prayer is the Souls Sincere Desire...

Do your prayers bounce off the ceiling?

Is there a God, or am I just wasting my time speaking to the air? We all hope that there is a Higher Power that hears and answers us.  We all want to be comforted and assured that we are loved.  In the time of trouble and uncertainty, it is of great assurance to me that I have a loving Heavenly Father that knows me personally and cares about the minute details of my life. 

What kinds of things can we pray for? We can pray for the unity of our Country, for our President of the United States as well as the Church. We can pray for health and strength, to overcome sickness, to be protected, to do well in work and school.  We can pray for the lack of others.  As you can see there is a myriad of things we can pray for. What about praying for only thankfulness? We can pray while thanking our Heavenly Father for the safety we received throughout the day, for the health and strength we receive, for all the general blessings we have. 

We can pray individually and together as a couple or a family. When we pray together, we are united and will feel a sense of togetherness. As we pray collectively, we have the faith of others that can help us in our quest for the blessings we desire. Nathan Lambert, from our text, teaches that "A key aspect of coming to view a relationship as sacred is to first include God as an active member of the relationship." We can never go wrong with the Lord on our side. 

As we study things out in our minds, we can make decisions based on what we feel is right and then we kneel and pray for assurance or lack thereof regarding our choice. One of my favorite songs in "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire" from the LDS Hymnal number 145.  It states, Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast. 

As we incorporate prayer into our lives, we will have the sweet feeling that someone cares about us and is always there when we need it.

Lambert, Nathan M. “Sanctification and Cooperation: How Prayer Helps Strengthen Relationships in Good Times and Heal Relationships in Bad Times.” (Hawkins, A. J., Dollahite, D. C., & Draper, T. (2012). Chapter 19 Successful marriages and families: proclamation principles and research perspectives. Provo, UT: BYU Studies and School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.