The Eternal Family
The "family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . .
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 their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life." (¶ 1)
"the divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally"
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 their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life." (¶ 1)
"the divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally"
The Family: A Proclamation to the World (¶ 3)
2019
2017
2019
1991
1992?
1994
1995
2000
2013
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019
1976
1961
Grandpa and Grandma Hill with Uncle Laryn
1971
2012?
In the Doctrine and Covenants we read, “And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy” (D&C 130:2).
Family coloring page from The Friend magazine
“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force” (¶ 4)
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said in general conference: "I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, “Here am I” (2009, p. 22)." p 175
"The Prophet Joseph Smith promised that “when a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother” (1976, p. 321)." p 169
"President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Being heirs [to the kingdom, through the sealing ordinance] they have claims upon the blessings of the gospel beyond what those not so born are entitled to receive. They may receive a greater guidance, a greater protection, a greater inspiration from the Spirit of the Lord; and then there is no power that can take them away from their parents. . . . Those born under the covenant, throughout all eternity, are the children of their parents. Nothing except the unpardonable sin, or sin unto death, can break this tie (Smith, J. F., as cited in McConkie, 1955, p. 90)." p173
Elder Orson F. Whitney stated, "The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God (1929, p. 110)." p 173
"President Faust further clarified: "We remember that the prodigal son wasted his inheritance, and when it was all gone he came back to his father’s house. There he was welcomed back into the family, but his inheritance was spent (Luke 15:32). Mercy will not rob justice, and the sealing power of faithful parents will only claim wayward children upon the condition of their repentance and Christ’s Atonement. Repentant wayward children will enjoy salvation and all the blessings that go with it, but exaltation is much more. It must be fully earned. The question as to who will be exalted must be left to the Lord in His mercy (2003, p. 62)." p 174
The "family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
The Family: A Proclamation to the World ¶ 1“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force” (¶ 4)
Did you know Adam and Eve were sealed together, just as your mom and dad went to the temple to be sealed? This is how Heavenly Father wants us to be married, that way our families can be together forever. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want this for us most of all!
Most people in the world don't know or understand about temple marriage and the sealing of families. I'm so glad we know!
Can you draw or paint a picture of your family and have your mom or dad send me a photo of your drawing?
Just like you are a child of your mom and dad, your spirit - what makes your body alive and move and think - is a child of heavenly parents. Heavenly Father is the father of your spirit, and when it was time for you to come to the earth He sent you down to get a physical body from your earthly parents. Heavenly Father loves you very much. He wants His family back together again in heaven, so that's why He wants you to make good choices, go to the temple as soon as you can, and be sealed as families.
Can you see some ways you look like or act like your dad? How about ways you look like or act like your mom? What are some ways Heavenly Father wants you to be like Him?
Just like you are a child of your mom and dad, your spirit - what makes your body alive and move and think - is a child of heavenly parents. Heavenly Father is the father of your spirit, and when it was time for you to come to the earth He sent you down to get a physical body from your earthly parents. Heavenly Father loves you very much. He wants His family back together again in heaven, so that's why He wants you to make good choices, go to the temple as soon as you can, and be sealed as families.
Can you see some ways you look like or act like your dad? How about ways you look like or act like your mom? What are some ways Heavenly Father wants you to be like Him?
"WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."
The Family: A Proclamation to the World paragraph 8
President Boyd K. Packer said, "it is a great challenge to raise a family in the darkening mists of our moral environment” (1992, p. 68). But as we honor our temple covenants, and return to the temple often to remember those covenants and provide the saving ordinances for others, our families will be saved.
From my textbook "Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives," Edited by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, Thomas W. Draper, 2016:
"Commenting on the restoration of the blessings that would come with the sealings of marriages and families, the Lord Himself stated on this occasion, “Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out” (D&C 110:9)." p 348
"President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Being heirs [to the kingdom, through the sealing ordinance] they have claims upon the blessings of the gospel beyond what those not so born are entitled to receive. They may receive a greater guidance, a greater protection, a greater inspiration from the Spirit of the Lord; and then there is no power that can take them away from their parents. . . . Those born under the covenant, throughout all eternity, are the children of their parents. Nothing except the unpardonable sin, or sin unto death, can break this tie (Smith, J. F., as cited in McConkie, 1955, p. 90)." p173
Elder Orson F. Whitney stated, "The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God (1929, p. 110)." p 173
"President Faust further clarified: "We remember that the prodigal son wasted his inheritance, and when it was all gone he came back to his father’s house. There he was welcomed back into the family, but his inheritance was spent (Luke 15:32). Mercy will not rob justice, and the sealing power of faithful parents will only claim wayward children upon the condition of their repentance and Christ’s Atonement. Repentant wayward children will enjoy salvation and all the blessings that go with it, but exaltation is much more. It must be fully earned. The question as to who will be exalted must be left to the Lord in His mercy (2003, p. 62)." p 174
