GEMS-Family: Seek to Create an Ideal Family

Seek to Create an Ideal Family

“After Adam was placed on earth, God said, ‘Let us make an help
meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone’
(Abr. 5:14). Eve and Adam formed the first family. . . . They had children
who also formed families. ‘And Adam and Eve, his wife, ceased not to
call upon God’ (Moses 5:16). The pattern of families essential to
Father’s plan of happiness was established, and our need to continually
‘call upon God’ emphasized. You are in the midst of living that
plan. Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is
a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a
righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to
them. With a mother in the home in an environment of love and service, the
parents teach their children, through example and precept, the ways of the
Lord and His truths. They fulfill their divinely appointed roles mentioned
in the family proclamation. Their children mature by living teachings
instilled from birth. They develop characteristics of obedience, integrity,
love of God, and faith in His holy plan. In due course, each of those
children seeks a companion with similar ideals and aspirations. They are
sealed in the temple, bear children, and the eternal plan continues, with
generation strengthening generation.

“Throughout your life on
earth, seek diligently to fulfill the fundamental purposes of this life
through the ideal family. While you may not have yet reached that ideal, do
all you can through obedience and faith in the Lord to consistently draw as
close to it as you are able. Let nothing dissuade you from that objective.
If it requires fundamental changes in your personal life, make them. When
you have the required age and maturity, obtain all of the ordinances of the
temple you can receive. If for the present, that does not include sealing
in the temple to a righteous companion, live for it. Pray for it. Exercise
faith that you will obtain it. Never do anything that would make you
unworthy of it. If you have lost the vision of eternal marriage, rekindle
it. If your dream requires patience, give it. As brothers, we prayed and
worked for 30 years before our mother and our nonmember father were sealed
in the temple. Don’t become overanxious. Do the best you can. We cannot
say whether that blessing will be obtained on this side of the veil or
beyond it, but the Lord will keep His promises. In His infinite wisdom, He
will make possible all you qualify in worthiness to receive. Do not be
discouraged. Living a pattern of life as close as possible to the ideal
will provide much happiness, great satisfaction, and impressive growth
while here on earth regardless of your current life
circumstances.”

Topics: parents, children, teaching

( Richard G. Scott, “First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 6-7)