The Power of One

Family has a great influence in on our lives. They help shape and mold us and have an influence on who we become. Of course, there are exceptions and sometimes that can be a good thing, especially when one chooses to break free from negative family influences.

As I created a three generation genogram this week, a great visual of my family emerged. Something that I already knew but didn’t always recognize became clear before my eyes. I come from a faithful, covenant keeping family. The choices of my grandparents have trickled down the line and the results are pleasing. There are a few exceptions, but overall, my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings are following in the footsteps of my grandparents.

To see so many of my family active and sealed in the temple is such a great blessing. To see these results in the genogram opened my eyes to the great blessing it is to have faithful ancestors. It doesn’t start with my grandparents, but they have continued the righteous traditions and have passed them on. There is a unity and strength because of it. I predict that the great results will continue if we continue to teach our children and to set the example.

I am hoping to do this with my children. I teach them about the temple and that it is important to me, to their dad and to Heavenly Father. I teach them that they can go there someday to make covenants if they choose to do what is right and if they are worthy. I teach them about Jesus Christ and the Atonement so that when they make mistakes, they will know the way back. I am trying to teach them about the Holy Spirit and how to recognize the Holy Spirit. I am doing my best to teach them to dance and hear the music. I hope that my efforts will influence them to do good and that they will do the same for their children.  

"Marriage Between Man and Women is Ordained of God"

Adam and Eve, by Lowell Bruce Bennett (https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/adam-eve-39458?lang=eng)

Marriage : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Sadly there is now a second part that has been added to this definition which include: the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.

Even though the world may define marriage as the union between ANY two people, that is not how God defines it and God's law is an eternal law. He defines marriage between a man and woman and He ordains that marriage. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Any other marriage does not benefit or progress in His eternal plan.

The first commandment that God gave to man was to "multiply and replenish the earth". This can only occur between a man and woman as they have the ability to become one. Children are entitled to both a mother and a father and to be raised in a righteous home. With same-sex marriage, they are stripped of this. They no longer have the stability of having both mother and father in the home.

Same-sex marriage does not focus on children. It does not have children's best interest in mind. Children grow up in a home of confusion and an alternate lifestyle to that of the Lord's. As the rising generation is raised in alternate ways, this will affect society in the future. Strong traditional families will be fewer which is the stability of civilization and society.

I feel that the pleas and points being made in favor of same-sex marriage can be swaying and make one feel that it is only fair. This is only looking at part of the picture and thinking of immediate gratification. Most of us know that immediate gratification never leads to true happiness or long term happiness. There WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. We must continue to uphold and fight for marriage defined as a union only between a man and a woman.

 

Divorce the Idea

www.wahm.com

Divorce. Just the seeing or hearing the word has a negative vibe to it. Does anyone every benefit from divorce? Occasionally it is necessary and someone benefits but that doesn't mean there isn't any heartache. When families are split many consequences follow, especially if there are children involved.

Divorce rates drive up the percentages of delinquency, violence, drugs, emotional stress, teen pregnancy, etc. The children aren't likely to be as close to their parents. Many of these effects leech into adulthood. When families break down, it causes less stable children who grow up as less stable adults. Divorce is changing the world for the worse.

Our Heavenly Father has a plan. It is marriage between a man and a woman. It is a marriage that is founded on the principles of the Gospel. The prophets and apostles have warned us about divorce. They teach us to avoid it at all costs. More times than not, we can save our marriages. Not only can we save them, but we can strengthen them and we can be happy. It takes work. It takes patience, love and forgiveness. It takes selflessness. Am I selfless? Am I always patient and loving? No. But I try. I work on it. That is what we have to remember. To keep trying. Divorce the idea of divorce. Give no room for the idea as an option. In the rare circumstances that there is abuse or great disobedience to the commandments of the Lord, forget about it.

www.foh.hhs.gov