Preserving Our Families

“Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.”

            - Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1980

This prophesy was given almost 36 years ago and I believe we have begun to see it come to pass. The Family: A Proclamation to the World was given to us almost 21 year ago. In it we are warned about how “the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” We have begun to see this, as well. We see so much evil around us that some have become desensitized by it and accept it as the way the world is. There is hate, suffering, violence, theft, and immorality everywhere we turn. In fact many different forms of immorality are now being legalized here in America. All of these things weaken our society and adversely affect our children. Many children suffer from abuse, struggle in school, go without food, and have no one at home to guide or love them. This is all so tragic and can leave one feeling hopeless. But, there is hope. 

Hope comes in knowing that when we are doing all we need to be doing, then our families will be preserved, just like President Kimball promised. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have been counseled for years to make sure we are praying and studying the word of God together as families daily. We have been counseled to hold weekly Family Home Evenings where we teach our children the doctrine of Christ. We have been counseled to hold family council meetings where families talk with each other and focus on how to help each member of the family succeed in life. My husband and I have put this counsel to test and we have learned that in doing so our family has been greatly blessed. Does that mean our lives are perfect, that our children never disobey, that I never lose my patience, or that we don’t have struggles? Absolutely not. Life is full of struggles, but we have found that as we follow the counsel of living prophets and apostles we have been able to handle life’s struggles and have come closer together as a family and to Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the blessings the gospel of Jesus Christ brings. I am so grateful for teachings from prophets and apostles who know what is going on in the world. I know that Jesus is real. I know He loves us and because of him and his atonement we can work towards eternal life with our families. I know that as we strive to live our lives according to the teachings of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our families will be protected from the evils in the world.