I had intentions of writing a blog entry to conclude the posts on the Savior Jesus Christ. I've typed it a couple of times only to have it deleted both times through seemingly impossible means. So I spent a little time praying and asking for help and direction on this blog and realized I needed to focus this blog on a different subject. This blog entry needs to focus on the family.
The family is the most vitally important organization to the plan of our Heavenly Father. No church, no charity, no school, and no employer can match the strength families have to fulfill the purposes of God. His children come to earth through birth into a family of some kind. There they are supposed to learn the ways of God and who they are. In fact the family is the most important place to learn our identities and our morals.
Unfortunately, in today's world the family is under heavy assault. And why shouldn't it be? Doesn't it make sense Lucifer and his minions would want to destroy the most vitally important organization to the plan of our Heavenly Father? Of course it does.
Lucifer has many tactics for attacking the family as well. Careers mistakenly take the place of families as the number one priority in the lives of so many men and women. Too often we allow our toys (boats, trucks, cars, video games, electronics, etc.) to get in the way of raising families. Pride builds us up to a point of finding fault with our spouses, blaming them for all our problems, until we decide the only possible solution is divorce. Pornography infests our minds and our homes, destroying trust and faith in each other. Media mocks and scorns the institution of marriage by degrading husbands, making light of the beauty and strength of the most respectful career choice of motherhood, and teaching children to be disobedient and disrespectful to their parents.
In addition, the sacred nature of intimacy has been destroyed in a society that believes intimacy should take place whenever and wherever you feel like it, with no regard as to who your partner in the act is. We are taught there is no need for marriage beforehand. Our most sacred gift and power, that of procreation, has become an act of selfish pleasure and animalistic passion.
Is it any wonder that in today's world it takes great faith to seek after the promised blessings of families, prolonging our days of physical gratification until marriage? And it is an act of faith to seek the family life. It takes a great deal of faith to promise yourself to one person for the rest of your life. It takes great faith to believe you will be okay financially when those children come. It takes great faith to trust your ability to teach those children, and to actually do so. It takes great faith to forgive our loved ones when they wrong us. It takes great faith to face the death of a loved one, one of the most difficult times of mortal lives that we must all face.
Yet it can be done. Let me tell you of some dear friends of mine who have exercised this faith. Years ago this couple exercised faith to get married. She was terrified. He was excited. They trusted in each other and were married for time and all eternity.
She had dreams of being a successful writer. Yet she put these dreams on hold because the first baby came. Then another one came. Then another. And now the fourth is on the way. And through it all she has watched as her dreams became a more distant possibility.
His dreams also suffered. He has been forced to put school on hold many times in order to support the family. Sometimes the family life has even stepped in the way of his jobs, forcing him to choose family over money.
This couple isn't wealthy when it comes to money. They don't have a big fancy house with expensive cars, fourwheelers, and boats out front. They don't go on vacations to the Bahamas and other exotic locations every year. And at times they find getting presents for birthdays and Christmases can be a challenge.
But this kind of wealth dwindles and pails in comparison to the wealth these two friends of mine share. Their wealth is in the family. They have three boys who love them dearly. Soon they will have a fourth boy to share it with. This couple has had the joy and privilege (and, yes, the frustration) of watching their children grow up, learning new skills and talents. Now that I have a child I can attest to the fact their is no greater pleasure in the world than watching your children learn and grow.
In addition, these two get the privilege of little hands wrapping around their neck and giving them a hug, or little lips touching their cheeks in loving kisses, or pleasant whispers of "Mommy/Daddy, I love you." These precious moments carry a value that will outlast the shine of a brand new car or the gleam of diamonds and jewelry.
My two friends my not have much in the ways of the wealth of the world. But I can tell you they are among the most wealthy people I know, for they have the joy of having a family.
If you have chosen to forsake family for a career, it's time you recognize your mistake and reconsider. If fear of failure, rejection, or any other kind of fear has prevented you from having children or from getting married, overcome it and take the most satisfying plunge of your life.
If you are partaking of the pleasures of the flesh before you have married, oh how I feel sorry for you. Stop it and find someone you can share your life, your dreams, and your children with. Seize to look at pornography if you have started. Avoid it like the plague if you haven't. It will only destroy families and prevent you from finding that joy.
And most importantly, remember that worldly pleasures are momentary. Spouses and children can be an eternal pleasure.
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