Primary 49 - Families

image

“Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all. Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last but feelings come and go. And in fact, whatever people say, the state called ‘being in love usually does not last. If the old fairy-tale ending ‘They lived happily ever after’ is taken to mean ‘They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,’ then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be ‘in love’ need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense — love as distinct from ‘being in love — is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily if they allowed themselves, be ‘in love with someone else. ‘Being in love’ first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. it is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.”

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 108. Brothers and sisters,  This week we are discussing the Proclamation to the Family. The mere nine paragraphs are so deep that sociologists and psychologists have seen how the message is a standard that is impacting and eternal and is a flag we should all stand by. It also shows us the importance of having prophets and receiving revelation.  When it was first released (1995), a lot of people were in the mindset of "well duh". We failed to see the destruction that over fifty years ago would do in unraveling the fabric of society and cause us to question everything about men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. The research and study have led to the discovery of our roles and how we need to keep our standards that were established by apostles and prophets long before. Societies have risen and fallen because of the strength of the roles of fathers and mothers. Research has shown that each country that fell was because the very foundation, the root, was destroyed. Just like the fall of a great tree. If you attack, weaken, and take out the roots it will fall no matter how big or strong it is. The devil is attacking the very roots of family, and you. He wants confusion and to distract you from your true identity and purpose here on earth. If he can, he knows he will take many of our brothers and sister to a place that is both unpleasant and further from the Lord's plan, but we know the Lord's side will come out victorious in the end. The question is, are we going to let the temporal this of this world and the devil distract us and cause us to fall or will we turn to the Lord for guidance should we get distracted? Life is like a boat, we need to constantly correct our course. The waves of distraction, sin and transgression try to take us off course but the Savior is our compass, our northern star. When we stay the course, we arrive where we are going. Another example would be, have you ever read every billboard on I-15? If you got off every exit it suggested because of a sandwich, or pizza, or hotel, or tire place, etcetra, every sign, you would never get to where you wanted to go. Satan has a lot of signs he puts in your life path, a lot.

We learned too that charity is three parts, faith and hope, forgiveness and repentance, temperance  and long-suffering. Charity in marriage is a commitment that we put our faith in Jesus Christ. We hope that our heart, our spouse's hearts, and our Savior's hearts are in this commitment. This doesn't mean that it will start perfect but, as the plan of redemption, will be renewed daily. In marriage we make mistakes, mistakes that hurt ourselves, our loved ones, and our Father. We should forgive others that hurt us and ask for repentance from people we hurt. 

Finally, we are in it for the long haul when we think eternally, temporal things look small and meaningless, possessions mean less than the memories that we create with others. Friendships mean more with our brothers and sisters, our moms and dads when we spend time with them. The same applies to the Savior and our Heavenly Father. When we study the scriptures and pray, serve family, friends, and strangers, and strengthen our testimonies, we will have prepared ourselves for an eternal companion that will bless our life. Now, nothing is set in stone, but the experiences we have in this life, should we show our learning through our actions, will be rewarded by our Savior that will truly give us the joy we seek in this life.

We testify of the importance of the family and our individual roles to support and strengthen the family. Heavenly Father knows us and our day. He knows the challenges we are facing and will face. That is why we gave prophets and revelations. Stick close to the Lord. Develop a close relationship with Him through prayer and scripture study and personal revelation. He doesn’t want confusion in your life and He will guide you if you ask. We love you guys and pray for you. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Challenges 
1) Make a goal for is next year about scripture study.
2) Read and talk to your family about the Proclamation to the World.
3) Hang up a copy of the Proclamation in your house.