Families Are Essential in the Plan of Salvation

There is no denying it. Families look much different than they did just a generation or two ago. Family situations have changed and traditional families are not so popular anymore. “The distortion and eventual loss of the doctrine of the eternal family is no doubt a part of what the Prophet Joseph Smith was describing when he observes, “Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion” (Watson, 1971, p. 530) The loss of the doctrine and covenant of eternal marriage has confused the great majority of the inhabitants of the wold concerning the eternal nature of the family and has led any to believe that such relationships are not part of God’s plan for the salvation and eternal destiny of His children.” (Judd, 2012, p. 337)

Families are necessary here on earth. They are necessary for our eternal salvation as well as a necessary unit for societies. Societies are successful when families are successful. Our economic stability and spiritual progression depend on the creation of such families. 

In God’s plan of salvation families are essential. “At some point, those who supported “the great plan of the Eternal God” (Alma 34:9) were promised that they would have the opportunity and responsibility to live in and perpetuate family relationships.  We also learned that each of us would have missions to perform, such as being a son, daughter, sister, brother, husband, wife, mother, or father. We learned that understanding and fulfilling these roles was a part of our divine destiny. President Joseph F. Smith reminded us: “To do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all man-kind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or successful statesman. One is universal and eternal greatness, the other is ephemeral.” (Judd, 2012, 338)

We can from family units in the preexistence and now have the obligation and privilege to continue in families here on earth. We could not progress without such families. We can begin to enter a state of gratitude towards our family members and thank them both silently and publicly for the role they play in helping us to progress here in earth and then return back to our Heavenly Father once again. 

Imagine what a different would it might be if we didn’t take our family members for granted. If we displayed love and compassion on a regular basis for them and made them the top priority in our lives. I challenge you to take a step back and look at your spouse and children from a bigger perspective. Look at them as the helpmeet by which you are able to return to your father and receive salvation. Look at them with love and treat them as such.