The LDS Daily WOOL© Archive
- Family
(10/26/97)
"Some Latter-day Saint families are what we refer to as the
'traditional
family,' consisting of parents and children all together in a
permanent
relationship, with both mother and father sharing in the
responsibility of
caring for children. Others have witnessed the loss of one of the
parents and
become one of the many single-parent families. I am one who grew
up in a
single-parent home. My father lost his life as a result of a
construction
accident when I was two years old, leaving my mother with seven
children to
raise. Even in single-parent families, the family continues on,
for families are
forever. Perhaps few human challenges are greater than that of
being good
parents. Yes, even with the best intentions, conscientious, good
parents
sometimes experience feelings of despair, failure, and hurt when
children do not
make right choices and turn out the way we would like. Even in
those
circumstances it is so important for parents to love, pray for,
and never give
up hope for a son or daughter who may have strayed or brought
disappointment.
Elder Howard W. Hunter stated: 'The responsibilities of parenthood
are of the
greatest importance. The results of our efforts will have eternal
consequences
for us and the boys and girls we raise. Anyone who becomes a
parent is under
strict obligation to protect and love his children and assist them
to return to
their Heavenly Father' (ENSIGN, Nov. 1983, p. 65)."— Ben B. Banks,
Take
Time For Your Children, General Conference, October 1993
(10/27/97)
"The Brethren have said to push the world back. We are many more
than the
ten needed to save Sodom and Gomorrah. How will we fight this
battle as it
continues? The faithful Saints of God, with the undergirding of
His holy
priesthood, are the most powerful force on earth. We must hold
fast to forceful
proclamations from God regarding the sanctity of life, His eternal
and
never-ending instruction to be chaste and pure. His loving counsel
that families
are ordained of God with a father, mother, and children to live
together forever
was not intended to be the exception, but the rule. A return to
Christ by an
individual will bring peace of mind in place of turmoil,
tranquility to replace
strife, courage and optimism in place of fear."— Durrel A.
Woolsey, A
Strategy for War, General Conference, October 1995
(10/28/97)
"We must recognize that the family is the cornerstone of
civilization and
that no nation will rise above the caliber of its homes. The
family is the rock
foundation of the Church. We therefore call on the head of every
household to
strengthen the family."— Ezra Taft Benson, Counsel to the Saints,
General
Conference, April 1984
(10/29/97)
"I believe we must constantly nourish the seeds of love, harmony,
and unity
in our homes and families. Fathers are to preside over their
families in
kindness, remembering that "no power or influence can or ought to
be
maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by
long-suffering,
by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C
121:41).
Husbands and wives are to love each other with a pure love that
transcends
selfishness. In a single-parent family, the parent presides.
Parents are to
nurture their children and teach them the principles of right
living. Regardless
of the help other individuals or institutions may give, the Lord
has placed this
responsibility ultimately with parents. Children are to honor
their parents (see
Exodus 20:12) by obeying them, living as they are taught, and
fostering peace in
the home."— Joseph B. Wirthlin, Seeds Of Renewal, General
Conference,
April 1989
(10/30/97)
"In the plan of salvation, all families are precious instruments
in the
Lord's hands to help direct His children toward a celestial
destination. The
righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can
do, and the
home is the place to do it. To accomplish this eternal work, we
should make our
homes gospel centered. When peace and harmony abound, the Holy
Spirit will ever
be present. The storms of the evil one can be stopped at the very
entrance of
our homes."— Joseph B. Wirthlin, Spiritually Strong Homes And
Families,
General Conference, April 1993
(10/31/97)
"Be true to your families, loyal to them. Protect your children.
Guide
them, not arbitrarily, but through the kind example of a father,
and so
contribute to the strength of the Church by exercising your
priesthood in your
home and in your lives."— David O. McKay, Conference Report, April
1969
(11/1/97)
"And so we plead with you fathers to return to your little
kingdoms and,
with kindness, justice, proper discipline, and love, to inspire
your family. We
appeal to mothers to help create that happy family relationship.
We desire that
our people strengthen their families according to the pattern set
by Abraham. We
need to prepare all within our homes to serve beyond our homes, as
calls and
opportunities come to provide leaven for the world that wants for
what we
have."—The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.338
(4/25/02)
"Parents have a divine duty to teach their children to love the
Lord.
Children have an equal obligation to 'obey [their] parents in the
Lord.' (Eph.
6:1.)" — Russell M. Nelson,
"Listen to Learn," "Ensign," May 1991, p. 23
(4/26/02)
"Some of the greatest lessons of gospel principles about the
eternal nature
of the family are learned as we observe how members of the Church,
when faced
with adversity, apply gospel principles in their lives and in
their homes."
— Robert D. Hales, "The Eternal
Family," "Ensign," Nov. 1996, p. 65-66
(4/27/02)
"Parents have the glorious opportunity of being the most powerful
influence, above and beyond any other, on the new lives that will
bless their
homes. Look around you, and you will soon discover that the
greatest joy in this
life, and the most comforting hope for the eternities to come, is
found in the
uniting of eternal family units. Whether we are married or single,
we are a part
of a family which can be eternal." — L.
Tom Perry, "Proclaim My Gospel from Land to Land," "Ensign,"
May 1989, p. 14
(4/28/02)
"No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal
marriage. To
most of us, a temple is easily accessible, perhaps so conveniently
that the
blessing is taken too casually. As with other matters of
faithfulness in gospel
living, being married the Lord's way takes a willingness to deny
yourself
ungodliness, worldliness, and a determination to do our Father's
will. By this
act of faith, we show our love to God and our regard for a
posterity yet unborn.
As our family is our greatest source of joy in this life, so it
may well be in
the eternity." — Ezra Taft Benson,
"This Is a Day of Sacrifice," "Ensign," May 1979, p. 33-34
(4/29/02)
"The followers of the divine Christ have to be weighed on the
scales of
what their actions are rather than on solemn professions of
belief. The true
measure is found in Matthew: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
of the least
of these..., ye have done it unto me' (Matt. 25:40). A wise man
observed, 'The
man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by
the company
he keeps' (Charles Henry Parkhurst, quoted in The International
Dictionary of
Thoughts [1969], 659)." — James E.
Faust, "That We Might Know Thee," "Ensign," Jan. 1999, p. 2,
4
(1/9/04)
"At a time when families all across the world are falling apart,
let us
solidify our own, let us strengthen them, let us nurture them in
righteousness
and truth." - Gordon B. Hinckley, "True to the Faith," General
Conference, April
1997
(4/26/04)
"Benjamin was not an 'I told you so' leader. He was genuinely
concerned
with whether or not his words had been received and applied. He
also recognized
the role of the family in teaching and implementing the
commitments of
discipleship. (See Mosiah
2:5-6; Mosiah
6:3.) He
apparently did as the Savior did when He taught intensively and
then directed
His hearers to go and discuss with their families that which had
been taught.
(See 3 Ne. 17:3.)"
-
Neal A. Maxwell, "King
Benjamin's
Manual of Discipleship," Ensign, January 1992, p. 13
(5/18/04)
"Brethren, there is too little religious devotion, love, and fear
of God,
in the home; too much worldliness, selfishness, indifference, and
lack of
reverence in the family, or it never would exist so abundantly on
the outside.
Then, the home is what needs reforming. Try today, and tomorrow,
to make a
change in your home." - Joseph F. Smith, "Worship in the Home,"
Improvement Era, December 1903, p. 138
(5/30/04)
"In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than
ever to
make our families the center of our lives and the top of our
priorities.
Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father's plan.... We
need to make our
homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in
intensity all
about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended,
negative influences
can penetrate the very walls of our homes." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Importance
of the Family," General Conference, April 2003
(6/10/04)
"Faithful attendance at Church, together with careful attention to
the
needs of the family, is a near-perfect combination. In Church we
are taught the
Great Plan of Happiness. (See Alma
12:32.) At home we apply what we have learned. Every call,
every service in
the Church brings experience and valuable insights which carry
over into family
life." — Boyd K. Packer, "Parents
in
Zion," Ensign, November 1998, p. 23
(8/6/04)
"The fact that some members do not have functioning traditional
families is
no reason to move in a direction that would diminish or abandon
family
activities among those who can and should foster them. With the
increased
onslaught of forces that cause families to disintegrate, we ought
to dig in our
heels to preserve all that is great and good in the family. We are
reminded that
in times of tribulations, the Nephites were not fighting for a
political cause,
such as monarchy or power; rather, they 'were inspired by a better
cause.' For
'they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their
wives and their
children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their
church.' (Alma
43:45.)" - James E.
Faust, "Where
Is
the Church?" Ensign, August 1990, p. 66
(1/23/05)
"If a family loses its cherished human values and deteriorates
into only
the form of a family, it has lost what a family is for. Whatever
changes are
said to have occurred in our time, there is left to the family the
most
important purpose of all-the satisfaction of the basic emotional
and spiritual
needs of its members. In any era, one has written, society is a
'web of which
the family forms the central strands.' In home, family, and love
lie the
resources that fulfill the life of the individual and the life of
the community;
indeed, the resources that would redeem our troubled world and
bring it lasting
peace. Children must be safeguarded and reared. Only in the home
can children be
assured of the love and direction they need to live life, and only
parents who
genuinely love can meet those needs. But it must be more than a
preached or
pronounced love; it must be love that takes time, makes the
effort, listens
patiently, gives freely, forgives generously, 'provides the
amenities that will
grace and adorn and make beautiful the relationships of family
life.'" -
Marion D. Hanks, "Practicing
What
We Preach," Ensign, June 1971, p. 92
(4/1/05)
"There is no spirit but what was pure and holy when it came here
from the
celestial world.... He is the Father of our spirits; and if we
could know,
understand, and do His will, every soul would be prepared to
return back into
His presence. And when they get there, they would see that they
had formerly
lived there for ages, that they had previously been acquainted
with every nook
and corner, with the palaces, walks, and gardens; and they would
embrace their
Father, and He would embrace them and say, 'My son, my daughter, I
have you
again;' and the child would say, 'O my Father, my Father, I am
here
again.'" - Brigham Young, "Journal of Discourses," 4:268
(4/27/05)
"The family is a creation of the Almighty. It represents the most
sacred of
all relationships. It represents the most serious of all
undertakings. It is the
fundamental organization of society." - Gordon B. Hinckley, "The
Great
Things Which God Has Revealed," General Conference, April
2005
(6/30/05)
"Sisters in Zion, could there be
a more rewarding calling than to labor in the Lord's vineyard
for the salvation of souls? We have the choice privilege of
strengthening families and influencing those who have been
placed in our care, as well as those who have preceded us beyond
the veil. Lest we think the task is too hard, be reminded that
angels will be round about us to bear us up if we are willing to
do our part. The promised blessings are almost more than we can
imagine.
"We have been blessed by a prophet of God in our day as he said:
'We pray for you. We sustain you. We honor you as you bear,
nourish, train, teach, and love for eternity. I promise you the
blessings of heaven and 'all that [the] Father hath' (see D&C
84:38) as you magnify the noblest calling of all' (Benson,
To the Mothers in Zion, p. 13)." - Joanne B. Doxey, "Strengthening
the Family," Ensign, Nov. 1987, 92
(8/6/05)
"Family home evenings are for everyone, whether it be in a
two-parent home, a single-parent home, or in a single-member
family unit. Home teachers, we call upon you in your regular
visits to encourage and revitalize the holding of family home
evenings." - L. Tom Perry, "Therefore
I Was Taught," Ensign, May 1994, 38
1/21/06
"Husbands and wives who love each other will find that
love and loyalty are reciprocated. This love will provide a
nurturing atmosphere for the emotional growth of children. Family
life should be a time of happiness and joy that children can look
back on with fond memories and associations.
"Hear these simple admonitions from the Lord which may be applied
to the marriage covenant.
"First: See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn
to impart one to another as the gospel requires. Cease to be
unclean; cease to find fault one with another. (D&C
88:123-24.)
"Second: Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt
cleave unto her and none else. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (D&C 42:22,
24.)
"Third: He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is
of the devil, who is the father of contention. (3
Ne. 11:29.)" - Ezra Taft Benson, "Fundamentals
of Enduring Family Relationships," Ensign (CR), November
1982, p.59
10/31/07
"I know that many of you are concerned about raising
your children during these difficult times and increasing their
faith. When my wife and I were starting our family in the San
Francisco Bay Area, we had that same concern. At a critical
point our stake members were advised by Elder Harold B. Lee,
then a member of the Twelve, that we could raise our families in
righteousness if we would:
Follow the prophet.
Create the true spirit of the gospel in our hearts and
homes.
Be a light to those among whom we live.
Focus on the ordinances and principles taught in the temple.
(See
D&C 115:5; Harold B.
Lee, “Your Light to Be a
Standard unto the Nations,” Ensign,
Aug. 1973, 3–4.)" -
Quentin L. Cook, "Live by Faith and Not by Fear,"
General Conference, 7 October 2007
11/1/07
"The family proclamation helps us understand much of the
love the Savior referred to when He told us we must 'love
one another.' (John 13:34) He gave us the
supreme example of love when He declared, 'Greater love
hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.' (John 15:13) He later atoned
for all our sins and finally gave His life for all of us.
"We can lay down our lives for those
we love not by physically dying for them but rather by
living for them—giving of our time; always being present
in their lives; serving them; being courteous,
affectionate, and showing true love for those of our
family and to all men—as the Savior taught." - Claudio R.
M. Costa, "Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can
Do Today," General Conference, 7 October
2007
11/19/07
"There are as many different kinds of family councils as
there are different kinds of families. Family councils can
consist of one parent and one child, one parent and
several children, two parents and one child, two parents
and several children, or just two parents. Regardless of
the size or makeup of the family council, the things that
really matter are loving motivations, an atmosphere that
encourages free and open discussion, and a willingness to
listen to the honest input of all council members-as well
as to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as it comes to
confirm truth and direction." - M. Russell Ballard,
"Counseling with Our Councils: Learning to Minister
Together in the Church and in the Family," p.157
1/30/08
"President
Wilford Woodruff declared: 'The
Lord has a great many principles in store for us, and
the greatest principles which he has for us are the most
simple and plain. The first principles of the gospel
which lead us unto eternal life are the simplest and yet
none are more glorious or important unto us'
(Remarks, Deseret News, 1 Apr. 1857, 27).
"It is precisely
because these principles are plain and simple that many
times they are not considered when there are challenges
to face that affect family life. At times we have the
tendency to think that the more serious the problem, the
bigger and more complex the solution should be. That
idea can lead us, for example, to seek help from people
or institutions outside the home when in reality the
most effective solution will come by applying the
glorious principles of the gospel in our homes in the
small actions and duties of everyday life. The
scriptures remind us 'that
by small and simple things are great things brought to
pass' (Alma
37:6)."- Francisco
J. Vias, "Applying
the Simple and Plain Gospel Principles in the Family," Ensign (CR), May
2004, p.38
8/10/10
"Heavenly
Father has assigned us to a great variety of stations to
strengthen and, when needed, to lead travelers to safety.
Our most
important and powerful assignments are in the family. They
are
important because the family has the opportunity at the
start of a
child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents,
brothers and
sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more
powerful guides
and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature
of a
family." - Henry B.
Eyring, "Help Them on Their Way Home," Ensign (CR) May
2010
9/15/10
"Freedom and
light have never been
easy to attain or maintain. Since the War in Heaven, the
forces of evil
have used every means possible to destroy agency and
extinguish light.
The assault on moral principles and religious freedom has
never been
stronger.
"As Latter-day Saints, we need to do our best to preserve
light and
protect our families and communities from this assault on
morality and
religious freedom." - Quentin
L. Cook, "Let
There Be Light!" Ensign (CR) October 2010
8/21/11
Among the assaults on families are the attacks on our faith,
for which parents should prepare their children. Some of it
is coming from apostates who had testimonies and now seem
unable to leave the Church alone. One, complaining of Church
policy, was heard to say: “I am so mad: if I had been paying
my tithing I would quit.” Persecution is not new to the
devoted followers of Christ. More recently, however, the
anger and venom of our enemies seems to be increasing.
Brigham Young said, “We never began to build a temple
without the bells of hell beginning to ring.” (Discourses of
Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret
Book Co., 1973, p. 410.) With twenty-two temples under
construction or in the planning stage, there seems to be a
lot of bells to be rung. - James E. Faust, "Enriching Family
Life," Ensign (CR) April 1983
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