When we marry in the temple and live worthy lives, our union is sealed for eternity. Thus, choosing a marriage partner is choosing someone to be with not only for mortality but forever. Our relationship with our spouse affects us and our posterity throughout this life and has eternal implications.
President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, taught: “In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions, this one must not be wrong. In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts. Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness” (“Oneness in Marriage,” Ensign, Mar. 1977, 3).
■ “Be ye not unequally yoked together with nonbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
■ President Spencer W. Kimball:
“I have warned the youth against the many hazards of interfaith marriage, and with all the power I possessed, I warned young people to avoid the sorrows and disillusionments which come from marrying out of the Church and the unhappy situations which almost invariably result when a believer marries an unbelieving spouse. I pointed out the demands of the Church upon its members in time, energy, and funds; the deepness of the spiritual ties which tighten after marriage and as the family comes; the antagonisms which naturally follow such mismating; the fact that these and many other reasons argue eloquently for marriage within the Church, where husband and wife have common backgrounds, common ideals and standards, common beliefs, hopes, and objectives, and, above all, where marriage may be eternalized through righteous entry into the holy temple. . . .
“. . . We recommend that people marry those who are . . . of somewhat the same economic and social and educational background (some of those are not an absolute necessity, but preferred), and above all, the same religious background, without question” (“Marriage and Divorce,” 1976 Devotional Speeches of the Year [1977], 142–44).
■ President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency:
“When young people come to me for advice about courtship and marriage I usually suggest that they ask themselves the following questions:
“What kind of mother or father do I want my children to have?
“What kind of parent am I prepared to be?
“Do I want to associate with someone because of his or her popularity only, or do I look deeper for spiritual and moral qualities?
“Am I analyzing our similarities and differences in background, culture, and intellect?
“Am I prepared to adjust to these differences?
“Do I realize that such adjustments need to be made before marriage?
“These considerations will certainly help in making a proper choice for a companion with whom one is prepared to spend eternity. Then after the marriage there are many responsibilities that cannot be taken lightly; but with each contracting party assuming his or her full share of the responsibility, there is nothing in this life that will bring greater satisfaction and happiness” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 21; or Ensign, May 1980, 17).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“There is more to a foundation of eternal marriage than a pretty face or an attractive figure. There is more to consider than popularity or charisma. As you seek an eternal companion, look for someone who is developing the essential attributes that bring happiness: a deep love of the Lord and of His commandments, a determination to live them, one that is kindly understanding, forgiving of others, and willing to give of self, with the desire to have a family crowned with beautiful children and a commitment to teach them the principles of truth in the home.
“An essential priority of a prospective wife is the desire to be a wife and mother. She should be developing the sacred qualities that God has given His daughters to excel as a wife and mother: patience, kindliness, a love of children, and a desire to care for them rather than seeking professional pursuits. She should be acquiring a good education to prepare for the demands of motherhood.
“A prospective husband should also honor his priesthood and use it in service to others. Seek a man who accepts his role as provider of the necessities of life, has the capacity to do it, and is making concerted efforts to prepare himself to fulfill those responsibilities.
“I suggest that you not ignore many possible candidates who are still developing these attributes, seeking the one who is perfected in them. You will likely not find that perfect person. . . . These attributes are best polished together as husband and wife” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 31; or Ensign, May 1999, 26).
■ “Marriage is ordained of God unto man” (D&C 49:15).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott: “Worthy character is best forged from a life of consistent, correct choices centered in the teachings of the Master. For a moment I speak to you who are preparing for that sweet period of discovery known as courtship leading to eternal marriage. It can be a wondrously beautiful time of growth and sharing, a time when you should focus your thoughts, actions, and plans on two individuals: the parents of your own future children. Prepare to be a successful parent by being completely worthy in every thought and act during courtship” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 31; or Ensign, May 1999, 25–26).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “There are things we can start to do now. They have to do with providing for the spiritual and the physical needs of a family. There are things we can do now to prepare, long before the need, so that we can be at peace knowing we have done all we can” (The Family [CES fireside for young adults, Nov. 5, 1995], 4).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott: “By making choices consistent with eternal truth, you will develop righteous character and increasing strength to resist temptation. You are assured of the help of God in fulfilling your worthy decisions. You qualify to be led by the Spirit, to choose the correct path. It will warn you of temptations you might not otherwise recognize. The correct decisions you now make will help you prepare to be sealed in the temple to a worthy companion and to form and nurture your own eternal family. All who qualify for those blessings will, in the Lord’s due time, have them here or in the next life” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 88; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 69).
■ “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
“But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong” (D&C 9:8–9).
■ Priesthood leaders counsel returning missionaries to participate actively in the Church, continue their education or employment, pay tithes and offerings, enroll in institute, and prepare for a temple marriage. They do not suggest a specific period of time in which to get married. Marriage is of such importance that the decision must be made only after careful and prayerful consideration.
■ Elder Richard G. Scott: “If you are single and haven’t identified a solid prospect for celestial marriage, live for it. Pray for it. Expect it in the timetable of the Lord. Do not compromise your standards in any way that would rule out that blessing on this or the other side of the veil. The Lord knows the intent of your heart. His prophets have stated that you will have that blessing as you consistently live to qualify for it. We do not know whether it will be on this or the other side of the veil. But live for it. Pray for it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 33; or Ensign, May 1999, 27).
■ Elder Gerald N. Lund of the Seventy: “When I was 16 years old and not smart enough to know very much at all, the Spirit touched my heart and I realized the significance of the woman that you marry. Starting at that time I began to pray that the Lord would find for me the woman who would be my eternal companion. Those prayers were answered, and all that we now enjoy in our family with children and grandchildren is largely responsible to her” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 101; or Ensign, May 2002, 85).
■ “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, . . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38 [Scripture Mastery, D&C 1:37–38]).
■ “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7 [Scripture Mastery]).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring:
“Because our Father loves his children, he will not leave us to guess about what matters most in this life concerning where our attention could bring happiness or our indifference bring sadness. Sometimes he will tell a person directly, by inspiration. But he will, in addition, tell us through his servants. . . . He does that so that even those who cannot feel inspiration can know, if they will only listen, that they have been told the truth and been warned.
“The title of the proclamation reads: ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World-The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ (see Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 102).
“Three things about the title are worth our careful reflection. First, the subject: the family. Second, the audience, which is the whole world. And third, those who proclaimed are those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. That means that the family must be as important to us as anything we can consider, that what the proclamation says could help anyone in the world, and that the proclamation fits the Lord’s promise when he said, ‘Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same’ (D&C 1:38)” (The Family [CES fireside for college-age young adults, Nov. 5, 1995], 1).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “To know and keep the commandments, we must know and follow the Savior and the prophets of God. We were all blessed recently to receive an important message from modern prophets, entitled ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’ (see Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). This proclamation warns us what will happen if we do not strengthen the family unit in our homes, our communities, and our nations. Every priesthood holder and citizen should study the proclamation carefully” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 52; or Ensign, May 1996, 37).
■ Elder L. Aldin Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy: “May I suggest in all seriousness and solemnity that a very careful study of that proclamation will assist you in a major way as you begin to build a home and a family. Now a voice of warning. If your proposed marriage partner is not in agreement with the doctrines taught therein, know there is danger in your committing your life to him or to her” (Search the Prophets [CES fireside for young adults, Feb. 4, 2001], 1).
■ “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband” (1 Corinthians 7:3).
■ “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:11).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Counselor in the First Presidency:
“How beautiful is the marriage of a young man and a young woman who begin their lives together kneeling at the altar in the house of the Lord, pledging their love and loyalty one to another for time and all eternity. When children come into that home, they are nurtured and cared for, loved and blessed with the feeling that their father loves their mother. In that environment they find peace and strength and security. Watching their father, they develop respect for women. They are taught self-control and self-discipline, which bring the strength to avoid later tragedy.
“The years pass. The children eventually leave the home, one by one. And the father and the mother are again alone. But they have each other to talk with, to depend on, to nurture, to encourage, and to bless. There comes the autumn of life and a looking back with satisfaction and gladness. Through all of the years there has been loyalty, one to the other. There has been deference and courtesy. Now there is a certain mellowness, a softening, an effect that partakes of a hallowed relationship. They realize that death may come anytime, usually to one first with a separation of a season brief or lengthy. But they know also that because their companionship was sealed under the authority of the eternal priesthood and they have lived worthy of the blessings, there will be a reunion sweet and certain” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 73; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 52).
■ Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Obviously, family values mirror our personal priorities. Given the gravity of current conditions, would parents be willing to give up just one outside thing, giving that time and talent instead to the family? Parents and grandparents, please scrutinize your schedules and priorities in order to ensure that life’s prime relationships get more prime time! Even consecrated and devoted Brigham Young was once told by the Lord, ‘Take especial care of your family’ (D&C 126:3). Sometimes it is the most conscientious who need this message the most!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 121; or Ensign, May 1994, 90).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard Jr., then of the Seventy: “I stand in awe when I consider the great confidence Heavenly Father has placed in you and me when he allows us the privilege of being the mortal fathers and mothers to his eternal spirit offspring. We must never forget that he has a vested interest in every one of us, and we must realize how important each human soul is in God’s eternal plan. When we understand the importance of each soul, we can go before him confidently in prayer to seek his guidance and direction in our sacred assignment as parents. He said, ‘This is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). This seems to me to best sum up the important role that mortal parents have in the great eternal plan of life for each member of our families” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1978, 99; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, 66).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church: “I believe that it should be the blessing of every child to be born into a home where that child is welcomed, nurtured, loved, and blessed with parents, a father and a mother, who live with loyalty to one another and to their children. . . . Stand strong against the wiles of the world. The creators of our entertainment, the purveyors of much of our literature, would have you believe otherwise. The accumulated wisdom of centuries declares with clarity and certainty that the greater happiness, the greater security, the greater peace of mind, the deeper reservoirs of love are experienced only by those who walk according to time-tested standards of virtue before marriage and total fidelity within marriage” (“Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 99).
Sylvie was thrilled that Marc asked if he could come to her home to visit. He was so much like her father: handsome, athletic, and well liked. Although he was not a member of the Church, Sylvie was certain that her mother would be impressed. He was polite, and she found him far more interesting than any of the young Latter-day Saint men she knew. Sylvie’s mother remembered having similar feelings about her husband when they first became acquainted. She looked into her daughter’s eyes and said, “I want you to know that your father’s commitment to the gospel was far more important to me than his good looks or any other trait.” Sylvie responded, “I just know that Marc’s love for me will lead him to the gospel and that he will join the Church.”
Bill and Elizabeth have been serious about each other for about a year. Both are in their late twenties. They are returned missionaries and fully active in the Church. They enjoy each other’s company and talk often about the possibility that they will marry. However, neither of them feel that they have been told by the Spirit that they should marry the other. They both wonder: “Why won’t the Lord inspire me concerning whom I should marry? I don’t want to make a mistake in such an important decision.”
Each of us is a spirit son or daughter of God and enters mortality to gain a physical body. Our physical body is a gift from God and ultimately will become a resurrected body.
The Apostle Paul describes the body as the temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20; see also D&C 93:33–35). Each of us should try to keep our body healthy by eating properly, exercising regularly, seeking competent medical help, and living the Word of Wisdom. This will help us in our work, family, and Church service.
■ “Man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple” (D&C 93:35).
■ President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency: “The Apostle Paul declared, ‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? . . . The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are’ (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 60; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 46).
■ President David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church:
“The healthy man, who takes care of his physical being, has strength and vitality; his temple is a fit place for his spirit to reside. . . .
“. . . Bodily ailments deprive us of the full exercise of our faculties and privileges and sometimes of life itself. It is necessary, therefore, to care for our physical bodies, and to observe the laws of physical health and happiness” (“The ‘Whole’ Man,” Improvement Era, Apr. 1952, 221).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church: “The body is the temple of the spirit. The body is sacred. It was created in the image of God. It is something to be cared for and used for good purposes. It ought to be taken care of, and this thing which we call the Word of Wisdom, which is a code of health, is most helpful in doing that” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 68; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 49).
■ Patricia T. Holland, formerly a counselor in the Young Women general presidency:
“Anyone who reads a newspaper or magazine is constantly reminded that proper diet, appropriate exercise, and plenty of rest increase our daily capacities as well as our life span. But all too many of us put off even these minimal efforts, thinking our family, our neighbors, and our other many responsibilities come first. Yet in doing so, we put at risk the thing these people need most from us: our healthiest, happiest, heartiest self. . . .
“The issue for me then, is accepting that we are worth the time and effort it takes to achieve the full measure of our creation, and believing that it is not selfish, wrong, or evil. It is, in fact, essential to our spiritual development.
“My oldest child tried to teach me this principle years ago. I had not been feeling well on a day I had promised to take this then three-year-old son to the zoo. As my aches and pains increased, I finally said in exasperation, ‘Matthew, I don’t know if we should go to the zoo and take care of you or if we should stay home and take care of mother.’ He looked up at me for a moment with his big brown eyes and then stated emphatically, ‘Mama, I think you should take care of you, so you can take care of me.’ He was wise enough even at that age to know where his best interests were ultimately served. Unless we take care of ourselves, it’s virtually impossible to properly take care of others” (“The Many Faces of Eve,” in Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, On Earth As It Is in Heaven [1989], 66–67).
■ “A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of . . . the saints . . . —
“. . . showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
“Given for a principle with promise” (D&C 89:1–3).
■ “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
“And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (D&C 89:18–21 [Scripture Mastery]).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Look upon the Word of Wisdom as more than a commonplace thing. I regard it as the most remarkable document on health of which I know. It came to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, when relatively little was known of dietary matters. Now the greater the scientific research, the more certain becomes the proof of Word of Wisdom principles” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 67; or Ensign, May 1998, 49).
■ President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“The Word of Wisdom put restrictions on members of the Church. To this day those regulations apply to every member and to everyone who seeks to join the Church. They are so compelling that no one is to be baptized into the Church without first agreeing to live by them. No one will be called to teach or to lead without accepting them. When you want to go to the temple, you will be asked if you keep the Word of Wisdom. If you do not, you cannot go to the house of the Lord until you are fully worthy.
“We know that young people generally don’t like restrictions. Believe it or not, we were young once and we remember.
“A resistance to anything that limits one’s conduct has almost taken over society. Our whole social order could self-destruct over the obsession with freedom disconnected from responsibility, where choice is imagined to be somehow independent of consequences. . . .
“The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ (D&C 89:3). That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 22; or Ensign, May 1996, 17).
■ Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“I have come to know . . . that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation.
“From the time you are very little we teach you to avoid tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, narcotics, and anything else that disturbs your health.
“And you know that we get very worried when we find one of you tampering with those things.
“If someone ‘under the influence’ can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings?
“As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 28–29; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Counselor in the First Presidency:
“Is observance of the Word of Wisdom necessary? The Brethren have long felt that it certainly must be. Observance of the Word of Wisdom is concerned with the care of one’s body, which, the Lord has assured, is of itself a temple, a tabernacle of the spirit. He has said, ‘Yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple’ (D&C 93:35).
“I recall a bishop’s telling me of a woman who came to get a recommend. When asked if she observed the Word of Wisdom, she said that she occasionally drank a cup of coffee. She said, ‘Now, bishop, you’re not going to let that keep me from going to the temple, are you?’ To which he replied, ‘Sister, surely you will not let a cup of coffee stand between you and the house of the Lord.’” (in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 1990, 67; or Ensign, May 1990, 51).
■ “Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (D&C 88:124 [Scripture Mastery, D&C 88:123–24]).
■ Fruits, vegetables, grains, and wholesome herbs are good for us. We should eat meat sparingly. (See D&C 89:10–17.)
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Proper physical conditioning is facilitated by regular exercise, but it should be suited to the abilities and preferences of the individual. . . .
“Like many other good things, exercise has benefits when applied wisely and in moderation. But I offer a word of caution regarding excess. It is folly to assume that if a little of anything is good, a lot is therefore better” (Twenty Questions [address to religious educators, Sept. 13, 1985], 4).
■ Elder Joe J. Christensen, then of the Presidency of the Seventy:
“Choose some sport or other vigorous physical exercise that is consistent with your situation and physical condition and be regular in pursuing it. Get the blood circulating and give your major muscles a workout. An appropriate amount of time and effort spent in exercising will help you to be more effective in all other areas of your life.
“I don’t know what your choice will be. Personally, I prefer racquetball or walking to jogging. . . . Of course, you need to make your own choice but resolve to do something physical regularly. . . .
“Some of you are not getting the rest that you need. Some are habituated to going to bed late and sleeping much longer than your system really needs and thus missing out on some of the personal inspiration you could be receiving.
“Adequately rested, there is great value that can come to you as an early riser. Years ago, Barbara and I were asked to drive President and Sister Marion G. Romney from Provo to their home in Salt Lake City. Along the way, President Romney shared some of his personal experiences when he was first called to serve as a General Authority way back in 1941. He had been serving as a stake president at the time and had gone to General Conference where he was called, without prior knowledge, to be a General Authority. He was shocked and very nervous. He felt that he needed some advice, and so he went to Elder Harold B. Lee, a new member of the Quorum of the Twelve and former associate as a stake president. He asked him for advice about how to be successful as a general authority.
“Elder Lee said:
“‘If you are to be successful as a General Authority, I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested and then in the quiet of those early morning hours, you will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight than at any other time of the day.’
“President Romney said,
“‘From that day on, I put that counsel into practice, and I know it works. Whenever I have a serious problem, or some assignment of a creative nature with which I hope to receive the influence of the Spirit, I always receive more assistance in the early morning hours than at any other time of the day. Following that counsel has helped me a great deal through the years.’ (See: Joe J. Christensen, To Grow in Spirit [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], pp. 27–28).
“You can have a similar experience in your own life. You can change, even if you consider yourself a ‘night person.’ Set the habit in 21 days. When it comes right down to it, it is a matter of strong resolve and ‘mind over mattress.’” (Resolutions [CES fireside for college-age young adults, Jan. 9, 1994], 5).
■ “Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation” (D&C 89:4).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“Some have even used as an alibi the fact that drugs are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. What a miserable excuse. There is likewise no mention of the hazards of diving into an empty swimming pool or of jumping from an overpass onto the freeway. But who doubts the deadly consequences of such? Common sense would dictate against such behavior.
“Regardless of the Word of Wisdom, there is a divinely given reason for avoiding these illegal substances.
“I am convinced that their use is an affront to God. He is our Creator. We are made in His image. These remarkable and wonderful bodies are His handiwork. Does anyone think that he can deliberately injure and impair his body without affronting its Creator? We are told again and again that the body is the tabernacle of the spirit. We are told that it is a temple, holy to the Lord. In a time of terrible conflict between the Nephites and the Lamanites, we are told that the Nephites, who had been strong, became ‘weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples’ (Hel. 4:24).
“Alma taught the people of Zarahemla: The Lord ‘doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God’ (Alma 7:21). Can anyone doubt that the taking of these mind- and body-destroying drugs is an act of unholiness? Does anyone think that the Spirit of God can dwell in the temple of the body when that body is defiled by these destructive elements? If any of you are tampering with these things, resolve forthwith, and with the strongest determination of which you are capable, that you will never touch them again” (“A Plague on the World,” New Era, July 1990, 6; see Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 65; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 50).
■ Elder Boyd K. Packer:
“Narcotic addiction serves the design of the prince of darkness, for it disrupts the channel to the Holy Spirit of Truth. At present the adversary has an unfair advantage. Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide. Agency is too fundamental a doctrine to be left in such jeopardy. . . .
“I plead with all of you to pray earnestly that somewhere, somehow, the way will be discovered to erase addiction in the human body.
“It is not just human suffering, even human life, which is at risk; it is all of the personal and social and political and spiritual freedoms for which humanity has struggled for ages. At risk is all that was purchased by the blood of martyrs. Moral agency itself is in jeopardy! If we all pray fervently, the Lord will surely help us. And with those prayers, teach your children to obey the Word of Wisdom. It is their armor and will protect them from habits which obstruct the channels of personal revelation” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1989, 16–17; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 14).
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson:
“From an initial experiment thought to be trivial, a vicious cycle may follow. From trial comes a habit. From habit comes dependence. From dependence comes addiction. Its grasp is so gradual. Enslaving shackles of habit are too small to be sensed until they are too strong to be broken. Indeed, drugs are the modern ‘mess of pottage’ for which souls are sold. No families are free from risk. . . .
“We are free to take drugs or not. But once we choose to use a habit-forming drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. . . .
“‘The spirit and the body are the soul of man’ (D&C 88:15). Both spirit and body have appetites. One of life’s great challenges is to develop dominance of spiritual appetites over those that are physical. Your willpower becomes strong when joined with the will of the Lord.
“Addiction to any substance enslaves not only the physical body but the spirit as well” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 5, 7; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 6–8).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Some years ago one of our sons asked me why it was not a good idea to try alcohol and tobacco to see what they were like. He knew about the Word of Wisdom and he also knew the health effects of these substances, but he was questioning why he should not just try them out for himself. I replied that if he wanted to try something out he ought to go to a barnyard and eat a little manure. He recoiled in horror. ‘Ooh, that’s gross,’ he reacted.
“‘I’m glad you think so,’ I said, ‘but why don’t you just try it out so you will know for yourself? While you are proposing to try one thing that you know is not good for you, why don’t you apply that principle to some others?’ That illustration of the silliness of ‘trying it out for yourself’ proved persuasive to one sixteen-year-old” (Sins, Crimes, and Atonement [address to religious educators, Feb. 7, 1992], 7).
Perry has been invited to a party after graduation. It sounds like it will be fun, but he does not know if there will be alcoholic beverages. He really wants to be with his friends that evening.
Ngozi is asked by her younger sister, “Why shouldn’t I try alcohol and tobacco at least once so I’ll know what it’s like for myself? I’ll never do it again. What’s the harm if it’s only once?”
José’s family are not Church members. They did not completely approve when he joined the Church and now feel that he looks down on them. They often try to tempt him to drink and smoke. He is frustrated but determined to keep his standards. He doesn’t wish to condemn his parents, but he wants them to take better care of themselves.
The Lord’s plan for His children includes living in a mortal environment where there is an opposition in all things (see 2 Nephi 2:11). Knowing that opposition and adversity are a common part of life, we can meet and overcome these challenges by remaining faithful to the Lord and trusting Him to help us. As we rise above adversity, our weaknesses are turned into strengths (see Ether 12:27 [Scripture Mastery]).
■ “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad” (2 Nephi 2:11).
■ “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them” (D&C 136:31).
■ Bishop Richard C. Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric: “I believe we all understood that by coming to earth, we would be exposed to all of the experiences of earth life, including the not-so-pleasant trials of pain, suffering, hopelessness, sin, and death. There would be opposition and adversity” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 75; or Ensign, May 2002, 65).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Knowing that we are in mortality to learn and to develop our faith, we should understand that there must be opposition in all things. During a family council in my own home, my wife said, ‘When you may think that someone has a perfect family, you just do not know them well enough.’” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 44; or Ensign, May 1999, 34).
■ Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Mortality presents us with numerous opportunities to become more Christlike: first, by coping successfully with those of life’s challenges which are ‘common to man[kind]’ (1 Corinthians 10:13). In addition, there are also our customized trials such as experiencing illness, aloneness, persecution, betrayal, irony, poverty, false witness, unreciprocated love, et cetera” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 28; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 22).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Much adversity is man-made. Men’s hearts turn cold, and the spirit of Satan controls their actions. In foreseeing the day of suffering in our time, the Savior said, ‘The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound’ (D&C 45:27). Violence, immorality, and other evils run rampant on the earth. Much adversity has its origin in the principle of agency” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 30; or Ensign, May 1995, 23).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The Lord is well aware of our mortality. He knows our weaknesses. He understands the challenges of our everyday lives. He has great empathy for the temptations of earthly appetites and passions. The Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Hebrews that the Savior is ‘touched with the feeling of our infirmities’ because He ‘was in all points tempted like as we are’ [Hebrews 4:15–16]” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 46; or Ensign, May 1996, 34).
■ “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
■ Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy: “Our challenges may be physical, spiritual, economic, or emotional, but if we will treat them as opportunities and stepping-stones in our progress, rather than barriers and stumbling blocks, our lives and growth will be wonderful. I have learned that between challenges it is very restful but that any real growth I have ever enjoyed has always come with a challenge” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 63; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 45).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16–17).
■ Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then of the Presidency of the Seventy: “Afflictions can soften us and sweeten us, and can be a chastening influence. (Alma 62:41.) We often think of chastening as something being done to punish us, such as by a mortal tutor who is angry and peevish with us. Divine chastening, however, is a form of learning as it is administered at the hands of a loving Father. (Helaman 12:3.)” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 39).
■ Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. . . .
“This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1979, 77; or Ensign, May 1979, 53).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility [see 2 Nephi 2:2; D&C 121:7–8].
“Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call ‘the furnace of affliction’ (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Nephi 20:10). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 43; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 33–34).
■ Sister Mary Ellen W. Smoot, then Relief Society general president: “It does not take much living to find out that life almost never turns out the way you planned it. Adversity and affliction come to everyone. Do you know anyone who would not like to change something about themselves or their circumstances? And yet I am sure you know many who go forward with faith. You are drawn to those people, inspired by them, and even strengthened by their examples” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 13; or Ensign, May 2002, 13).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:
“I testify that the Man who suffered for mankind, who committed His life to healing the sick and comforting the disconsolate, is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches.
“‘Then,’ the world would ask, ‘why does He sleep when the tempest rages all around me? Why does He not still this storm, or why would He let me suffer?’
“Your answer may be found in considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinement. The butterfly might think, ‘Why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly?’
“Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator’s design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2000, 73; or Ensign, May 2000, 59–60).
■ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “A life without problems or limitations or challenges-life without ‘opposition in all things’ [2 Nephi 2:11], as Lehi phrased it-would paradoxically but in very fact be less rewarding and less ennobling than one which confronts-even frequently confronts-difficulty and disappointment and sorrow. As beloved Eve said, were it not for the difficulties faced in a fallen world, neither she nor Adam nor any of the rest of us ever would have known ‘the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient’ [Moses 5:11]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 115; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 84).
■ “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12 [Scripture Mastery]).
■ “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “Even when the winds of adversity blow, our Father keeps us anchored to our hope. The Lord has promised, ‘I will not leave you comfortless’ [John 14:18], and He will ‘consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain’ [2 Nephi 2:2]. Even when our trials seem overwhelming, we can draw strength and hope from the sure promise of the Lord: ‘Be not afraid nor dismayed . . . ; for the battle is not yours, but God’s’ [2 Chronicles 20:15]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 33; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 27).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard: “As I travel throughout the Church, I see members being tried in the crucible of affliction. I see members suffering from debilitating health concerns. I see husbands, wives, and parents living in trying circumstances they cannot change regarding their spouses or their children. Every one of us is faced at times with unpleasant situations, adversity, and affliction that we cannot change. Many circumstances can be addressed only with time, tears, prayer, and faith. For us, like Hyrum, peace may come only when we bring ourselves to say, ‘But what can I do? . . . Thy will be done O Lord.’” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 7; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 9).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales: “I have come to understand how useless it is to dwell on the whys, what ifs, and if onlys for which there likely will be given no answers in mortality. To receive the Lord’s comfort, we must exercise faith. The questions Why me? Why our family? Why now? are usually unanswerable questions. These questions detract from our spirituality and can destroy our faith. We need to spend our time and energy building our faith by turning to the Lord and asking for strength to overcome the pains and trials of this world and to endure to the end for greater understanding” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 16; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 14–15).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott: “When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet when you pray with real conviction, ‘Please let me know Thy will’ and ‘May Thy will be done,’ you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17).
■ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “The wounds in his hands, feet, and side are signs that in mortality painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect, signs that tribulation is not evidence that God does not love us. It is a significant and hopeful fact that it is the wounded Christ who comes to our rescue. He who bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love, the emblems of humility and forgiveness is the Captain of our Soul. That evidence of pain in mortality is undoubtedly intended to give courage to others who are also hurt and wounded by life, perhaps even in the house of their friends” (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 259).
■ President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church: “May I remind all of us that if we will live the gospel and follow the counsel of the leaders of the Church, we will be blessed to avoid many of the problems that plague the world. The Lord knows the challenges we face. If we keep his commandments, we will be entitled to the wisdom and blessings of heaven in solving them” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 128; or Ensign, May 1980, 92).
■ President Howard W. Hunter, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Why face life’s burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter? To the heavy laden it is Christ’s yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 20; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 18).
■ “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8).
■ “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days” (D&C 24:8).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“When tragedy strikes or even when it looms, our families will have the opportunity to look into our hearts to see whether we know what we said we knew. Our children will watch, feel the Spirit confirm that we lived as we preached, remember that confirmation, and pass the story across the generations.
“I have one such story in my legacy. Grandmother Eyring learned from a doctor in his office that she would die of stomach cancer. My father, her oldest son, had driven her there and was waiting for her. He told me that on the way home she said, ‘Now, Henry, let’s be cheerful. Let’s sing hymns.’ They sang ‘O My Father’ (Hymns, no. 292) and ‘Come, Come, Ye Saints,’ where the last verse begins, ‘And should we die before our journey’s through’ (Hymns, no. 30).
“I wasn’t there, but I imagine they sang loudly-they didn’t have very melodic voices-with faith and no tears. She spent part of her last months in the home of her oldest child, her daughter. Aunt Camilla told me that Grandma complained only once, and then it was not really a complaint but just to say that it hurt” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 87; or Ensign, May 1996, 64).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “Faithful members of the Church should be like oak trees and should extend deep roots into the fertile soil of the fundamental principles of the gospel. We should understand and live by the simple, basic truths and not complicate them. Our foundations should be solid and deep-rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted. Members whose roots are only at the surface of the gospel need to sink them deeper until they reach the bedrock below the soft topsoil” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 98; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 75).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales: “The basic requirements for enduring to the end include knowing who we are-children of God with a desire to return to His presence after mortality; understanding the purpose of life-to endure to the end and obtain eternal life; and living obediently with a desire and a determination to endure all things, having eternal vision. Eternal vision allows us to overcome opposition in our temporal state and ultimately achieve the promised rewards and blessings of eternal life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 100; or Ensign, May 1998, 76–77).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “As you build your lives in obedience to the gospel and strive to achieve your goals, do not become discouraged by temporary setbacks and disappointments. Remember that ‘it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things’ [2 Nephi 2:11]. You will grow and learn by overcoming obstacles. The Lord has admonished all of us to ‘keep [His] commandments and endure to the end’ [D&C 14:7]” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 54; or Ensign, May 1994, 40).
■ Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough amid our suffering to learn from our relevant experiences. Rather than simply passing through these things, they must pass through us-in ways which sanctify all these experiences for our good. Likewise, our empathy is enriched everlastingly as we comfort and assist those in the midst of ‘all these things’ which can give us experiences for our good. (D&C 122:7.)” (The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book [1997], 101).
Elder James E. Talmage of the Quorum of the Twelve told of an experience he had in a secluded room where he often went to write:
“A wild bee from the neighboring hills once flew into the room, and at intervals during an hour or more I caught the pleasing hum of its flight. The little creature realized that it was a prisoner, yet all its efforts to find the exit through the partly opened casement failed. When ready to close up the room and leave, I threw the window wide and tried at first to guide and then to drive the bee to liberty and safety, knowing well that if left in the room it would die as other insects there entrapped had perished in the dry atmosphere of the enclosure. The more I tried to drive it out, the more determinedly did it oppose and resist my efforts. Its erstwhile peaceful hum developed into an angry roar; its darting flight became hostile and threatening.
“Then it caught me off my guard and stung my hand-the hand that would have guided it to freedom. At last it alighted on a pendant attached to the ceiling, beyond my reach of help or injury. The sharp pain of its unkind sting aroused in me rather pity than anger. I knew the inevitable penalty of its mistaken opposition and defiance, and I had to leave the creature to its fate. Three days later I returned to the room and found the dried, lifeless body of the bee on the writing table. It had paid for its stubbornness with its life” (“Three Parables-The Unwise Bee, the Owl Express, and Two Lamps,” Ensign, Feb. 2003, 8–9).
John has been working at a factory for six months. One day his supervisor announces that, because of financial difficulties, the factory will have to lay off half its workers. He informs John that he is one of those who will be laid off.
Receiving ordinances and keeping covenants are essential to Heavenly Father’s plan. The scriptures often refer to His people as a “covenant people.” The Lord’s blessings exceed our mortal expectations. To live in the presence of our Heavenly Father, we must receive all of the necessary ordinances and keep all of the required covenants.
■ “Every person who belongeth to this church of Christ, shall observe to keep all the commandments and covenants of the church” (D&C 42:78).
■ “And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days” (Mosiah 5:5).
■ “[A covenant is] an agreement between God and man, but they do not act as equals in the agreement. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and men agree to do what he asks them to do. God then promises men certain blessings for their obedience.
“Principles and ordinances are received by covenant. Members of the Church who make such covenants promise to honor them. For example, members covenant with the Lord at baptism and renew those covenants by partaking of the sacrament. They make further covenants in the temple. The Lord’s people are a covenant people and are greatly blessed as they keep their covenants with the Lord” (Guide to the Scriptures, “covenant,” 55).
■ Elder Jack H. Goaslind Jr., then of the Seventy: “A covenant is a contract or an agreement between two or more parties in which each side makes a commitment to a certain principle or principles. In the Church, we think of a covenant as an agreement that we as members of the Church make in return for blessings that Heavenly Father has promised all who willingly choose to live by His commandments. We often speak of covenants in connection with the temple, but each member of the Church also enters into a covenant at baptism, which we renew each week as we worthily partake of the sacrament” (“Covenants,” Church News, Feb. 13, 1993, 8).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The Latter-day Saints are a covenant people. From the day of baptism through the spiritual milestones of our lives, we make promises with God and He makes promises with us. He always keeps His promises offered through His authorized servants, but it is the crucial test of our lives to see if we will make and keep our covenants with Him” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 40; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 30).
■ Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Our Father in Heaven understood the need for His children to be reminded of the promises He has made to us if we would obey His laws. In making such covenants, the Lord offered blessings in exchange for obedience to particular commandments. A plan was laid out for us from the very beginning. The central figure in His plan of salvation is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 77; or Ensign, May 1996, 53).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 15; or Ensign, May 1987, 14).
■ “[Through Christ’s glory and virtue] are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
■ “Blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old” (D&C 66:2).
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “With each ordinance is a covenant-a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness [see Moroni 10:32], we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective” (in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 2001, 42; or Ensign, May 2001, 34).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “God truly is our Father, the Father of the spirits of all mankind. We are his literal offspring and are formed in his image. We have inherited divine characteristics from him. Knowing our relationship to our Heavenly Father helps us understand the divine nature that is in us and our potential. The doctrine of the fatherhood of God lays a solid foundation for self-esteem. The hymn titled “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301) states this doctrine in simple terms. Can a person who understands his divine parenthood lack self-esteem? I have known people who have a deep, abiding assurance of this truth and others who understand it only superficially and intellectually. The contrast in their attitudes and the practical effect of these attitudes in their lives are remarkably apparent” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 15).
■ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Investigators are not only hearing our testimony of Christ, but they are hearing echoes of other, earlier testimonies, including their own testimony of Him, for they were on the side of the faithful who kept their first estate and earned the privilege of a second estate. We must always remember that these investigators, every man, woman, and child, were among the valiant who once overcame Satan by the power of their testimony of Christ! So when they hear others bear that witness of Christ’s saving mission, it has a familiar feeling; it brings an echo of truth they themselves already know” (“Missionary Work and the Atonement,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 11–12).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “All of the myriads of mortals who have been born on this earth chose the Father’s plan and fought for it. Many of us also made covenants with the Father concerning what we would do in mortality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 97; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 72).
■ The Prophet Joseph Smith: “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 365).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “An eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 87; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 65).
■ President James E. Faust of the First Presidency:
“For you to achieve your potential, you will need to honor four sacred principles in your lives. These four are:
“1. Reverence for Deity.
“2. Respecting and honoring family relationships.
“3. Reverence for and obedience to the ordinances and covenants of the holy priesthood.
“4. Respect for yourself as a son of God” (in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 2001, 59; or Ensign, May 2001, 45).
■ “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19 [Scripture Mastery, Matthew 16:15–19]).
■ “This greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
“Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
“And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh” (D&C 84:19–21).
■ Elder Robert D. Hales: “Think of it, brothers and sisters-the priesthood has been restored. It is here on the earth today. . . . The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are modern-day Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the direction of these prophets, seers, and revelators, who hold the keys in this dispensation, priesthood holders in the Church today have the legitimate right to act in the name of God. As His authorized agents, they are commissioned to go forth and bless others through the power and authority of the priesthood, making all priesthood covenants, ordinances, and blessings available today” (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 42; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 33).
■ President James E. Faust: “Priesthood is the greatest power on earth. Worlds were created by and through the priesthood. To safeguard this sacred power, all priesthood holders act under the direction of those who hold the keys of the priesthood. These keys bring order into our lives and into the organization of the Church. For us, priesthood power is the power and authority delegated by God to act in His name for the salvation of His children. Caring for others is the very essence of priesthood responsibility. It is the power to bless, to heal, and to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. Righteous priesthood authority is most needed within the walls of our own homes. It must be exercised in great love. This is true of all priesthood holders-deacon, teacher, priest, elder, high priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 56–57; or Ensign, May 1997, 41).
■ Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“On April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, the same heavenly beings that appeared to the Savior and his three Apostles on the Mount, appeared and conferred additional priesthood authority and keys upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery for the building up of the Church preparatory to the coming of Christ to rule and reign on the earth forever. Moses appeared and conferred the keys of the gathering of Israel. Elias restored the covenants and authority given to Abraham. Elijah bestowed the keys and power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and of the children to their fathers. (See D&C 110:11–16.)
“These same keys of the kingdom held by Peter, James, and John, who served in the First Presidency in the dispensation of the meridian of time, [have been] conferred upon Joseph Smith and all subsequent Presidents of the Church” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 107–8; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 74).
■ “Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven” (D&C 6:37).
■ “Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life” (Mosiah 26:20).
■ “Give heed unto these things and be diligent in keeping my commandments, and you shall be blessed unto eternal life” (D&C 30:8).
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson: “Temple ordinances, covenants, endowments, and sealings enable individuals to be reconciled with the Lord and families to be sealed beyond the veil of death. Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man [see D&C 14:7]. Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven-the kind of life that God lives” (in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 2001, 40; or Ensign, May 2001, 33).
■ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “The ideals of faith, hope, and charity are most evident in the holy temples. There we learn the purpose of life, strengthen our commitment as disciples of Christ by entering into sacred covenants with Him, and seal our families together for eternity across generations. Receiving our own endowment in a temple and returning frequently to perform sacred ordinances for our kindred dead increases our faith, strengthens our hope, and deepens our charity. We receive our own endowment with faith and hope that we will understand the Lord’s plan for His children, will recognize the divine potential within each of us as children of our Heavenly Father, and will be faithful to the end in keeping the covenants we make” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 33; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 27).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring: “I know that the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood were restored by those who received them from the Savior. . . . I bear solemn testimony that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ, in which the ordinances and the covenants are offered, which if accepted and honored produce peace in this life and assure us eternal life in the world to come” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 44; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 33).
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson: “The Savior’s gift of immortality comes to all who have ever lived. But His gift of eternal life requires repentance and obedience to specific ordinances and covenants. Essential ordinances of the gospel symbolize the Atonement. Baptism by immersion is symbolic of the death, burial, and Resurrection of the Redeemer. Partaking of the sacrament renews baptismal covenants and also renews our memory of the Savior’s broken flesh and of the blood He shed for us. Ordinances of the temple symbolize our reconciliation with the Lord and seal families together forever. Obedience to the sacred covenants made in temples qualifies us for eternal life-the greatest gift of God to man [see D&C 14:7]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35).
■ Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president:
“Covenants-or binding promises between us and Heavenly Father-are essential for our eternal progression. Step-by-step, He tutors us to become like Him by enlisting us in His work. . . . How often do you reflect that your covenants reach beyond mortality and connect you to the Divine? Making covenants is the expression of a willing heart; keeping covenants, the expression of a faithful heart. . . .
“. . . The doing is where we prove who we really are. Thus, every time we reach out with love, patience, kindness, generosity, we honor our covenants by saying, ‘Here am I; send me.’ . . .
“The spiritual integrity to keep our covenants comes from consistency in scripture study, prayer, service, and sacrifice. Such simple steps nurture our souls so we can say, ‘Send me to help a sister and her newborn; send me to tutor a struggling student; send me to love an outsider. Send me where you need me, when you need me.’” (Ensign, Nov. 2002, 103, 105).
Edson is a newly baptized Church member. He loves the fellowship he has found in the Church and looks forward to attending meetings each Sunday. He tries very hard to keep the covenants he made at baptism. He is still trying to change some minor bad habits he developed during the years before he learned of the gospel. Because of these imperfections, Edson often feels unworthy to take the sacrament.
Moua has just gone to the temple to receive her endowment. She was excited and grateful for such a blessing. She was overwhelmed by the experience and was told that she was not expected to understand everything on her first visit. She had a strong feeling come over her testifying that the covenants she made that day were right. Now she wonders what she should do to more fully understand what happened and how she can learn more.
Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “The First Presidency frequently report to the Quorum of the Twelve that when they have called a man and his wife in to counsel with them over whether or not they will accept a mission call the immediate answer is, ‘We’ve been to the temple!’ Meaning: We are under covenant. That word covenant is a powerful, motivating word” (The Holy Temple [1980], 166).
Disciples of Jesus Christ recognize the needs of others and seek to serve them. There are people all around us whose lives we can bless. We can enrich their lives as we share our talents with them. We can comfort and encourage them during times of sorrow. Simply sharing our testimony or our gospel perspective may help someone solve a problem or endure a difficult situation. The Lord blesses His children through our efforts.
■ “Teach [your children] to love one another, and to serve one another” (Mosiah 4:15).
■ “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).
■ President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency:
“The Lord has said,
“‘He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it’ (Matthew 10:39).
“We lose our life by serving and lifting others. By so doing we experience the only true and lasting happiness. Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.
“Knowing that service is what gives our Father in Heaven fulfillment, and knowing that we want to be where He is and as He is, why must we be commanded to serve one another? Oh, for the glorious day when these things all come naturally because of the purity of our hearts. In that day there will be no need for a commandment because we will have experienced for ourselves that we are truly happy only when we are engaged in unselfish service. Let us use the freedom which comes from self-reliance in giving and serving.
“Can we see how critical self-reliance becomes when looked upon as the prerequisite to service, when we also know service is what Godhood is all about? Without self-reliance one cannot exercise these innate desires to serve. How can we give if there is nothing there? Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves. Money to assist the needy cannot come from an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak.
“There is an interdependence between those who have and those who have not. . . . Once a person has been made whole or self-reliant, he reaches out to aid others, and the cycle repeats itself.
“We are all self-reliant in some areas and dependent in others. Therefore, each of us should strive to help others in areas where we have strengths. At the same time, pride should not prevent us from graciously accepting the helping hand of another when we have a real need. To do so denies another person the opportunity to participate in a sanctifying experience” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 135–36; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 93).
■ President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Counselor in the First Presidency: “It is a responsibility divinely laid upon each of us to bear one another’s burdens, to strengthen one another, to encourage one another, to lift one another, to look for the good in one another, and to emphasize that good” (Let Faith Replace Our Fears [CES fireside for young adults, Mar. 6, 1994], 7).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “In latter-day revelation the Lord has commanded that we ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees’ (D&C 81:5). In another section of the Doctrine and Covenants, he instructed us to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness’ (D&C 58:27). . . . Indeed, service is a covenant obligation of all members of the Church of Jesus Christ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1984, 13; or Ensign, Nov. 1984, 12).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Obedience always includes service to others. Service in God’s work allows us to feel a part of what He feels and come to know Him” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 17).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “[Jesus’s] deliberate use of Jews and Samaritans clearly teaches that we are all neighbors and that we should love, esteem, respect, and serve one another despite our deepest differences-including religious, political, and cultural differences” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 43; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 36).
■ Elder Henry B. Eyring: “[The Savior] called us to serve others so that we could strengthen our own faith as well as theirs. He knows that by serving Him we will come to know Him” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2000, 81; or Ensign, May 2000, 66).
■ Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy: “We do pretty well at fulfilling callings, at going to meetings, at paying our tithing; but have we learned to truly live the second great commandment: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’? (Matthew 22:39). This is not something that can be assigned to the elders quorum or to the visiting teachers; this has to spring from the heart of every true disciple of Christ, a person who will look automatically and without being asked for opportunities to serve, to uplift, and to strengthen his fellowman” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 12; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 12).
■ The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. . . . Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
■ President Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church: “Who of us, in whatever station we may have been in, have not needed strengthening?” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 179; or Ensign, July 1973, 123).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Life in today’s world can be at times so complicated and the challenges so overwhelming as to be beyond our individual capacity to resolve them. We all need help from the Lord” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 115; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 84).
■ Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of President Gordon B. Hinckley’s experience as a young missionary: “Shortly after Elder Hinckley’s labors began in England, he became discouraged and wrote to his father. After reading that letter, his father’s wise reply closed with these words: ‘Forget yourself and go to work’ [in Sheri L. Dew, Go Forward with Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley (1996), 64]. Thanks to noble parents and a crucial decision to remain, Elder Hinckley completed his mission with honor. Now he often states that the good things that have happened to him since have all hinged upon that decision to stay. On his mission, he developed good habits of study, work, communication, budgeting, time management, and more. There he learned that nothing is too hard for the Lord [see Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 17; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 15).
■ Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Those who need help come in all age brackets. Some of His sheep are young, lonely, and lost. Some are weary, afflicted, and worn with age. Some are in our own family, in our own neighborhood, or in the far corners of the world where we can help with fast offerings. Some are starving for food. Some are starving for love and concern” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 129; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 91).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks: “When the Saints settled in the valleys of the mountains, they promptly established a Perpetual Emigrating Fund to assist the poor to move from Winter Quarters, and later from the nations of Europe. At least half of those who journeyed to join the Saints could not have come without the help of leaders and members who were determined to include everyone who desired to gather to Zion” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 73).
■ “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).
■ “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . .
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35–36, 40 [Scripture Mastery, Matthew 25:40]).
■ President James E. Faust of the First Presidency:
“As the Savior Himself said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’ [John 15:13].
“Most of us don’t demonstrate our unselfishness in such a dramatic way, but for each of us unselfishness can mean being the right person at the right time in the right place to render service. Almost every day brings opportunities to perform unselfish acts for others. Such acts are unlimited and can be as simple as a kind word, a helping hand, or a gracious smile. . . .
“I wish to testify that the greatest fulfilling service to be rendered by any of us is in the service of the Master. In the various pursuits of my life, none has been as rewarding or beneficial as responding to the calls for service in this Church. Each has been different. Each one has brought a separate blessing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 21; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 21–22).
■ Elder Dallin H. Oaks:
“Millions . . . serve from their homes on a Church-service basis. So it is with the [many thousands of] bishoprics and branch presidencies and the faithful presidencies of the quorums and Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women who serve with them and under their direction. So it is with millions of others-faithful teachers in wards, branches, stakes, and districts. And think of the hundreds of thousands of home teachers and visiting teachers who fulfill the Lord’s command to ‘watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them’ (D&C 20:53). . . .
“We have a great tradition of unselfish service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Indeed, one of the distinguishing characteristics of this Church is the fact that we have no paid or professional clergy in our thousands of local congregations and in the regional stakes, districts, and missions that oversee them. As an essential part of God’s plan for His children, the leadership and work of His Church is provided by His children who give their time freely for the service of God and their fellowmen” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 73; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 69).
■ Elder James M. Paramore of the Presidency of the Seventy: “The Church helps us to overcome selfishness and uncertainty by serving others in dozens of ways over a lifetime. Some of our fondest memories go back to those associations we have had in service together” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1988, 11; or Ensign, May 1988, 11).
■ Sister Betty Jo N. Jepsen of the Primary general presidency: “Serving others in any way is an indication of our desire to respond to the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. How about a checkup on our service to others? Let’s ask ourselves, Will I make that visit to my homebound friend? Will I open my mouth to defend and testify of the truth? Will I give of my worldly goods? Do I share some of my fresh, productive time with my children? Do I serve with joy in my Church calling?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 108; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 77).
■ President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency: “Our service to others . . . can bolster human spirits, clothe cold bodies, feed hungry people, comfort grieving hearts, and lift to new heights precious souls” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 62; or Ensign, May 1990, 47).
■ “Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:16–17 [Scripture Mastery, Mosiah 2:17]).
■ “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).
■ Elder Russell C. Taylor of the Seventy:
“Live a life of service. . . .
“. . . Service opens windows in your life instead of just mirrors that always reflect yourself” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 54; or Ensign, May 1989, 42).
■ Elder Robert L. Backman of the Seventy: “May you realize that this is your world, a beautiful world with unlimited opportunities to grow, to learn, and to serve. Will you make it a better world through the preparations you make now and the noble service you render throughout your life as a token of the love you have of your Father in Heaven and his Son” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 62; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 42).
■ Elder M. Russell Ballard: “From the time one is first ordained to any office in the priesthood, he should be committed to a lifetime of service in the kingdom of God. Young men should be taught by loving and sensitive fathers, bishops, and priesthood advisers that priesthood means service” (“The Greater Priesthood: Giving a Lifetime of Service in the Kingdom,” Ensign, Sept. 1992, 72).
■ Elder Richard G. Scott, then of the Presidency of the Seventy: “I know [God] lives. I love him with every fiber of my being. With you, I want to use my life in service to him and in lifting Father’s children” (“Four Fundamentals for Those Who Teach and Inspire Youth,” in Old Testament Symposium Speeches, 1987 [1988], 6).
Manuel, Marta, and their family lived outside their native country for three years while Manuel served as a mission president. During this time they gave faithful service to others. Since they had sold their home to serve their mission, on their return they arranged to rent a small house.
As they entered their new home, they were shocked to find furniture in place, beds made, dishes in the cupboard, and food on the shelves. Manuel and Marta sat down in the living room, surrounded by their loved ones, and wept. For so long they had given service to others, and now others were serving them. They knelt in grateful prayer as a family.
Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone, then of the Presiding Bishopric, related the following account by Brother Les Goates. Brother Goates’s father, George, farmed sugar beets west of Lehi, Utah. In 1918, when the events he describes took place, more than 20 million people around the world died in the Spanish influenza epidemic.
“Winter came early that year and froze much of the sugar beet crop in the ground,” writes Brother Goates. “My dad and brother Francis were desperately trying to get out of the frosty ground one load of beets each day.” One day they received a telephone call that George’s nine-year-old grandson Kenneth “had been stricken with the dread ‘flu,’ and after only a few hours of violent sickness, had died.” George was asked to go to Ogden and take the boy to Lehi for burial.
When George arrived at the home he found his son Charles was also sick. Charles asked his father to take the boy and return for him the next day. “Father brought Kenneth home, made a coffin in his carpenter shop, and . . . with [my brother] Franz and two kind neighbors [dug] the grave. . . .
“The folks had scarcely returned from the cemetery when the telephone rang again.” They learned that Charles had died and four of his young children were also sick. Charles’s body was sent to Lehi by train, but the next day George had to return to Ogden to get one of the grandchildren, seven-year-old Vesta, who had since died. Before he returned to Lehi with Vesta, a call came again that one of her sick sisters, five-year-old Elaine, had also died. So George made yet “another heartbreaking journey to bring home and lay away a fourth member of his family, all within the week.”
The next day George told his son Francis, “‘Well, son, we had better get down to the field and see if we can get another load of beets out of the ground before they get frozen in any tighter.’ . . .
“. . . As they drove along the Saratoga Road, they passed wagon after wagon-load of beets being hauled to the factory and driven by neighborhood farmers. . . .
“On the last wagon was . . . Jasper Rolfe. He waved a cheery greeting and called out: ‘That’s all of ’em, Uncle George.’
“My dad turned to Francis and said: ‘I wish it was all of ours.’
“When they arrived at the farm gate . . . there wasn’t a sugar beet on the whole field. Then it dawned upon him what Jasper Rolfe meant when he called out: ‘That’s all of ’em, Uncle George!’ . . .
“Then father sat down on a pile of beet tops-this man who brought four of his loved ones home for burial in the course of only six days; made caskets, dug graves, and even helped with the burial clothing— . . . and sobbed like a little child.
“Then he arose, wiped his eyes with his big, red bandanna handkerchief, looked up at the sky, and said: ‘Thanks, Father, for the elders of our ward.’” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 46–48; or Ensign, July 1973, 36–37).
WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.