Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Defending the Family

Ensign
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a magazine called "The Ensign."  This month there was an incredible article in it.  It talked about how the family is becoming less and less important.  People don't have family values.  They don't find value in the family dynamic.    Many prophets in the Bible prophesied this was coming.  People would think of themselves first.  Loving Pleasures before God.  A very eye opening one was when Paul said, "“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  Isn't that so true?  Sometimes I am so appalled by people that just don't get it.  They don't want to get it and they just can't see outside the box.  I know I am not perfect in this but I try most of the time to see beyond what lies in front of me.  


More and more people are living together, having children out of wedlock, getting divorced, raising children in a single parent home, or not even having children because they feel it will take away from their own freedom and achievements.   We are constantly told to do your own thing.  Put yourself first.  These are not what Heavenly Father wants us to think.  In Matthew he says, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”  


Bruce D Porter says, "Selfishness in any form or degree weakens the bonds that hold families together."  At first when I read this I thought, "What?"  Then I instantly knew that he was right.  Everyone comes first before yourself.  Selfishness is wrong and does not build anyone up, not even yourself.  He talked about tolerance.  People always want you to be okay with how they are living or the views they have.  He says, "Curiously enough, this new modern tolerance is often a one-way street. Those who practice it expect everyone to tolerate them in anything they say or do, but show no tolerance themselves toward those who express differing viewpoints or defend traditional morality."  Isn't that so true?  We see that everywhere.  This is how Satan is taking over the hearts and minds of people.  Isaiah said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”


Elder Porter says, "When we truly love all of God’s children in a Christlike way, we will desire to bring them unto Christ, the fountain of all happiness. This means proclaiming the truth, defending that which is right, and in a mild voice inviting all to walk the path of Christ. By defending the traditional family, Latter-day Saints bless all people whether others recognize it now or not."    I love that.  


I love the family values my church teaches.  I wish there could be more selflessness, morality, marriage, and more children in this world.  I hope more people will come to realize the importance of family and the true meaning of it.  To read the full article click here.



"I tried always to do better: saw always a little further. I tried to stretch myself."  Audrey Hepburn

3 comments:

Michelle H said...

Really good thoughts, Annie. Especially the tolerance part. It gets wearing to constantly be berated for not being "accepting" enough but not even being asked to share your own point of view.

I 100% know I need to work on the selfish part. You are such a great example in that department and your family is really lucky. Hopefully someday I'll get there.

Tamera Shepherd said...

Thanks for defending the most important thing in my personal life. FAMILIA!

Stinsonian said...

Love this post. Thanks for reminding us all what should come first. I love our church leaders!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...