Individual Worth & The Eternal Family

One thing I think is important before talking about Eternal Families is knowing who we are and knowing about our divine origins. 

Bishop H. Burke Peterson has said:

“One of the greatest challenges is to overcome the feeling that we are unimportant, that we are not special and unique. Do you think for a moment that Heavenly Father would have sent one of His children to this earth by accident, without the possibility of a significant work to perform? …"

**My favorite Disney movie is The Lion King and it has a lot of symbolism in it that parallels with the gospel. 

In the movie, after Simba's father is killed, he runs away and grows up away from home. After Simba's best friend from childhood, Nala, finds him while hunting for food, she insists that he has to come back home. Simba, however, tells her over and over again that he cannot come back. He still feels guilt for causing his father's death, a notion that his Uncle Scar put into his head when he was just a small cub.

It is after this event that one of the most influential parts of the movie takes place. Simba is all alone on the African plains and speaks out loud to his father,  “You said you’d always be there for me, but you’re not, and it’s my own fault.”  He hangs his head and is feeling hopeless. This is when Rafiki, the mandrill baboon, comes along. Simba asks, “Who are you?” To which Rafiki answers, “The question is, WHO are you?” And Simba says, “I thought I knew, but now I’m not so sure.” Rafiki tells Simba that he knows who Simba is, that he is Mufasa's son and that Mufasa is alive and that he knows where he is. Rafiki leads Simba to a small body of water, in which Simba peers over the edge, only to find that he sees a reflection of himself in the water. He sighs and says, “That’s not my father. It’s just my reflection.” Rafiki responds while pointing…”No….look harder….” Simba looks again. Rafiki says, “You see…he lives in YOU.” Then Simba has an experience where he sees his father… “Simba, you have forgotten me….” his father says. “No…how could I?” Simba responds. And then Mufasa says one of the most profound things in the entire movie… “You have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are MORE than what you have become. Remember who you are. You are my son. Remember who you are.”  And then he disappears…** Doesn't that sound like something our Father in Heaven might say to us? “You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself, You are MORE than what you have become. Remember who you are. You are my son, or you are my daughter. You are my child. Remember who you are.” Robert D. Hales said in his talk The Eternal Family, "From the earliest beginnings, God established the family and made it eternal. Adam and Eve were sealed in marriage for time and all eternity: “And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy ordinance, and the Gospel preached, and a decree sent forth, that it should be in the world, until the end thereof; and thus it was” (Moses 5:59).  “And Adam knew his wife, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth” (Moses 5:2). My favorite quote from Elder Hales' talk is,  "The eternal nature of our body and our spirit is a question often pondered by those who live in mortality. All people who will ever live on earth are members of a human family and are eternal children of God, our loving Heavenly Father. After birth and tasting of death in mortality, all will be resurrected because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God the Father. Depending on our individual obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments of God, each mortal can have the blessing of attaining eternal life; that is, returning to live in the presence of their Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, having eternal increase for all the eternities to come. Through making and keeping the sacred covenants found in the temple ordinances, individuals can return to the presence of God and will be reunited with their families eternally."'  My eternal family is so important to me. I am so grateful that my parents were worthy to marry in the temple, for time and all eternity, and that my sister and I were able to be born into that covenant. Taking this course has made me better appreciate my own family. I have loved learning about how to strengthen family relationships. I have also enjoyed learning techniques and gathering ideas that I can use in my own future family one day.

The Sanctity of Human Life

"Human life is a sacred gift from God. Elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God. Church members who submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions may lose their membership in the Church."

What is life?  Life has been defined as the existence of an individual human being. When does life begin?

The controversy of Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice has been debated for years. People have chosen sides and have strong reasons for believing what they believe about when life begins and a woman's choices regarding her own body.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states, "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."

The quote that began this post is part of the LDS church's official position on Abortion. The last part "may lose their membership to the church," may seem harsh and brutal, but if you think about it, all choices have consequences. If you speed, you get a ticket. If you bully or smoke in school, you get suspended or even expelled. Just like in every case, though, there are exceptions. 

The LDS church's official position on abortion also states, "Church leaders have said that some exceptional circumstances may justify an abortion, such as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is judged by competent medical authority to be in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.

However, the church's official position also says that these circumstances do not automatically justify an abortion. "Those who face such circumstances should consider abortion only after consulting with their local Church leaders and receiving a confirmation through earnest prayer."

Finally, I would like to share this video of a young girl talking about abortion. This video raises the question, "If a 12 year old can understand the sanctity of human life, then why can't the rest of the world?"

Repentance and Forgiveness

This is probably one of the hardest topics I've had to write about it. Repentance and forgiveness have been a big part of my life. Like everyone, I'm not perfect. I've had a lot of hard times and trials that I have had to overcome, or am still working to overcome. 

Specifically, I have been working on this one thing for months now. I've had slip ups and continue to work to overcome this one certain challenge. I keep working to resist temptation. Repentance

We all sin. We all need to repent. Sometimes we sin because of ignorance, sometimes because of our weaknesses, and sometimes because of willful disobedience. In my case, sinning has been because of weakness. My favorite scripture for a long time has been Ether 12:27.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

In a Primary lesson on Repentance, there are four steps listed of how to repent:

1) Feel sorry for what you have done
2) Ask for forgiveness (from your Heavenly Father and/or the person affected)
3) Right the wrong
4) Don't repeat the wrong.

About the Atonement, Bruce R. McConkie said,

“… There was no man ever born into this world that could have stood under the weight of the load that was upon the Son of God, when he was carrying my sins and yours and making it possible that we might escape from our sins”

Something that goes along with repentance is forgiveness. I think that forgiveness can be best shown by this Mormon Message. This is one of my favorite Mormon Messages. This car accident took place in Utah while I was visiting there. I remember seeing this on the news and hearing about it everywhere. 

I have learned, through my temptations and trials, that no one is perfect. EVERYONE sins and EVERYONE makes mistakes. We are so lucky, though, to have an amazing elder brother, Jesus Christ, who bore all of our burdens. He felt all of our pain, he atoned for our sins, so that we could live with our Heavenly Father again.

There is an amazing true story about the atonement that I would strongly encourage that you read. Here is the link: Donuts and the Atonement

 

Adoption ♥

"Adopting a child will be one of the most important decisions you make during your lifetime, as well as possibly being the single biggest decision in the life of the child. Study it out in your minds, then seek a confirmation of the Spirit through fasting and prayer. With all your hearts, counsel with the Lord."

                     NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH!!! 

I would like to share, for this blog post, my aunt's story in adopting her two daughters, in her own words.

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Finding out that, as a couple, you are infertile, is a devastating moment. Hopes and dreams are destroyed and Faith is tested. Giving birth to children and wanting a forever family is a righteous desire. When is doesn't happen and you accept it will NEVER happen, many things may happen. This is what happened to me: I felt broken, alienated from church, family and friends.

I had been married in 1992 and for 2 1/2 years, had had every test possible performed on me, only to find out in the end that it was my ex-husband that was infertile. I am the type of person that can quickly accept a diagnosis, and move on to a solution. He was not. 

After being married for another 2 1/2 years, we finally started the adoption process. The amount of paperwork was staggering! This was before everything was done online. Writing letters to potential birth mothers and making picture collages was nerve wracking. I second guessed everything I did. Every sentence, every picture. And then there was the wait.... Year after year.

In May, 2002, we found out there was an anonymous friend of my ex-husband's family that wanted to help us get a baby. He couldn't believe it was taking to so long with LDS Family Services. He offered to pay for an adoption if we went international, where it is pretty much guaranteed you end up with a child. We graciously accepted and quickly started international paperwork to adopt from China. Many things were already ready and only needed to be updated.

Miracles really do happen, because in September 2002, 4 months after we had decided to go ahead with the international adoption, we finally heard from a birth mother who had chosen us to adopt her baby. We continued with BOTH adoptions after that. 

Grace was born in Utah in January 2003. We were to go to China in the Fall of 2003, but the outbreak of SARS happened in China and all adoptions stopped for 6 months.

Megan was born in March of 2003, and once the paperwork was moving again, we went to China in May 2004 to pick her up. At that time, Grace was 16 months old and Megan was 14 months old.

They are both now almost 13 years old.

I often think of the trials and struggles through those years. I am now ALMOST (but not quite!) grateful for them. It eventually did build my Faith, made me more empathetic, and gained the knowledge that God knows who I am and what I feel. He loves me and will always comfort me in my times of need. 

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I am so grateful for my aunt and her faith, courage, and determination during her journey to becoming a mother. I am also extremely grateful for my cousins. Now that I am going to school at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, I am close to them, and get to see them and hang out with them often! They are amazing, smart, talented, funny girls who I know will grow up to be amazing women just like their mother!

Finally, here is an awesome Mormon Message about a young woman who chose adoption for her daughter.

"Be Fruitful, and Multiply and Replenish the Earth"

Genesis 1:28 "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth"

Some people might think that this commandment was only given to Adam and Eve. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as well as many other Christian faiths in the world, believe that God intended this commandment for all people, in all times. 

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 2014 was the first time in seven years that the United States' birthrate went up (by 1%). Though, this is still too low for the childbearing generation to replace itself. So, why aren't more people having children?

An article in The Atlantic, titled "Why Women Choose Not To Have Children," it is stated that 

Not having children is a perfectly rational and reasonable response given that humans are essentially parasites on the face of a perfectly lovely and well-balanced planet, plowing through its natural resources, eradicating its endangered species, and ruining its most wonderful landscapes.

The majority of studies show that people are not having children because a) they are focusing on their careers and feel that that is more important, b) they cannot afford to have children, and/or c) they don't feel the desire/need to have children.

Here's a video where the costs of having children are discussed:

Ultimately, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that the privilege, not the choice, to have children is sacred. The number of children that you have should be an ongoing discussion between you, your spouse, and the Lord. 

The world is already heavily influencing us on how to dress, what is cool, and what will make us happy. Why let them tell you how many children is “right?” The world doesn’t know you. The world doesn’t know what you are capable of. The world doesn’t know how much love you have to give to the amazing gift that a child is. Only YOU truly know what you are capable of, and even if you aren’t 100% sure yet, Heavenly Father knows and that is all that matters. So whether you have 2 kids, or 12, don't let the world put you down for the size of your family. Be happy that you have what you have and know that it is all for a reason and a divine purpose.

What I Learned from my Dad!

"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."-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

One of the games that my roommates and I love to play is the one where you say a word, and the other people have to say the first word that they think of. So, I did this activity with some people I know where I asked them what the first word that came to their mind was when I said the word "Dad" or "Father." 

Some of the words that were said included:

• protection
• strong
• wise
• kind
• appreciated
• cool
• courageous
• considerate
• loved

The one thing I will always remember, that my dad instilled in me from an early age, is a strong work ethic. Our family motto was "We work before we play." This is something that I have followed my entire life. I've always been able to prioritize my time, (though it's gotten harder in college) doing my homework before doing fun things, like watching Netflix or going to social events.

One of my favorite quotes about fathers is by L. Tom Perry. 

"Next to eternal life, the greatest of all gifts that our Father in Heaven can bestow on a man is the opportunity of being blessed with sons and daughters."

I found this amazing Mormon Message about fathers, and how blessed we are to have both an earthly father and a heavenly father. 

To conclude, I would like to share a story that my dad shared with me. He loves collecting inspirational thoughts and stories, and this is one of his favorites from his collection. That is one thing that I love and admire about my dad. Whenever I am feeling down, he sends me a thought or a story that is just what I need!

My Big Brother

When I was just a small child, I had a favorite big brother. He was great to me. He'd put his big arm around me and we'd go scampering down some cool dirt path. At times like this I felt ten feet tall. He didn't seem to mind me tagging along one bit, and there was nothing I liked better. 

I was so proud of him! When I was with him I felt like I was beaming stronger than the sun. He was good at everything. I never could seem to match the mountains he made out of sand. Mine always seemed to crumble and sag, but his would stand as firm as the Rocky Mountains. 

Dad always tried not to show how proud he was of him...him being the oldest and all, but his smile always seemed to be a bit brighter when my big brother came around. 

I felt that my world had collapsed when he went on his mission. Dad and Mom both had to fight back the tears. He called Dad and Mom regularly and let us know how much he loved us. He even told us about how great his mission was, so Mom wouldn't worry. 

The persecution was really bad there as the church was just getting started. But he never seemed to let himself get down, even though the people wouldn't believe his message. We'd all share in his joy when he'd get some new converts, but I don't mind saying that I was scared that the nonbelievers would do something to him. It even got to the point where men were plotting to take his life. But Dad never seemed to be worried for some reason. 

Then one day we received word that his mission had ended, but not as most men's do. I was struck by the terrifying news. 

They finally got hold of my brother. The big brother that I had played with. The one who never seemed capable of doing anything wrong. My big brother who loved everyone he knew, and who most everyone loved. 

They beat him and mocked him. He suffered all they did to him without striking back. Why would anyone want to hurt my big brother? I couldn't understand. 

A mob took him to a hill just outside of town, and spitting on him, they nailed him alive to a cross. My soul moaned as I heard that he begged father to forgive them. Racked with unbearable pain, he gave up his life for what he believed. My big brother, my king, my idol was dead. I cried though what seemed to be the darkest day of my life. Where was my big brother with whom I had shaped mountains of sand? Why did he of all my brothers have to die like this? 

Time passed and I was called on my mission. Sometimes I forget what happened so long ago, but every Sunday a small piece of bread and a small cup of water remind me of what my big brother did for me and assures me that he yet lives.

A Shout-Out to Moms ♥

A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth. It's unbelievable how God has made us women and babies to endure and be able to do so much. A miracle, indeed. Such an incredible blessing. ~Jennie Finch

For this post, I decided to interview some of my friends and roommates and ask them what they admire about their mothers, as well as what their mothers have taught them. These are some of their responses!

Carly-I admire my mother because she works hard and is willing to serve anyone and everyone. She taught me skills that I can use in my future home, such as cooking, sewing, and cleaning. Basically everything I know, I have learned from my mother.

 Erin-I definitely admire my mom for her hard work. She is constantly go go go and is the most selfless person I've ever met. And she's taught me to love myself and never forget who I truly am.

Taylor-Well one, my mom is super smart. She has her masters and has always worked hard. I admire her for going and getting a degree even though she had kids. And she taught me to work hard, because nothing comes without a solid effort. 

Marleis-I love that my mother was always there to support me. When I was in sports, she was there cheering me on. She was always there for me in band. My mother has taught me to be a good supporter of my friends and family. She has also taught me to always be kind and generous. 

Cheralyn-My mom has always been smart, strong and outgoing. I really admire those qualities about her. Also she has always put her family first and been fiercely loyal to us. She taught me that being a mother isn't about raising your kids only until they're adults and move away, she is still always there for me to help and guide me with anything. I learned from her example that no matter what, you never give up on your kids. 

Now I want to talk about my mom. Since I was little, she always focused on teaching me. Thanks to her (and my sister), I learned to read at an early age. I remember her always reading books with me. That is one of my favorite memories with my mom growing up. She has taught me how to love unconditionally. I admire the fact that she always has put her family's needs before her own. She is the definition of selfless. My mom also works so hard. She has a full-time job, and still manages to get meals on the table, fulfill her church calling, and help manage the household. To me, she is a superhero!

Finally, I found this amazing video called, "Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God." In it, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shares an encouraging tribute to mothers.