October Visiting Teaching

This month's message: The Family is Ordained of God.

The post I wrote in February applies here as well.  Both marriage and family are ordained of God.  I spill my heart out a little, it's good, worth another look!  Even when marriage and family aren't perfect, broken, never been had, we still can believe in them, defend them, and know our promises are sure in them.

I like how this month the message touches on how the whole plan - creation, fall, atonement - is for the family unit.

Sister Julie B. Beck emphasized that we need to not only fluff around how great families are, but teach the doctrine of what we believe about the family unit. (Ensign 3/11)  

Nevertheless, parents, teachers, and leaders of youth need to teach the rising generation the doctrine of the family. It is essential to help them achieve eternal life (see Moses 1:39). They need to know that the theology of the family is based on the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. They need to understand the threats to the family so they will know what they are fighting against and can prepare. They need to understand clearly that the fullness of the gospel is realized in temple ordinances and covenants.

Here it is, plain and simply put by Sister Beck in that same address:

The Creation of the earth provided a place where families could live. God created a man and a woman who were the two essential halves of a family. It was part of Heavenly Father’s plan that Adam and Eve be sealed and form an eternal family.

The Fall provided a way for the family to grow. Adam and Eve were family leaders who chose to have a mortal experience. The Fall made it possible for them to have sons and daughters.

The Atonement allows for the family to be sealed together eternally. It allows for families to have eternal growth and perfection. The plan of happiness, also called the plan of salvation, was a plan created for families. 

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was written to reinforce that the family is central to the Creator’s plan. Without the family, there is no plan; there is no reason for mortal life.

Did you listen to or watch Women's Conference this past Saturday?

How about Sister Oscarson?  She was bold.  I appreciated it!  We need to be loving and understanding of the world we live in.  But, we also need to be clear, and teach our children clearly, the things we believe as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

I encourage you to re-read these two talks.  They are great reminders to cling to what we believe.

This month's handout is a reminder that The Creation, The Fall and The Atonement are all centered on the family unit.