Week 6 Why Marriage and Family Matter - Everywhere in the World

This week we will be discussing Elder Perry's talk : Why Marriage and Family Matter - Everywhere in the World

Next week we will be discussing Elder Oaks' talk: The Parable of the Sower


Why Marriage and the Family Matter:

Elder Perry talks about being invited to the Vatican with leaders of other religions to discuss the importance of Marriage and the family.  He quotes Pope Francis, "We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on marriage as a public commitment. This revolution in manners and morals has often flown the flag of freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. ...It is always they who suffer the most in this crisis,"

Elder Perry encourages us to follow Pope Francis' words to be 'revolutionaries with the courage to seek true and lasting love, going against the common pattern.' I feel like we are truly alone in finding the lasting true love, compared to the short-lived love that the media portrays as important.

He tells us of how in the meetings that marriage and family-centered priorities cut across and superseded any political, economic, or religious differences. "When it come to love of spouse and hopes, worries, and dreams for children, we are all the same.

It is refreshing to be reminded that the beliefs of family and marriage are shared by many, not just of our faith. We are not alone in this.

Elder Perry then takes a turn in his talk, to discuss what makes our church different from all these other religions. The difference is that we have the eternal perspective of the restored gospel.  He states that 'We make the subject (Marriage and Family) Eternal!'

He reminds us that the entire theology of our restored gospel centers on families and on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.

I also like when he says, 'No one has ever come up with a more efficient way to raise the next generation than a household of married parents with children.'

Our marriages matter, and we need to remember that is isn't just between husband and wife, but it is a matter of the whole family. It is the best structure for all in the family. To be raised by a married mother and father.

He quotes columnist David Broods, "People are not better off when they are given maximum personal freedom to do what they want. They're better off when they are enshrouded in commitments that transcend personal choice - commitments to family, God, craft and country."

He helps us to remember that we are the majority. Those who believe in marriage and family are the majority, contrary to what the media portrays. The restored gospel centers on marriage and family. We would do well to remember that.

This next week, lets remind ourselves of the blessings of our family, and our marriages. I challenge you to focus on your family, if you already don't. Remember that this gospel is centered on the family and so should we.

Have a great week!