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God made it pretty clear that families are important when he created Adam and Eve. The Holy Bible calls them “man and . . . wife” (Genesis 2:25), and the first commandment God gave them was to have children (see Genesis 1:28).
Families are a divine part of God’s plan. They are the fundamental building block of strong societies. Families are where we can feel love and learn how to love others. Life is tough, and we need people we can lean on. Home is a safe haven where we can get advice, support, hugs, and, when necessary, chocolate chip cookies.
Our family here on Earth is organized like our family in heaven. Much like we can go to our parents for advice, our Heavenly Father is always there to give us help. When we pray, He listens and He answers.
God loves you so much. Think about parents’ love for their child. They love that child no matter what, even when the child makes mistakes. That love is only a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for us.
In 1995, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released an official statement about the importance of families. The document outlines the responsibilities of fathers and mothers and addresses key topics such as marriage, gender, parenting, and sex. Read the highlights below, or read the entire text here.
“...marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”
“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.”
“...God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”
“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another...”
“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.”
“...fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”
“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.”
“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.”
