Religion Magazine

Families Are Forever

By Ldsapologetics
Families are supposed to be forever. There are no exceptions that I'm aware of. And there is the Family Proclamation but that outlines the ideal but what about all of us that don't fit that ideal?
Here's a quote for you.
Families Are Forever Heaven forbid we introduce him to our friends and act as if he's a part of our lives! You don't have to agree with everything someone says or does to love them but the behavior described by Elder Oaks doesn't sound very loving or welcoming.
Whatever people think about homosexuality no one should feel ashamed for being the way God made them. No one can show love while also shaming their friends or family.
People are free to use their agency as they see fit. That is Jesus' plan whereas Satan's is to remove your agency and force others to do as he sees fit.
Now families that are blended between biological and stepchildren should also feel welcomed at church and in the Temple but I've heard many say "Those aren't your kids, you owe them nothing."
I've been told this. I've also heard "They aren't his kids they don't have to listen to him, they certainly don't have to do what he says. He's not their dad."
My stepchildren have been told that.
Not feeling like families that don't fit the perfect ideal are truly welcomed or even included in the emphasis of the importance of the family unit.
I may have an atypical family but it is still a family and I think deserves to be respected as such. I think having an ideal is fine but to hold to that ideal to the point of excluding every other type of family unit is unhealthy.
All are alike into God is what I understand from scripture. So any variation of the family unit should still be respected if we are all truly on equal footing.
And if some may sin? So what? We have all sinned and we continue to so why are the sins of some overlook and not considered to be all that bad yet other sins are deal breakers and though judgment is Christ's alone so many stand up as judge, jury and executioner in the lives of those deemed sinful and unworthy?

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bondand free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. Nephritis 26:33If we are called to be like Christ who denies none, whose atonement is available to all, it was done for all, why are so many so quick to deny those people or those families which do not measure up to their standards?The Lords standards are what we should be concentrating on but our scope of application is our lives not everyone else's.And if we too are sinners, who are we to deny or judge anyone?To me love is the absence of judgmental attitudes.A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35Judging others is not our job, loving, welcoming, and understanding them is.

"There are many attributes which are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts." Love-The Essence of the Gopel by Thomas S. Monson

President Monson also said this in that talk: We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all. The Apostle John tells us, “This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”3 We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father and, as such, are brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth in mind, loving all of God’s children will become easier.

Love if our job while judgment is Christ's but Christ did say this about judgment:

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24

Since before Christ in Jewish literature judging righteously meant judging favorably or giving the benefit of the doubt.

This idea derives from Leviticus (19:15): "In righteousness shall you judge your fellow" 

Families Are Forever


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