Sunday Lesson: May 10th

Our lesson on Mother's Day was Chp. 14 from our manual, Marriage and Family - Ordained of God.

Before getting into the lesson, a very powerful and truthful quote by Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson was shared. She said this in the last General Women’s Session of Conference:

“May I point out something obvious? Life rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone, and we are very aware that not all women are experiencing what (the proclamation to the world on the Family) describes. It is still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern and strive for the realization of that pattern the best we can. Each of us has a part to play in the plan, and each of us is equally valued in the eyes of the Lord. We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants. Heavenly Father has a mission and plan for each of us, but He also has His own timetable. One of the hardest challenges in this life is to have faith in the Lord’s timing. It’s a good idea to have an alternative plan in mind, which helps us to be covenant-keeping, charitable, and righteous women who build the kingdom of God no matter which way our lives go. We need to teach our daughter to aim for the ideal but plan for contingencies.” 

The manual goes over five important truths regarding marriage and family. In class we focused on the first 3 truths and Sis. Bashford invited all of us to finish reading the lesson learn from the truths there to help our families become stronger.

The first truth we discussed is 'The family is the most important organization in time and eternity.' Pres. Benson teaches us, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views the family as the most important organization in time and all eternity. The Church teaches that everything should center in and around the family. It stresses that the preservation of family life in time and eternity takes precedence above all other interests." Sis. Bashford pointed out to us that in the April General Conference there were many talks given by general authorities on the Family. She encouraged us to read up on those talks.

The second truth about Families is that, 'In happy marriages, husbands and wives love and serve God and each other.' In the manual we learn, "God ordained marriage from the very beginning. In the record of that first marriage recorded in Genesis, the Lord makes four significant pronouncements: firstthat it is not good for man to be alone; second, that woman was created to be a helpmeet for man [Sis. Bashford reminds us that this means equal]; third, that they twain should be one flesh; and fourth, that man should leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife." Pres. Benson also teaches us that, "From this inspired record we see that Adam and Eve provided us with an ideal example of a covenant marriage relationship. They labored together; they had children together; they prayed together; and they taught their children the gospel - together. This is the pattern God would have all righteous men and women imitate."

The third truth is, 'Strong families cultivate love, respect, and support for each family member.' Praying together, having Family Home Evening together, studying the scriptures together and playing together invite the Spirit into our homes and love grows in our families. We learn that, "One great thing the Lord requires of each of us it to provide a home where a happy, positive influence for good exists. In future years the costliness of home furnishings or the number of bathrooms will not matter much, but what will matter significantly is whether our children felt love and acceptance in the home. It will greatly matter whether there was happiness and laughter, or bickering and contention."

The fourth truth we learn about is, 'The home is the best place for children to learn the principles and practices of the gospel.' Pres. Benson teaches us, "Setting your home in order is keeping the commandments of God. This brings harmony and love...It is daily family prayer. It is teaching your family to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is each family member keeping the commandments of God. It is...being worthy to receive a temple recommend, all family members receiving the ordinances of exaltation, and your family being sealed together for eternity." There is so much we can learn as parents from the gospel to help us rear our children in truth and light.

The last truth that we learn from the lesson is, 'God has revealed that the family may endure beyond the grave.' Pres. Benson says, "It was through Joseph Smith that the God of Heaven revealed the truth that the family may endure beyond the grave - that our sympathies, affections, and love for each other may exist forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To most of us, a temple is easily accessible, perhaps so conveniently that the blessing is taken too casually."

The family is the most important unit on earth and in the gospel. The five truths from this lesson will help us be better parents, better spouses, better members of the church, and better children of our Heavenly Father.