Mormon Families
Mormons believe that establishing and supporting your family on earth is one of the most important endeavors you will ever pursue. It is part of God’s plan of happiness for us to live with our families forever, even after mortal death. Families are to love and respect one another.
Mormon views on family are quite traditional. Mormons believe that a family should consist of a man and wife, who have been married and sealed in the Mormon temple. When married in the Mormon temple, the couple promises to love each other and devote their lives to God. Mormons believe that through the sealing process, couples will be married forever and continue to procreate throughout the eternities. Mormons believe that families are important and a couple should bear as many children. Men and women are to be legally wed in order to start a family. Because of the serious repercussions pre-marital sex can have, Mormons are commanded to live the law of chastity until they are married. Because the family unit is so important to Mormons, the First Presidency of the Mormon Church issued a statement concerning the sacred duties of parents, outlined in The Family: a Proclamation to the World. Within the proclamation, the duties and responsibilities of mothers and fathers are outlined. The proclamation reveals to us that "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." Both men and women are equally as important in the raising of children.
Mormons believe that the family was foreordained by God. Mormons believe that before we came to earth, we lived with our Heavenly Parents in a pre-mortal world with a Heavenly Father and Mother. There we prepared to come to earth and gain mortal bodies. When Adam and Eve were sent to earth, they were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth. We are commanded to do the same. One of the greatest blessings we have been promised by the Lord is that if we live according to His teachings and are sealed in the temple, we may dwell with our families forever. The Mormon prophet, Harold B. Lee, stated "the most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.” Because of this, Mormons place great importance on the family.
It is a commandment from God for every man and woman to bear and raise children. Some people are unable to have children in this life. God promises those who remain faithful will be given the opportunity in the next life. For those who have lost family members, we should be hopeful that we can live with them again in the next life.
Are Mormon families practicing polygamy and plural marriage?