Patterns within Family & Marriage

Patterns of the world:

·   More couples are finding it easier to cohabitate rather than “seal the deal” and get married. Sacred of commitment, etc.

·      It is easier to date many individuals rather than settling down with one companion.

·      It is far more common to find families that are split (divorce, separated, etc.)

·      Rates of abuse are a more common pattern in families.

·      Couples don’t communicate with one another; they let other things get in the way.

·      Single parent families are more common in the worldly family.

·      Married couples are choosing not to have any children at all.

·      Couples are having children outside the bounds of marriage (couples will do this in their dating relationship, and choose not to get married).

·      Mother’s are not really being “mothers.” Women are paying more money for other people to watch their children instead of taking on that role themselves.

·      Couples are both putting their work first, instead of putting forth that same time and energy into their own family.

 Patterns of the church:

·      Fathers have the solemn responsibility to preside over their families in love and righteousness.

·      Fathers are to provide the necessities of life.

·      Fathers are responsible to protect their families from anything.

·      Husbands and wives, together, are primarily responsible to love and car for one another and their children.

·      Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurturing of their children.

·      Establish a pattern of prayer.

·      Create a legacy of love.

·      Maintain a library of learning.

·      A house of order.

·      A yearning for Home.

(President Gordon B. Hinkley, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” 1995)

(President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World,” 2008)

Reflective thoughts and feelings about the patterns:

            It is far too common to find these days that the above patterns in which I have listed are continuing to be practiced even to this day. Couples have been finding the “easy way out” in life, and are failing to remember the importance of such basic principles and truths. They find that the lifestyle in which they are choosing to live is far more appreciated, and also an acceptable form of living. They believe this because of the people they are surrounded by, and those people are choosing to live the same way as they are, so of course it is only fair to say that they agree with that lifestyle. The commonality of it all is that couples are not truly finding the full value of joy, which is to have happiness founded upon gospel principles for healthy family life. The world will only continue to get worse, and the patterns that may seem “normal” to them will continue to corrupt more people. The world believes things and views things completely contrary to the ways in which faithful LDS members live.

            By implementing gospel principles and patterns, families can be protected and find true happiness and joy within the walls of their homes. There is so much good that comes from obeying and adhering to the leaders of our church. Following their example and testimonies of faith, we can all be watched over and saved in the last days. Families are central to our creator’s plan of happiness for us all. We have to make sure that we are living our lives in such a way that we are able to keep on progressing. As I am strvining everyday to become a better mother, a better wife, and daughter of God, I am strengthened from all the positive influences that surround me. Knowing that my family can become, the ideal family, brings hope into my life, and gives me joy in my heart. Families are forever. But it is how we spend our time with them that truly matters most in the end.