Course Introduction: Week 1
This semester I get to STUDY these words of living prophets. I look forward to serious consideration of what the Lord is trying to teach me through them.
Sometimes this class gets called "Eternal Marriage," "Marriage and Family Relations," or "Building a Celestial Family." Those titles get at some general ideas, with the key intent being to prepare for or be part of an Eternal Family patterned after the family of Heavenly Parents.
Our introductory lesson states:
In this course we will focus on The Family: A Proclamation to the World. You will be given the opportunity to study this document in depth with the help of the words from Prophets and Apostles. Each Unit will focus on a new selection from The Proclamaion.
Course Outcomes:
¨ Deepen our understanding of eternal law, the plan of salvation, and the doctrines and principles of effective family living as identified in The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
¨ Increase our desire, commitment, and ability to strengthen our marriages, nurture our children, and create a healthy, supportive, and righteous home and family environment.
¨ Provide opportunities to learn and share provident living skills that will aid in attaining an eternal marriage and family
The doctinal composistion and content of each unit and lesson are presented in an outline form of that document.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
(Unit
numbered & outline form)
1) We,
the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that
1. marriage
between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that
2. the
family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His
children.
2)
All
human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God.
1. Each is
a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and,
2. as such,
each has a divine nature and destiny.
Gender is an
essential characteristic of individual
1. premortal,
2. mortal,
and
3. eternal
identity and purpose.
3)
In
the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their
Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could
1. obtain
a physical body and
2. gain
earthly experience to progress toward perfection and
3. ultimately
realize his or her divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.
The divine plan of happiness
enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants
available in holy temples make it possible for
1. individuals
to return to the presence of God and for
2. families
to be united eternally.
4)
The
first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and
wife.
1. We declare that God’s commandment for his
children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.
2. We
further declare that God has commanded the sacred
powers of procreation are to be employed only
a. between
man and woman,
b. lawfully
wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created
to be divinely appointed.
We affirm the sanctity of life
and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
5)
Husband
and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for
1. Each other
2. and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord”
(Psalms 127:3).
1. rear their children in love and righteousness,
2. to provide for their physical and spiritual
needs,
3. to teach them to love and serve one another,
4. to observe the commandments of
God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.
Husbands
and wives—mothers and fathers—will
be held accountable before God for
the discharge of these obligations.
6) The family is ordained of God.
1. Marriage between man and woman is
essential to His eternal plan.
2. 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.
Happiness in family life is most likely to
be achieved when
1. founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
2. Successful marriages and families are
established and maintained on principles of
a.
faith,
b.
prayer,
c.
repentance,
d.
forgiveness,
e.
respect,
f.
love,
g.
compassion,
h.
work,
i.
and
wholesome recreational activities.
By
divine design, fathers are to
1. preside over their families in love and righteousness
2. and are responsible to provide the necessities of life
3. 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.
Disability,
death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.
Extended families should lend support
when needed.
7) 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. Further, we warn that the disintegration of
the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities
foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
7) 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.”
Do I really believe God has a plan?
Or do I think I need to make up my own plan?
Do I actually think I have divine nature and destiny?
Do I act like a child of a divine being?
Is my Father pleased with how I act?
Do I have eternal identity and purpose?
Who am I? What is my purpose?
Maybe I will increase understanding of my own divine nature and destiny; my own eternal identity and purpose. Here's hoping!
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