What I've Learned

This week it was awesome because as I was reading great content from this course, I got to attend the temple with my brother and my family as he is preparing to serve a mission in West Virginia. I loved what President Benson said "I hope you would teach this truth about the temple to your children and your grandchildren. Go to the temple—our Father’s house—to receive the blessings of your fathers that you may be entitled to the highest blessings of the priesthood. “For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” (D&C 84:22.)

I thought a lot about the Proclamation this week and how it was given to the whole world and not just the church, because truth is truth and Heavenly Father will always make His will known to His children. Heavenly Father’s laws and truths are for all His children, not just those within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The world’s views (now more than ever) are completely different than those listed in the Proclamation. The world is screaming that you can do what you want, whatever feels good, wherever the wind takes you from day to day. It is a dangerous path. If there is no gender roles, no need for a man and woman to have complimentary roles within the bond of marriage, the family will be destroyed. The family is constantly under attack in today’s world and it is very difficult to preach the doctrine within this proclamation without coming across as a bigot, old fashioned or unreasonable.

As we try to hold to the rod and keep the principles we have been taught knit in our hearts, we are able to build successful families. As we teach our families the importance of gender roles and raising children, and all the teachings within the Proclamation, we are able to follow Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness that will ultimately lead us back to Him and give us our eternal reward. It also makes it possible to enjoy so much of the joys of family life here in this life.

I love what Elder Bednar said:

“By divine design, men and women are intended to progress together toward perfection and a fullness of glory. Because of their distinctive temperaments and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen and bless each other. “Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” 1 Cor. 11:11.

I feel that the Proclamation is a pattern for the next life. We are given the tools need to succeed in this life and the next. If we fulfil our roles now, we will be more comfortable with them later in the next life as we continue as mothers and fathers. We are “created in the image of God” We will eventually become like Him. My knowledge of the Atonement is also something I am really grateful for. Because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made, I am able to repent and draw closer to Him, and strengthen my relationship with my eternal Elder Brother. I know He is part of my eternal family as well.