Defending the Family: Striving Together for the Ideal, While Living in Reality

What a great opportunity it was to be able to watch the 2015 General Women's Session last night. 

I think that this meeting struck such a strong cord in me because my family situation is changing so right now. My children are almost grown, and I have more time to serve and study. I can't tell you how excited I am to devote my energies to strengthening my own family and to also do all I can to strengthen the beautiful families around me. 

One of the ways I hope to be able to do this is by sharing my experiences here. What better way to strengthen someone that is right in the middle of the struggle of holding on to a marriage that feels like it is failing, or someone that is watching a child stray, or perhaps is feeling a little less than perfect in her role as a homemaker and mother than to hear from someone who has been there and is now on the other side of those things...or let's be honest, it is great to hear from someone who is still dealing with those things!

There is power in knowing we are not alone as we strive for the ideal, but live in reality. 

And we are not alone. Through all my life, in my times of deepest pain and distress, I have found the truth of this testimony shared in song last night. For God WILL NOT desert us. It may feel like it sometimes, but if we can just hold on, remembering we are not alone, he will help us through to the other side our our sorrows.

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,

Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

 

In ev'ry condition--in sickness, in health,

In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea--

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

We are in this together as women striving to live with Christ as the center of all we do, in less than the ideal circumstances we so desire for our families! But that is the kicker...we all are in a less-than-ideal setting, and we can find joy and peace, laughter and smiles, friendship and love, as we share in each other’s journeys to become more like Christ. 

Other reminders from last night that I loved: 

We have families to help us be what He wants us to be. 

Fill up with light and truth! Then we will have the strength to resist the pressures of the outside world.

Do not bury your testimony in the ground.

The family is of God.

Heavenly Father knows us personally, and loves us.

Our purpose is to be tested, tried, and stretched. What a better setting to do this than in marriage, family, and the home!

Do not limit your love to your immediate family, help strengthen all the families around you, because we really all belong to the same great family.

Defend The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Stand with the brethren in strengthening our families, our churches, and our communities

Even though we don't live the ideal, we still need to believe in it, teach it, and strive for it. No blessings will be denied those that live for them. 

Stand for and defend these principles: 1. Marriage is between a man and woman, 2. There is no greater role than of wife and mother (and may I add, of husband and father), 3. There is sanctity in the home and in the role of a homemaker. It is a sacred and very important role.

God understands our sorrows. We can and must be His hands in giving those women comfort and relief from lonliness, fear, and sorrow.

Trials can be heavy even for good people! Help them. Be compassionate. You have covenanted to serve and share their burdens. Bare one another's burdens. Mourn with those that mourn. Comfort those in need of comfort. Encourage others in righteousness.

Only the Lord really knows the extent of our individual pain and grief, and will lift those burdens.

"I will ease the burdens that are upon your backs...I do visit my people in their afflications...they did submit cheerfully to all the will of the Lord." (that is key!) 

Joy ALWAYS comes after sorrow.

Charity never faileth, and is the pure love of Christ.