" 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 individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."
There is a beautiful song that I feel goes extremely well with this chapter but there was not an option to download it so I have included the link that should lead you directly to the song. http://www.mormonchannel.org/music-videos?v=2098657586001
President Boyd K. Packer reminds us, " it is a great challenge to raise a family in the darkening mists of our moral environment." Times are tough and with so much temptation in the world today, people are falling away from not only the gospel, but from their families.
Elder Orson F. Whitney taught: " The Shepherd will find his sheep. They were his before they were yours- long before he entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as he loves them. They have but strayed in ignorance from the Path of Right, and God is merciful to ignorance. Only the fullness of knowledge brings the fullness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend."
The chapter goes on to share stories of members of the church who have fallen away, chosen a different pathway to live their life, and they eventually came back to the church. One thing that I loved that was mentioned in one of the stories was that the story, just like our lives today is an unfinished book of life. And like all of our stories, it is unfinished. If we are living our lives in a way that is not pleasing to the Lord, NOW is the time to change and bring ourselves closer to Christ.
The Saving Power of Temple Covenants
Elder Orson F. Whitney stated, " When a seal [the everlasting covenant] is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother." I have met and talked to many members of the church that have had children fall away from the gospel. I feel that this simple statement would bring happiness to the parent's lonely hearts.
President Henry B. Eyring reaffirmed Elder Whitney's testimony in the October 2009 general conference: " The story of the prodigal son gives us all hope. The prodigal remembered home, as will your children. They will feel your love drawing them back to you. Elder Orson F. Whitney, in general conference of 1929, gave a remarkable promise, which I know is true, to the faithful parents who honor the temple sealing to their children: "Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold."
This chapter had so many great quotes that I feel discuss and teach this topic way better than I could. I would like to end with two final quotes.
President Boyd K. Packer stated, " Now, sometimes there are those that are lost. We have the promise of the prophets that they are not lost permanently, that if they are sealed in the temple ordinances and if the covenants are kept [by the parents], in due time, after all the correction that's necessary to be given, that they will not be lost."
Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared, " I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, "Here am I."
I have decided to include a picture of my family with this post.
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