Thought of the Sunday 23

Because of current situation, I have been thinking a lot about families.  I have been singing a lot about families.  It has been on my mind.  I have been wondering how we can successfully raise our three children to have faith, joy, and all the other good things that Heavenly Father has prepared for each of us.  Here are some quotes from the Proclamation on the Family, given back in 1995. 

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and 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."

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

It is clear to me that, as parents, we have a lot of responsibility for these precious children we have been given.  The Proclamation tells me what I need to do and how I should do it.  Of course, it takes practice and I'm sure there will be much of forgiveness, repentance and prayer happening as we take this new journey.  Luckily I know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are here to help us succeed.   

I love the Gospel doctrine on families.  We all chose to come here and we can continue to be a family after this life if we are sealed together in a temple of God.  We get to experience and look forward to so many wonderful things.  Hopefully I can remember that when I get bogged down in the mundane rituals of daily life.