How Do We Protect Family and Church from the Currently Growing Culture?

The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns how to protect family and church from the negative influences in our culture. In his article “When the Culture’s View of Family Invades the Church,” Timothy Goeglein authored the following: 

The late James Q. Wilson, former professor of government at Harvard University, once said, “It is not money, but the family that is the foundation of public life. As it has become weaker, every structure built on that foundation has become weaker.”

Those words came to mind when I reviewed some sobering and disturbing statistics from Pew Research and others on the views of Christians when it comes to marriage and cohabitation – especially young Christians.

Prophets and apostles call the family the core unit of society. When families are strong, then the community and society are strong. When families fall apart, the community and society suffer.

It has been stated many times that the downfall of every great civilization, as well as institution, comes from within – not from aggressive external attacks but from moral compromises made along the way that slowly weaken its foundation.

As our society has debuckled itself from the institution of marriage, with catastrophic results, it seems now many churches are doing the same thing – choosing to conform to the culture rather than transforming it. As a result, the church’s voice in our culture becomes weaker – to the point of irrelevance – and our children are paying the price. This is evident in these statistics; especially when it comes to today’s young adults.

In 2019, Pew reported 58% of white evangelicals said cohabitation was acceptable as long as the couple eventually plans to marry.

Alarming as that statistic is, it is more sobering among young evangelicals. Nine years ago, a General Social Survey reported more than 40% of evangelicals between the ages of 20 and 29 thought cohabitation was acceptable even if they had no plans to marry.

In addition, a new survey from David Ayers at the Institute of Family Studies found nearly half of evangelical Protestants between the ages of 15 and 22 who are not presently cohabitating or married believe they will likely cohabit with a member of the opposite sex sometime in the future.

The study also found that 65% of evangelicals between the ages of 23 and 44 who had already cohabitated plan on doing so again. This not only impacts our church’s witness when it comes to marriage and family but also accelerates the continued fragmentation of the family unit – the stabilizing factor in all civilizations – regardless of faith.

Why has this happened? In the rush to be seen as “culturally relevant,” “tolerant,” and “nonjudgmental,” many Christians and churches have pushed aside the Biblical teachings regarding marriage and family. While it is commendable for churches to try to reach the unchurched, many have chosen to avoid so-called “hot topics” – especially when it comes to human sexuality – leaving a vacuum our culture is eager to fill.

A generation of young believers is learning more about sex and marriage from popular culture than from their churches. When the world – and not churches – is the main educator on these issues, these are the results.

Jim Daly, the president of Focus on the Family, has written, “It will be up to us to show a fraying culture that marriage is so much more than ‘just a piece of paper’ or an association of any two or more persons who profess to love each other. It is a sacred union of a man and a woman that confers myriad benefits on the spouses, their children, and society at large – benefits that cannot be replicated by any other relationship. I would go so far as to say a society cannot flourish, or even long survive, without stable marriages at its core.”

And I would add that when churches no longer view marriage as sacred, but just as another optional arrangement, churches themselves cannot flourish.

Why? Because when churches no longer treat marriage any differently than the culture – blindly accepting cohabitation as the “new normal” – they have lost their way – and their influence. They especially damage their credibility with rising generations of young Christians and other people of faith. Children still look to adults and institutions for guidance, and when those adults and institutions silently concede their rightful leadership, our children will do the same.

It is time for those of us who believe in the sanctity of marriage to no longer sit on the sidelines while our children learn about marriage from the Kardashians or “The Bachelor.” Instead, we must emphasize the beauty and sanctity of marriage; why it is spiritually, emotionally, and physically beneficial to not cohabit with someone of the opposite sex; and why waiting will be ultimately to their benefit.”

With this vision of marriage prioritized in our churches, we can once again not only have stable families but also a church possessing the moral authority to be a clear and convincing voice reestablishing a flourishing society and the dignity of love.

On September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced a proclamation titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” at the General Relief Society Meeting. The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints authored the proclamation, which states the following: 

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of his children.

A few paragraphs later, the proclamation again taught the importance of marriage to God and explained the type of marriage that is acceptable to God.

The Family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to his eternal plan. 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 founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ….

The proclamation closes with a warning and an urgent call to action sounded to all individuals and governments.

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.

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.

 

How Does Natural Marriage Strengthen Families?

Individuals are stronger when they are part of healthy families, and stronger and healthy families strengthen their communities, states, and nations. Twenty-five years ago on September 23, 1995, a new document titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was introduced to the world.

This proclamation on the family begins with these words: 

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of his children.

The counsel contained in this proclamation has strengthened millions of families, inside and outside of the Church of Jesus Christ. The document ends with a warning and an urgent message:

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.

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.

Marriages and families have been falling apart for more than sixty years, according to social scientists as well as personal knowledge. In writing about this topic, this site declared, “Fatherless homes are a growing problem in the United States.” 

The site listed several reasons why children are growing up without the presence of their fathers in their homes. Those reasons included events, such as death, divorce, and separation. Other reasons include incarceration of or abandonment by fathers and marriages that never took place.

Single parents, specifically single mothers, accomplish much without the help of the other parents. The site shared these key statistics:

·         24.7 million children (33%) in the United States live in fatherless homes.

·         Children living in fatherless homes have increased by 25% since 1960.

·         45.6% of Black children lived with their mother only in 2021.

·         85% of children with absent fathers get involved in crime.

·         70% of children in fatherless homes have dropped out of high school.

·         Children living in fatherless homes are 4 times more apt to live in poverty.

·         Girls raised in fatherless homes are 8 times more apt to become a teenage mother.

·         85% of all children living without a father experience behavioral disorder.

·         Teenagers with positive and nurturing fathers are 80% less apt to go to prison.

·         20.2% of fathers are considered absent fathers according to 2019 data.

The Heritage Foundation released a new report last week “stressing that marriage must be the foundation of efforts to revive the black family.” 

The report, released during an event at Heritage Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., featured experts and community members who cast the family as a civil rights issue, described how culture shapes relationships, and emphasized the role institutions play in strengthening marriage in Black America.

Delano Squires, a research fellow at Heritage, authored the report and moderated the event. He said he has been thinking about this issue since he was 15, when he witnessed its impact on his own community.

Squires’ call to action: “Black leaders in religion, politics, media, entertainment, education, culture, and industry must be at the forefront of any effort to revive marriage and breathe new life into the black family.” …

Pastors P.M. Smith and Tommy E. Quick opened the event by emphasizing the church’s role in the solution. Their conversation was grounded in the belief that God created the family, and when His design is corrupted, the consequences are catastrophic. Both pastors have dedicated their lives and their ministries to the restoration of the family.

“Family is the basic building unit of every neighborhood and every nation. Family is the smallest unit of government,” said Smith.

Ian Rowe, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discussed marriage and family success. He described “the success sequence,” a series of decisions that, if followed in order, lead to at least 97% of individuals avoiding poverty and lead to most entering the middle class. The success sequence includes earning at least a high school diploma, securing a job, then marrying and having children.

“These are the decisions within your control,” Rowe said. “You have the ability to execute within your life.”`

A recurring theme throughout the afternoon was that marriage is a cornerstone – not a capstone – of life. Panelists urged attendees to marry, raise children, and model healthy relationships within their communities….

Squires’ report arrives 60 years after the publication of the highly controversial Moynihan Report, which provided an early description of the deterioration of the black family.

Squires highlighted what he says are two indisputable truths: “The family is the foundational institution in every society” and “households built on the foundation of natural marriage – the union of one man and one woman – are the ideal environment for raising children.”

Twenty-five years ago, latter-day prophets and apostles saw the danger coming to families, and now other sources recognize that families are being destroyed to the detriment of children. The “success sequence” of high school diploma, full-time job, marriage, and then children works to keep families out of poverty and even move them to the middle class.

The family proclamation states that the family is “central” to God’s plan for our happiness. Squires called the family “the foundational institution in every society.” I call the family the “core unit” of society.” Whatever the term, we can see that strong families strengthen their communities, states, and nations.

What Are Teens Saying About Marriage and Family?

Families, communities, states, and nations are stronger when individuals understand the value of marriage and children. Lois M. Collins, a long-time Deseret News reporter on special projects and family issues, reported on a recent Pew survey. “The online survey of 1,391 teens ages 13 to 17 was conducted Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2024, by Ipsos.” 

One of Collins’ key points in her article was that teens do not consider marriage and children as “a huge aspiration.” A second key point is, “Boys and girls see different routes to a happy, prosperous adult future.”

They survey asked teens what they want to do after high school and found they have a lot of aspirations in common, said Parker, who with Kiley Hurst cowrote the report. As adults, they hope to have jobs they really like, lots of friends and plenty of money.

Marriage and becoming parents did not move the desire needle nearly as much, she said, adding that adults seem to have prioritized those two things less in surveys, too, over time. Among the teens in this survey, those who are Republican or lean that way prioritize marriage and kids more than do Democrats and those who lean more to the left.

But the routes these young people expect to follow after high school are different: More girls than boys plan to pursue a four-year college degree (60% vs. 46%). Boys with different plans than college say they’ll attend vocational school (11% compared to 7% of girls), work full-time (9% vs. 3% of girls) or join the military (5% vs. 1% of girls).

The survey and Collins’ article covered other subjects, but they do not apply to strengthening families. Therefore, I am not including them. However, the lack of desire for marriage and family is troubling. The number of foreign-born people living in the United States is steadily increasing, while the birthrate of America-born people has fallen below the replacement rate of 2.1. The following information comes from the Center for Immigration Studies. 

The government’s January 2025 Current Population Survey (CPS) shows the foreign-born or immigrant population (legal and illegal together) hit 53.3 million and 15.8 percent of the total U.S. population in January 2025 – both new record highs. The January CPS is the first government survey to be adjusted to better reflect the recent surge in illegal immigrants. Unlike border statistics, the CPS measures the number of immigrants in the country, which is what actually determines their impact on society.

Without adjusting for those missed by the survey, we estimate illegal immigrants accounted for 5.4 million or two-thirds of the 8.3 million growth in the foreign-born population since President Biden took office in January 2021. America has entered uncharted territory on immigration, with significant implications for taxpayers, the labor market, and our ability to assimilate so many people.

The survey contained much interesting information, but I will include only the highlights from the January 2025 data.

·         At 15.8 percent of the total U.S. population, the foreign-born share is higher now than at the prior peaks reached in 1890 and 1910. No U.S. government survey or census has ever shown such a large foreign-born population.

·         The current numbers have rendered Census Bureau projections obsolete. Just two years ago, the Bureau projected the foreign-born share would not reach 15.8 percent until 2042.

·         The 53.3 million foreign-born residents are the largest number ever in U.S. history; and the 8.3 million increase in the last four years is larger than the growth in the preceding 12 years.

·         The above figures represent net growth. New arrivals are offset by outmigration and deaths in the existing immigrant population. Our best estimate is that 11.5 to 12.5 million legal and illegal immigrants settled in the country in the last four years.

·         Although some immigrants are missed by government surveys, our preliminary estimate is that there are 15.4 million legal immigrants in the January 2025 CPS, an increase of more than 50 percent (5.4 million) over the last four years in the survey.

·         In the last four years, Latin America accounted for 58 percent (4.9 million) of the increase in the foreign-born, India 12 percent (958,000), the Middle East 8 percent (690,000), and China 7 percent (621,000).

·         Of all immigrants, 60 percent are employed. As in any human population some work, but others are caregivers, disabled, children, elderly, or have no desire to work.

·         Since 2000 the number of immigrants working has increased 83 percent and stood at 31.7 million in January 2025 – 19.6 percent of all workers.

·         We estimate that 10.8 million illegal immigrants worked in the January 2025 data, accounting for some 6.7 percent of all workers. Illegal immigrants in particular are heavily concentrated in lower-skilled, lower-paid jobs, typically done by those without a bachelor’s degree.

·         The rapid rise in immigrant workers has coincided with a significant increase in the share of U.S.-born (ages 16 to 64) men without a bachelor’s degree not in the labor force – neither working nor looking for work – from 20.3 percent in 2000 to 28.2 percent today.

The bottom line as I see it is that Americans need to have more babies to offset the increasing numbers of foreign-born people coming to our nation. We want people in our nation who love America and who have American values. When foreign-born people come into our nation and gather in their enclaves, continue to speak their foreign language, and hate American values, the United States of America becomes weaker. People who marry and have children will strengthen their families, communities, states, and nations in many different ways.

I Am Grateful for My Family

                Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. My husband and I are currently gathered with our six children, their six spouses, and our seventeen grandchildren. This is the first time that we have been with all our children since April 2008 when our youngest daughter was married. We had only seven grandchildren at that time. The last of the group arrived today.

                We have numerous events planned for the week. The most important event, other than simply being together, will be a family picture. A major topic of discussion was dress code for the pictures. We decided on dressy casual standards with black or gray as the basic color with individual families choosing colors to go with them. My husband and I had a difficult time finding a shirt for him to wear for the occasion.

                Tonight we had a family talent show. Some of the grandchildren are budding musicians. We had several who played piano solos, some who played other instruments or sand, and our oldest granddaughter – fourteen years old – sang and accompanied herself with the guitar. A younger granddaughter is an author who read one of her original stories. There were several exhibits by budding artists and other talents. The highlight of the evening was our son – who does not play the guitar or sing – strumming the guitar and singing. We held a family spelling bee after the talent show. The older grandchildren went longer than the younger ones, and the last two were evenly matched for too long.

                Earlier this evening I asked each of my grandchildren and some of their parents what they were most grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Almost all of them said that they were grateful for their family. Some of them were more specific in saying they were grateful for their cousins or the cousins their age, but the major answer was “family.”

                I too am grateful for my family. I am grateful to be the mother of six children. I am grateful that they are all happily married, well educated, and productive members of their communities. I am also grateful to be the grandmother of seventeen grandchildren. I am that we are all comparatively healthy and that each household has employment. I am grateful that my children love each other and enjoy spending time together. I am grateful that my family can be together for all eternity by keeping the covenants we have made with God.

Family Responsibilities

                The Proclamation on the Family was published to the world in 1995 by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This proclamation defines the responsibilities of fathers, mothers and other members of families.  It explains that each person in a family holds an important place and plays a vital role.  Prophets have long proclaimed how fathers, mothers, and children should feel and act toward one another.  We should learn what the Lord expects of us and then take action to accomplish those expectations; by doing so, we can live together as families for all eternity.

                Husbands and wives are equal partners in a marriage, but they carry different responsibilities.  According to the above referenced proclamation, husbands and fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness, provide for the necessities of life, and to protect them; in other words, the husband is to be the head of the family.  Mothers are responsible to nurture the children.  Husbands and wives are responsible to love and care for each other as well as help and support each other; fathers and mothers are both responsible to love and care for their children.

                Both fathers and mothers are responsible to each the gospel to their children.  In fact, the Lord said that the sins of the children will be upon the heads of the parents IF they do not teach their children about faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  Parents are also to teach their children to pray and to obey all of the commandments of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:25, 28).

                Parents can best teach these principles to their children by their personal example.  By their words and their actions, husbands and wives can show love and respect for each other and for their children.  All members of the family should remember that each of them is a child of God who deserves love and respect.

                Children also have the responsibility to help their family to build a loving and happy home.  The children have the responsibility to keep the commandments of God and to cooperate with each other.  One of the Ten Commandments teach us that we are to honor our fathers and mothers that we may live “long upon the earth” (Exodus 20:12).  When we honor our parents, we show them love, respect and obedience.

                Children should be taught to work and to share the responsibilities of the home and property.  They should be given appropriate chores for their age and expected to accomplish them.  They should be taught to share in the responsibility and joy of having a clean and orderly home and yard.   Children are capable of accomplishing many tasks and should be taught to help with home, yard, or garden.

                All families experience difficulties, but all families can also be happy together if they so choose.  The Family Proclamation states that “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”  By following this counsel, we can all enjoy harmony in our homes and families.

Marriage and Family

                Have you ever been in the situation of trying to understand a foreign language?  Sometimes it sounds like a foreign language when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attempt to explain doctrines and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ using words such as eternal marriage or sealing.  Since there are many conflicting views about marriage and family in the world today, I want to share the importance of marriage and family in Heavenly Father’s plan for the happiness of His children.

                There are many confusing and destructive voices in the world today that dismiss and even mock marriage and the family.  Recent news reports claim that “intelligent women” choose to forgo parenthood.  The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles published “The Family:  A Proclamation to the World” in 1995 to provide a consistent voice of truth.  They “solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”  (See “The Family:  A Proclamation to the World.")

                Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the family unit can continue beyond death if the marriage is performed in the temple for time and eternity.  We believe that couples can be sealed in marriage or have their marriages blessed to last for eternity and that any children born to them will be together with them.  We believe that the greatest joys in life or eternity are found in the family.  Even though strong and loving family relationships require effort to develop, the efforts can bring eternal happiness.  We believe that we can have happy and eternal marriages and loving relationships in our families.

                A Latter-day Saint temple is different from the thousands of regular chapels or meetinghouses all over the world.  Our meetinghouses and services are open to people of all faiths, but our temples are considered to be sacred houses of the Lord.  Only members who observe “the basic principles of the faith and attest to that fact to his or her local leaders once every two years” are allowed to enter a temple.      

          

                The Church Newsroom website explains that “Once a couple is married and sealed in a temple, any children who are then born to them are automatically sealed to them at birth.  If children are born before the couple is sealed, those children can later participate in a temple sealing with their parents.  Children that are adopted also have an opportunity to be sealed to the adoptive parents.

                “The concept of eternal families comes from scripture and modern-day revelation.  For instance, the New Testament reference in Matthew 16:19 records Jesus Christ telling the Apostle Peter:  `And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’  The Church equates the word `bind’ with `seal.’

                “According to research cited in a 2000 article in the Los Angeles Times, `in an era of divorce, Mormon temple weddings are built to last,’ with only a 6 percent divorce rate.  Another study, published in 1993 in Demography Magazine, concluded that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who marry in one of the Church’s temples are the least likely of all Americans to divorce”  (Church Newsroom website) 

We believe that being a part of a family is a great blessing because families provide us with companionship, happiness, and a loving atmosphere in which to learn correct principles.  We believe that every member of the family has a responsibility to strengthen it by being cheerful, helpful, and considerate of other members of the family.  We believe that we can become peacemakers by showing love and understanding rather than teasing, fighting, or quarreling.  We believe that one righteous individual can make a difference in strengthening their family.

                The following counsel was provided for young Latter-day Saints:  “Honor your parents by showing love and respect for them.  Obey them as they lead you in righteousness.  Willingly help in your home.  Participate in wholesome family activities and traditions.  Join your family in family prayer, family scripture study, and family home evenings.  Keeping these commandments strengthens and unifies families.  If your family does not do these things together, pray and study the scriptures yourself.  Your example may encourage your family members to join you.

                “Strengthen your relationships with your brothers and sisters.  They can become your closest friends. 

                “God desires that all of His children come into the world as part of an eternal family with a mother and father who love and care for each other and for their children.  If this is not your experience, be patient and continue to live righteously.  Look for worthy role models.  Prepare now to fulfill your divine roles as a husband or wife and as a parent.  Commit to marry in the temple and establish your own eternal family” (“Family,” For the Strength of Youth, pages 14-15).

                Many of us have heard the saying, “Families that pray together stay together.”  I know this statement to be true.  I know that families can be strengthened by family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and wholesome activities together and that such families can be together for eternity.  

Support Systems

Families are strengthened during both small and large emergencies when they are surrounded by strong support systems. Our family was reminded recently about the importance of maintaining good relationships with many people when the wife of our youngest son was diagnosed with brain cancer. When the tumor was found, word was sent to the members of our large and supportive families, to the many members of our local church groups, and to our friends both near and far to invite everyone to join with us in fasting and praying for a miracle. We were able to contact this large number of people because of the technologies available to us, particularly the Internet and Facebook. We received many supportive messages from near and far. The physical touch such as hugs was very comforting, and our son's family was nearly buried with floral offerings. Meals were brought into his home three times each week plus other food. Much of the day to day work in fighting cancer will be accomplished by those closest to us, but there is great comfort in knowing that many people are praying regularly for a miracle. Thank you to our support system!

Pioneer Day

Families become stronger when they celebrate important days and traditions together. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate July 24 each year as Pioneer Day. Brigham Young reached the Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, and declared, "This is the place. Drive on." Brigham Young later said that he had seen the valley and Ensign Peak in a vision and recognized it when he saw it. Pioneer Day is marked by parades, picnics, games, etc. by members of a church. The Mormon pioneers believed that God led them to the Great Salt Lake Valley in order that they would have a refuge from the violence of mobs and other people who did not like them. God has prepared places of safety for His people at numerous times in history. He still helps those who love Him to find the right place to live and work. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "The future is ahead. As great things were expected of the pioneers, so are they of us. We note what they did with what they had. We have so much more, with an overwhelming challenge to go on and build the kingdom of God. We are engaged in a great consuming crusade for truth and goodness" (Stand A Little Taller, 216). Parents can help their families grow stronger by sharing historical stories of their family and church and celebrating holidays. Families can celebrate their own important days whatever they may be and thus strengthen their family.

Battle Armor Needed

The family is the basic unit of society because it is the foundation upon which communities, states and nations are built. We must strengthen families because they are now under assault on every side. One thing that can strengthen families is to realize that there is a battle being fought in our nation and across the world. It is a battle between righteousness and evil. The writer of Ephesians 6:11-12 wrote, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. I believe that there are secret combinations at all levels of government who are trying to destroy the government of the United States and realize that they need to destroy the family first. I also believe that there is "spiritual wickedness in high places" in our own nation. Strong families form a basic force for good in the world and can do much to strengthen society. Gordon B. Hinckley, a modern-day prophet, also spoke about the battle between right and wrong. He said, "We are involved in an intense battle. It is a battle between right and wrong, between truth and error, between the design of the Almighty on the one hand and that of Lucifer on the other. For that reason, we desperately need moral men and women who stand on principle, to be involved in the political process. Otherwise, we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish." (Stand A Little Taller, p 15.) Wise parents will gather their children around them in family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner hours and wholesome family activities. The key word here is family! These activities will give children spiritual and emotional armor to withstand the forces of evil. They will also strengthen individual families who can then join groups of families to search out and support good, honest and moral people for positions of leadership in communities, states and nations. If this or any nation is to survive the onslaught of evil in the later days, it will need to have strong families whose members are wearing spiritual and emotional battle armor.

Doctrine of the Family

It is important that we all understand and defend the doctrine of the family because the family is the basic unit of society and is under attack on every front. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated, "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. 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" (Ensign, No. 1995, p 102).

This is not a time to sit back comfortably in our homes. We must all raise our voices in defense of the doctrine of the family. We can give strength to families all over the world by simply letting them know that there is a doctrine on the family. We must do all that we can to strengthen our own families and to lend strength to other families.

There are many things that we can do in defense of families. The first thing we can do is to strengthen our own immediate family. Our homes need to be havens "against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Spirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in applying gospel principles in the family circle" (Spencer W. Kimball, "Therefore I Was Taught," Ensign, January 1982, p 3).

Parents, grandparents, and extended family members must commit to defending the family. We must be like Captain Moroni who tore his coat and wrote upon it, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children." He fastened his title of liberty on the end of a pole and prepared to do battle to preserve all that was important to him. (See Alma 46:12-13.)

The need to defend the family is as important for us as it was for Captain Moroni. We live in a world where families are under direct attack. It is a world "where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families…. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions around us" (M. Russell Ballard, "What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Ensign, November 2005, pp 42-43).

Besides doing all that we can to strengthen our immediate and extended families, there is much that we can do in the world around us simply by being active members of our communities. "If our schools are inadequate or destructive of moral values, we must work with fellow members of the community to bring about change. If our neighborhoods are unsafe or unhealthy, we must join with the civic-minded to devise solutions. If our cities and towns are polluted, not only with noxious gases but soul-destroying addictions and smut, we must labor to find legitimate ways to eliminate such filth…. We have the responsibility to be a blessing to others, to our nation, to the world" (Robert S. Wood, "On the Responsible Self," Ensign, March 2002, pp 30-31).

There are people all around us and in our government that are trying to destroy families. They are trying to redefine marriage as well as family. They operate under the idea that if the principle can be destroyed, then the institution can be destroyed. Because marriage is ordained of God and because the family is the basic unit of society, we must defend the very doctrine of the family.

New Beginnings

With the idea that New Year's is a time for new beginnings, I want to share with you some ideas given by our bishopric for strengthening families. These are some suggestions for new and better beginnings given to our ward members, which have been proven to strengthen individuals and families. 1. Pray Earnestly: "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed" (3 Nephi 18:21). a) Daily personal prayer; b) Daily family prayer; c) Fast monthly with a purpose 2. Study Diligently: "… wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what you should do" ( 2 Nephi 32:3). a) Daily personal scripture study; b) Daily family scripture study; c) Weekly family home evening 3. Serve Willingly: "… by love, serve one another" (Galatians 5:13). a) Magnify callings; b) Attend temple regularly; c) Excel at visiting teaching and/or home teachings 4. Enjoy Time Together Regularly: "Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children" (Jacob 3:7). a) Weekly dates with spouse; b) Regular wholesome family activities; c) Consistent one-on-one time with children

Pumpkin Pie

One of my family's most favorite desserts is pumpkin chiffon pie. My sister-in-law gave her recipe to me for the first Thanksgiving after I was married. I have been making the pie for many years but never often enough to satisfy my family. They always wanted more. This week I wanted to make the pie to serve to company but didn't have the time to make a pie crust. I simply made the pie filling and poured it into individual serving dishes. After it was cool, I covered each dish with plastic wrap. I served it as a pudding with whipped cream on top. It tasted just like pumpkin pie but without the fats from the crust to raise my cholesterol! I'll admit that my husband prefers the pie to the pudding, and I'm sure that my children would also. The recipe is as follows. Pumpkin Chiffon Pie 3 egg yolks 1/2 cup sugar (white or brown) 1 1/2 cup cooked pumpkin 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/4 cup cold water 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 3 stiff beaten egg whites 1/2 cup sugar 1 baked pie shell Beat egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until thick. Add pumpkin, milk, salt, and spices. Cook in double boiler until thick. Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Add gelatin to pumpkin mixture. Stir until completely dissolved. Beat egg whites until thick. Then add 1/2 cup sugar. Fold into pumpkin mixture. Pour into pie shell and chill for at least two hours.

Nativity

I love the Christmas story that tells of the mortal birth of the Son of God. The Christmas season reminds us that Heavenly Father loved all of His children so much that He sent a Baby - His Only Begotten Son - to earth on a mission to save all of us. I love the description of Mary who is always depicted as young and virtuous, fair and beautiful. I honor Joseph who showed great love, courage and strength in his marriage to Mary. I am awed by the idea of a God being born in a stable. I feel the excitement of the shepherds as the angel announced the birth of Christ and understand the haste with which they traveled to the stable. I seek to find the Lord just as the wise men did when they followed the star. I love this story so much that I choose to decorate my home with scenes of the Nativity. At my latest count, I have twenty-nine Nativity sets of different sizes made of various materials. I have sets with multiple pieces as well as ones with all the figures in one piece. I have music boxes and snow globes as well as a quilt, pillow covers, a lamp, a cookie jar, a stamp for making cards, pictures of various types and sizes, books, and many ornaments. I have both very inexpensive sets as well as some very nice ones. Most of my sets cost less than $30, and none of them cost over $50. I should say that I have never paid more than $50 because I shop around and find some good Christmas sales as well as off-season sales. My newest Nativity set is one that I made this year from pre-printed fabric. The figures are cut out, sewed together and filled with batting. I like this set because it is my first one that I feel comfortable about putting under the Christmas tree. I have slowed a little in my collection of Nativity sets. Now I purchase only those which are extra special or fill a certain place. I also satisfy part of my need to collect by giving Nativity scenes as gifts to my children. I am always pleased to receive Nativity sets as gifts, especially those made in other countries. I have a desire for a particular Nativity scene. I want one of those large, outdoor Nativity sets with lights. I haven't seen any of them in the stores, but I haven't actually gone looking for them either. I am hesitating about this set because I don't know where I would store it. If I could solve the storage problem, I would immediately start shopping for one! My favorite Nativity scene is the one enacted by my family each Christmas Eve. My husband and I started this tradition more than thirty years ago when our oldest daughters were just tiny tots, maybe the year our oldest son could play Baby Jesus. I am pleased that our children are continuing this tradition in their own homes. Some of our family Nativity plays have been elaborate like the one where a roving reporter interviewed the various participants in the Christmas story. Some of them are very simple with just reading the story in Luke and Matthew as it is acted out. For many years, our costumes consisted of bathrobes, towels, etc. even though I wanted real costumes. After most of my children were adults, I started making costumes, usually adding just a couple or three every year. Last year I made six new costumes because I needed one for each grandchild. I have also found that graduation gowns serve very well as costumes. Everyone in the house participates in our Nativity play in some way, whether it is someone there for the evening or someone just stopping by for a few minutes. In fact, we have sometimes had friends stop by just to take part in our Nativity play! The saddest play we did was done with just four or five people using the figures from a small Nativity set to act out the parts - but the good years make up for the poor ones. I remember our Nativity from last year with fondness as we had nine grandchildren as well as five children and spouses taking part in our Nativity. There were two brand new babies to play the part of Jesus. Thank goodness that they never cried at the same time because we would pass the crying baby to his mama and put the non-crying child in the manger. We had three little two-year old girls playing the part of the wise men, riding on the back of the camel (our oldest son who also played the part of Mary's donkey). The wise men were all crying by the time they reached King Herod. Our oldest daughter always plays the role of King Herod because she is so realistic in the role, but she was not at all realistic last year as she took pity on the crying wise men. Our older grandchildren - all under the age of nine - played the parts of Mary, Joseph, the angel, and a shepherd. Adults filled helping roles - such as the fourth wise man that helped the little ones, the adults who accompanied the angel or served as shepherds as well as the inn keeper with his wife. Others took pictures and read the story from the scriptures. Most of my children and all of my grandchildren are spending Christmas with their other families this year so I have invited some neighbors and friends to join my husband and myself, along with our oldest daughter and husband, for the evening. I found a family with enough children to help with the Nativity as well as some other adults. It should be a pleasant evening - but nothing like it would be if all of our children and grandchildren could be with us!

Holiday Traditions

Have you thought much about the holiday traditions that you have enjoyed in your family? I've been thinking about some of the traditions in my family. I grew up in a very large family of 12 children in farming country and without television, and our closest neighbors were about half a mile away. As a result of these three facts, my siblings and I grew up doing many things together and became good friends. In the warm weather months, we played softball, basketball and other outdoor games such as tag, no bears out tonight, Red Rover, etc. In the winter, we would ice skate, play in the snow, or go inside to play games. Our family owned a number of different pairs of ice skates so we could usually find a pair that somewhat fit. If our time outside was limited, such as between homework and farm chores, we would ice skate on the small "pond" in our yard caused by the overflow from the cattle watering trough. The pond was there because we had to keep a small stream of water flowing through the pipe from the well in order to keep the pipe from freezing. This pond made it real easy for little children to practice ice skating, but it wasn't very large or very smooth ice. On Saturdays or during Christmas vacations from school, the older children would go to a real pond located in the far corner of a pasture. Little children were not allowed to go to larger ponds by themselves so it was always a treat to go with the "big kids." I remember being very young, maybe as young as three or four years old, when I learned that my older siblings were going ice skating. I kept asking to go with them, and they kept telling me that I would get cold. After listening to my begging for awhile, they relented and took me. We walked through deep snow for a quarter of a mile and finally reached the pond. My siblings immediately put on their ice skates and started clearing the snow from the ice. I became very cold, and my older brother took me back to the house. He was very kind to me, but I'm sure that he didn't appreciate walking the extra half mile in order to ice skate. I remember going to other ponds to attend ice skating parties with our neighbors. I remember that we always had to clear the snow in order to find smooth ice. Sometimes tractors were used to remove the snow, but the usual method was large grain or "scoop" shovels. I also remember having fires by the side of the pond to keep warm and that at least one of those fires was made inside an old tire. I also remember that both of my parents would ice skate with us sometimes. My siblings and I played a lot of card games, especially while home from school for our Christmas vacations. I remember playing Pit, Rook, and Flinch. I also remember that Dad would sometimes play games with us during the holidays. I don't remember that Mom played with us - which could mean that she often did so or never did. I just don't remember her playing with us. I do remember that having Dad join us in our games was a BIG deal. He worked the grave yard shift (midnight until 8:00 a.m.) sleeping a few hours here and there during the day. I'm sure that he had little time for games, but I know that we enjoyed having him join us. My siblings and I still enjoy getting together, and we often play cards or other games. They are some of my best friends. I love them dearly, and I'm certain that they return those feelings towards me. We developed these strong family bonds by working and playing together. I'll be sharing other family traditions in future weeks. I hope that your family has wonderful traditions that draw you closer together and that will be memories of joy in later years. Good family traditions strengthen families. It is never too late to develop new traditions or to give a tweak to old ones.

Virtue and Morality

In order for a nation to survive under a system of self-government, commonly called republicanism, the citizens must be virtuous and morally strong. The Founders of this nation understood that this is a true principle and that the Constitution could not be maintained without virtue and morality. Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters" (Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 9:569). George Washington praised the American Constitution but explained that it would only last "so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people" (Saul K. Padover, ed., The Washington Papers, Harper & Brothers, NY, 1955, p 244). James Madison said, "Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary, fantastic, unreal, absurd] idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men; so that we do not depend upon their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them" (Quoted in Jonathan Elliott, ed., The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, 5 vols., JB Lippincott Company). Samuel Adams wrote the following in a letter to Richard Henry Lee: "I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends on her virtue" (Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, 3:175). John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (Quoted in John R. Howe, Jr., The Changing Political Thought of John Adams, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1966, p 189). A prophet also spoke about the importance of virtue and morality in nations. Gordon B. Hinckley, late President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote: "The violation of moral virtues in this age, as in any age, brings only regret, sorrow, loss of self-respect, and in many cases, tragedy" and will "destroy not only individuals but also the nations" where virtues are missing. "The challenge to recognize evil and oppose it is one that every moral, virtuous person must accept" (Standing for Something, pp 32-33, 39). So, what is virtue and morality? Virtue has been defined as "general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality; chastity" (New World Dictionary of the American Language, 2d College Ed., p 1587). Morality has been defined as "moral quality or character; rightness or wrongness, as of an action; right conduct; virtue in sexual conduct" (New World Dictionary, p 925). It is the responsibility of each individual to live a virtuous and moral life. We must become more moral in our hearts, minds and lives. The teaching of virtue and morality begins in the home with parents teaching their children by word and example. A good parental example encourages children to learn the same. President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught that "most people will not commit desperate acts if they have been taught that dignity, honesty and integrity are more important than revenge or rage; if they understand that respect and kindness ultimately give one a better chance at success" ("Family Values in a Violet Society," Deseret News, Jan. 16, 1994, A12, as quoted in "Finding Peace," Ensign, Mar. 2004, 4). As we teach virtue and moral principles to our children, our family will become stronger. As more and more families become virtuous and morally strong, our communities and nation will grow stronger and our Constitution will become more secure. The idea for this post as well as the quotes from Founders are from The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleon Scousen, pp 41-46.

Why Marriage Is Important

On September 23, 1995, a Proclamation to the World was made concerning marriage and families. The Proclamation begins with: "We the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children…."

 The Proclamation continues: "The First commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife…."

The Proclamation further states: "… By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children…."

This Proclamation states very clearly how Heavenly Father feels about marriage and family. I looked for other evidence for the importance of marriage in building strong families, communities and nations. I found a number of sources that explained clearly why marriage is good for everyone. One source listed a number of "legal and practical ways" that marriage "changes your life." Some of those benefits are as follows: "filing joint income tax forms," "family partnerships," "inheriting a share of your spouse's estate," "receiving an exemption from both estate taxes and gift taxes for all property you give or leave to your spouse," "receiving Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits for spouses," "receiving veterans and military benefits for spouses," "obtaining insurance benefits through a spouse's employer," "visiting spouse in a hospital intensive care unit," "making medical decisions for your spouse" if needed, and "making burial or other final arrangements." This source lists other legal and practical reasons for marriage.

The New York Times printed some results from a study on marriage . "A body of demographic research presented at the Conference of the Population Association of America today indicates that marriage offers dramatic emotional, financial and even health benefits over the single life and cohabitation." According to Linda Waite, the association's president, commitment increases with marriage, and this "enhanced commitment" "increases all levels of the support that individuals bring to their relationship and lives." Waite argued that "the married enjoy better health, more money, and more satisfying sex."

In an article written by Rebecca Dalmas entitled "Why Marriage?" the author wrote: "Yet while marriage is a social state and lifestyle, and it is based on a philosophy of well being, it is also based on innate biological forces." The author states, "Like any law, the institution of marriage does two things: it provides consequences and it teaches. Marriage, as strange as it sounds, makes divorce possible; or in other words, marriage improves the enforcement of parental rights and responsibilities when a couple parts. Secondly, but just as essentially, it teaches the importance of commitment before sex…." "…Most importantly, marriage helps us manage our drives and their consequences toward the best possible outcome."

Another source explained why a "healthy marriage is not just a luxury item, its something we should strive for and expect. Marriage researchers have determined that having a healthy, happy, fulfilling marriage benefits all family members." This source listed marriage statistics from research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Healthy Marriage Institute. These statistics all compare families when the parents have healthy marriages to those with unhealthy ones. In families when parents have healthy marriages, all family members are "healthier" both physically and emotionally. These families tend to be "wealthier" and to enjoy "better relationships" between spouses as well as between parents and children. Members of families when parents have healthy marriages are "less likely" to attempt or commit suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, contract STD's, commit violent crimes, or live in poverty. Men in healthy marriage "live longer," have more "stability in employment", make "higher wages," and have a "more satisfying sexual relationship." Women in healthy marriages have a "more satisfying relationship." They are "less likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or other violent crimes." Children and youth raised by parents in healthy marriages are "more likely to succeed academically" and "attend college." They are "less likely" to "commit delinquent behaviors," "be a victim of physical or sexual abuse," "be sexually active as teenagers," or "become pregnant as a teenager or impregnate someone." They have decreased "chances of divorcing when they get married." They are more likely to "be open and honest" and to "seek wisdom and understanding from God." Communities with a "higher percentage of couples in healthy marriages" also benefit. They have "higher rates" of "physically" and "emotionally healthy citizens." They have "higher rates of educated citizens" and "home ownership" as well as "higher property values." They have "lower rates" for "domestic violence," "crime statistics," "teenage pregnancy," "juvenile delinquency," and "migrations" and "decreased need for social services."

 I believe that God knew about all the benefits that come from marriage. I believe that He ordained marriage because He wanted all of His children to have the benefits of it. I also believe that we can strengthen the communities we live in and our nation by building strong, healthy, happy families.

Menu Plans

Over the past few weeks I've been trying to reorganize my home and my life. This is an ongoing project for me as my own children can testify. I am a firm believer in the idea "if I can just get more organized, I can accomplish more!" My current project is to obtain some control over my lack of planning in the dinner preparation department. I know that having regular and nutritious meals together is a good way to strengthen marriage and family, but I have always struggled with the decision of what to fix for dinner. It seems that every day about 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon, I start worrying about dinner - and my mind goes blank or I decide that I want something and don't have enough time or the right ingredients. I thought about making a monthly schedule but couldn't decide how to do it. A month was just too long of a time to plan for food. I have a sister who apparently has a set day for the type of food to fix, such as soup is served on Wednesday. I'm not sure exactly what her system is, but I know that it works for her. My problem with having a fixed menu is that maybe I don't feel like soup on Wednesday or maybe Wednesday is too hot for soup or maybe the activities of the day interfere with making soup. I recently went to lunch with a group of friends and took advantage of the situation to discuss how they worked their dinner preparation plans. I obtained several good ideas that might work for me and will share my research with you. Some of my friends make a list of all the possible main dishes. Some of them divide their list into categories. When it is time to fix dinner, they simply go down the list and decide what they want to fix that particular day. My problem with this system is that I might want to fix something but not have the right ingredients or possible substitutes. Some friends use the advertisements in the newspapers for the sales at the grocery store to plan their meals for the week. My only problem with this system is that everything on the page looks so delicious that I want it all! A long-time friend shared an idea that she used years ago. Her suggestion is a way of combining all the ideas and is a plan that will probably work for me. She would make a list of meals that she wanted to fix that week and obtain all the ingredients necessary to fix those meals. (This could certainly be accomplished using the store advertisements). Then on a particular day, she would look at that weekly list and decide what she wanted to cook that particular day. I think that I can manage a weekly list, and I like the idea of being able to plan ahead to obtain the necessary ingredients. Maybe some of these ideas will work for you and make your task of preparing regular, nutritious meals for your family a little easier.

Homemakers For America

I want to share a little information about a group that I just discovered today. I have searched their website and am impressed with what I see, impressed enough that I am going to do more research on them. As I read through the material on the website, I became more and more excited to know that there is a whole group of women feeling the same way I have been feeling and doing what they can to help families, communities, and our nation. I encourage you to embark on your own investigation of the group. Homemakers for America Inc, was founded on November 11, 2004, when twenty-seven women of all ages, religions, backgrounds and walks of life met together at the charter meeting in Dayton, Ohio. I will tell you a little about the group, but I encourage you to go to their website (www.homemakersforamerica.com) to gain a wider picture of what the women in this group are doing to help families, communities, and our nation: The mission for this group is "to foster an understanding, love, and respect for America's history and heritage, her founding principles and values, her legacy and destiny, and build a nation of informed citizens and devoted patriots one woman and one family at a time." The purpose "is to educate American women and their families on America's history and heritage, promote an understanding and respect for the U.S. Constitution and our founding documents of freedom, inspire an appreciation for our Founding Fathers and their families, cultivate a devotion to our symbols of freedom and allegiance to our citizenship, advance the principles of Liberty this nation was founded on, and teach and guide the women of America how to be actively involved as citizens in their homes, communities and the nation without sacrificing their families." The group is obviously well organized and has a solid foundation. The website listed the following ten goals for the group: "1. Educate and inform women of their power and potential to impact our nation and restore the values of God, Freedom and Family which America was founded on. 2. Educate women on how to become proactive on issues relating to God, Freedom and Family in their communities, their Nation and in their Homes. 3. Encourage every woman in America to read and know the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, to have copies in their homes and teach them to their children. 4. Teach and encourage respect for the flag, our founders, and our heritage and cultivate pride in our nation. 5. Support and promote free enterprise as our founding fathers envisioned, thus giving every woman and family the opportunity to provide for their needs and serve others. 6. Advocate our taxation with representation as accountable and responsible and encourage the elimination of unconstitutional spending of the taxpayers' money. 7. To give homemakers the tools they can use to promote value-based, honest, education of their children. 8. Provide the homemakers of America with a platform and outlet to address their concerns. 9. Provide information on elected officials and how to contact them and during election cycles, provide information on the candidates running and where they stand on the issues on a local, state and national level. 10. Build a large membership of women who are concerned for God, Freedom and Family and teach them how to influence and impact their communities and the nation without sacrificing their families. I am probably most impressed with the list of core beliefs for this group. As I read over the thirty core beliefs listed on the website, I saw many of my own beliefs on the written page. I didn't recognize any of the beliefs as being against my own core beliefs. Some of those core beliefs are: 1. "We believe all people are created by and in the image of God." 2. "We believe in the power of prayer and the importance of praying for our nation and its leaders regardless of their political party." 3. "We believe in being anxiously engaged in a good cause in our families, our communities, and our nation." 4. "We believe mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children and that mothers and fathers are to work together and help each other as equal partners." 5. "We believe that marriage is ordained of God and is to be between man and woman." There are many excellent quotes on the website including this one, "There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained" (Winston Churchill, quoted by Homemakers For America).

Importance of Families

Strong families are important to building a strong and secure nation because families are the basic building blocks of society. It is within families that children learn such important principles as honesty, integrity, self-discipline, and love. It is within the walls of their own homes that children learn best how to achieve peace and happiness. It is parents who are in the ideal position to teach their children the importance of working hard as well as the value of good education. "Good homes are not easily created or maintained. They require discipline, not so much of children as of self. They require respect for others, that respect which comes best from acceptance of the revealed word of the Lord concerning the purpose of life, of the importance and sacred nature of the family, and recognition of each member of the family as a child of God." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand A Little Taller, 131). Strengthening the families in our nation is one of best ways to make our country stronger.