This week was incredible! I am
so grateful for the opportunity that we have every six months to hear
from the chosen servants of The Lord. I know that President Monson and
his apostles and other general authorities and leaders of the church
have been chosen by God to lead and direct the people on the earth
today. I know that the messages that have been shared this weekend were
inspired by God. I know that it was what we needed to hear. I know it
was what I needed to hear!
The attack on the
family is so strong. It was definitely inspired that we got to hear so
much about the true divine role of the family and marriage this past
weekend! As a missionary that is something that I have the pleasure of
teaching very often. Many people nowadays have lost sight of the true
meaning of the family. There is a lot out there to distract us from the
true role of a loving father and nurturing mother. These distractions
and confusions do not come from our Heavenly Father. They are put there
by the adversary. It's true that not everyone has a perfect family life.
I know that I don't. But it is possible to have a happy and eternal
family, and that is our message to the world. In "The Family: A
Proclamation to the World" it states: "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. 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. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers
and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." This
counsel and instruction comes directly from Heavenly Father through
revelation. We have the ability to follow this counsel today, and if we
do, we will be blessed, in this life and for eternity. Truly, it is
simple. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We should
have children (if possible) and rear them in righteousness, according
to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please take the time to study and apply
this amazing proclamation and review the talks that were just given in
conference this past weekend on the subject!
As
missionaries, we all got to watch conference at the Stake Center. Since
most people watch conference at home, we were just about the only ones
there. Our stake has about 35 missionaries so it was great to all be
there together and sharing insight on the talks given! Members from the
stake came in between the sessions to make us food. It was really sweet
of them! I love being a missionary. People love you every where you go,
even if they don't know you! I always feel so loved and appreciated and I
have learned to love and appreciate so much more in return! Welp,
that's all the time I have today. I love you all. Respect your families.
Do all you can to have an eternal family. That quest does not stop
after the sealing ordinance has been performed. It is predicated on our
obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Obedience is the
first law of heaven!!! If you need any help, ask the missionaries, they
can help you.
Here is a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" Enjoy!
THE FAMILY
A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
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.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male
and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit
son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine
nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual
premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit
sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and
accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and
gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately
realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. 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.
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.
WE DECLARE the
means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We
affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
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.
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.
Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on
principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,
compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 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. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers
and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual
adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
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.
Con Amor, Hermana Rutherford
PS. We had a feast for Easter at the Ramirez house!! Here is a sample of the dessert we had.
This is all jello. Don't ask me how, I don't know!
