Children are one of the
greatest blessings in life, and their birth into loving and
nurturing families is central to God’s purposes for
humanity. When husband and wife are physically able, they
have the privilege and responsibility to bring children into
the world and to nurture them. The decision of how many
children to have and when to have them is a private matter
for the husband and wife.
God has a plan
for the happiness of all who live on the earth, and the
birth of children in loving families is central to His plan.
The first commandment He gave to Adam and Eve was to “be
fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). The
scriptures declare, “Children are a heritage of the Lord”
(Psalm 127:3).
Those who are physically able have the blessing, joy, and
obligation to bear children and to raise a family. This
blessing should not be postponed for selfish reasons.
Sexual relations
within marriage are not only for the purpose of procreation,
but also a means of expressing love and strengthening
emotional and spiritual ties between husband and wife.
Husband and wife
are encouraged to pray and counsel together as they plan
their families. Issues to consider include the physical and
mental health of the mother and father and their capacity to
provide the basic necessities of life for their children.
Decisions about
birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest
solely with each married couple. Elective abortion as a
method of birth control, however, is contrary to the
commandments of God.
