“Why do we feel so strongly about families?”

Answer/Elder Robert L. Simpson

The gospel of Jesus Christ centers around the family unit. The ultimate in happiness, joy, and fulfillment in this life is inseparably connected with a wholesome family relationship. The lofty goal of exaltation or living eternally again in the presence of our Heavenly Parents can only be achieved as a family unit, and only after that family has developed a Christlike pattern of living within a frame work of conformity to priesthood principles.

Emphasis on the family must be regarded as the cornerstone of all gospel teaching due to the key role of the family in each person’s eternal destiny and also in his immediate happiness in this life.

President David O. McKay undoubtedly had this eternal concept in mind when he commented, “I visualize heaven as a continuation of the ideal Latter-day Saint home. … In the well-ordered home, we may experience on earth a taste of heaven.” (Pathways to Happiness, p. 3.)

During the recent flood disaster at Rexburg, Idaho, one man was separated from his family by the raging torrents. He feared the worst but six hours later found that all had survived the ordeal. The next day he remarked: “I have lived my life under the false illusion that security was achieved by the accumulation of this world’s goods; but now, with all that swept away by the flood and my wife and children spared and at my side, all is well. I feel like a millionaire, and we are ready to start all over again.”

As one reflects back on life’s happiest moments, it is usually those joyous family get-togethers that we remember most of all. It could be a special Christmas, maybe an anniversary celebration, a family reunion, or perhaps that big Thanksgiving dinner followed by games, with all ages participating. Yes, happiness reaches a peak when all the family is present—the grandparents, children of all ages, especially the smallest newborn—everyone together as a family unit just enjoying one another and forgetting such modern-day hang-ups as the generation gap. Life can be the best when everyone forgets personal desire for a few hours and just seems grateful to be a part of something far more important than self.

The prophets of all ages have taught that “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5.) From this we know that baptism is the gateway to the celestial kingdom. We also know that personal worthiness is a prerequisite before this great honor can be expected.

However, before we can contemplate the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, there must be conformity to the law of eternal marriage, which, of course, is the foundation of an eternal family. According to the Lord:

“In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;

“And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];

“And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

“He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.” (D&C 131:1–4.)

Nothing could be more clearly stated.

With this type of discussion, discouragement can come readily to single adults, those who, after diligently seeking, have not yet found an eternal partner. To these faithful single members, modern-day prophets have made it clear that in the gospel plan, there is a guarantee of total and complete justice; and furthermore, that no worthy individual will be denied the ultimate blessing of eternal life. In the meantime, the importance of continuing a good relationship with your parents’ family (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc.) is vital.

Our preexistence was based on that grand family unit presided over by our Father in heaven. His is an eternal family unit known here in mortality as the human race (family). “His work and his glory” is that as many of us as possible will find “immortality and eternal life.” (See Moses 1:39.)

Our mortal existence finds the commencement of other families (yours and mine) within the grand family. Our life hereafter will still be family oriented. In fact, as stated above, the highest blessings can come only on a family basis.

The family unit has to be the most fundamental and important unit in the Church, because one day after every other Church unit (quorum, ward, branch, and stake) will have served its purpose and be no more, the eternal family unit will continue forever.

Perhaps the importance of the family could be summarized in the thought that each and every Latter-day Saint should have two principal objectives: (1) to have a happy and fulfilling experience here in mortality, and (2) to qualify for the presence of the Lord and a loving Heavenly Father in the hereafter. An understanding of the revealed word of the Lord leaves no doubt that a proper family relationship is the single most important requisite in reaching both.