The Family in 5 Minutes or Less

So today our church had a special meeting, it was Invitation Sunday.  It has been in the works for MONTHS.  The goal was for everyone to go out and invite their neighbors, colleagues, friends and family to attend church with them today.  They planned a special meeting outlining the main doctrines we believe.  They called a few speakers to take 3 to 5 minutes and speak on the topic they were given outlining what they felt to be the most basic and important parts of that doctrine and I was one of the speakers chosen.  

They asked me to speak on The Family.  Oddly, I was not nervous at all, in fact I was quite excited.  The family is my thing.  I have such love for families, and the doctrine of it and it is something I really want to shout to the world every day.  And they gave me an opportunity to do so.  The hardest part was narrowing it down to 3-5 minutes.  If you know me, I have the tendency to get on a soap box when it comes to anything relating to the family.  I am so passionate about it and I know without a doubt the truthfulness of this doctrine.  I have studied it in school, I have seen it in society, and I have lived it.  

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my talk on here too (yet again, another opportunity to shout it to the world).  Keep in mind I less than 5 minutes.  Also note, for piracy sake, the large majority of this talk came straight from The Family: A Proclamation to the World which is probably one of my favorite documents in the world.  I still have most of it memorized.

Again, I could get up on my soap box and talk for days (literally) about the family.  But if I had to sum it up in 5 minutes of less, this is what I would say.

My name is Rebecca and I too am a child of God. (We all started this way)

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us families.

The family has been and always will be the fundamental unit in society.

Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and the family is central to His plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

We believe that Families are forever.  When we are married it is for time and all eternity not just until death do us part.

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 & Eve remains in force.  We are to multiply and replenish the earth.  However these sacred powers are to be used only between a man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

The role of parents is sacred.  President Harold B. Lee counseled us that “the most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.” 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.  Parents will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

President David O. Mckay said: “Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”

Although many people do not live in ideal situations because of death, divorce, or a number of other circumstances we will continue to teach and strive for the ideal.  Our Heavenly Father truly does love each of us.  He loves you.  And He wants what is best for us. 

Although we all have trials and tribulations they are meant to refine us and cause us to rely on our Heavenly Father.  Life is hard, but we can do hard things.

Majoring in family and social sciences provided me with an opportunity to study the family in all its verities.  I know both secularly and spiritually that these teachings/things are true.

"So the bad news is that family breakdown is causing a host of societal and economic ills. But the good news is that, like any cause and effect, those ills can be reversed if what is causing them is changed. Inequities are resolved by living correct principles and values. Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives. —Elder M. Russell Ballard, 

Brothers & Sisters, I love the family. I know that it is ordained of God. 

I know that families can be together forever as long as we follow Jesus Christ’s example.

"We need to greatly increase religious observance in the home. . . We need to introduce into our homes content that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.' If we make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil, we will be protected from the adverse consequences that the scriptures have foretold."—Quentin L. Cook, "Let There Be Light!", General Conference, October 2010

We can have that protection, we can have that success, we can have an eternal family. 

The End.  

I am happy I had the chance to speak and hope the spirit was felt by those in attendance.  All the talks were amazing.

I love the doctrine of the Family.
I love my family.
And I love you!