Unit 6 - Protect the Family

For this Unit we will be focusing on the eighth and ninth paragraphs of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

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.

Stand Firm. Our standards are determined by the Lord, not by the direction of the wind. (See Helaman 5:12.) Jan. 2008

Readings:

• Elder Robert D. Hales,“Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship”
• Elder Cook, “Let There Be Light”
• Elder Ballard, “Let Our Voices Be Heard”
• Elder Jeffery R. Holland, “Israel, Israel, God Is Calling”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Protect The Children”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Truth and Tolerance”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Freedom”

Additional Resources:

• Quentin L. Cook - Be an Active Participant, Not a Silent Observer
• Uphold, Nourish, and Protect the Family
• New Era Article - Be a Defender of the Family
• Bonnie L. Oscarson - Defenders of the Family Proclamation
• M. Russell Ballard - Standing for Truth and Right
• Neal A. Maxwell - Take Especial Care of Your Family
• Thomas S. Monson - Be Strong and of a Good Courage
• Support Religious Freedom (LDS Church-sponsored Facebook page)
• Mormon Newsroom - Religious Freedom
• Family Home Evening Ideas: Discussing the Family Proclamation
• Ensign Article- Still a Clarion Call
• Family Proclamation Scrapbook idea
• Gordon B. Hinckley - Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World

Unit 5 - Happiness in Family Life

For this Unit we will be focusing on the sixth and seventh paragraphs of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

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.

Whether your children are grown or still growing, opportunities to teach them truth will never run out. True success comes to parents who don’t let distractions get in the way of living gospel principles and teaching their children to do the same. (3:47)

Readings:

• Selected Statements, “To the Mothers in Zion”:
• Quentin L. Cook, "LDS Women are Incredible!"
• Gordon B. Hinckley, "Women of the Church"
• Ezra Taft Benson, "To the Mothers in Zion"
• James E. Faust, "How Near to the Angels"
• Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Fathers in Israel”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Priesthood Authority in the Family and in the Church”
• Elder Dallin H.Oaks “Keys and Authority of the Priesthood”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law”
• Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”
• Elder Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty”
• Sister Julie B. Beck, “Mothers Who Know”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best”

Additional Resources:

• Dieter F. Uchtdorf - Of Things That Matter Most
• Bruce R. McConkie - Mothers in Israel and Daughters of Zion
• Joanne B. Doxey - Strengthening the Family
• Eternal Marriage Student Manual: Women’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities
• Eternal Marriage Student Manual: Men's Divine Roles and Responsibilities
• L. Tom Perry - Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling
• A. Theodore Tuttle - The Role of Fathers
• Presiding Righteously in the Home
• L. Tom Perry - The Importance of Family

Unit 4 - Law of Chastity and Sanctity of Life

For this Unit we will be focusing on the fourth and fifth paragraphs of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

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.

Mental Floss. “Work at keeping your thoughts clean by thinking of something good. The mind can think of only one thing at a time. Use that fact to crowd out ugly thoughts” (Richard G. Scott, “Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 37). Oct. 2005

Free Filter. Self-discipline—it’s the only sure way to block the evil you might see, hear, or think of repeating. (See Mosiah 4:30.) June 2005

Stand in Holy Places. “Anywhere you are where the Spirit is present can be a holy place.” (Elaine S. Dalton, “Holy Places in Your Life,” New Era, Jan. 2013, 7; see also D&C 87:8.) Jan. 2013

Readings:

• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments"

• Elder David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste”

• Linda S. Reeves "Potection from Pornography: A Christ-Centered Home"

• Dallin H. Oaks “He Heals the Heavy Laden”

• Elder Richard G. Scott, “Making the Right Choices”

• Elder David A. Bednar, “Things As They Really Are” 

• Elder Boyd K. Packer “The Fountain of Life”

• “Statements on Intimacy in Marriage” Institute Manual

• “Birth Control:”
• True to the Faith 
• Handbook 2: Administering the Church

Additional Resources:

• Arm Your Kids for the Battle
• Dallin H. Oaks - Pornography
• Overcoming Pornography
• Boyd K. Packer - Ye Are the Temple of God
• Chastity
• Richard G. Scott - Serious Questions, Serious Answers
• Jeffrey R. Holland - Personal Purity
• Liahona article: Talking to Youth about Pornography
• James E. Faust - How Near To the Angels
• Ensign article: Speaking up for Morality
• Russell M. Nelson - Reverence for Life
• James E. Faust - The Sanctity of Life

Unit 3 - Covenants and Ordinances

For this Unit we will be focusing on the third paragraph of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

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.

Video: The Plan of Happiness:

Readings:

• Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants”
• Elder Boyd K. Packer, “Covenants" and "Ordinances”
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “Celestial Marriage”
• Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “Covenant Marriage”
• Elder David A. Bednar, “Honorably Hold a Name and a Standing”
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Divorce”
• Elder Richard G. Scott, “Receive the Temple Blessings”

Additional Resources:

• Thomas S. Monson - Blessings of the Temple
• Linda S. Reeves - Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants
• Jeffrey R. Holland - Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments
• Russell M. Nelson - Celestial Marriage
• N. Eldon Tanner - Celestial Mariages and Eternal Families
• Russell M. Nelson - Face the Future With Faith
• Building Up Zion by Making Covenants and Receiving Ordinances
• Eternal Marriage Student Manual - Covenants and Ordinances

Unit 2: Gender and Eternal Identity

The second unit focuses on the second paragraph:

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.

Readings:

• Elder David A. Bednar, “Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan”
• LDS Church, “The Divine Institution of Marriage”
• Elder Richard G. Scott “Finding Happiness”
• Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Moral Force of Women”
• Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Brethren We Have a Work to Do” & “Let Us Be Men”
• Elder Boyd K Packer “For Time and All Eternity”
• Elder Oaks & Elder Wickman, “Same Gender Attraction”
• Becoming Like God

Additional Resources:

• Gender Is an Essential Characteristic of Eternal Identity and Purpose
• LDS.org Topics: Same-gender attraction
• Women's Unique Roles Are Equal, Valued, Needed
• Women’s Divine Roles Include Nurturing Others
• Understanding Our Divine Nature
• Boyd K. Packer - A Tribute to Women
• Mormon.org - The Importance of Loving Yourself