Last general conference, I was struck by how many speakers spoke so beautifully and powerfully about family and its importance in society and eternity. Many of the talks struck a sensitive chord in my heart, and they were hard for me to hear initially. As a single adult, I went to conference seeking solace and comfort, but I walked away feeling confused at why my prayers had seemingly not been answered and my concerns were only intensified.
As I have gone back and listened to all of those talks again and again, my testimony of family has been strengthened in a quiet and sensitive way that can only happen through the Spirit, the master teacher. I believe in family! And marriage between a man and a woman! These talks (all from the last LDS general conference in April 2015) are phenomenal and help me understand and feel why traditional family is important to everyone and in the eternal scheme of things
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In addition to my testimony being strengthened of family, I have realized that there is ample advice for those of us that are not currently living in the ideal circumstance. I decided to pool all the advice given to that demographic of people and share it with you all. Basically, I have done all of your work ;) You're welcome.
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“To declare the fundamental truths relative to marriage and family is not to overlook or diminish the sacrifices and successes of those for whom the ideal is not a present reality. Some of you are denied the blessing of marriage for reasons including a lack of viable prospects, same-sex attraction, physical or mental impairments, or simply a fear of failure that, for the moment at least, overshadows faith. Or you may have married, but that marriage ended, and you are left to manage alone what two together can barely sustain. Some of you who are married cannot bear children despite overwhelming desires and pleading prayers.
Even so, everyone has gifts; everyone has talents; everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation.
Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances. So many of you are doing your very best. And when you who bear the heaviest burdens of mortality stand up in defense of God’s plan to exalt His children, we are all ready to march.
With confidence we testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has anticipated and, in the end, will compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him. No one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children.”- Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Why Marriage, Why Family (GC April 2015)
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“We each belong to and are needed in the family of God.
Earthly families all look different. And while we do the best we can to create strong traditional families, membership in the family of God is not contingent upon any kind of status—marital status, parental status, financial status, social status, or even the kind of status we post on social media. We belong. 'We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.'
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Our sphere of influence isn’t limited to our own family members...Sister Yazzie doesn’t limit her love and influence to her biological family. She understands what it means to expand her sphere of influence as she goes about doing good, blessing, nurturing, and defending the family of God. She understands that 'whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family—now and in the future.'' -Carole M. Stephens
The Family is of God (GC April 2015)
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“May I point out something obvious? Life rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone, and we are very aware that not all women are experiencing what the proclamation describes.
It is still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern and strive for the realization of that pattern the best we can.
Each of us has a part to play in the plan, and each of us is equally valued in the eyes of the Lord. We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants. Heavenly Father has a mission and plan for each of us, but He also has His own timetable.
One of the hardest challenges in this life is to have faith in the Lord’s timing. It’s a good idea to have an alternative plan in mind, which helps us to be covenant-keeping, charitable, and righteous women who build the kingdom of God no matter which way our lives go. We need to teach our daughters to
aim for the ideal but plan for contingencies...Everyone, no matter what their marital circumstance or number of children, can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!” -Bonnie D. Oscarson
Defenders of the Family Proclamation (GC April 2015)
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“When we speak of marriage and family life, there inevitably comes to mind, 'What about the exceptions?' Some are born with limitations and cannot beget children. Some innocents have their marriage wrecked because of the infidelity of their spouse. Others do not marry and live in single worthiness.
For now I offer this comfort:
God is our Father! All the love and generosity manifest in the ideal earthly father is magnified in Him who is our Father and our God beyond the capacity of the mortal mind to comprehend. His judgments are just; His mercy without limit; His power to compensate beyond any earthly comparison. 'If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.'
“There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and
all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.” -Elder Boyd K. Packer
The Plan of Happiness (GC April 2015)
