"I Always Want to Be With My Own Family"

I am so amazed at how wonderful God's plan is for us.  He organized us into families and revealed that marriage and family relationships are intended to be eternal.  During the Dark Ages, or the Apostasy, there was a loss of doctrine and the covenant of eternal marriage.  This led to confusion in the  majority of the inhabitants of the world, concerning the eternal nature of the family and has led many to believe that such a relationship is not part of God's plan for the salvation and eternal destiny of his children.

Beginning with the teachings of Joseph Smith, latter-day prophets have proclaimed to the world that God's holy priesthood has been restored once again upon the earth and also the sacred keys that allow marriages and families to be sealed together for time and all eternity have been restored to the earth.  

Because of this, the doctrine of the premortal existence was restored again to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We also know that we each lived before we came to this earth as a spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents.  We are here on this earth, because we supported God's plan and chose to come to this earth and have the opportunity to live in and perpetuate family relationships.  

God and his plan are eternal.  He created the earth, and we are his children and are here to experience mortal family life.  The eternal nature of the marriage covenant and the promise of everlasting family association are wonderful and amazing doctrines of the restored gospel.  I am so thankful for my family.  We are not perfect and we make mistakes, but we are trying to become like our Heavenly Father and we do that by showing love, patience, and kindness.  

Writing these posts about marriage and families has been a wonderful experience for me.  I have learned a lot about myself, my marriage and my family through studying about these principles. I am trying to make the changes I need to become a better wife, mother and daughter of God.  I am a work in progress and some days I get discouraged, but I know that with faith, prayer, and diligence, Heavenly Father will give me the strength to be the best that I can be.   

Why should I forgive my family members?

As a family, we are committed to each other, and because of this, repentance and forgiveness blend into an interactive process that is strengthened by that commitment.  The interesting thing about Forgiveness is that there is always a victim and an offender.  They are connected.  In marriage, it is usually between a husband and wife.  In our families, it can be between siblings, the mom and child, or dad and child.

I am posting this video from James E. Faust called "The Healing Power of Forgiveness."  It does not discuss forgiveness in marriage, but I think it is such a wonderful example of how forgiveness can change our lives and the lives of others.

Why do we need to repent and forgive?  Because, as mental health experts acknowledge, it is impossible to address emotional and physical well-being without considering the relevance of repentance and forgiveness.  The words of the ancient and modern prophets affirm that repentance and forgiveness are central to the gospel plan.

How do we forgive?  Here is Worthington's (2001) cognitive-behavioral, five step process:
1.  Recall the hurt
2.  Empathize
3.  Offer the altruistic gift of forgiveness
4.  Commit publicly to forgive
5.  Hold on to forgiveness

How do we repent?  Here is the five-step process:
1.  Recognize the offense
2.  Sorrow for the offense
3.  Disclose
4.  Avoid the offending behavior
5.  Make restitution

In my life, I have felt the power of sincere repentance and genuine forgiveness.  They are gifts from God and they are only made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.