Doctrines of the Eternal Family-Kalei Pollock (1)
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
The Most Important Eternal Covenant
The mural “
The Purpose of Life”
by Joseph Brickey, is an image that hangs in my
grandparent's home and has recently been brought to my attention. It depicts the joy of
parenthood within a pioneer family. It has a mother, father, and two children laughing and
smiling together while it lookd like the father just returned from working. This artwork brings
me so much joy and excitement for marriage and parenthood in the future, and being able to raise
my children in the gospel. Through this painting, I was also able to see the happiness of a
marriage and bearing children, which is a very sacred privilege to have, a privilege that I also
hope to have in the future.
“
The Purpose of Life”
creates a good visualization from a section in “The Family: A
Proclamation To The World” which reads, “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.” This
section
encapsulates the essence of eternal families. T
his section also serves as a goal to get married and
bear children to replenish the Earth, whilst teaching them to be good humans. But I think this
section is so much deeper than that, in a world where it is the trend to be homosexual, to be
“partners” whilst not married, we are finding fewer and fewer people who want to have children,
let alone get married which is a frustrating thing to grapple. Personally, it is so important to me
and one of my main goals to be married and a mother while raising my children to be good
humans in or out of the church. And as the world continues to move forward and let the
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
unimportant things seep in I need to be able to focus on my goal of having and Eternal family
and being a loving wife and mother.
The doctrine expressed in this section of the Family Proclamation emphasizes the sacred
responsibilities of husbands and wives within the family unit. It underscores the principle of
love, care, and mutual support as foundational elements in creating an environment conducive to
the spiritual and temporal well-being of family members. This doctrine extends beyond mortal
life and is central to the concept of eternal families, wherein husbands and wives, bound by
sacred covenants, continue to progress together in the eternities. Some key doctrines related to
this topic include the sacred nature of marriage as ordained by God, the eternal significance of
familial relationships, and the divine roles and responsibilities assigned to husbands and wives
within the family unit. These are harmonized and reaffirmed with passages in the scriptures, such
as Ephesians 5:25, which says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it," emphasizing the selfless and sacrificial nature of marital love.
Moreover, the scriptural mandate in Ephesians 5:25 underscores the sanctity of marital
relationships by drawing a parallel between Christ's sacrificial love for the church and the
responsibility of husbands to emulate this love towards their wives. This divine injunction not
only illuminates the selfless nature of marital love but also underscores its redemptive power in
fostering unity, forgiveness, and spiritual growth within the family unit. Similarly, Doctrine and
Covenants 132:19 reaffirms the eternal nature of marriage: "And again, verily I say unto you, if a
man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it
is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have
appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
come forth in the first resurrection." Doctrine and Covenants 132:19 solidifies the eternal
significance of marriage by clarifying the conditions under which marital bonds are not only
sanctioned but also sealed by divine authority. This passage emphasizes the pivotal role of
priesthood keys and the Holy Spirit of promise in ratifying these sacred unions, ensuring their
enduring validity beyond mortality and into the eternities. It is so important that we raise our
children in rightonouse as well and keep a household where the spirit can dwell. In
Ephesians 6:4
it shows us this by saying, “And, ye
a
fathers,
b
provoke not your
c
children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
It is so beautiful that we have the
opportunity to be able to be married for all of time and eternity and raise our families in the
covenant and in rightnouses.
In understanding the solemn responsibilities outlined in "The Family: A Proclamation to
the World," it was crucial to consider authoritative commentary from Church leaders that sheds
light on the doctrinal significance of these principles. President Russell M. Nelson, in his address
titled "Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints," emphasized the divine mandate placed upon
husbands and wives to nurture their marital relationship and rear their children in righteousness.
He stated, "Your commitment to marriage and family life is an expression of your discipleship."
Here, President Nelson directly connects the responsibilities outlined in the proclamation to
discipleship, highlighting the sacred nature of familial relationships within the context of one's
own spiritual journey. Additionally, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, in his discourse titled "A Prayer for
the Children," underscored the importance of parental stewardship in nurturing and guiding
children in accordance with gospel principles. He stated, "The only way to take sorrow out of
death is to take love out of life…We need to live righteously and provide righteous example."
3
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
Elder Holland's remarks emphasize the integral role of parental example and righteous living in
fulfilling the sacred duty of rearing children outlined in the proclamation. By drawing upon the
teachings of these respected Church leaders, we gain a deeper understanding of the doctrinal
significance of the responsibilities outlined in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and
their application in our lives as Latter-day Saints.
Reflecting on the profound responsibilities outlined in "The Family: A Proclamation to
the World," particularly regarding the sacred duty of parents to rear their children in love and
righteousness, has deeply impacted my perspective on the purpose of life and my role within the
family unit. Recognizing children as a divine heritage of the Lord, I am reminded of the sacred
trust bestowed upon parents to nurture, guide, and teach their children according to gospel
principles. This understanding elevates the significance of familial relationships and underscores
the eternal nature of the family unit as central to God's plan for His children.
In light of these principles, I was compelled to reevaluate and strengthen my commitment
to fulfilling my role as a parent or future parent. I am reminded of the sacred responsibility to
provide for the physical and spiritual needs of my children, to teach them the principles of love,
service, and obedience to God's commandments, and to instill within them a deep sense of moral
integrity and citizenship. Moreover, I am inspired to cultivate an environment of love, respect,
and unity within my family, where the principles of the gospel are lived and taught daily.
As I apply the teachings of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" in my life, I am
confident that my perspective on the purpose of life will be enriched, and my commitment to
building an eternal family will be strengthened. I believe the Lord would have me strive to
emulate the divine example of love and sacrifice within my own family, recognizing that by
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
fulfilling my sacred responsibilities, I am participating in His eternal plan for the happiness and
salvation of His children just as the mural “
The Purpose of Life”
by Joseph Brickey that I talked
about in the beginning portrays.
5
Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
Works Cited
The family is ordained of god
. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. (2003a, March 1).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2003/03/the-family-is-ordained-o
f-god?lang=eng
Psalm 127
. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (n.d.).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/127?lang=eng
Ephesians 5
. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (n.d.-a).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/eph/5?lang=eng
Doctrine and covenants 132
. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(n.d.-a).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang=eng
Ephesians 6
. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (n.d.-c).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/eph/6?lang=eng
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. (n.d.).
The family proclamation
. Proclamation.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-t
he-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng
6
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Kalei Pollock
Professor Griffiths
REL C 200
21 March 2024
President Russell M. Nelson President of the Church ImagePresident Russell M. Nelson.
(2018, October 7).
Becoming exemplary Latter-day saints
. Homepage - The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-e
xemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ImageElder Jeffrey R.
Holland. (2003, April 2).
A prayer for the children
. Homepage - The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/a-prayer-for
-the-children?lang=eng
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