Family. What is it?

Family matters… and so does the definition. Some may consider families to be anyone they trust or see frequently, while others wouldn’t even consider those of direct blood line, family.  If you look at the official Webster dictionary definition it gives multiple meanings.

·        “The collective body of persons who live in one house, and under one head or manager; a household including parents, children and servants….”

·        “A group comprising a husband and wife and their dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the organization of society…

·        “A group of kindred or closely related individuals..”

(http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/Family)

But I’d dare say that there is a lot more to the family then just blood relation, or living in the same house.

Here are some brief points or elements of a family.

·        Fundamental unit of society

·        Blood relations-common ancestry

·        People who love each other

·        Those you grew up with

·        A support group

·        A divine (God instructed) organization

Yet… there is still something more. A family is more than just the outside curtain of what the world sees or what a dictionary says.

Referencing the Family Proclamation to the World it says the following:

               “…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…

“We…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…Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children….[and] 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.”

                                                            (https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng)

I fully believe that “heaven is the continuation of the ideal home.” Because families are ordained (established, set apart) by God, they are truly the most important unit (or rather bond) now, and for eternity. Here is one of my favorite links that talks about this: http://mormon.org/family