Thomas S. Monson, “Showing the Love in Your Heart”, September 2009 Ensign
“Love has at least three different meanings: (1) It is a feeling in your heart. (2) It is a word you can say. (3) It is an action. The best way to show the love you feel in your heart is to tell others you love them and do something nice for them too.”
David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, October 2009 General Conference
“Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected. Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.”
Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey”, November 2008 Ensign
“Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. … We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us”
M. Russell Ballard, “Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship”, October 2009 General Conference
“You see, we’re all on a journey. Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be.”
M. Russell Ballard, “Mothers and Daughters”, April 2010 General Conference
“Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches.”
Boyd K. Packer, “Parents in Zion”, October 1998 General Conference
“But I have another calling which I have held even longer. I am a parent—a father and a grandfather. It took years to earn the grandfather title—another 20 years the title of great-grandfather. These titles—father, grandfather, mother, grandmother—carry responsibility and an authority which comes in part from experience. Experience is a compelling teacher. My calling in the priesthood defines my position in the Church; the title grandfather, my position in the family. I want to talk about both of them together. Parenthood stands among the most important activities to which Latter-day Saints may devote themselves. Many members face conflicts as they struggle to balance their responsibility as parents together with faithful activity in the Church. There are things vital to the well-being of a family which can be found only by going to Church. There is the priesthood, which empowers a man to lead and bless his wife and children, and covenants which bind them together forever.”
Robert D. Hales, “Fulfilling Our Duty to God”, October 2001 General Conference
“I hope the parents, and the bishops—who are the presidents of the Aaronic Priesthood—will understand that the young men and young women for whom they have responsibility have been prepared to come to earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is a great blessing to be able to qualify for and then receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. You young men have noble callings to become righteous men, to grow in strength, and to influence others for good. You young men are the future of the Church.”
Russell M. Nelson, “Listen to Learn”, April 1991 General Conference
“Parents and teachers, learn to listen, then listen to learn from children. A wise father once said, “I do a greater amount of good when I listen to my children than when I talk to them.””
Boyd K. Packer, “The Shield of Faith”, April 1995 General Conference
“This shield of faith is not manufactured on an assembly line, only handmade in a cottage industry. Therefore our leaders press members to understand that what is most worth doing must be done at home. Some still do not see that too many out-of-home activities, however well intended, leave too little time to make and fit on the shield of faith at home….The great plan of happiness (see Alma 42:8, 16) revealed to prophets is the plan for a happy family. It is the love story between husband and wife, parents and children, that renews itself through the ages.”
Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty”, April 1999 General Conference
“Make our homes a safe place where each family member feels love and a sense of belonging. Realize that each child has varying gifts and abilities; each is an individual requiring special love and care. Remember, “a soft answer turneth away wrath” ( Prov. 15:1). When my sweetheart and I were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, Elder Harold B. Lee gave us wise counsel: “When you raise your voice in anger, the Spirit departs from your home.” We must never, out of anger, lock the door of our home or our heart to our children. Like the prodigal son, our children need to know that when they come to themselves they can turn to us for love and counsel.”
Personal Statement:
To me, Family is the most important unit on the face of this earth. The experiences that I have had with my family have made it so I can spend forever with them. I am so excited for the eternities. I know that we are given our certain family for a reason. Spending forever with them is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father could ever give us. Heavenly Father’s plan is perfect. We experience joy and also suffering so that we may develop a greater love for those who are always with us. If we didn’t have those experiences, I don’t know the kinds of feelings I would have. Having family around means that there are always people that you can count on. Besides our Heavenly Father, we can take our problems to them and they can help us. I know that Family is important and I must live in such a way that I can live with them forever. I love my parents, siblings, especially my Sweet Wife and my future children. Living with them forever means everything to me.
