In a few weeks, California voters will have the ability to
Protect Marriage by keeping the divine institution between a man and a woman.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World was written by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve of the LDS Church in 1995.
Never has it been
so relevant and so important! 
It's amazing and inspirational to me how they were prompted to write this
13 years ago!In the last few weeks, I have been thinking/dwelling about our family, my role as mother, the elections, our economy, etc. So, I have gathered my favorite quotes from The Proclamation and other favorite talks from LDS General Authorities on the subject of families.
"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly
proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is
ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
"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."
Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, "Marriage was intended by the Lord to endure
beyond physical death. His plan offers eternal perpetuation of the family in the kingdom of God."
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Gender in large measure defines
who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and
become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are
different, distinctive, and complementary...The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of
happiness."
I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for a husband who treasures his role as husband and father and I know those two roles are his priority. He works so hard in and for all of his responsibilities which are MANY. He honors his Priesthood, he is my husband, he is my children's father, he provides for our family, he is in the Bishopric, he is a Zip Code Coordinator for Prop 8, and he is Ryan's Soccer Coach. The last few months have been beyond busy. Yet, he is happy and is always looking out us. Last night, in the short time he was home before heading out for a Prop 8 meeting, he played with the kids, brushed their teeth and dressed them for bed so it would be easier on me.
President Harold B. Lee said, "the most important of the Lord's work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own home."
President David O. McKay declared, "No other succes
s can compensate for failure in the home."
Julie B Beck, the Relief Society General President said, "The responsibility mothers have today has never required more
vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need
mothers who know. Children are being born into a world 'where they "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.(Ephesians 6:12)' However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have
great power and influence for good on their children."
One of my favorite quotes of all time:
"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
~ Margaret Nadauld (The Joy of Womanhood)
I loved President Thomas S. Monson's talk on Finding Joy in the Journey (Oct 2008). The following are my favorite excerpts:
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life-here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you to not let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey--now.
There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today.
Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important--and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know.
Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."
With the world readying for the upcoming Presidential election, a few States facing Protect Marriage Ammendments and the struggling economy, new issues arising from having school aged children (i.e.: "he said he wasn't my friend anymore."), our Stake Conference I attended last week and heard every word because Scott was home with sick children...etc...I have felt the need for a rededication!
We have had regular Family Home Evenings and we have taught gospel principles in each of them, not just game nights. I stay home with my children and teach them daily how to better treat each other, etc. But, I feel like never before the need to step it up. As President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. Go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities. We have work to do, you and I, so very much of it. Let us roll up our sleeves and get at it, with a new commitment, putting our trust in the Lord. May we go with determination to try a little harder to be a little better."
I know I feel a renewed effort to try harder to be better in so many ways. Most importantly, despite the feeling that my children are still so young and some issues shouldn't be necessary to teach yet, they are. I cannot allow outside influences with lesser or different values teach my children. 
As you can see, Protecting Marriage is a huge deal around here. It's not about discriminating. It's not about limiting others rights or benefits. It is about keeping our rights. These are challenging times.
May God Bless America!
waiting 4 WHOLE DAYS...they got to do this...
waiting 4 WHOLE DAYS...they got to do this...
These were last week and he's since had a haircut that's super short and he looks a few months older but no less cuddly. He's one of the happiest, easy going babies I've ever met. Seriously.
