A Testimony of the Family

As the semester comes to an end, so does my blog. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to lean about the family and its importance in the world. I know that the family is of God. I know that the family can be eternal and through the gospel of Jesus Christ, it will last. I know that God gave us families to help us through the challenges of life and that they can be the best friends that we will have. I am so grateful for the amazing family that I have been given and for all that they do for me. I can't wait to start my own someday and raise my children in the gospel. I know that the church is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Divorce

This has been a topic that has recently been a bigger deal in my life than I ever thought it would be. My sweet boyfriend has parents who are divorced. This isn't a huge deal in our relationship, but I can see how it affects his life. When people get in a divorce, some don't realize who else their choices are going to affect. It will affect their children, their parents, their siblings, their grandchildren, and so on. It's a ripple effect. By their one pebble being dropped in the pond, everything can be shaken and moved. One thing that I've learned, from observation and experience with family members, is marriage ends because of corruption. President Kimball of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said that any man and women can have a successful marriage if they are willing to "pay the price". As long as two people are willing to put in that effort to make things work and to be patient and compromise. I am very grateful that my parents aren't divorced, but I feel for those who have had that trial in their life. I know that through Jesus Christ, anything is possible, and that includes an eternal marriage and a strong, righteous family. The church is true. The eternal family is the foundation of all things. I am so grateful for my family and all that they do for me, and I can't wait to start my own.

Parenting

The one thing that scares me the most about the future is parenting. The balance between discipline and love and letting your child make their own choices just seems so impossible to me. I don't know how my parents did it, but they have seven amazing children who are good. Parenting is much harder than I ever thought. The more I talk about it and learn about it, the more it scares me. Children should have the opportunity to make their own decisions, but a parent should step in if it's 1) Too dangerous 2) Has consequences that are to far off to benefit and 3) If others are affected. Things like what your child eats and what they wear will affect them, but shouldn't have to strong of a consequence. You should't let your child run free and uncaring, but you also can't be so cold towards them like a dictator. When I was younger, I always thought the my parents were really strict. A;though they were pretty tough, they were just trying to keep me from doing something stupid. I love my parents and I hope I can be as good as they are someday.

Fatherhood

Fatherhood is a great role that most men have the opportunity to fulfill. A father's involvement is an essential part to the development of a child, physically and emotionally. There have recently been new findings that show that a father's involvement in a child's life can sometimes be even more essential than a mother's. Although mother's are so important, there have been studies to show that the father's are just as important and needed. According to "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", the fathers rolls are to preside, provide and protect. My father has been a great example in my life. I love him dearly and wish I hadn’t taken him for granted like I had when I was younger. I have learned so much from him and know I will be learning from him the rest of my life. I am so grateful that I was given my dad, I don’t think that I would be even remotely where I am without his guidance and counsel.