Elder Robert D. Hales Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said;
The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings great comfort in stressing times of mortality. It brings light where there is darkness and a calming influence where there is turmoil. It gives eternal hope where there is mortal despair. It is more than just beautiful doctrine. It is a reality in our lives that if we can be obedient and obtain the eternal rewards that God grants us, if we will draw nigh unto Him and embrace the eternal doctrine, we will be blessed.
“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 come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life … and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” (D&C 132:19).
As taught in this scripture, an eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities. The family relationships we have here on this earth are important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity.
By divine commandment, spouses are required to love each other above all others. The Lord clearly declares, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22). The proclamation states: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families [see D&C 83:2–4; 1 Tim. 5:8]. [By divine design,] mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” By divine design, husband and wife are equal partners in their marriage and parental responsibilities. By direct commandment of God, “parents have a sacred duty … to teach [their children] to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens [in the countries where they reside]” .
For as long as I can remember my favorite hymn has been Families Can Be Together Forever. I loved the words and meaning the song has. I never really truly took it to heart until just two years ago...November 1, 2008. I sat in a hospital room. My chair pulled up to my husband's bed. A breathing machine was keeping him alive for the time being. I watched his chest rise and fall with each pump of the machine. Feeling J's spirit come and go. I sat with my son C, then 5 years old and daughter K, 19 months old. Alone in the room. Just the 4 of us. It was quiet except for the slow hum of the machines. I held back the tears. Not sure what or how to say what I knew I needed to say to these two innocent children. How could they possibly understand what I was about to tell them. I know C had, had lessons on the plan of salvation and the eternal family in primary but how much does a 5 year old really understand? Finally I knew we couldn't sit in silence anymore. I had to speak. I spoke close to C's ear. Almost at a whisper, I said, Dad is going to be going to Heaven in a little bit. C looks at his dad and says, to live with Jesus? Yes, I replied softly. He's going to live with Jesus and Heavenly Father. Still choking back the tears, I told him that he won't be living with us anymore. But, he'd still get to see us, just from Heaven. C sat there quietly for a moment and then turned to me with a sadness and desperation in his voice and said, but then we won't be a family of 4 anymore! We will just be a family of 3. I looked at this sweet child and told him, we will ALWAYS be a family of 4. That will never change. When your dad and I got married we got married in the Temple. We were sealed for all eternity. That means that as long as we endure to the end, when we all get to heaven, we will be together as a family again. He looked at me and seemed to understand. K reached up with her little bear in her tiny hands and placed it on the bed next to her dad. She seemed to understand too and that was the only thing she knew to do to comfort her dad. It was her way of saying its going to be ok. I forced back the tears and hugged my kids. I lifted each one of them and they kissed their dad goodbye, not forever but just for the time we are apart on earth. We sat in that quiet room for a while longer. I asked my son if he wanted to sing to his dad. He told me he didn't know what to sing and I asked him how about I'm a Child of God. I started him out and stopped when he started to sing. I sat and listened and watched as this sweet child sang those words to his dad. It was the last thing he could do for him while he was still on this earth. The spirit was so sweet and strong and I felt the peace that could only come from the knowledge I have of eternal families. I know without this knowledge I wouldn't have been able to feel that comfort and peace. I would feel lost and alone as I told my husband goodbye. I am grateful that I was brought up in this gospel. That I was taught about the eternal plan of salvation. That I was sealed in the Temple for time and all Eternity. That I am able to teach my children that Families are Forever. I'm eternally grateful to my loving Heavenly Father who has sent me two amazing husbands who love and support me. I'm grateful to my wonderful husband, T for his constant love, faith and support and continuation of our eternal family. I'm grateful for this gospel and for this ward that has loved us, and has given me and my family the support that we needed. I have a testimony of eternal families and am grateful that because of my trials I am able to pass that knowledge along. And I'm eternally grateful that Families are Forever.
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