family playing a game

Family

Overview

“The Lord has designated the family to be the basic unit of the Church and of society. As used in the scriptures, a family consists of a husband and wife, children, and sometimes other relatives living in the same house or under one family head. A family can also be a single person living alone, a single parent with children, or a husband and wife without children. …

“God organizes us into families so that we can experience happiness and learn patience and selflessness. These traits help us become more like God and prepare us to live happily as families throughout eternity.

“If we build our families around gospel principles including faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome fun, home can be a place of refuge, peace, and immense joy” (Gospel Topics, “Family,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Scriptures

• Deuteronomy 6:7

• Proverbs 13:24; 23:13

• 1 Nephi 8:37

• 2 Nephi 25:26

• Mosiah 4:14–15

• 3 Nephi 18:21

• Doctrine and Covenants 68:25

• Doctrine and Covenants 93:40

• Moses 5:12

Additional Resources

• “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

• “Family Councils” (Gospel Topics)

• “Family Finances” (Gospel Topics)

• “Family History” (Gospel Topics)

• “Home Evening” (Gospel Topics)

• “Marriage” (Gospel Topics)

• “Parenting” (Gospel Topics)

• “Single-Parent Families” (Gospel Topics)

• “Strengthening Marriages and Families” (website, including guidebooks, courses, and manuals)