Doctrinal Study
Family
Overview
As spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents, we are all members of the family of God. Our heavenly family provides the model for our families on earth.
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.
President Boyd K. Packer taught, “The ultimate purpose of every teaching, every activity in the Church is that parents and their children are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, and linked to their generations” (“The Father and the Family,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1994). Family relationships extend beyond the grave when we are sealed by the priesthood of God in a holy temple and remain faithful.
The first man and woman—Adam and Eve—were a family. When they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam ate his bread by the sweat of his brow, and Eve, his wife, labored with him (see Moses 5:1). All the early recorded events in the life of Adam and Eve show them doing things together (see Moses 5:1, 12). Likewise, fathers and mothers today are equal partners in the family. “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”). That commandment remains in force today.
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.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has advised families: “Whatever problems your family is facing, whatever you must do to solve them, the beginning and the end of the solution is charity, the pure love of Christ. Without this love, even seemingly perfect families struggle. With it, even families with great challenges succeed” (“In Praise of Those Who Save,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016).
To read more of what the Church teaches about the family, read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
Record Your Impressions
Related Topics
Scriptures
Scripture References
Scripture Study Resources
Messages from Church Leaders
Videos
“Families Can Be Together Forever”
“The Family Is Ordained of God”
“Plan of Salvation—We’re Still a Family”
“Today’s Family: Fathers”
“Home and Family”
“I Believe in Family”
“A Family Story”
“Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God”
Tabernacle Choir Videos
Learning Resources
General Resources
“What is the purpose of family?” ComeUntoChrist.org
“What is ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’?” ComeUntoChrist.org
“Focusing on Family,” ComeUntoChrist.org
“3 Tips for Being Present with Your Family,” ComeUntoChrist.org
“3 Ways to Spend Quality Time with Your Family,” ComeUntoChrist.org
Church Magazines
“Blessed by My Faithful Sister,” Ensign or Liahona, March 2017
“20 Ways to Honor Mom and Dad,” New Era, March 2017
“Forever Family,” Friend, February 2017
“Sometimes I get annoyed with my family. What can I do?” Friend, February 2017
“I Want to Live with You Forever!” Ensign or Liahona, January 2017
“Rescuing the Lost: Counsel for Parents and Leaders,” Ensign, January 2017
“Time for Addison,” Friend, January 2017
“For Parents of Little Ones,” Friend, November 2016
“The Family Is Ordained of God,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2016
“Blessing Our Children by Improving Our Marriages,” Ensign or Liahona, September 2015
“The Proclamation on the Family: Transcending the Cultural Confusion,” Ensign or Liahona, August 2015
“God’s Plan for Families,” Ensign, July 2015
“Why Temple Marriage?” New Era or Liahona, August 2013
“Be a Defender of the Family,” New Era, March 2012
Study Manuals
In the News
Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Stories
Teaching Resources
Teaching Outlines
Stories and Activities for Teaching Children
“Family,” Lesson Helps for Teaching Children
“Funstuff: Families Are Fantastic!” Friend, October 2016
“Happy Families,” Latter-day Saints Channel
Media
Audio
“What Family Means,” Happy Families Extra, episode 2
“Enjoy Your Family,” Happy Families Extra, episode 3
“Quality Time with the Family,” Happy Families Extra, episode 4
“A Family Culture of Love,” Happy Families Extra, episode 6
“Family,” Stories from General Conference, episode 11
“Family,” Stories from General Conference, episode 49
“Family,” Stories from General Conference, episode 95
“Quality Family Time,” Latter-day Saints Channel Daily Archive, episode 518