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The Nature of our Eternal Family

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 When you describe your family to others, how do you describe them? Many of us do not have children. Some of those do not have siblings. For some of us this is harder to see. However, the sociality that exists in most cultures allows even they, who have no children or siblings, to observe the family dynamic among those who do. This dynamic varies based on culture, experience, economic class and one often very important factor - the number of children involved. Sure there are large families among the rich and poor but add one more individual to the mix and the family changes forever. Now imagine a family of countless children. Billions upon billions. That is our Eternal Family.  As individuals we are not and were not automatons. We each have our own personalities and senses of humor, (or lack thereof) Some are very expressive, some are quite reserved. Think of all the different little factors that make up an individual and their character then array those factors out in their c...
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My Father and Mother in Heaven

 In the Church of Jesus Christ here in the latter days, the first prophet in our time taught many things. One of those principles is regarding God and who he is.  “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God” ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,  345)  The prophet Joseph Smith also taught, in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor of the  Chicago Democrat,  a number of principles. Thirteen of these principles are known today as the Articles of Faith. The first one addresses this same topic:  " We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."  source One of the purposes of this First Article of Faith was to declare doctrine regarding the Godhead. My purpose here is to state at a fundamental level, that God is our Father. I am not saying Father like one would call a priest or minister "father". I mean in a very literal sense that he is our Father and we ...
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I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ

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 In the culture of the Church, there is a favorite Primary song whose verse says this:  "I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am. I know God’s plan. I’ll follow him in faith. I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ll honor his name. I’ll do what is right; I’ll follow his light. His truth I will proclaim." -  Words and music:  Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938. © 1989 IRI Source For many, belonging to an organization or group is often born from tradition. When I served my mission in Russia, I often heard Russians say, " I was born [Russian Orthodox] I will die [Russian Orthodox]" This seemed a strong commitment when many would only ever go to church at Christmas then Easter and otherwise never gave it much of a second thought. It was tradition. In a country where social upheaval was the norm, tradition was one thing they held to.  For myself, I was born into a family that were long time members of the church on my father's sid...
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