Dear EmJ,

Today in Young Women, I am going to teach the Laurels about defending the doctrine of the family.  I want to make sure that you, too, know exactly where I stand on marriage and family...which is exactly where the Lord stands.

First, the Lord’s Prophets will teach us what we need to know about and what we should do to defend the family.  As you seek answers to your questions, turn to the words of the prophets.  You will find answers there.  I’ve noticed that when I read things from those opposed to the family, or even just intelligent scholars, I don’t feel the same spirit as when I read the words of the prophets encouraging us to stand up for traditional marriage and families.

The Family:  A Proclamation to the World is true.  You should read it often, even memorize it.  It is a statement of truth, it is how the Lord views marriages and families, it is what we should strive for in our own homes.

Being a mother is the highest, holiest calling that you can have in this life.  You should look forward to that privilege that is yours, you should prepare for it, and you should remember that it is more important than anything else you can achieve.  You are lucky to be born into a time in history where women can do anything they want, can become anything they want, and that’s important.  But being a mother is the MOST important.  Be proud of that.

As a mother, you will one day be responsible for the next generation.  You will most likely marry and have children of your own.  Even if you, for some reason, don’t marry or can’t have children, you will be a sister, an aunt, a primary teacher, a young women leader, a neighbor, or a mother figure to many, many impressionable children.  Teach them about the family.  Teach them to say, “When I grow up I want to be a mother!” (or father, as the case may be. :)

Your home should be second in holiness only to the temple.  I hope our home achieves this...that it is a place of security and refuge for you and your siblings.  Please know that you can come to dad or I with any questions or concerns at any time.  We want to know how you feel, what you think, and we will always love you no matter your actions or decisions.  But we will always teach and defend truth.

The Supreme Court just legalized same-sex marriage, which cuts at the heart of the family.  I want you to know that I have learned that it is possible to love those who support this issue, even while disagreeing with their position or lifestyle.  Be kind to them even while staying true to yourself.  Society hasn’t yet seen the gross consequences of this decision, but in your lifetime you will.  You will also see your freedoms erode because of this ruling.  That is why your home has to be a holy place.  It may be the ONLY place where you will be able to teach truth and defend the family.  

This letter isn’t very eloquent.  I am going to attach a copy of the family proclamation, the Church’s statement on the institution of marriage, and a talk by Sister Oscarson...all of which explain things so much better than I can!  Please take the time to read and study them.  Over and over again.  Until they are a part of your very thinking.  If you have the truths in your brain, the Spirit can help you remember them when you are called upon to defend them.

One more thing.  Eternal perspective.  Our country, maybe even our world, is headed in the wrong direction.  It is becoming increasingly evil.  As you see these things happen, try to remember that this life is only a small time in our eternal existence.  We need to be counted among those who “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places,”  but we don’t need to fear the future, nor what man can do.  If this life is a football game, the Lord’s team is the guaranteed winner.  Make sure you are on His team and don’t worry about how hard the fight is or how much it looks like Satan’s team is winning.  The Lord will come again, victorious.  Justice and mercy will be perfectly dished out.  It will be an incredible time, but only if you are found on the Lord’s side.

I love you!  You are amazing and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you, such a strong and confident young woman.

Love, Mom

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Sister Oscarson Talk

The Divine Institution of Marriage