Gospel Basics

Families Are Eternal

The family is the basic unit of society and the Church. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that families can be eternal. We work to strengthen our families on earth. We also have faith that we can receive the blessing of an eternal family.

The Family of God

All people are spirit sons or daughters of heavenly parents. We are all part of the family of God. We all have a divine nature and destiny. If we live righteously, we can return to live with our Heavenly Father as part of His family forever.

Wedding photograph by Joseph Kaluba

Eternal Families

When a man and a woman are married in the temple and keep their covenants, their marriage will last for eternity. This temple ordinance is called a sealing. Children born after their parents are sealed are born in that covenant. Children born before their parents are sealed can be sealed to them in the temple so they can be a family forever. Church members do family history and temple work so they can seal their families together through all generations. The blessing of an eternal family is made possible because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Marriage

Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches husbands and wives to be loyal to one another and faithful in their marriage covenants. They should be true in thought, word, and deed. Marriage is an equal partnership, and spouses should encourage, comfort, and help each other.

Parents and Children

God commanded Adam and Eve to have children. Church leaders have taught that this commandment is still in force. Mothers and fathers work together to raise their children in love and righteousness (see Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28). Children are taught to honor and obey their parents (see Exodus 20:12).

Teaching and Learning

Parents teach their children to love God and obey His commandments. Family life gives us opportunities to feel joy and learn patience and selflessness. These traits help us become more like God and prepare us to live happily as families forever.

Strengthening Families

It takes work, dedication, and patience to build a successful family. Gospel principles such as faith, prayer, forgiveness, love, work, and wholesome fun can help us find joy in family life. We can also receive personal revelation to know how to strengthen our families.

Christ’s Image, by Heinrich Hofmann

Blessings Available to All

Not everyone has the opportunity to be part of an ideal family here on earth. But God has promised that everyone who keeps His commandments will receive all the blessings of an eternal family. We can trust in Him and have faith in His timing.

From the Scriptures

Parents teach their children to love and serve one another (see Mosiah 4:14–15).

Prayer will strengthen families (see 3 Nephi 18:21).

Those who are sealed in the temple will receive eternal blessings (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:19).

Words to Remember

Divine nature: Qualities we have inherited from God as His spirit children.

Covenants: Promises we make with God. He promises blessings to us.

Ordained: Set up, founded, or ordered. “Ordain” can also mean giving a priesthood holder authority in a priesthood office, like deacon or elder.

Revelation: Inspiration from God to His children on earth.

Find Out More

To learn what latter-day prophets have taught about families, you can read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or in the Gospel Library app. Wards and branches have Primary, Young Men, and Young Women organizations for children and teens. You can talk to those leaders and to your ministering brothers or sisters about how they can help strengthen your children.