Eternal Families

Eternal Families

Being a convert of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints I have never been the biggest fan of talking about eternal families. Being young and not always understanding everything led to a confusion which led to hurt. We would sing the primary songs, most of which I don’t know, and I would hear the words “Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Fathers  plan, I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can.”  I would feel an ache in my heart and a tear in my eye because I knew that my family was not doing what the Lord had told them. Elder Hales says; “ How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities.” My family was not keeping those commandments and I thought there was not a way for me without them. I love and still love my family and there is no one I would want to be with more. But I didn’t know how I could follow the Lord with out them. I felt alone, left out, and single. It scared me to think of life after death because I thought I would be alone. I didn’t know then how there for me my savior really was.

    Years went on and went to church a little less and a little more less.  My first year of Young Women’s came along  and I loved being with the older girls. They were the examples to me of the right way to be a daughter of God. They were the most sweet and beautiful girls I knew. The leaders were the first examples of Mothers in Zion that I have ever known. They cared about me too and that made me feel a little more like I belonged. My first year of oak crest was where I truly, all mind and soul, became a convert of this amazing gospel. I still knew little about the gospel  but the happiness I felt that whole week was what my first testimony was built on. When I returned home all I wanted was to share that happiness, no that joy I had found with my mom. Now you see I Love my mom more then anyone but no matter what she tells you she is not the greatest listener. And that day she was busy so I got set aside. I don’t think she knows she broke my heart that day but she also did something amazing, she showed me who I wanted to be. As my knowledge In the gospel grew I learned more and more about who I wanted to be. I watched those around me and the sadness they had in their lives because of their actions. I love them for who they are I just wish then knew who they could be. I did not want to be like that. I slowly found my potential and have since been striving for it. Every step I go that joy reaffirms my testimony.

      Now I know that even though presently my family is not an eternal one that I should never give up hope because of the great blessing of temple work. “Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house” ( D&C 110:9 ). Also I know that my goal to marry a returned missionary in the temple will give me the opportunity to have that dream, blessing of an eternal family. “And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life … and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” ( D&C 132:19 With that promise  I will never be alone and I know that I will have the choice blessings of our father in heaven. I know that the choices I make today in my schooling, my dating, in all my plans for the future will be the deciding factor in my eternal life with my eternal family. Once I make those choices,  those promises to a righteous young man nothing will stand in the way of my joy. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” ( Matt. 16:19 ).