Roles & Gender

It's important to understand the importance of roles in the family. Each member of the family holds at least one. We usually assign the provider as the father. The resource manager as the mother and also the peace keeper. A child holds roles also. I was pondering about the different types of roles each of the family members contribute. I think that each one of us could hold all the same roles, but each of us was blessed with the role that would work the best in the family. 

"Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose... Marriage between man and wife is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity." The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The world is changing rapidly. Media has put a heavy focus on homosexuality. The world views it as normal, acceptable and I would say glamorous. We have been counseled from the Brethren that this act of living is a grievous sin. President Hinckley says, "We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same sex situation. To permit such would make light of a very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, rearing of families." 

Satan is working so hard at tearing families. We know that. We've seen it happen. Let him not come inside our homes, families, hearts, minds, and thoughts. He will do whatever it takes. "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45) Gender is essential to the Plan. Marriage is essential. Bringing children into this life within the bonds of matrimony is essential. Homosexuality disrupts the Plan; Satan disrupts. 

Head the counsel from the Brethren.

"Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45)

Diversity.

This week we talked a lot about class, diversity and culture. When we think about what kind of social class a person is in, we usually think of the following: money, income, education, home, neighborhood, toys (cars, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc), name, appearance, friends and associates, occupation, etc. We could keep going on. Isn't it true though? Then our teacher had a split into pairs and asked us, what is your socioeconomic class? Thinking about where I grew up and the income that my parents had, I put down low middle class. I'm from a small town in Wisconsin. There are lots of farmers and small business owners. Usually if you make a decent pay, you travel outside the town for work. I placed my family at the lower end of the middle class spectrum. My family doesn't have "toys" or a big house. We get what we need, with some to spare. My parents are frugal. I think that's where I get it from. 

I think sometimes we judge others for what they have or don't have. I think the lesson that is pulled out of this, is not to judge others. So many times I have caught myself thinking poorly about someone who has all the luxuries or who doesn't have any. I have thought about myself as being a higher than others. My dad serves as the Stake President back home. Knowing that, I would use it to do things. I thought that since I was his daughter, it gave me special privileges. But in all reality it doesn't. I think it also is important to understand that everyone comes from a different background. We each have our own experiences that has shaped our own "culture" and class. Whether or not we have the name or  have the money, we all are loved by our Heavenly Father. We are part of His class and that's all that matters.

Family Rules

This week in class we talked a lot about Family Systems Theory. We talked about the different roles, subsystems, boundaries, etc. The assignment for today's class was to list of rules of some behaviors that are unspoken in the family.

1. Always knock when a door is closed.

2. Remember to say your "Please and Thank-Yous"

3. Ladies first

4. When you make a mess, clean it up.

5. Be nice to each other.

6. If you're sassy, you get soap.

7. At 5PM Dad gets the remote to watch the news.

8. Disney movies on Sundays.

Critical.

We discussed in class on Wednesday about trends in the world, according to marriage, family, etc. Bro. Williams asked us if we thought regarding each trend on the board, if they were critical, significant, or not important. My response to all of the trends- Critical. Premarital sex ties in with each of the trends. It's a domino affect. The family is central to God's Plan. Each of these items break-up the family. Satan's hands are rooted deep. As a family we need to pull the weeds out and protect the Plan with all our might. I'm taking a marriage class and we've been discussing trends as well. So many people are living together- cohabitation. We had viewed a film in that class regarding marriage. Most of the people that were interviewed thought that marriage isn't as important. That a couple's first marriage is a "starter marriage." Meaning that it's okay to get divorced. (Basically a get out of jail free card). The world has so many different views on the family and on marriage. We, as members of this church, need to the examples. We need to share with others our thoughts and teach them. We need to be more informed, to combat the things that the world is saying. Elder Nelson said, "You have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord's path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people." (May 2011, Ensign) 

Let us be a light!

Become.

Yesterday in class we were discussing Elder Oaks' talk "The Challenge to Become." Our teacher was asking us questions about how we could incorporate the Learning Model in our lives. We went through the steps and discussed each of them. The main point that our teacher wanted us to get, was the becoming.  He had asked us, "What do you want to become?" He gave us a few minutes to write down our thoughts. 

My thoughts consisted of a lot of things. Some dealt with school, and becoming a disciple of learning. Other thoughts dealt with becoming myself: a daughter of God. This activity made me think about my life. Am I making those preparations to one day make those sacred covenants in the temple? A thought that came to my mind is, am I speaking with the tongue of angels? It's not that I am living my life in a wrong way, but I need to make myself even better, by becoming, and keeping that a constant thought in my mind.