Religious Community and Family
"It takes a village to raise a child. Our congregation is the village that we have chosen to focus our energies on.. When we work with people, it helps us to keep our own struggles in a better perspective and they don't become a burden, just a part of life.," Successful Marriages and Families, Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives (Marks, Dollahite, Freeman, CH 18, pg 185). Our family has moved many times and each time we were always greeted openly by a new village. I am so thankful for the gospel that unites us as a village. "I personally believe that people are at their happiest when they're serving others...Service in the Church...is based on doing things for other people, going outside yourself," (LDS Father of six, CH 18, pg 186). I have so much love and gratitude in my heart for those that serve and love my children. At stake conference last month Brother and Sister Roundsville gave a lesson on family history, later that afternoon the kids found 18 family names that needed baptisms. The following Saturday their dad took them to the temple and they performed the ordinances for their ancestors. I felt so blessed to have the Roundsvilles be part of the village that is helping to raise our children. I was sure to tell them just that!
Religious Practices and Family
"Praying together as a family and reading the scriptures...together is probably the best thing we do to pull us toward Heavenly Father and each other," (Marks, Dollahite, Freeman, CH 18, pg 188). Prayer in marriage can bring resolution to conflicts, outwardly observe expressions of faith and love and emotional validation. Family prayer as a ritual brings closeness to all members of the family, it is not the only religious ritual that can influence our children. All religious rituals act as strengthening tools for family and renews and relationships.
Dimension 3
Religious Beliefs and Family
"There's something that...when as a family your hearts are pointed together toward the same thing," (Marks, Dollahite, Freeman, CH18, pg 191). No matter how strong our beliefs or how much we teach about them without the proper practice and example our beliefs have no meaning. Quality family and marriage experiences, stability, and satisfaction is enhanced by the involvement of religious beliefs and practices.
Social Science evidence shows that successful marriages and families are established and maintained even during life storms when shared beliefs, faith and principles connect the family.
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