Sunday October 11 Lesson Highlights

On July 12, 1843 the Prophet Joseph Smith dictated to William Clayton a revelation about the doctrine of eternal marriage. In this revelation the Lord declared that if a husband and wife are not sealed by the power of the holy priesthood “they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity.” “To receive exaltation, husbands and wives must be sealed by priesthood power and then remain faithful to their covenants.

For Elder Parley P. Pratt, knowledge of this doctrine deepened his love for his family: “It was Joseph Smith who taught me how to prize the endearing relationships of father and mother, husband and wife; of brother and sister, son and daughter. It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love. It was from him that I learned that we might cultivate these affections, and grow and increase in the same to all eternity; while the result of our endless union would be an offspring as numerous as the starts of heaven, or the sands of the sea shore….I had loved before, but I knew not why. But now I loved-with pureness-an intensity of elevated, exalted feeling, which would lift my soul from the transitory things of this groveling sphere and expand it as the ocean…In short, I could now love with spirit and with the understanding also.

All families are different, but we can learn from Joseph Smith by his example and counsel on how we should treat our family members:

Husband and wives are to honor each other by showing love, kindness and affection.

Children should honor their parents by expressing gratitude to them and cherishing them throughout their lives.

Love among brothers and sisters can and should be sweet and enduring.

Parents who love, support, and pray for their children bring immeasurable blessings into their children’s lives.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the importance of love in our families by living it. Each of us are the key in making our own family relationships happy and wonderful. As we try to do our best we will be blessed with the patience, love, and happiness.