TheyCallMeMom Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 What is the Church's view on having children, ie large families and birth control What are your views? Quote
Connie Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 The below is from this resource put out by The First Presidency: LDS.org - Family Table of Contents - True to the Faith “Birth Control,” True to the Faith, (2004),26When married couples are physically able, they have the privilege of providing mortal bodies for Heavenly Father’s spirit children. They play a part in the great plan of happiness, which permits God’s children to receive physical bodies and experience mortality.If you are married, you and your spouse should discuss your sacred responsibility to bring children into the world and nurture them in righteousness. As you do so, consider the sanctity and meaning of life. Ponder the joy that comes when children are in the home. Consider the eternal blessings that come from having a good posterity. With a testimony of these principles, you and your spouse will be prepared to prayerfully decide how many children to have and when to have them. Such decisions are between the two of you and the Lord.As you discuss this sacred matter, remember that sexual relations within marriage are divinely approved. While one purpose of these relations is to provide physical bodies for God’s children, another purpose is to express love for one another—to bind husband and wife together in loyalty, fidelity, consideration, and common purpose. Quote
siouxz72 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I believe the Church's view is that you should have as many kids as you can financially and emotionally handle. I could be way off on that :) My view is the same as that...as many as you can financially and emotionally handle. My wish would have been to have had 2 or 3 more, but my husband at the time could not have emotionally handled it so we stopped at 3. And they are three of the most wonderful children ever! I am truly blessed Quote
Just_A_Guy Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I believe the Church's view is that you should have as many kids as you can financially and emotionally handle. I could be way off on thatSounds about right to me. You'll find quotes from prophets past to the effect that birth control is bad (and some hardline Mormons who still adhere to those quotes), but the Church has officially backed off from that stance. Quote
Connie Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I personally think large families are great. I came from a large family and i know many families with anywhere from 6 to 14 children. Most large families i know are really strong in faith and the principles of the gospel. Quote
Wingnut Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 There are about 73,546 threads on these topics already that have exhausted them. There is nothing new to say. Quote
pam Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 From lds.orgGod has a plan for the happiness of all who live on the earth, and the birth of children in loving families is central to His plan. The first commandment He gave to Adam and Eve was to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). The scriptures declare, “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Those who are physically able have the blessing, joy, and obligation to bear children and to raise a family. This blessing should not be postponed for selfish reasons. Sexual relations within marriage are not only for the purpose of procreation, but also a means of expressing love and strengthening emotional and spiritual ties between husband and wife. Husband and wife are encouraged to pray and counsel together as they plan their families. Issues to consider include the physical and mental health of the mother and father and their capacity to provide the basic necessities of life for their children. Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple. Elective abortion as a method of birth control, however, is contrary to the commandments of God. Quote
rameumptom Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I would add that the parents should also be physically able to have the children and raise them, as well. Quote
Wingnut Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially. Quote
ADoyle90815 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I'm not LDS, but my personal views are that as long as both parents are able to fully support children without help, then I see nothing wrong with large families if they chose to have them. By that, I mean physically, mentally, and especially financially. I think WIC and other programs are great as a temporary thing in case of an unexpected job loss, but that it should be something that families can discontinue when they get back on their feet. I also support birth control as well, especially in this economy when many families are delaying having children until things improve, especially if someone has been laid off or is facing the possibility of that. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I think others have expressed the church's view... My view is that a small family can be just as spiritually strong as a large one. There is no need to think otherwise. And if you wait to "afford" kids - you will never have them.... I think you need to be able to be self reliant... but just as important... you need to be able to deal with the pregnancies--medically, and you need to deal with the children- spiritually, emotionally, and to provide a stable, loving, appropriate home. The one thing that irks me more than anything is when someone says... "Oh, you only have two children.....when are you having more...." MORE DOES NOT MEAN BETTER. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 There are about 73,546 threads on these topics already that have exhausted them. There is nothing new to say.Just curious... if you have nothing new to say... why did you post that? Nutty! Quote
Elgama Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I think others have expressed the church's view...My view is that a small family can be just as spiritually strong as a large one. There is no need to think otherwise. And if you wait to "afford" kids - you will never have them....I think you need to be able to be self reliant... but just as important... you need to be able to deal with the pregnancies--medically, and you need to deal with the children- spiritually, emotionally, and to provide a stable, loving, appropriate home.The one thing that irks me more than anything is when someone says... "Oh, you only have two children.....when are you having more...." MORE DOES NOT MEAN BETTER.especially since our current President has 3 children and one of his counsellors has 2 - are they less spiritual as a result?-Charley Quote
MarginOfError Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 especially since our current President has 3 children and one of his counsellors has 2 - are they less spiritual as a result?-CharleyYes. It's a sign of the new Apostasy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
TheyCallMeMom Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Posted February 25, 2009 There are about 73,546 threads on these topics already that have exhausted them. There is nothing new to say.I guess you were wrong.. you did have something new to say you may need to up your count by one now sorry.. I was just dealing with some "opinions" in regards to me having 7 children and expecting and 8th and was looking for opinions and suchtis allI keep trying to be a part of conversation here.. but try as I might..... Quote
Connie Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 Wow, congratulations! It takes a strong and patient woman to handle the challenge of a large family. Turn to the Lord for strength and comfort and try not to worry too much about other peoples opinions. The only opinion worth anything is God's opinion. *hugs* Quote
Wingnut Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Just curious... if you have nothing new to say... why did you post that? Nutty!I felt the need to be repetitive and redundant. I'm perfectly aware that what I said wasn't "new." I'm perfectly aware that what I said wasn't "new." especially since our current President has 3 children and one of his counsellors has 2 - are they less spiritual as a result?-CharleyI made this point several weeks ago in one of the 73,546 other () threads on the topic. Click here to read it: http://www.lds.net/forums/preserving-marriage-between-man-woman/17015-lds-sexuality-teachings-10.html#post312901 Edited February 26, 2009 by Wingnut Quote
Maureen Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 ...I was just dealing with some "opinions" in regards to me having 7 children and expecting and 8th and was looking for opinions and such.....TheyCallMeMom, did you mention before that you and your family are new converts? If so, did you and your husband decide to have a large family before converting? BTW, congratulations!!M. Quote
pam Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 I guess you were wrong.. you did have something new to say you may need to up your count by one now sorry.. I was just dealing with some "opinions" in regards to me having 7 children and expecting and 8th and was looking for opinions and suchtis allI keep trying to be a part of conversation here.. but try as I might..... I think it's awesome that you have going on 8 kids. I bow down to you. As long as you are physically, mentally, spiritually and financially able to do so...then go for it. Quote
LolaBella Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 I suppose there is nothing 'wrong' with large families, I just personally fail to understand why people choose to do it!! There is no way on earth I would choose to have a lot of kids, I have 2 beautiful girls that are more than enough for me. Maybe we would like one more but deffo when the girls are older. I just dont think people from 9, 10 kids can honestly get the same amount of attention that kids from smaller families do. I cherish the time I spent with my Father as a kid, going on daddy-daughter dates, long chats, etc. I cant imagine this possible if I had 8 other siblings. A lot of the large families I know of have unruly kids desperate for attention. Not all, Im sure the OP copes wonderfully well. I just wonder at the motives thats all. I feel my girls will get the love and attention they deserve from me as it is just the 2 of them. Quote
FunkyTown Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 I think you should stop at 23 kids. The moment you hit 24, that's too many! Quote
beefche Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 I think you should stop at 23 kids. The moment you hit 24, that's too many!You really shouldn't hit children--there are other ways to discipline. Quote
talisyn Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 Why do LDS women stop having kids at 35? Because 36 is too many, even for them ^^ Couldn't resist. Maybe I should have said FLDS.... I am the oldest of 6 sisters and 2 brothers. Being in a large family has taught me how to manage people, money, and space. My parents had us in happy times, then there were hard times, so yeah have the kids you can afford but understand things can change really fast. A good spirit and a sense of adventure can go a long way in making kids feel secure, even when all around them is falling apart. And never ever discount the benefits/blessings of an eternal family. Quote
tanuvasamama Posted February 28, 2009 Report Posted February 28, 2009 I would add that the parents should also be physically able to have the children and raise them, as well.So...is adoption out then? They aren't physically able to have those children...I'm just a bit confused by this one. Quote
Wingnut Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 · Hidden Hidden So...is adoption out then? They aren't physically able to have those children...I'm just a bit confused by this one.If you already have three children, most adoption agencies probably won't place another child with you, except for special circumstnaces (it's a niece or nephew, or you're named the guardian in someone's will), or if you get involved in foster care and adopt out of the system. There are so many people that can't have children that they get first priority on the adoptees.
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