17 Points of an Eternal Family

[the_jason]

Yesterday, one of our high councilors gave a good talk in Sacrament meeting. It was about families. He talked about The Family: A Proclamation to the World and how we can used it as a checklist to see how our family is doing. I started thinking how great an idea that was and have been pondering ever since. I've come up with a checklist.

Most of us have heard of The 17 points of the True Church, which was developed several years ago. Well, I've titled my checklist the 17 points of an Eternal Family. All 17 points come from the Proclamation.

Let me say, first, that I do not wish to offend anyone. Many members of this forum have broken families, incomplete families, or no family at all. Please accept my apology if any offense is taken. The doctrine of the Proclamation is still true. Here's my interpretation of it.

17 Points of an Eternal Family

Our family has a mother and a father, married legally

Our family is sealed for eternity in the temple

Our family includes children

Mom and Dad love each other

Mom and Dad love the children

Mom and Dad keep their temple covenants

Mom and Dad teach the children correct principles

Children have what they need physically and spiritually

Children love and help one another

Our family keeps the commandments

Our family obeys the laws of the land

Dad goes to work and provides for the family

Mom keeps the household organized and operating properly

Dad presides in the home, using the priesthood righteously

Mom teaches the children to love others and be good people

Mom and Dad are equal partners

Our family is happy

[checkerboy]

Very nice Jason. I like it.

[prisonchaplain]

14 out of 16 is about 85%. Does my family get a B or a B+???

[Silver Girl]

Our family has all but 1 or 2... I work outside of the home, as does my husband... And we have a member of our family that isn't too happy... (We have a wayward 18 year old)... Overall, I suppose we aren't doing too slouchy...

Silver Girl

[the_jason]

I wasn't asking for everyone's score, but you can surely give it if you want to. The purpose of this post was mostly to share with you how I've applied the Proclamation and invite you to either do the same or come up with your own application. Either way, thank you all for your replies.

Also, notice how there is nothing in the 17 points or in the Proclamation that says that children have to practice the teachings of their parents in order to be with them for eternity. This is another subject entirely, but the responsibility of a family being eternal rest solely with the parents. Wayward children are still sealed to their parents for eternity as long as the parents are obedient. In other words, we can be an eternal family and meet all 17 points even if our children have strayed.

Food for thought.

[Canuck Mormon]

Our family has a mother and a father, married legally - Yes
Our family is sealed for eternity in the temple -Yes (except for my son)
Our family includes children - There is my son from a previous marriage
Mom and Dad love each other - Indubitably
Mom and Dad love the children - Yes
Mom and Dad keep their temple covenants - Yes
Mom and Dad teach the children correct principles - Yes
Children have what they need physically and spiritually - Yes
Children love and help one another - There is only 1 child (so far)
Our family keeps the commandments - Yes
Our family obeys the laws of the land - Mostly
Dad goes to work and provides for the family - Yes
Mom keeps the household organized and operating properly - Yes, as well as working (until we decide to have another child)
Dad presides in the home, using the priesthood righteously - Yes
Mom teaches the children to love others and be good people - Yes, and so does Dad
Mom and Dad are equal partners - Yes
Our family is happy - Yes

Our situation is a little different as we are a blended family, but I say we are at 90%.

Thank you Jason. This is a wonderful checklist to check yourself against.

[Silver Girl]

I wasn't asking for everyone's score, but you can surely give it if you want to. The purpose of this post was mostly to share with you how I've applied the Proclamation and invite you to either do the same or come up with your own application. Either way, thank you all for your replies.

Also, notice how there is nothing in the 17 points or in the Proclamation that says that children have to practice the teachings of their parents in order to be with them for eternity. This is another subject entirely, but the responsibility of a family being eternal rest solely with the parents. Wayward children are still sealed to their parents for eternity as long as the parents are obedient. In other words, we can be an eternal family and meet all 17 points even if our children have strayed.

Food for thought.

Thanks for the food for thought, Jason... I am a little blue these days, as I miss my 18 year old son so badly...My heart breaks at his actions and thoughts... He has left home recently (not on good terms), as he doesn't want anything to do with us... I don't want to derail the thread, and so will say no more... But, I do appreciate the kind words!!

Thanks, Silver Girl

[Guest girlydolphin]

TJ:

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I know how important families are and the Proclamation of the Family is a standard held high that we should all strive to reach.

Jenny

[SmilingRedhead]

This is really great Jason! This has been yet another reminder to me of how truly blessed I am.

It's always good to be reminded of that. Thanks! :)

[the_jason]

I introduced this to my family last night during Family Home Evening. They were excited. My wife is going to frame it and put it where we will see it regularly. I think this just became our family motto.

[InTheDoghouse]

After attending the World Wide Leadership Training meeting last Saturday, I think we had all better post The Family: A Proclamation to the World somewhere that we can see it regularly. The meeting was completely about the value of family, and family values. I think that "the family" is going to be an even bigger topic for debate in the future than it is now. President Monson, again, reiterated the sanctity of the family, as the concluding speaker. He counseled and warned us to foster our familial relationships and protect the family at all costs. I think that Jason has just come up with a way that his family can study and use this great proclamation to their best benefit. Thank you for sharing it with us, so that we may also use it to benefit our families.

[darrel]

Great information the_jason, How many attended Worldwide Leadership Meeting Telecast where they presented the Proclamation on the Family in a panel discussion. Elder Packer introduced the panel. Elder Holland and Elder Oaks along with the Primary, Young Womans, and Relief Society Presidents. President Monson Closed the meeting.

[the_jason]

Unfortunately I missed the WW Training due to an ankle injury. I plan on watching it online, as I'm sure it was excellent. They usually are.

[Misshalfway]

Yesterday, one of our high councilors gave a good talk in Sacrament meeting. It was about families. He talked about The Family: A Proclamation to the World and how we can used it as a checklist to see how our family is doing. I started thinking how great an idea that was and have been pondering ever since. I've come up with a checklist.

Most of us have heard of The 17 points of the True Church, which was developed several years ago. Well, I've titled my checklist the 17 points of an Eternal Family. All 17 points come from the Proclamation.

Let me say, first, that I do not wish to offend anyone. Many members of this forum have broken families, incomplete families, or no family at all. Please accept my apology if any offense is taken. The doctrine of the Proclamation is still true. Here's my interpretation of it.

17 Points of an Eternal Family

Our family has a mother and a father, married legally

Our family is sealed for eternity in the temple

Our family includes children

Mom and Dad love each other

Mom and Dad love the children

Mom and Dad keep their temple covenants

Mom and Dad teach the children correct principles

Children have what they need physically and spiritually

Children love and help one another

Our family keeps the commandments

Our family obeys the laws of the land

Dad goes to work and provides for the family

Mom keeps the household organized and operating properly

Dad presides in the home, using the priesthood righteously

Mom teaches the children to love others and be good people

Mom and Dad are equal partners

Our family is happy

I think you make some good points here.....but I think that you leave out important demographic groups that also have access to eternal blessings. Like the couple that can't have children. Or single parent families. Just a reminder, that the church members don't always fit the ideal definitions of the perfect mormon family but are still very worthy of eternal blessings. I appreciate that you mention no offense is intended. But I think that these "lists" contribute to misunderstandings held inside and outside the church. I suppose that checklists are helpful in some way......I am just trying to figure out how. This one certainly doesn't tell the whole story.

[the_jason]

I think you make some good points here.....but I think that you leave out important demographic groups that also have access to eternal blessings. Like the couple that can't have children. Or single parent families. Just a reminder, that the church members don't always fit the ideal definitions of the perfect mormon family but are still very worthy of eternal blessings. I appreciate that you mention no offense is intended. But I think that these "lists" contribute to misunderstandings held inside and outside the church. I suppose that checklists are helpful in some way......I am just trying to figure out how. This one certainly doesn't tell the whole story.

As I said in my original post, this list is my own interpretation. It may not apply to your family, but it applies to mine. Also, it is still a commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, regardless if a family has children or not. Doctrine is doctrine and does not change based on familial status. Lastly, there is an opportunity for families who do not have children in this life to have children in the Celestial Kingdom. People forget that. When it is spoken that marriage is required in order to receive the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom, that does not only apply to this life. Individuals who do not have an opportunity to marry in this life will certainly have an opportunity in the next life. While my list is not sanctioned by Church or recognized as an official document, every point is found in the Proclamation, and is therefore doctrine. Please realize that doctrines are eternal and continue beyond our mortal state.

[Misshalfway]

I see what you are saying. Just don't want anyone to feel that if they DON'T fit the profile or only fit the profile 85%, like in an above post, that they somehow interpret that as "not living up to LDS standards." The list is a good one. It does what it does. It highlights some wonderful goals for families. I think I understand your meaning and intention. I believe that they are both good. And I appreciate that it may be a good tool for some.

[inthearmsofsleep]

I'd say we have about 11 here in my home (my parents are divorced). I think this is great, though. I'll keep it in mind when I have a family of my own.