Family Matters: For Time and All Eternity

Families are essential in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We are part of a heavenly family and an earthly one. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:  “God is the designer of the family. He intended that the greatest of happiness, the most satisfying aspects of life, the deepest joys should come in our associations together and our concerns one for another as fathers and mothers and children” Temple and family history work unites families. Husbands and wives, parents and children can be sealed through sacred temple ordinances. The goal of this process is that “the whole chain of God’s family shall be welded together into one chain, and they shall all become the family of God and His Christ” (Joseph F. Smith, Millennial Star, Oct. 4, 1906, 629). Personal and family history work have been been a source of joy and peace in our family. We have personally felt the spiritual blessings of taking the names of our ancestors to the temple and performing proxy baptisms and sealings regularly.

Call me old-fashioned, but I love hand-written letters! There is something special about sitting down and writing or reading a note meant for you. In our ever-growing tech savvy world, I think letter writing still holds an important component in our family communication. Emails, messengers, text messages have become a way of life but I still prefer written letters. Taking the time to send a thoughtful note shows you cherish a relationship and want to invest in it. My most favorite part is pausing long enough to say things that matter. To some young people, mail can seem outdated or boring; but for mature generations, it’s a tradition rich in sentiment.Our ancestors recognized the importance of writing letters, and so should we. With a simple notepad and few strokes of the pen, you have the power to encourage a loved one, inspire a friend or rekindle a romance.  Try doing it too! Research says it can actually make you happier. Steve Toepfer from Kent State University studies