Mormon Families
In the beliefs of Mormonism, the family is essential. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for our salvation and the family is central to it, the focus of both earthly and eternal society. Much of what Mormons believe about the family can be read in The Family: a Proclamation to the World. The First Presidency and the Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the leaders of the Mormon Church, issued this.
Many people believe that Mormons still practice plural marriage, but they haven’t practiced this for over a hundred years. A Mormon family is traditionally the traditional one—a wife, a husband, and their children. Marriage is believed to be a sacred covenant, or promise, between husband and wife, and Mormons are wary about divorce. Further, Mormon marriages are often performed in sacred buildings called temples—these marriages are believed to be eternal and will last, if the participants are faithful, long past the end of this life.
Divorce is not forbidden in the Mormon Church, though, and it does occur. But members of the Church are strongly discouraged from breaking apart their marriages. They are encouraged toward counseling and toward working out their problems through love and effort. The Church sees the commonness of divorce and the ease by which it can happen as one of the primary reasons for the demeaning of the family’s importance . . . and its stability.
Because those part of Mormonism still practice the law given to Adam and Eve "to multiply and replenish the earth,” Mormon families tend to be larger than average. To bring spirits into the earth, and hopefully righteous homes, is considered a privilege and a right.
And children are very, very important in Mormon beliefs. Joseph B. Wirthlin, one of the Twelve Apostles, said, "The righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can do, and the home is the place to do it." Mothers are indeed encouraged to remain home and nurture their children, and fathers are encouraged to be responsible for the family’s material needs. These roles are perceived as equal ones, both absolutely necessary for the instruction of children, and their raising. The Mormon marriage is supposed to be an equal partnership, where neither mother or father dominate.
Parents are supposed to take responsibility for the spiritual instruction of their children. Life at home should be centered on the gospel and parents should teach by example as well. After all, if parents do not live what they preach, do not live as Latter-day Saints, they can’t expect their children to either.
Monday nights are set aside by the Church as a time when families should hold Family Home Evening. This is meant to be a private time for Mormon families can meet together, without other, interfering, responsibilities or interruptions. The meeting usually includes a gospel lesson and, often, a recreational activity. Mormons believe that Family Home Evening increases the strength and unity of a family.
Another thing which Mormons do for the spiritual unity of their family is the practice of family prayer, morning and night. They also have family scripture study. A family that prays together and learns together can come closer to God together.
The founder of the Church, Joseph Smith, taught that family can also be forever, sealed together for such inside Mormon temples. In Mormon belief, this gives the family the promise that they may live together for all eternity, if they are faithful. Mormon families strive to be eternal ones.