Following the Living Prophet Through Continuing Revelation

I spoke today in my home ward and felt the guidance of the Spirit as I prepared for this one. That made it a humbling experience for me. The Stake Presidency was in attendance in our meeting, which also made it humbling. I am grateful for the privilege and responsibility that I enjoy as a High Councilor to speak regularly.

--------------------------------------------------- 

Dear brothers and sisters, I am thankful to be here with you today, to worship our Heavenly Father on this beautiful Sabbath morning. I hope you heard the birds singing this morning. It's a reminder to me that the Lord is still at work in the world.

I bring you love and greetings from President Garvin and his counselors. They pray for you and are aware of many of your concerns.

Brother Ashton and I are here today by assignment from the Stake Presidency.

I pray for the guidance of the Spirit as I speak, so that each of us may understand what the Lord would have us learn.

In Primary, I learned a great truth: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”[1]

In Seminary, additional truths were added that made a deep impression on me. One of these was in the Doctrine and Covenants. “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.”[2]

In the chorus of a beloved hymn, we sing

“Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.”[3]

What is the common thread here? I believe it is the doctrine of revelation. The 9^th Article of Faith declares our belief in continuing revelation, Section 42 contains the promise of personal revelation, and I Am A Child of God reminds us of our need for personal revelation.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of revelation. It was established in our day with a glorious revelation of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ to the boy Joseph Smith. The restoration of the gospel came by revelation through Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, and it continues today under President Russell M. Nelson, our living prophet.

When we look at these great revelations and these great revelators, we may be tempted to ask ourselves why we need personal revelation when these prophets are here to guide us. I think that is a fair question.

Do we need personal revelation? And if so, why is it important to us?

To me, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” We need personal revelation more than ever.

The prophets of our dispensation have taught some important principles concerning revelation.

Joseph Smith said:

“We believe that we have a right to revelations, visions, and dreams from God, our heavenly Father; and light and intelligence, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus Christ, on all subjects pertaining to our spiritual welfare; if it so be that we keep his commandments, so as to render ourselves worthy in his sight.”[4]

“It is the privilege of the children of God to come to God and get revelation. … God is not a respecter of persons; we all have the same privilege.”[5]

Pres. Nelson, in April Conference last year, gave us this memorable counsel:

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

“My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. … Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.

“If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.”[6]

Not only are we entitled to personal revelation within our own stewardships; we are obligated to seek it. This is a principle of personal revelation.

However, we are only entitled to revelation within our own stewardships. What are our stewardships?

Brigham Young offered this comment:

“There is no doubt, if a person lives according to the revelations given to God’s people, he may have the Spirit of the Lord to signify to him his will, and to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties, in his temporal as well as his spiritual exercises. I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privileges.”[7]

Think of that, brothers and sisters, we could be receiving much more direction from the Lord than we are now. We must simply be willing to do the work, as President Young and President Nelson instructed.

So, our stewardships are our temporal and our spiritual duties. They include

1.     Ourselves;

2.     Our employment and volunteer activities;

3.     Our families;

4.    Those to whom we minister, while respecting their stewardships;

5.     Our callings and assignments, within the bounds designated by our file leaders and the Lord.

There are limitations placed on our stewardships. My stewardship over my family is a shared stewardship with my dear companion. Our temple covenants make this clear. I would be a poor steward without her inspiration.

Although I have been called to counsel with the Bishop and with our Elder’s Quorum Presidency, and to counsel with our Stake Presidency, I recognize that they hold the keys for our ward and our stake. Because of these keys, I can advise, but not direct them in their responsibilities. I do not have the right to receive revelation for them.

And I am certainly not entitled to receive revelation on matters of Church doctrine or policy. Only one person has that right at any given time. As soon as we begin to think otherwise, we no longer stand in holy places, but are on shaky ground.

Remember, President Nelson told us that we need to develop our ability to receive personal revelation. He promised us that “Through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.”[8]

Elder Rasband stated that “The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord.” Isn’t that what we really need? Don’t we want to bound more securely to the Savior?

What revelation do we need in our lives? Let me suggest six areas as a starting point.

1.     Revelations leading to testimony. You have certainly received some of these revelations.

We are familiar with Joseph Smith’s experiences; we are familiar with Moroni’s promise, in which he counsels us to “ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;” and he promises if we “shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto [us], by the power of the Holy Ghost.”[9]

If we follow this formula, not only will we gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but also a testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and his atonement. Indeed, we may receive a revelatory witness from the Spirit regarding any and all doctrines and principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Moroni testified that “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”[10]

2.    Revelations to assist in making important decisions.

President Nelson, in speaking of his own family, said “Each of these blessings has come as a result of seeking and heeding the promptings of the Holy Ghost.”[11]

Over the years, many of the apostles have echoed this sentiment as they spoke of their decisions to marry their wives in the temple.

I have sought the Lord’s direction many times in my life. Most noteworthy was when I felt that I needed Heidi in my life and asked for the Lord’s guidance. The Lord has also given me guidance in choices regarding schooling, career opportunities, and even a career change. He has directed us in countless other decisions, large and small. I know he will provide direction, if we ask.

3.    Revelations to help guide loved ones.

In our study of Come, Follow Me this year, we have already seen how Joseph received revelations that blessed his family.

An angel told him in a dream that he should take Mary as his wife; he was warned by an angel in a dream to take Mary and her son into Egypt; and he was warned once again by an angel to go to Nazareth in Galilee. His obedience to these revelations blessed his young family.

As parents and grandparents, our children and grandchildren are a significant part of our stewardship.  However, we must respect their agency, especially as adults.

Heidi has always been better at this than I have been. Even when our children were young, she helped them to seek the Lord’s guidance in deciding whether to have a surgery, for example. Because of her inspired guidance, they learned early to “counsel with the Lord in all [their] doings,” and they received his directions for good.[12]

They have been blessed beyond measure because they learned to rely on the Lord. I have been blessed as well.

4.    Revelations leading to repentance and forgiving.

Why do I mention this one? Because these revelations have been important in my life.

If we are open to the Spirit, the Lord will reveal to us the things we need to repent of. Sometimes that revelation comes through our spouses or children. This kind of revelation is not always easy to accept.

I have also experienced instances in my life where the Lord revealed to me that I needed to forgive certain individuals. This was also difficult, but it led to some choice spiritual experiences in my life. I am grateful that I have been directed to utilize the Atonement of Jesus Christ in both repenting and forgiving.

5.    Revelations regarding our callings.

I testify to you that our leaders are inspired of God in issuing callings to us. I have seen inspiration at work many, many times in the various councils I have participated in.

If we are called by inspiration, why shouldn’t we use inspiration in fulfilling our callings?

Many of the Sections in the Doctrine and Covenants came because early members came to Joseph Smith to learn God’s will for them.

The Lord is eager to inspire us to help us to magnify our callings. You have felt this as you seek to magnify your callings; I have felt it in connection with my callings. Sometimes these promptings come after much prayer and effort; other times, they come spontaneously. It may be revelation on how to teach a particular gospel truth, or on how to reach an individual in a class or quorum. The Lord is eager to provide assistance.

Most importantly, in our roles as ministering brothers and sisters, we cannot properly fulfill our responsibilities and change lives without revelation. A committed, effective, ministering brother or sister will be praying for the Lord’s guidance to bring their brother or sister closer to the Savior. Many of you have experienced this as you have served.

6.    Revelations when preparing and giving talks. Have you ever prepared a talk that just seemed to write itself? That has become a common but much appreciated experience for me as I have served as a High Councilor. At other times, I have had to struggle to know what the Lord would like me to say. Either way, I have come to trust in the Lord’s willingness to help. If I humbly seek to deliver the message he wants me to deliver, he will guide me to say what he wants me to say.

And honestly, we should all be preparing to listen to the talks every week, so we can reap the benefits of being at church.

As we listen to the speakers in our meetings, we frequently have insights given us by the Holy Ghost. Interestingly, most of these insights have little to do with the words being spoken, and more to do with the spirit that we and the speakers invite into our meetings.

And this is why reverence before sacrament meeting is so important. We all need this revelation. We all have the right to ponder quietly before the meeting in preparation to receive the promptings that are vital to us. We all have the responsibility to allow others to enjoy this quiet communion with the Spirit before our meetings.

Of course, there are many other areas of our lives where we need revelation, information from someone far wiser than we.

We often think of the temple as a house of revelation, and it should be for all of us. But the chapel should also be a place of revelation. And our homes should be just as sacred. We should stand in holy places and make the places holy where we stand.

Isaiah counseled us to:

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”.[13]

The Lord counseled Moses:

“But if … thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”[14]

We are commanded to seek the Lord, and we are given the wonderful promise that if we seek him, he will reveal himself to us, if we seek him sincerely.

I believe very strongly that when we seek the Lord, and when we counsel with him in our doings, it should be with the desire to know his will, not to justify our own will.

Nor will the Lord force his will on us. In the hymns, we sing--or perhaps not; I have only sung this once in 60 years—the following:

“He’ll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.”[15]

This is the revelation we seek as we strive to follow the prophet.

I testify that God lives, and that he does reveal his mind and will to his children on earth.

I testify that Russell M. Nelson is his living prophet on earth today, and that he receives direction for the church and for the world, from our Heavenly Father.

And I know that when we receive personal revelation from our Heavenly Father, we will be enabled to follow the prophet with greater faith. God wants us to receive that revelation, I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

---

[1] Articles of Faith 9.

[2] Doctrine and Covenants 42:61.

[3] Randall, NW, I Am A Child of God, Hymns, 301.

[4] Letter from Joseph Smith to Isaac Galland, Mar. 22, 1839, Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri, published in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, p. 54.

[5] Discourse given by Joseph Smith about July 1839 in Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards, in Willard Richards, Pocket Companion, pp. 75, 78–79, Church Archives.

[6] Nelson, RM, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, April 2018 General Conference, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng

[7] Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. and arr. by John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973, p. 32; emphasis added.

[8] Nelson, RM, Ibid.

[9] The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Moroni 10:4.

[10] Op. cit. Moroni 10:5. Italics mine.

[11] Nelson, RM, op. cit.

[12] Op. cit. Alma 37:37.

[13] KJV, Isaiah 55:6-7.

[14] KJV, Deuteronomy 4:29.

[15] Anonymous, Know This, That Every Soul Is Free, Hymns, 240.

Strengthening Marriage, Home and Family

This talk was given on August 19, 2018 in the Highlands Ward in San Bernardino, California. As a member of the Stake High Council, it was my privilege to prepare and deliver this message.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning, brothers and sisters, it is a privilege to be with today, to worship with you and to feel of your spirit. I am grateful for the long friendships that I have enjoyed with many of you.
I pray that Spirit will be with us this morning, that we all may be strengthened by this important message.
-------------------------------------
We have heard much about the importance of families over the last few years. I hope you are not tired of hearing it. The only thing more important in our Heavenly Father’s plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

We continue to study the Book of Mormon individually and as families. I love the Book of Mormon. I love to study it and to feel the spirit that comes from this great book of scripture. I testify to you that it is the word of God, given to us for our day.

The Book of Mormon begins with a family. Lehi’s family was probably an ordinary family in Jerusalem, perhaps wealthier than most. It becomes clear that even though dad was a prophet, they were not a perfect family. They had some serious struggles. Indeed, we may well call them a dysfunctional family.

In the Book of First Nephi, we learn that Lehi taught his family the gospel. Imagine what those family home evenings were like! He taught his children to work. They participated in wholesome recreational activities together: they went hiking, camping, and hunting. They even went on a cruise together, although they had to build the boat first.

Lehi remained true to gospel teachings, in spite of death threats from outside and inside the family. He did murmur against the Lord during the broken bow incidents but responded positively to Nephi’s chastisements, and repented.

We learn a great lesson in 1 Nephi Chapter 5, when Sariah criticized Lehi, and he responded “yes, dear, I know I’m a visionary man.” Brethren, that is a man to follow.

Despite all the struggles, Lehi kept his family together. We read that he exhorted them “with all the feeling of a tender parent.”[1] That phrase touches me deeply. His concern for both his wayward children and his obedient children lasted until his dying breath.

Why is this important to us?

First, it reminds us that the Book of Mormon was written for our day, with many lessons that we can learn and apply.

Second, through the Book of Mormon narratives, we can learn the doctrine of the family.

President Kimball spoke of the family in the opening address of October 1980 General Conference. He told us
“We have always understood that the foundations of the family, as an eternal unit, were laid even before this earth was created!
 “Therefore, whenever anything so basic as the eternal family is imperiled, we have a solemn obligation to speak out, lest there be critical damage to the family institution by those who seem to be deliberately destructive of it.”[2]

Remember, this was in 1980!

He continued,
“The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.”
“There are those who would define the family in such a nontraditional way that they would define it out of existence.
“We of all people, brothers and sisters, should not be taken in by the specious arguments that the family unit is somehow tied to a particular phase of development a mortal society is going through. We are free to resist those moves which downplay the significance of the family ... We know the family to be eternal. …
 “The decline in many of our families is occurring at a time when the nations of the world are moving into some of the most difficult times known.
“Our political institutions … cannot rescue us if our basic institution, the family, is not intact. Peace treaties cannot save us when there is hostility instead of love in the home. … Law enforcement cannot safeguard us if too many people are unwilling to discipline themselves or be disciplined.”[3]

Brothers and sisters, these are the words of a prophet of God, nearly 38 years ago.

How many of you have flown somewhere and heard the pilot warn of approaching turbulence and ask you to fasten your seatbelts? When you hear this announcement, you pay attention. The prophets have been asking us to fasten our spiritual seatbelts for as long as there have been prophets. And there is certainly turbulence today. These warnings have increased in frequency and in fervency in the last few years.

How can we effectively defend and protect our families and our homes?

First, we must understand what the doctrine of the family is, and what it is based on. We need to recognize the threats to the family, to marriage, and to the home so we know what we are fighting against and can prepare ourselves. And we need to remember our covenants and be true to them.

The doctrine of the family teaches us that the family is the basic unit for mankind here and in the eternities. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who is a living example of this eternal law.

The Creation provided a place where families could live. God created a man and a woman who were the two essential halves of a family. And it was a part of his plan that Adam and Eve be sealed and form an eternal family themselves.

The Fall provided a way for the family to grow. Adam and Eve chose to have a mortal experience and to honor their covenant to multiply and replenish the earth. And what a privilege it is to be descended from these amazing people!

The Atonement allows for the family to be sealed together for eternity. The plan of happiness, or the plan of salvation is centered in the family.

When we speak of qualifying for eternal life, it means qualifying for the blessings of eternal families. These blessings are available to all who are faithful, even if they have not had the opportunity to enjoy these blessings in this life.

This privilege was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, as described in the Doctrine & Covenants:
“Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
“And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.
“If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.”[4]

These verses speak of temple blessings—the ordinances and covenants without which “the whole earth would be utterly wasted.” I find it significant that these verses are the only verses which can be found in each of the four Standard Works. That gives us a sense of the importance of this message.

Through the restoration of priesthood keys, we may receive the promises of eternal life in family units through our temple covenants.

In these temple covenants, we are also promised the blessings of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What are these blessings?

In Abraham, Chapter 1, Abraham tells us that he sought “the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer; … to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, … and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.”[5]

These blessings come only to those who have a temple sealing and marriage. A man cannot become a “father or many nations” without being sealed to his wife. And he could not hold the right belonging to the fathers without a wife who held the right belonging to the mothers.

These covenant blessings are all contingent upon our righteousness.

Finally, we need to understand that forming families and bearing and rearing children is a faith-based work. I’m not sure that this principle is evident to many of our young people. Or perhaps they are uncertain of their own faith.

I know that in our marriage, we acted in faith in our decision to marry, and in our decision to have children. We trusted in the Lord’s promises as we moved forward and have been richly blessed already.

This is the doctrine of the family. But how do we build on that foundation? It is too easy to use the standard answers, to say, “follow the Spirit, keep the commandments, love one another, pray, study the scriptures and hold family home evening.” It is much more difficult to do it. And there is more to it than that.

I would like to share some practical ideas on strengthening home, family and marriage.

As parents, we should live and teach with so much clarity that our teachings cut through the noise and interference that the youth are hearing from the world and so that it will pierce their hearts and touch them. We need to walk the talk and avoid sending mixed messages. Our youth will pick up on that very quickly. As parents, our teaching should be in harmony with the gospel, and definitely in harmony with each other.

Julie B. Beck counseled us to “live in your home so that you’re brilliant in the basics, so that you’re intentional about your roles and responsibilities in the family. Think in terms of precision, not perfection.”[6]

In other words, it doesn’t matter so much if our efforts are less than perfect, as long as we are consistent in having family prayers, family home evening, family scripture study, family singing and other activities that build faith. Through that consistency our children and grandchildren will gain a firm foundation. If we treat these events as unimportant, that message will be heard loud and clear. And we should do our best to make it enjoyable, leading “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;”[7] not by force or intimidation.

And don’t forget to have fun as a family. That must not be overlooked.

Of course, we all have our agency. And some of our children may choose not to follow us. Lehi dealt with that. Even Heavenly Father lost a third of his children. I would hesitate to call him a failure. But if we remain true and faithful to our covenants, we have a promise, which was stated so beautifully by Elder Orson F. Whitney:
“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.”[8]

This is beautiful doctrine, and the Spirit has testified to me that this is true.

Elder Robert D. Hales told us that “the key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path.”[9]

We have been counseled to make our homes a safe place where each family member feels love and a sense of belonging. Our homes should be sanctuaries from the world.

Satan is raging in the world, but we should not allow him to enter into our homes. There should be no place for him there.

President Nelson encouraged Church members to hang certain reminders of the plan of salvation in their home: “I invite the members of the Church to place on the walls of their homes pictures of their family, pictures of their grandparents, pictures as a couple, pictures of their children, and pictures of the temple. These all symbolize God’s eternal plan. It’s all about the family.”[10]

We also need to invest time in our most important relationships: our spouse, children, and grandchildren. I would suggest that the world’s concept of “quality time” is not in keeping with the gospel—it is an excuse. Scheduling an occasional hour is not adequate for eternal relationships. Sufficient time and effort should be given to strengthening our relationships with family members: to teaching the gospel, helping children and grandchildren set goals and lift their sights, to providing encouragement, and to developing common interests.

In my family, my mom had us takes turns doing Sunday dinner dishes with her. It was many years later that I learned that this was her chance to visit with us one on one on a regular basis. And we also learned to do some basic housework. When her grandchildren were old enough, she was patient enough to let them help with baking, and bonds were created.

I recall my mom taking us with her as she did her visiting teaching assignments during the summer. My dad was my home teaching companion throughout my youth, and when he was a Stake Missionary, I frequently accompanied him on visits. My parents taught me to serve others, and to magnify even the challenging church callings.

Heidi spends time talking with our grandchildren who can converse and sings and plays with the grandchildren who aren’t yet conversational. She recently asked our oldest grandson, who is eight, what his favorite thing was to do. He responded, “be a family.” What a mature and gratifying answer!

It is also important to help our children and grandchildren to value themselves for who they are. If they see themselves as children of God, they will be more accepting of others, both in and out of the church. We should help them to understand and respect honorable manhood and womanhood, as well as the God-given expectations connected to each role.

We should ask ourselves, what is the next ordinance? For ourselves, our children, or our grandchildren. It may be baptism, priesthood ordination, or temple ordinances. 
For some the next ordinance needed might be the sacrament. As family members, we can help other family members plan and prepare as they progress on the pathway to eternal life, as Elder Hales advised us.

And that, perhaps, is the most important role we have as family members, to strive together to stay on the path that leads to eternal life.

The Ward Motto of the Crestline Ward is; “It’s all about a Christ-centered family.” These are good words to live by whether we adopt it as a personal motto or goal, or simply recognize its truth.

Strengthening family, home and marriage in the public arena goes hand in hand with protecting our religious freedoms. The scriptures and the prophets have taught that it is through personal righteousness that we will preserve our religious freedoms. 

Through our personal righteousness, we will not only strengthen our own families, but also strengthen the family in society. We need to let our lights shine.

It is not necessary for us to be politically active. Our own righteous acts and other service will serve as the leaven in our society and help to preserve the institutions that we value.

I testify that the family is the foundational unit of Heavenly Father’s kingdom. Heavenly Father created the family in order for us to be happy, both now and in the eternities to come. If we are true to the covenants we have made, we will obtain all the blessings that Heavenly Father has promised to us through obedience to his plan. 
He loves us and wants us to return to him.

I pray that we will be true and faithful in living these important doctrines.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ; 1 Nephi 8:37.
[2] Kimball, SW; Families Can Be Eternal; October 1980 General Conference, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/10/families-can-be-eternal?lang=eng
[3] Ibid.
[4] Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3.
[5] Pearl of Great Price; Abraham 1:2.
[6] Beck, JB; Teaching the Doctrine of the Family; Ensign, March 2011; https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng
[7] Doctrine & Covenants 121:41. See also verses following.
[8] In Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110. See also Faust, JE; Dear Are the Sheep that Have Wandered; April 2003 General Conference. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/dear-are-the-sheep-that-have-wandered?lang=eng
[9] Hales, RD; Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty; April 1999 General Conference. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty?lang=eng
[10] LDS Living; http://www.ldsliving.com/President-Nelson-Invites-Latter-day-Saints-to-Hang-5-Things-on-the-Walls-of-Their-Homes/s/88680